OverviewThe Horn sits between Saddleback and Saddleback Junior on what is arguably one of the most beautiful ridge walks in the area. The entire saddle between Saddleback and The Horn is above treeline and offers expansive views of the surrounding mountains. Also known as the Saddleback Horn, the Horn has a prominence of 470 feet. Despite its low elevation compared to western peaks, the summit of the Horn is a delicate alpine/sub-alpine environment with many plants similar to those found at ten thousand feet in the Rockies. The Horn rises 2000 feet from Rock Pond to the west and over 2400 feet from Redington River in the north and east. Crossed by the venerable Appalachian Trail, the Horn is a wonderful mountain for a dayhike or as part of a backpacking trip.
One can reach the summit of the Horn most easily from the south via Saddleback Mountain. If you park in the parking lot of Saddleback Mountain Ski Resort, you can follow the a the ski runs up the mountain and pick up the AT near the summit of Saddleback and then hike 1.7 gorgeous miles along the saddle to The Horn. Alternatively, you can make it a 13.5 mile day by following the AT from US 4 (30 miles north of Farmington, ME). Again, you will come up Saddleback and across the saddle.Getting ThereRoute 4:
From Farmington, ME go north approximately 30 miles on US 4 and park on the pull out on the right.
Saddleback:
Keep going from Farmington. Make a right onto Beech Hill Road and then a quick left onto Sandy Road. Sandy Road becomes City Pond Road. Stay on City Pond for about 5.5 miles and then make a sharp right onto Saddle Back Ski Area Road. Park in the parking lot. Use the bathrooms inside if you have to go and then top off water bottles from the drinking fountains.Red TapeThere is no Red Tape. But in winter, you will get in trouble if you try to hike up the ski hill at Saddleback during the winter. First, you'll need a lift ticket to get past the parking lot. Second, there are people flying down hill on skis and snowboards so Frogger skills are a must. More importantly though, the management will not approve of your destroying their pretty snow.CampingThere is no camping on the Horn, but the Piazza Rock campsite on Saddleback has a shelter available for a small fee during summer. Also, there is a site past Saddleback Jr. near Poplar Ridge. It is an official shelter though, so thru hikers get priority.External LinksSP Saddleback page:
http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151047/saddleback-mountain.html
Peakbagger page:
http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=6847 Images
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Longfellow Mountains
