WESTERN WASHINGTON

Summary

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A short and sweet hike providing killer views for minimal effort. What’s not to love?

Trail Stats

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Trail Details

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Located outside the town of North Bend, Rattlesnake Ledge is a perfect all season hike. With a peak elevation a tad over 2K feet, it takes awhile to get snow. What snow does fall melts off fairly early in the year. Which makes a perfect early season hike, especially if you’ve had your fill of wading through snow. Doesn’t take me long to be over drifts of snow. I have a firm belief that only true weirdo’s enjoy post holing through snow. So. Much. Fun.

I’ve always parked in the Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area. It’s paved and vast. Though busy as all get out in summer. You’ll be competing for parking with people dawdling the day away at the lake, fellow hikers and a plethora of persons utilizing the newly renamed Palouse to Cascades trail. What a mouthful. I still tend to refer to it as the John Wayne trail. So much better. Slides off the tongue with ease. Not so with our new tongue twister name. Regardless, to the best of my knowledge parking is $10 per day or free with a Discover Pass. The pass costs $30 last I checked. Well worth the cost if you frequent the area.

To find the trailhead for Rattlesnake Ledge, head toward the Northern part of the lake. Take in the rocky ledge high above the far side of the lake. That’s where we are headed! Stroll on a wide road that’s blocked off to vehicles. After a bit there’s a sign to the right advertising the ledge. You’ve found the trailhead for Rattlesnake Ledge. There are porta potties out here if you need. Only tree’s and rocks after this.

The hike itself is pretty tame. You walk uphill through the tree’s with a few intermittent glimpses back at Rattlesnake Lake. There will be a few shockingly large boulders along the way. They seem most haphazard in their placement. Depending on the time of year, there may be a few trickles of water to cross.

Close to the top the trail splits. I believe there’s a sign. Don’t recall if it specifically calls out the Ledge or not. For the ledge turn right. The ledge is a tiny bit further, just up the rocky terrain. Should you accidentally head left, the trail takes you many miles (I think 8+) along Rattlesnake Ridge (not Ledge) and will dump you into an entirely different parking lot. Great to do if you want distance, otherwise the Ridge hike is pretty bland. We did it in its entirety once.

Back over at the ledge, you are greeted with views encompassing the Cedar River watershed, Mount Si, Mount Washington and of course, Rattlesnake Lake below. It’s gorgeous.

I loved heading up there when I had visitors. (I no longer live close by). When my sister came to visit we all hiked up. Well, her baby rode in a carrier up. I think I’ll always remember that kiddo wrapped up in one of my rain jackets (I had several living in the Seattle area) with my oversized red mittens pulled over her little hands to keep her warm. She looked adorably ridiculous. Big old baby smile. Cute. It’s a good hike to show off all the area has to offer, without crazy elevation and long miles.

While I throughly enjoy this hike, there is a rather obvious danger. It’s a ledge. Which means there’s an edge. So exercise caution. Especially with kids and pets. I know of at least one person who accidentally slid off the edge and fell to their death. I’ve seen people casually bumping into each other and giving fake shoves to each other. Maybe not the best place for that. Because someone has died here. Granted, I believe it was slick up there the day they fell. Not sure if it was ice or just slick from rain.

Otherwise, I highly recommend this hike. While shorter than I generally prefer, you can lengthen it by heading up the split trail however far you choose. Or simply head back down to the lake and enjoy the day. It’s a beautiful picnic spot. Or head into North Bend for lunch and a drink. You really can’t go wrong.

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