Saddle Mountain is a stunning hike — an island in the sky. Why has it been closed so long?

Explore Oregon: Making the most of the outdoors

In this episode, Zach and Charlie talk about the curious case of Saddle Mountain State Natural Area — one of the state's most beautiful peaks and hikes that has been closed frequently the past three years. The episode includes an interview with park ranger Eric Crum, who explains the difficulty in reopening the park's trail and the reasons for the ongoing closure. They look at when the park and trail will reopen and what will be different about it. Charlie and Zach also talk about the rare and endangered plants on Saddle Mountain, how the peak was once a prehistoric island and the pros and cons of closing public lands in the name of safety.