Saddle Mountain Lookout Trail (Near Nakusp, BC)
Date: August 4, 2025
Distance: 8.9 km round trip from Upper Parking Lot
Elevation Gain: 625 m
Duration: 4 hr 11 min (3 hr 28 min moving)
Camping: McDonald Creek Provincial Park
How to Get to Saddle Mountain Lookout Trailhead
This trail starts with a fun twist: you need to take a small cable ferry.
1. From Nakusp: Head south on Highway 6 for about 21 km to reach the Arrow Park Cable Ferry terminal.
2. Take the Ferry: It’s a free, small cable ferry that fits just 2–3 cars. We were the only ones on it both ways – like a private water Uber! Just watch out: the ferry shuts down from 12:15 to 2:15 pm daily for lunch, and the last run is at 9:20 pm.
3. After disembarking, turn right onto Saddle Mountain Road. It follows the lake and is gravel, but totally fine for regular cars.
4. After 9 km, turn left at the big wooden sign onto Lookout Road. This road is rougher and narrower.
5. Drive another 8 km uphill to reach the Upper Parking Lot. It’s a forest service road—not paved but manageable in summer if you have a decent vehicle (AWD recommended).
6. If you’re unsure about the road or driving a low-clearance car, you can park at the Lower Parking Lot and hike an extra 2.2 km up to the trailhead.
Into BC’s Inland Rainforest
The lower part of the trail goes through lush, damp forest – BC’s inland rainforest. Towering cedar and hemlock trees create a cool, green canopy. The trail is well-maintained by the Nakusp and Area Community Trails Society.
We started from the Upper Lot and saw only one other car there – either someone arrived earlier or stayed overnight up top. Shortly into the hike, we ran into three young guys coming down who’d camped at the summit the night before. Even though it was a long weekend, we had the whole mountain to ourselves that day.
Through Forest Layers and Into the Light
Thick layers of greenery surround the trail—shade-loving plants, soft mosses, and giant mushrooms. Fallen trees from a 2018 storm show how the forest is always changing. Now the trail only had one fallen tree we had to duck under (200 meters from the upper trailhead).
We passed an old hunting shelter, zigzagged up through switchbacks, and caught glimpses of Arrow Lake far below. Eventually, the forest opened up—and the alpine meadows started to bloom.
Wildflower Wonderland
Once we broke out above the trees, we were surrounded by color. August is prime time for wildflowers, though July might be even more impressive.
We saw purple asters, golden arnica, red paintbrush and tall delphiniums (lupine look-alikes). We could already spot our destination – Saddle Mountain’s summit and its lookout tower gleaming in the sun.
The Final Push: Rocks and Scramble
Past the meadows, the trail steepens fast. There are rocky sections with loose stones, and you’ll need to watch your footing. At one point, you scramble between the main and sub-peak – a narrow, exposed stretch with cliffs on one side.
I was nervous and had to use both hands and feet to climb the last section, but once the tower appeared, it was all worth it.
Reaching the Fire Lookout
The wooden fire lookout cabin was built in 1923 and used by rangers until modern satellite monitoring took over. It’s now open to the public – free to use and perfect for overnight stays.
Inside: spotless floors, neat sleeping area with pads, tables and even cute string lights hanging (operated by battery)! Below the windows on all four walls, plaques display the names of the visible peaks and lakes.
From the top:
- West: Monashee Mountains
- East: Selkirk Mountains
- Below: Arrow Lake shimmering in the sun
- North: Mosquito Lake
- South: Whatshan Lake in the distance
It was windy and chilly up top. We had egg salad sandwiches (made by our son) before heading down.
Slowing Down for Berries
The descent was tough – loose rocks, steep drops. My husband took the rear, my son led the way, and I scrambled down slowly.
Once back in the forest, we were greeted by huckleberry bushes along the trail! We stopped often to snack – they were juicy and delicious.
Where to Stay Hiking Saddle Mountain Lookout
Camping: We stayed at McDonald Creek Provincial Park the night before. It’s about 10 – 15 km south of Nakusp. From the park entrance, you can actually see Saddle Mountain’s twin peaks!
This park sits right on Arrow Lake with massive sandy beaches and epic sunsets. Pit toilets were spotless (new in 2023), plus there’s a flush toilet and hot shower building. We had cell signal too.
Tip: Choose lakefront sites or lower-numbered ones – they’re quieter and have better views.
Hotels or Airbnbs in Nakusp are also a great option. The town has a Save-On-Foods, restaurants, and a variety of accommodations.
Saddle Mountain Lookout Hiking Tips
- Start from the Upper Trailhead to save ~2.2 km
- As of July 2025, the trail is mostly clear – just one fallen tree near the start
- The toilet on top missed the door (they’ll repair in August 2025)
- The fire lookout cabine is first-come, first-served, so plan accordingly
- Wear grippy hiking boots and bring poles, windproof layers, and the 10 Essentials
- Remember: Arrow Park Ferry doesn’t run from 12:15 to 2:15 pm
Saddle Mountain Lookout trail totally blew us away – Arrow lake, mountains, flowers, and a century-old lookout. Don’t forget to sign the guestbook inside the fire tower !
Happy hiking!
