Before you climb Saddleback Mountain, The Horn and Saddleback Junior, you will pass Piazza Rock, an overhanging rock that juts out from a cliff, and the shores of Ethel and Eddy Ponds. From Saddleback Junior's treeless peak, there are views in all directions of the surrounding western Maine wilderness. You will ford the cold, clear waters of Orbeton Stream before you climb Lone Mountain, Spaulding Mountain and Maine's second highest peak  Sugarloaf Mountain  located on a .6 mile side trail. The trail then descends sharply to the sometimes tricky ford of the South Branch of the Carrabassett River.

The ridge between Spaulding and Sugarloaf Mountains was the last section of the Appalachian Trail to be cleared. When a CCC crew blazed this section of trail in 1937, it completed the more than 2,000 mile Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia.

	Trail at a Glance Length: 22.3 mile traverse Difficulty: Strenuous Trailhead Directions: The trailhead on Maine 4 is 9 miles south of Rangeley, Maine. The trailhead on Caribou Valley Road is a logging road that turns off Maine 27 at the top of a hill, 1 mile north of Sugarloaf USA's access road and about 7 miles south of Stratton, Maine. Follow the logging road 4.5 miles to the trail crossing.

This is a strenuous hike and should not be taken lightly. The above treeline sections leave the unprepared hiker exposed to the elements; weather changes quickly in these mountains. The Saddleback Range offers no protection from lightning or severe rain or snow. Follow the Boy Scout creed and"Be Prepared." Avoid this hike in inclement weather.

The Hike: From the trailhead on Maine 4, follow the AT north and cross Sandy River on a footbridge in .1 mile. From Sandy River, hike 1.3 miles to Piazza Rock Lean-to. Water is available from the nearby stream. A short side trail leads to Piazza Rock.

After leaving the lean to, the AT leads .9 mile to Ethel Pond and another .5 mile to Eddy Pond, which sits at the base of the climb up Saddleback. The trail ascends steeply up the west side of the mountain, gaining well over 1,000 feet in elevation during the first mile. Reach the junction with Saddleback Trail in 1.8 miles and the open summit of Saddleback (elevation 4,116 feet) with outstanding views of the western Maine mountains in .6 mile. Water is available from a spring located on a short side trail .1 mile before reaching the summit.

Descend 1 mile to the gap between Saddleback and the Horn and then ascend the Horn steeply, reaching the summit (elevation 4,023 feet) in .6 mile. Just .25 mile from the summit of the Horn, the trail drops below beeline again, continuing to descend sharply off the Horn and reaching the short, steep climb up Saddleback Junior. The distance between the Horn and the treeless summit of Saddleback Junior (elevation 3,640 feet) is 2 miles. After enjoying Saddleback Junior's fine 3600, descend and reach Poplar Ridge Lean to in 1.3 miles. Water is available from the nearby stream.

From the lean to, hike .25 mile to the high point on Poplar Ridge, and descend steeply for .5 mile, losing 1,000 feet in elevation. Reach the ford of Orbeton Stream, 1.3 miles from the top of the ridge. The trail climbs steeply and then moderately out of Orbeton Stream Valley and reaches the summit of Lone Mountain (elevation 3,280 feet) in 3.1 miles. Arrive at the junction with the side trail to Mount Abraham (elevation 4,043 feet) in 1.1 miles. If you allow three days for this hike, you may want to add a trip to Abraham, 3.4 miles round-trip. There are outstanding views from both the mountain and the ridge.

Continue following the AT and reach Spaulding Mountain Lean to in 1 mile. Water is available from a spring near the shelter. From the lean to, hike .75 mile to the side trail that leads to Spaulding Mountain. It is just .1 mile along the side trail to Spaulding's tree covered summit (elevation 3,988 feet). Continue following the AT and reach the side trail to Sugarloaf Mountain (elevation 4,237 feet) in 2 miles. It is .6 mile along the side trail to the building on the top of Sugarloaf.

Continue following the AT for 1.1 miles to the top of an open ravine. It is more than 500 feet to the forest below. Descend, sometimes steeply, for .75 mile to the South Branch of the Carrabasset River. This ford can be difficult, particularly after heavy rain. The hike ends after another .1 mile at Caribou Valley Road.

Though this can be done as an overnight hike, it is easier if done in three days. By setting up cars at both ends late one afternoon, you can hike the 1.4 miles to Piazza Rock Lean-to and then walk the remainder of this hike the following two days.