Mile 47 - Saddle Canyon & Saddle Mountain

Saddle Mountain, at 8,424 feet, forms the headwaters of Saddle Canyon. Hiking the canyon from the river requires a steep ascent up a talus slope before reaching a reasonably level surface in the canyon floor. Saddle Canyon is particularly narrow, as it’s thick limestone walls are prone to eroding as a vertical cliff. Many plants such as cardinal monkeyflower deck the walls, as the canyon becomes even narrower towards the back. A choke stone in the middle of the creek requires hikers to climb around and over the obstacle before reaching the final destination of smooth limestone benches and a trickling waterfall.