Saddle Mountain Lookout

Trail Description

The first part of the trail winds through moist, mature cedar/hemlock forests, typical of the area, which, with its substantial rainfall and fertile soils, is often called BC’s interior rain forest. Under the tall trees’ dense canopy, shade-loving plants flourish: mosses, Devil’s club, thimbleberry, lady fern, foamflower, and ginger.

On approaching the old helicopter landing pad (Point 1), more spruce and balsam trees indicate a transition to the subalpine zone (Point 2). The underbrush also changes, with an abundance of wild rhododendron and huckleberry. The trail climbs to large rock bluffs (Point 3) from which views of the valley far below and the destination Lookout high above are seen. From here, trees become smaller and more sparse until they cease growing completely below the Lookout. Just over halfway to the top, there is an old cabin (Point 4). From there, the final ascent criss-crosses the open meadows below the knob. Patches of stunted trees grow here and there. Near the knob at the top, the trail heads up the right-hand side of the slope. It becomes obscured by large rocks near the top, forcing hikers to climb among the boulders to reach the bottom of the knob, where the trail again becomes obvious as it crosses in front of the knob.

From the bottom, left-hand side of the knob, a short path leads up a steep slope to the Lookout. Check out the features of the Lookout, including the giant compass inside and the names of past fire lookout scouts carved into the stone, dating back to the 1930’s. Enjoy the vista and feel the history before beginning your descent.