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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Saddleback Mountain, Saddleback Mountain - The Horn, ME
Trails
Trails: Ski trails, Saddleback Side Trail, Appalachian Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, July 11, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Large dirt lot to the right of the base lodge. We were the 4th car upon arriving at 11am and only car remaining at 3pm. Saddleback Mountain Rd is mostly paved to the resort with minor heaves / bumps. Suitable for any vehicle. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: None 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Ski Trails unmaintained but herd path is easy to follow. AT between peaks clearly marked and easy to follow. Helpful to pull an old Saddleback ski trail map in prep for the hike if not familiar with the mountain. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Saw one dog on the trails today ... ski trails would pose no problem to Saddleback summit. AT across to The Horn has minor rock ledges that could be slick if wet. One small but wide metal ladder exists near the col and could pose a bit of a challenge for some dogs. 
Bugs
Bugs: None! We had a nice breeze today which gave us a break after getting eaten alive on some recent hikes. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Straight-forward hike up Saddleback Ski Trails to summit and then across AT to The Horn. Followed dirt access road from base lodge to Muddler and then to Grey Ghost. Some take lower Grey Ghost from base lodge, but we found Muddler was a wider access road. Either option is easy to follow and gets you to the same place. Grey Ghost connects to Tri-Color above Rangeley Double Chair Lift (where there is a warming station building). Tri-Color leads you to top of Kennebago Quad Chair Lift. Short path to true summit is to right of first aid building. Trail is easy to follow.

From Saddleback, AT drops about 600' to col and is more traditional / expected terrain for the area. The Horn only has a summit post as the sign is missing. Clouds started moving in mid-afternoon, but terrific hazy views to Lakes and surrounding area are available from both summits. Very nice breeze made bugs non-existent today. Sea of Purple Lupine in full bloom on lower part of Saddleback ski trails was spectacular!

It was an extremely quiet day today on these mountains as we saw one group of kids / teens on Saddleback and then only one other couple from California hiking their first New England 4,000 footers.  
Name
Name: Charlie 
E-Mail
E-Mail: skcharles at comcast dot net 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-07-11 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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