South Saddle Mountain

Infobox Mountain
Name = South Saddle Mountain
Photo = SouthSaddleMountain.jpg
Caption = The tops of the two peaks of the mountain.
Elevation = Convert|3465|ft|m|0 [ cite web
url = http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ds_mark.prl?PidBox=RD1651
title = NGS Data Sheet for SADDLE MTN
publisher = U.S. National Geodetic Survey
accessdate = 2008-04-03 ]
Location = Washington County, Oregon, USA
Range = Northern Oregon Coast Range
Prominence =
Coordinates = coord|45.5481661|-123.3748361|format=dms|region:US_type:mountain [GNIS|1163238accessdate|2008-04-03]
Topographic
USGS Roaring Creek
First ascent =
Easiest route =

South Saddle Mountain is the tallest mountain in Washington County, Oregon. [ cite web
url = http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=1076
title = South Saddle Mountain, Oregon
publisher = Peakbagger.com
accessdate = 2008-04-03 ] Part of the Oregon Coast Range, the peak is located in the Tillamook State Forest in the northwest section of the state of Oregon. It is the eighth highest peak of the Oregon Coast Range. [ cite web
url = http://www.peakbagger.com/range.aspx?rid=1222
title = Oregon Coast Range
publisher = Peakbagger.com
accessdate = 2008-04-03 ]

History

South Saddle Mountain is one of 17 peaks in Oregon with the name Saddle. South Saddle was originally known as simply Saddle Mountain, but in 1983 officially became South Saddle Mountain to avoid confusion with Saddle Mountain 33 miles to the north in Clatsop County. [ cite book
last = McArthur
first = Lewis A.
authorlink =
coauthors = Lewis L. McArthur
title = Oregon Geographic Names
origyear = 1928
edition = Seventh Edition
year = 2003
publisher = Oregon Historical Society Press
location = Portland, Oregon
id = ISBN 0-87595-277-1
pages = 897-898 ]

Geology

Origins of the mountain begin in around 40 million years ago during the Eocene age when sandstone and siltstone formed in the region consisting of parts of the Northern Oregon Coast Range. Igneous rocks and basalt flows combined with basaltic sandstone to create much of the formations. Other sedimentary rock in the area formed more recently, around 20 million years ago. It is hypothesized that the region was an island during the Eocene era. cite web
url = http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/STATE_FORESTS/docs/Watershed/Nehalem_Watershed_Analysis/Part_I-Ch_1-4.pdf
title = Upper Nehalem Watershed Analysis
publisher = Oregon Department of Forestry
accessdate = 2008-04-03 ]

Area and access

The lower peak houses a microwave transmission tower, while the lower parts of the mountain are popular for bird watchers and off road motorcycle enthusiasts. cite web
url = http://thebirdguide.com/washington/site_guides/saddle_mountain/saddle_mountain.htm
title = Site Guide: Saddle Mountain, Washington County, Oregon
publisher = The Bird Guide
accessdate = 2008-04-03 ] This 110 foot tall tower includes amateur radio repeaters [ cite web
url = http://www.artscipub.com/repeaters/states/Oregon.asp
title = Amateur radio repeaters in Oregon
publisher = Artsci Publishing
accessdate = 2008-04-03 ] and an AT&T microwave transmitter. [ cite web
url = http://www.drgibson.com/towers/bob.html
title = Long Lines Techs at work
publisher = AT&T Long Lines
accessdate = 2008-04-03 ] Surrounding the mountain are forests of Western hemlock and Douglas fir trees. Fauna in the area include a variety of birds such as Hermit Warbler, Sooty Grouse, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Steller's Jay, and Pacific-slope Flycatcher.

South Saddle Mountain is approximately seven miles due northwest of Henry Hagg Lake and due west of Forest Grove. From mile post 33 on Oregon Route 6 near Lee's Camp, access is via Saddlemountain Road. Nine miles from Highway 6 is a gate, the summit is then .5 miles from that point. The lower peak containing the radio tower is in Tillamook County.

See also

* Wilson River

References

External links

* cite web
url = http://www.mountainzone.com/mountains/detail.asp?fid=2289956
title = South Saddle Mountain Summit
publisher = MountainZone.com
accessdate = 2008-04-03