Have you been asking yourself, "Hey, self, it's self here. Where can I go for a hike that has magnificent views for the least amount of work?" Well, I am here to tell you about one such hike. Here it is, in all its monolithic glory. Rattlesnake Ledge.
The Basics
- Round trip with breaks: 2 hours, 45 minutes
- Car to summit: 1 hour
- Summit to car: 52 minutes
- Elevation gain: ~1100 feet over 2 miles
- Amazing, outrageous views for a minimal amount of work put in
- Foggy, sunny, doesn't matter: beautiful all the same
- lots of signs, easy to navigate
North bend is easy enough to find, and this trailhead is pretty easy as well. I lost service about 2 minutes before getting to the trail parking lot, but there were tons of signs that made it clear and easy to find where to go after arriving. Very unlike my trip to Green Mountain. That ish was cray.
For Rattlesnake Ledge, a.k.a The Bargain Hike, there were signs along the way to make sure you stayed on track. I will be going back for the Rattlesnake Mountain East Peak hike soon, though. Sounds fun!
On the way up, there are several spots where you can peek out and see Mt. Si looming in the distance, hiding in the clouds and reminding you of just how easy you have it on Rattlesnake Ledge.
Most of the trail is pretty easily traversed, very dirt-heavy and megaroot footholds.
As you get closer to the summit, you'll see this sign.
The trail was having a lot of work done when I went last. This little guy has, in the bottom right, a hint to point you in the direction of the monolithic beast you've set out to see. Once you see this sign, you are literally 3 minutes from your destination. Off to the right yu have your final hidden viewpoint showing Mt. Si.
After this, your final 30 yard climb awaits. Easy rock to get up. There will probably be people there to great you. Very popular trail!
Once you are up that, you have more for your eyes to take in than can be done without moving your head, hence this panorama photo!
There is so much to see! The Cascade range in full view from your center to the right, the lake immediately below you, and Mt. Si towering in the clouds to your left.
A bit cloudy for my liking, but that just means I will have to go again. Shoot. ;)
Here's my view from my spot I was sitting, looking at the way back up to the top. Also, I made a friend!
He stayed within 10 feet of me the whole time. Didn't come after me for food, and I didn't offer any. He even sat down towards the edge of the cliff I was at and just looked out at the view, just like me, for a minute or two. I enjoyed my sandwich and a bit of water before getting back up to the main area and beginning my descent.
On the way down, I noticed an area that was a few steps off the beaten path, It had a bunch of names and initials carved in a tree. Pretty sweet. I added my initials and continued back down to the trailhead.
All in all, this hike was impressively worth the slightly steeper-than-casual incline. Once you get to the top you don't care about the way up. All you want to do is stay up there all day, and imagine what it is like when it is sunny! If it didn't look like it was about to rain, I would have stayed longer. Super rad hike!
For more information about Rattlesnake Ledge, check out the Washington Trails Association website, and be sure to follow me on twitter to hear about my newest hikes!
What other value hikes do you guys and gals know about? I am all about 'em. My mom told me to be smart with my money, but I can also choose to be smart about how my legs spend their gas too, haha.
Thanks for taking the time to read this report! Happy hiking!