South Saddle Mountain
| South Saddle Mountain | |
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The tops of the two peaks of the mountain.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,465 ft (1,056 m) NAVD 88 |
| Coordinates | 45°32′53″N 123°22′30″W / 45.548045347°N 123.374901381°WCoordinates: 45°32′53″N 123°22′30″W / 45.548045347°N 123.374901381°W |
| Geography | |
 South Saddle Mountain
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| Parent range | Northern Oregon Coast Range |
| Topo map | USGS Roaring Creek |
South Saddle Mountain is the tallest mountain in Washington County, Oregon. Part of the Oregon Coast Range, the peak is located in the Tillamook State Forest in the northwest section of the state of Oregon. It is the eighth highest peak of the Oregon Coast Range.
South Saddle Mountain is one of 17 peaks in Oregon with the name Saddle. South Saddle was originally known as simply Saddle Mountain but in 1983 officially became South Saddle Mountain to avoid confusion with Saddle Mountain 33 miles (53 km) to the north in Clatsop County.
Origins of the mountain begin in around 40 million years ago during the Eocene age when sandstone and siltstone formed in the region consisting of parts of the Northern Oregon Coast Range. Igneous rocks and basalt flows combined with basaltic sandstone to create much of the formations. Other sedimentary rock in the area formed more recently, around 20 million years ago. It is hypothesized that the region was an island during the Eocene era.
The lower peak houses a microwave transmission tower, while the lower parts of the mountain are popular for bird watchers and off road motorcycle enthusiasts. This 110-foot-tall (34 m) tower includes amateur radio repeaters and an AT&T microwave transmitter. Surrounding the mountain are forests of western hemlock and Douglas fir trees. Fauna in the area include a variety of birds such as hermit warbler, sooty grouse, chestnut-backed chickadee, golden-crowned kinglet, Steller's jay, and Pacific-slope flycatcher.
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