Saddleback Mountain, The Horn

"Camped in Gorham, N.H. @ Moose Brook SP & drove the 2 hrs. to Rangeley, ME to hike these two 4000' ers. Weather was overcast with rain impending but we chose to push on. We hiked the ski trails to the top of the quad & then followed the footpath to the top of the ridge & the AT. The summit of Saddleback is a short walk south on the AT. To get to the Horn is another 1.7 miles & many ups & downs. Upon approaching the Horn summit, rain mixed with sleet started to fall & the wind picked up. Needless to say, we got soaked. We made a quick about face & started our return trip eating lunch in a sheltered dip. The rain & wind finally subsided as we made our way back to the base lodge. All in all, a good day despite the elements. " — billsussdorff • Sep 14, 2019

"Drove 6 1/2 hours to start this hike at 9:30 am. It was hot and I went up a ski trail in the bright sun. Wildflowers everywhere! Met some AT thruhikers heading south. A beautiful day - my first Maine high peaks since Katahdin in 2015. " — PJSelmer • Jul 3, 2019

"Part of a group hike. Doug and I along with 9 others made a successful attempt on Elephant. GPS tracks helped out immensely. After this hike, Doug proposed the idea of a night hike of the Saddlebacks. We made the attempt and were successful. Wind chill was rough up there but it was beautiful seeing Rangeley lit up. Full moon and clear skies helped. " — newenglandwarrior • Feb 17, 2019

"My second day in Maine for the weekend, found me hiking the Saddleback and the Horn. The advantage for this one started on the ride in to find trail head. I was hiking the newer Berry pickers trail and the road off of Reed rd was a treat, washed out culverts and a old bridge I desided to walk over. The Berry pickers trail was so nice though, coming up between the two peaks. Started with nice cascades and falls, and then ledges with views all around! " — blackwolf_03278 • Aug 25, 2018

"We came back for the Horn after a failed attempt at getting it in winter conditions along with Saddleback. This time we chose to hike the Berry Picker's Trail, a newly cut trail that approaches from the opposite side of the ridge, topping out in the col between the two peaks. The trail was aptly named, as there were plenty of berries to eat along the way. The most difficult part of the day was finding the trailhead and navigating the horrible dirt roads to get there. The hike was uneventful and the views from the Horn were pretty great." — ne4kclimber • Aug 5, 2018

"We opted to climb these two peaks via the ski trails. The trails were snow covered, but the snow wasn't all that deep. We made it to the summit of Saddleback with no issue, but the trek over to the Horn was a different story. We had Porter with us, and so we were apprehensive about the icy conditions, especially as we only had microspikes. Another party, also with dogs, was en route to the Horn as well. After some sketchy sections, everyone decided it would be best to save the Horn for another day. We returned to the car via the ski trails. " — ne4kclimber • Dec 9, 2017

"1.5 day trip to work on NE 67. Day one: Old Spec in the morning Saddleback and the Horn in the afternoon Day two: Sugarloaf and Spaulding in the morning. Saw lots of AT Hikers, got real sweaty, roughed it on some really great maine mountain trails and slept in my car falling asleep with the Milky Way above. What a trip!" — shay-shay • Sep 21, 2017

"Saddleback and the Horn is an interesting hike as you are exposed about 99% of the way. You go up a ski slope and the hike a ridge above tree line. Views of the Rangeley lakes area is fantastic. Our weather was a little cold and windy. Dark clouds threatened rain the whole time. Amlittle sun here and there." — Alohabuffy • Aug 8, 2017

"Climb down Saddleback was a good workout, mostly smooth sailing to The Horn, other than some areas where the trail was completely flooded. Had a great experience when all of the clouds and fog suddenly lifted right in front of us revealing the trail and The Horn before us. It was pretty amazing." — mikewilliamsjr • Jun 20, 2017

"Continued on from Saddleback with Kim and Jeff Davis where we hung out for just a short time before they continued NoBo on the AT and I backtracked and headed up and over Saddleback and down to the ski resort where my car was parked. " — LGH-Tom • Sep 12, 2016

"What a great day for a hike! One of the nicest 4000'ers I ever climbed in Maine. Today was a perfect day for a climb, the only thing that would have made it better if everyone could have joined us. We hiked up the Gray Ghost trail to the Tri Color trail (both are ski trails) to the AT and then we went on to The Horn. This route according to the map at the visitor center is approx. 2 miles. Every picture and trail description of the traverse to The Horn looks like it's right there and just an easy ridge walk, I'm just going to tell you, you drop down about 700' on the Saddleback end and then climb back another 600' on The Horn end. It doesn't sound like much, but at that point it feels like alot more. " — bwright • Jun 15, 2013

"I never got good views from this peak, the two times I hiked it this day. Although the clouds cleared from the summit after I left for the first time, (to climb Saddleback Jr.) they rolled back in when I was within 200' of the summit on my return trip. Nonetheless, a fun & very steep climb on the Saddleback Jr. side. " — VonSelmer • Jul 9, 2011