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Sunday, December 28, 2025

Saddleback Mountain - Northwood Meadows

It was a frigid, but gorgeous day today. Laura and I decided to explore some of the expanded trails on Saddleback Mountain over at Northwood Meadows. I've hiked over there countless times, including the original loop up and over the slopes of Saddleback and even once bushwhacked to the true summit. My first and only real bushwhack. We parked at the end of Old Mountain Road and geared up. I was surprised to see the woods road section packed down as much as it was, so we initially were able to get by with bare boots. I opted to go to the furthest intersection so we'd have a shorter distance to go upon our return. When we got to Parsonage Lot Trail, it was well packed down, but we opted to go with snowshoes for better traction on the ascent. The light hitting the snow through the trails made everything rather magical today. The only point of interest along the trail is a viewpoint north about halfway up. From here, we picked up Link Trail, climbing up the junction with Ravine Loop. Initially we were going to do all the trails, but the extra energy of walking in snowshoes for the first time in years did my energy in, so we opted to stay on Link Trail, and at the intersection with Ravine Loop on the other end, took Lalish Trail back down. This was the only section that was unbroken. Snow depth wasn't deep though, so it was easy going. There is a section that follows very closely alongside a marsh. I'm curious what that section is like when it's not frozen! There was also a signed area fall some falls, but of course everything was frozen today. Right near the road there was one stream crossing that was a bit dicey as the ice wasn't totally solid, but we were able to carefully navigate across some rocks. Once back on the old woods road, we returned to the car. I think I'll save going back to finish the area until the snow has melted to compare!

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