Saddle Moutain is in central Washington, its peak is about 1500' above the Columbia. You have good flying exposures to the S, and excellent flying exposures from SW to NE from this summit. Due to Saddle mountain's exposed position in the Columbia Plateau this site should have a very high number of windy days. Also, the entire N face of the ridge accessible once the road reaches the top is excellent in a N or NW wind due to the large relief and isolated nature of the mountain. Very big, smooth lift. Good camping can be found in some of the numerous draws and gullies reached by the many spur roads passed on the way up.

SLOPE TERRAIN: 50% rocks, 50% sand and brush. Which 50% do you think your 'glass sloper will hit?

FLYING SADDLE: Very big, smooth lift. (See above)

SADDLE WEATHER: Central Columbia Basin weather, Moses Lake station, Pasco station, Hanford station.

    Click here for a more detailed map...
GETTING THERE: Take I-90 east to Vantage, cross the Columbia River, exit on the E shore immediately after the bridge, head S on Hwy 26. Proceed a couple miles until the exit for Hwy 243, turn here to go S to Beverly and Schwana. You will cross Crab creek after passing the Texaco station in Schwana, ahead on your left you will see large cliffs and sand dunes, you will be flying at the W peak visible from this point. Continue S on Hwy 243 until you reach the turnoff for Mattawa, on 24 SW road. Turn L to reach Mattawa, about 20 miles S of Vantage on the E bank of the Columbia. Head E out of town on the only main road, go one or two miles until you come to "R" road.

Turn N on "R" road, you should see the road ahead proceeding straight at Saddle Mountain for as far as you can see. Drive through farm fields until the road crosses a canal and splits in two, take the left fork on the left side of the fence, still heading N. In another mile or so the road forks again, take the left fork which should immediately head down into a large creek wash, back up the other side, and turn north again. Stay on this road, at junctions just stay on the obvious maintained road until you are on top of Saddle Mountain.

At this point the road forks E and W. To the east you will see a couple large microwave stations:
To the W is the sweet little summit area I like to fly on W to N wind days if it's variable.  Turn L on the W fork and proceed about 1 mile to a wire cattle gate. A note on gates: Typically these gates are OK to go through as long as you leave them as you find them, please help assure access to our flying spots by following all posted regulations and following "leave it as you find it" range gate etiquette. Anyway, proceed through the gate, ignore the small obvious bump visible 500' SW of the gate, and keep going W about 1 more mile to where the road forks again. The right fork heads down the hill to the N to deadend at some power lines. Straight ahead you should see a little saddle, with a small rocky summit about 150' above it. Park at the saddle and walk your gear to the top.

If it's blowing N and constant, you're in for a treat, a great view, a sharp ridgeline, really smooth and gigantic lift.  For this, turn R at the fork and proceed E along the ridgetop past the  2 microwave stations, and you'll see a noticable little bump looking out over the N face of the mountain. With a 4x4 you can get right to the top, if not, the entire ridgeline there is ideal anyway. On the map it's shown as "Best spot on Saddle!" No liscenses, parking problems, or club hassles!"

Approximate driving times: Seattle to Mattawa , about 2.5 hours, Seattle to W  summit, about 3 hours.

Information contributed by SASS's intrepid Eastern Washington slope explorer Chris Erikson.  Page designed for the SASS by RED, enthusiast and club member.

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Last Updated 2/24/00, by RED