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Hey all, I was wondering if anyone had any opinions as to the best approach for Saddleback. I know you can do Basin, Haystack, Gothics all in that general area; and that it's better to come up the back side of Saddleback as to go UP the steep section. But what I wanna know is what is the best combo (most mountains in one day trip) and if you come up the back side of Saddleback is there a loop trail that brings you down the front? And if so, where does it bring you out? Any info appreciated. Thanks!

Check out the info here, including trails and maps. (Click on Upper Range at the left.)

You can also search the View from the Top and ADK High Peaks forums for Saddleback TR's and route rec's.

IMO, your best bet is to approach from the SW ("back side" as you call it), to tackle the steeps going up, rather than down. I did it in the fall in dry weather -- no idea what it would be like in ice/snow/winter conditions.

The Ore Bed trail heads back down to the JBL from the col between Saddleback and Gothics. If you wanted to tag Gothics, too, you'd probably want to do an up-and-down from the top of Ore Bed. Otherwise, if you traversed Gothics, you'd have to then go over Armstrong and Upper Wolf Jaw in order to pick up the next trail (in the col between Upper and Lower Wolf Jaws) to take you back to the JBL.

Ok, and if I were to come from the southwest that would mean going over Basin first right?

beaudittl wrote:Ok, and if I were to come from the southwest that would mean going over Basin first right?

^^^Korrekt.

But that's only if you're traversing Saddleback. If you wanted to hit Saddleback and Gothics, say, you could take the Ore Bed Trail from the JBL, which deposits you on the col between the two. You could hit one or both and return via Ore Bed, without ever having to deal with the steeps on the SW side of Saddleback. (Or having to traverse Basin first.)

I'm all for the challenge, I want to get Basin too! I actually really like sections that you have to scramble up haha. Thanks for the help.