Saddle Mountain is a classic hike out of Nakusp with unparalleled views and an epic location for a restored fire lookout tower. With a decent gravel road most of the way up, the hike to the summit is only a few hours.
The ultimate adventure is to hike to the summit and overnight in the lookout. This has become very popular since recent renovations have made the lookout a little too comfortable. There is no reservation process so first come first serve. Best not to even try for a Saturday night in the summer.
The hike is accessed via Arrow Park Ferry so make sure to confirm crossing times before hiking.
From the lookout, it’s possible to drop down over the north side and traverse over to the actual summit (Upper Saddle Mountain). Some route-finding is necessary and there is no trail but if navigated correctly, it is not technical.