Dates ........ Wednesday, August 28, 2002
Miles ........ 11.6 miles
From ........ Tent platform at Piazza Rock lean-to and campsite
To ............. Orbeton Stream tent camp.
Weather ... Cool 42degF AM, Clear, warm upper 70's P.M. , calm.

Wednesday, August 28, 2002

Eddy Pond, Saddleback Mt. 4120', the Horn 4041', Saddleback Jr. Mt.3655'.

I left camp before sunrise, wanting to get as much climbing out of the way as possible before the day warmed up. Up to Eddy pond, 2 miles and 800 feet above camp, the climb was steady but mild. Above Eddy pond, it got serious and very steep in places. It was rocky, but not loose boulders. Rather, it was large sloping solid rock for the most part. Just before treeline the heavenly balsam thrived, then as the elevation and harsh environment increased, balsam gave way to krummholz. It was clearly evident when I reached treeline, about 3750 feet elevation. About the only thing thriving was patches of mountain grass and wild blueberries - and they were delicious, though sparse and tough to pick.

Above treeline, nearing the summit of Saddleback Mt.

I kept a steady pace and enjoyed spectacular views from all the summits. The air was crisp and clear, providing unusual clarity and visibility. I could have stayed there all day, just marveling at the awesome spectacle laid beneath me. I did stay long enough lunch and for Disco and Walking wounded and their female hiking companion to catch up with me and take my photo on the summit. I took theirs for them also. The Saddleback Range was a climb of three mountains over a 7-mile stretch. There was a dip and climb of 500 feet between Saddleback and the Horn, a 1,000-foot descent off the Horn and a 500-foot climb up Saddleback Jr. before the 2000-foot descent into the Orbeton Stream valley. The Poplar Ridge lean-to sat in a shallow notch along Poplar Ridge at the base of Saddleback Junior.

On Saddleback's 4120' summit

As I started down the mountainside I ran into three other hikers claiming to be yo-yo hikers (hiking the trail in a random fashion rather than one direction). They told me the rest of the trail down was smooth and easy. THAT was a pure fabrication, a total lie. Later, as I was fighting my way down the steep, rocky trail I was angry for allowing myself to be duped and that I was wishful enough and gullible enough to believe them. And that was after I loaned them some of my iodine water treatment when their filter would not work. They were yo-yos all right! It takes all kinds.

Once in the valley, I selected a flat piece of earth that had been camped on before, got my water, ate my supper, set up camp and turned in early for a well deserved good night's sleep.

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