Saddleback Mountain via Berry Picker Trail

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A great run with a lot of views along the ridgeline to Saddleback.

It is a long drive on sometimes rough dirt roads to get to the trailhead. It was reachable in August 2023 from Phillips ME via Route 142 > Reeds Mill Road > Voter Hill Rd > East Madrid Road > Potato Hill Road, and then navigating unmarked car/ATV trails using Google Maps. You'll have to drive over two narrow wooden bridges, including one that looks like it has seen better days. A high clearance vehicle is recommended.

This run starts at a three-way intersection of ATV trails, with the run following the ATV trail that heads northwest. Contrary to some descriptions on the internet, there was no gate at the ATV trail in August 2023.

At 0.9 miles there is an intersection with an overgrown trail with some confusing signage. Stay on the ATV trail, which bears sharply left. At about 1.5 miles you'll reach the Berry Picker Trail trailhead, which is on the right just before a bridge over Winship Stream. The trailhead is marked with a sign.

Follow the blue blazes along a stream. The trail will soon start to climb, and grows increasingly rocky. At around 2.2 miles, the trail largely emerges from the forest and the terrain is mostly rock slab with alpine vegetation, occasionally plunging back into forest. At 3.3 miles you'll reach the junction with the Application Trail, which is in a wooded saddle between Saddleback Mountain and the Horn.

Turn left to head up to Saddleback on a steep, exposed trail. You'll reach a false summit first, with the true summit, marked with a sign, a short distance further. To return, retrace your steps to the junction with the AT and the Berry Picker's Trail and either head back down or continue straight ahead to summit the Horn.

Blueberries, cranberries