Saddleback & Horn via ski trails

[Daniel Eagan]

Did a search for this but didn't come up with anything specific.

Is it easy (i.e., self-evident) to go up to the summit of Saddleback (ME) on the ski trails? Does it save a lot of mileage/time vs. the AT? Are the owners opposed to hikers?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[David Metsky]

Here's a thread from the AMC Site - link
And another

-dave-

 

[ken]

drive in the road from rangeley - there is a real estate or leasing office at the end (near a large parking lot) you park there, walk past the office and there is the ski slope (was marked with orange colored wood stakes when i was there 2 years ago, but up is up anyway) - going up isnt bad but going down it is a little hard in the feet since it is very steep - you will be in the sun for the whole trip since they are above treeline and the ski slope is open - you will save 7 miles going in and out this way instead of the AT - now you will have some energy left for another 7 mile mountain (old speck or abraham).

 

[Stan]

We hiked this several years ago and decided on the ski trails because we were staying at one of the condos for a few days. We took the western most trails, figuring that might get us to the western most part of the AT and thus more time along the ridge. At that time the trails had fairly tall grass, and they were wet, and following the "trail" was sometimes tricky since there seemed to be quite a system of trails, some xc I believe, and, without a ski trail map it became an interesting route finding mission.

Of course, we couldn't resist inventing some shortcuts so it turned into a wet semi-bushwhack but all roads lead to Rome, or the summit, or nearby, and eventually we reached the AT and lived happily ever after. A fun loop.

 

[Daniel Eagan]

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[David Metsky]

BTW, the hike in along the AT is spectacular, I highly recommend it. I know it's a lot longer, but the ridge is great.
photos

-dave-

 

[Nadine]

If you had two cars you could go up the AT and down the ski trails. Like Dave says, the AT ridge hike is well worth the extra mileage. I try and do this hike every fall. It's one of my favs.

 

[Greg]

The trail up the slopes is still marked with stakes with orange paint on them. I found going up the ski trails alot of work, just steep ups and no relief, even though there were views the entire way.