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Col / pass / saddle

Col / pass / saddle reference article on thruhikingwiki.com.

Overview

Col, pass, and saddle are terms for low points along a ridge or between peaks where a trail often crosses from one drainage or valley to another. These features are common navigation and route-planning landmarks in mountainous areas.

Key points

  • A col, pass, or saddle is generally the lowest point on a ridge between two higher elevations.
  • Trails often use passes to minimize total climbing between valleys.
  • Weather can be more exposed and changeable at passes than in low valleys.
  • Snow, wind, and visibility conditions at passes may differ from surrounding areas.
  • Pass elevation, aspect, and season influence difficulty and required gear.
  • Names and usage of terms vary by region and mapping tradition.

Details

In mountain terrain, a col, pass, or saddle is a topographic low point along a ridge or between two peaks. These features are natural corridors that connect adjacent drainages, valleys, or basins. Long-distance trails frequently cross passes because they provide relatively efficient ways to move from one side of a range to the other.

On maps, passes are often marked with names and elevations and can be important planning markers. Hikers may use pass elevations to estimate effort for a given day, while also considering total cumulative elevation gain and loss.

Conditions at passes are often more exposed than in forested valleys. Wind can be stronger, temperatures can be lower, and visibility can be affected by clouds or blowing snow. In many regions, snow persists at passes longer into the season than at lower elevations, influencing traction needs and travel timing.

Terminology varies by region: some maps favor “pass,” others “col” or “saddle,” but the underlying concept is similar. Understanding these terms helps hikers interpret route descriptions and anticipate changes in terrain and conditions when planning a trip.

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Illustrative hiking footage

The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.