Saddle Mountain is near the Lost Trail Pass Ski Area. The SOTA summit access road serves the upper facilities of the ski area. A high clearance vehicle can drive to within 0.25 miles of the summit. The summit has good views. It is very open and rocky with limited space for long wire antennas.
Trail miles: 0.5 roundtrip
Elevation gain: 140’
Water: Available at the Rest Area at Lost Trail Pass, Highway #93. None along the access road or summit.
Bear Spray: Recommend for all Montana summit hikes.
Camping: Campgrounds are nearby off Highway #93. Dispersed camping is also allowed along summit access road FS#5734.
Map: US Forest Service, Bitterroot National Forest, Darby/Sula Ranger District
Directions: Begin at Lost Trail Pass 45.6939, -113.9484 between Salmon Idaho and Hamilton Montana. Travel west beyond the Rest Area and through the Lost Trail Ski Area parking lot. Road #5734 is between maintenance buildings on the east side of the facility. Ya, you’ll feel like you are entering a summer storage area of winter machinery. There is no road sign.
Travel up FS#5734 approximately 2.3 miles on a well-maintained road, ski area facility use. Continue on FS#5734 another 3.6 miles to the summit trailhead. This portion of the road is narrower, rougher and has much less maintenance as it doesn’t serve the ski area facilities. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
