Saddleback Mountain

  • Johns Brook Lane, ADK Garden Trailhead, Keene Valley
  • info@lakeplacid.com

Hike Features

Summit

Available parking at and near trailheads is limited and can fill quickly! The Lake Placid Hiker Shuttle offers easy parking at Marcy Field and free transportation to some of the most popular hikes in the high peaks. Visit Lake Placid Hiker Shuttle for additional information and to find the most up-to-date hiker shuttle map and schedule.

Saddleback is often climbed along the Great Range Trail with Lower Wolf Jaw, Upper Wolf Jaw, Armstrong and Gothics, or Haystack and Basin. However, it's a fabulous climb by itself. The views are outstanding, the climb is packed with memories, and the route is rugged but challenging and fun.

How to get there

Leave Lake Placid on Route 73, heading east toward Keene and Keene Valley. After about 19 miles, in downtown Keene Valley, turn right at the large wooden DEC sign for the Garden parking lot. This turn is also about 12 miles from Exit 30 on I-87.

Note: There is a small fee to park at the Garden. Parking here is limited and the lot fills up early most weekend mornings, especially in summer. On busy weekends, there is often a shuttle bus that runs from the overflow parking lot at Marcy Field, just north of Keene Valley on Route 73.

By the numbers

  • Elevation: 5,515 feet
  • Elevation gain: 2,870 feet from Johns Brook Valley 
  • Follow Leave No Trace principles
  • Saddleback is High Peak #17

Hiking

This summit offers near 360 degree views. There is one very demanding section on the backside of Saddleback known as the Saddleback Cliffs. This short section calls for all hands on deck and a lack of fear for exposure. The route described below is the most direct route and while steep does not involve any cliff climbing.

This is a 7.1 mile hike, one way, with a mixture of terrain. From the Garden Parking area you will be hiking along a portion of rolling hills till you drop steeply into Johns Brook Valley at 3.0 miles. Making a right into the valley you will continue a bit further to Johns Brook Lodge. Just past Johns Brook Lodge is a trail on the left that drops down to cross Johns Brook and the Ore Bed Brook, this can be tricky in high water situations.

This short section of trail will bring you to five corners. The Ore Bed Trail that leads up to the Great Range Trail is the one to the right. Straight is Wolf Jaw Notch, angling left is Short Job, left is back to the Garden along the Southside Trail. The Ore Bed Trail is very straight forward but a bit demanding. The first portion is along a well-used trail, but the upper portion where it gets steeper has received a facelift by Hurricane Irene. The upper portion is not a slide. Steps and ladders have been put into place to make the trek a bit safer and easier. The top of the Ore Bed Trail leaves you between Gothics (left) and Saddleback (right). Head right and continue a steep climb over a false summit of Saddleback to the true summit of Saddleback.

The Cliffs are on the opposite side, heading toward Basin. If you are doing a traverse, and start with Saddleback, you will descent the cliffs, which may not be favorable due to their steepness.

Snowshoeing

Saddleback is fairly well sheltered but steep terrain can make this difficult. The cliffs on the Basin side of Saddleback are dangerous in the winter and much better to be climbing than descending.  Heavy winds and whiteout conditions can exist. Deep wind chill can also be a factor.