BOU AVENUE
Goat Mountain And Saddle Lake Hill
On 24 April 2025, Zosia Zgolak and I hiked up Goat Mountain and Saddle Lake Hill in the vicinity of Grand Forks, British Columbia.  We originally had intentions to hike another objective near the city, but because of access issues, we had to pivot and change our plans.  Both Goat Mountain and Saddle Lake Hill are normally ascended via maintained trails, and neither present any technical challenges.  We started the day with the more strenuous outing on officially-named Goat Mountain.

From Highway 3 in Grand Forks, turn north onto Northfork-Franklin Road just west of the McDonald's restaurant.  Drive north for 5.5 kilometres and turn left into a large parking area below a cliff face.  It would be prudent to park away from the cliff face to avoid any potential rockfall damage.  The signed trail to Goat Mountain begins at the northeast end of the parking area.

Zosia and I started up the signed trail, and after a brief climb, we intersected the Columbia & Western Rail Trail which also happens to be part of the Trans Canada Trail network.  We visited a gazebo nearby before resuming the moderately steep ascent.  For the most part, the trail is well-marked and generally easy to follow.  About halfway up, we opted to take a slightly longer side route to visit a couple of red Adirondack chairs which are similar to those found in the national parks.  The trail to the red chairs continues upward and ultimately re-connects with the main trail.  Near the top, the trail flattens out a bit on a plateau before winding up the final rise to the summit.  We enjoyed a nice break on the summit before descending the same way except without the detour to the red chairs.
I wonder how often there is rockfall here... The trailhead parking area for Goat Mountain is situated below some cliffs which are home to flocks of swallows.
Lotsa signage to help point the way! After leaving the parking area, Zosia begins climbing up the trail to Goat Mountain.
All we need is a band... Upon intersecting Columbia & Western Rail Trail (Trans Canada Trail), Zosia goes to check out a nearby gazebo.
Might be cool to bike the Rail Trail some day...

This section of Columbia & Western Rail Trail overlooks the trailhead parking area.

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
Nice ass! This trail junction is aptly marked.
The Lonely Pine! This pine tree partway up Goat Mountain really stands out from the open slope.
Not sanctioned by Parks Canada! Zosia and Sonny relax in a couple of red Adirondack chairs situated about halfway up Goat Mountain.
It's that time of year... Zosia finds a wood tick crawling on her fleece shirt.
We probably could've scrambled straight up here, but why not use the nice trail?

Zosia approaches the final part of the ascent before the top.
I guess if you're out of gas here, you can still claim the summit! Oddly enough, the summit register is attached to a tree about 30 metres below the top.
We didn't see any goats; maybe they should rename this Tick Mountain! Zosia and Sonny stand on the summit of Goat Mountain (1030 metres).
 

America, f**k yeah!

In this view to the south, all the mountains on the horizon are located within the United States of America.

 

 
Nice toes! Zosia airs out her feet on the summit.
It's the Grand Forks Grind! Total Distance:  6.6 kilometres
Round-Trip Time:  3 hours 33 minutes
Cumulative Elevation Gain:  489 metres

GPX Data
Upon completion of our hike up Goat Mountain, Zosia and I drove to a gas station in Grand Forks for a quick pit stop before heading for our next objective, unofficially-named Saddle Lake Hill.  There are at least two different trailheads for Saddle Lake Hill--one to the northeast along Hardy Mountain Road (49.03647, -118.48492) and one to the west along Reservoir Road (49.02804, -118.50047).  Parking is severely limited at both locations, but in the end, we opted to hike from the Reservoir Road trailhead since the route is shorter and the starting point is higher.  About 70 metres north of the signed trailhead along Reservoir Road is a small pullout (49.02871, -118.50052) with room for maybe two cars.

From the pullout, Zosia and I walked along the road to the trailhead which is at the west end of a dam controlling the outlet of nearby Saddle Lake.  Crossing to the east end of the dam, Zosia and I picked up a trail which climbs steadily up forested slopes.  Numerous mountain biking trails crisscross the entire hill, but we stayed on the main trail all the way to the crest of the northeast ridge.  We then turned right and easily reached the high point next to an antenna and a biffy-like shack.  Given the shortness of the ascent, we did not bother to take a break at the top and started descending right away.  Instead of backtracking though, we did a traverse of the hill by following another trail down the southwest ridge.  Although we lost this trail at one point, the terrain was still simple enough for us to make our own way down to the dam and back to our car.
It's not quite the Hoover Dam, but at least there aren't any crowds! Zosia reaches the signed trailhead which is at the west end of a small dam.
 

See my car?

Here is a comprehensive view of Saddle Lake from the dam.

 

Watch out for trolls under the bridge... Zosia tests her weight on the bridge at the east end of the dam.
It was actually nice to hike in the shade! Much of the ascent is through forest.
Might even be able to get some free US TV channels here! A small building and an antenna sit atop Saddle Lake Hill.
I guess the building isn't a toilet! Zosia arrives at the high point of Saddle Lake Hill (847 metres).
 

Can you spot the No-Frills and McDonald's?

Here is a view of Grand Forks from the top of Saddle Lake Hill.

 

It's always preferable to do a loop! Zosia descends a different trail heading southwest.
Must be the sunnier side of Saddle Lake Hill! Balsamroots are very prolific on this slope.
Short and sweet and kinda neat! Total Distance:  3.6 kilometres
Round-Trip Time:  1 hour 21 minutes
Cumulative Elevation Gain:  145 metres

GPX Data