Depending on what sign you believe, the forested hike to Rattlesnake Ledge is either 1.5 or 2 miles one way. In any case, this easy hike does not exceed a 4 mile round trip. Located just outside North Bend, the Rattlesnake Ledge trail is very popular, especially on sunny weekends.
Mild and easy The total elevation gain on the hike is 1,200 feet - a mild trail that is not too steep. The trail, itself, is about as well-groomed as a trail can get. In most places it is wide, with a very smooth tread underfoot. The forest that hikers walk through is quite interesting because it looks more like a garden than a rugged forest. The forest floor is a symphony of ferns while the fine third growth trees have a manicured look to them. This makes for very pleasant hiking. People who go only part way up the trail, turning around before reaching the Ledge, will find the drive and partial hike to be a most rewarding experience. For the most part, young children will not have any problem negotiating the trail, other than for its steady, upward incline.
The views from Rattlesnake Ledge are truly unusual. During the last glacial period, three large glaciers came together at the foot of the Ledge. Hikers will have splendid views up three long valleys and, with a little imagination, will be able to "see" these u-shaped valleys filled with slowly moving glaciers.
Potential danger People with vertigo may want to avoid going out onto the actual Rattlesnake Ledge, stopping just prior to it. The Ledge has a drop-off of several hundred feet straight down. There is no guard rail or other security measures. It is absolutely essential that hikers with children hike together and exercise extreme caution when venturing out onto the Ledge. Some people let their dogs run free on the trail. If the Ledge is crowded and a person is standing close to the edge of the Ledge, there is the potential for the dog to accidentally cause a person to loose their balance. Any fall from the Ledge would be fatal. If it has been raining, wet rock surfaces tend to be slippery adding another danger to the list. There have been recent incidents of people falling from Rattlesnake Ledge. All of these are due to stupid or careless behavior on the part of the deceased! However, we do not want any St. Barbara hiker to be added to the list. The guide book "55 Hikes Around Snoqualmie Pass" has this to say about the actual Ledge, "the brinks are vertiginous enough to give the dizzies to a mountain goat. Distinctly not a spot for kiddies to toddle or dogs to romp unleashed."
There is nothing wrong for folks with vertigo to turn back just prior to the Ledge. There is ample area amongst the bushes and trees to enjoy lunch, limited views, and then an exciting journey back to the parking area. Thousands of people of all ages hike the Rattlesnake Ledge trail during any given year, so the hike is not one to avoid! Just use some caution and common sense while on the Ledge. Like all parish hikes, the parish assumes no responsibility for people who have some kind of mishap. Hiking, like most other outdoor activities, is a matter where the individual hiker or family assumes responsibility.
How to get there It is only about 28 miles from church to Rattlesnake Ledge. Get on I-90, heading east (toward Snoqualmie Pass and Spokane). As the Interstate skirts North Bend, take exit 32, the green freeway sign will say 436th Avenue SE. As soon as you have exited, turn right on 436th. This is a winding, paved two-lane road that goes gradually uphill, working its way through pockets of homes. At 2.7 miles you will come to Rattlesnake Lake. On the right there is a 12 car parking area. If you are able to park there, then take the path toward the lake for several hundred feet. On the right will be a gated road. That is the start of the hike. If the first little parking area is full, then drive toward the lake a few hundred feet. On the right you will see the gated road that starts the trail. On the left you will see the entrance to a vastly larger parking area that is split into several smaller areas by clusters of trees and bushes. Park and then walk back out of the parking area, cross the road, and go around the edge of the gate on the road straight ahead that is the actual start of the trail. Hikers will walk on the road around the northern end of the lake for about 5 or 10 minutes until they come to several wooden signs on the right where the "real trail" breaks off from the road.
What to bring The guidebook suggests that this is a three hour round trip hike. Each person's actual time to Rattlesnake Ledge will vary, depending on their physical condition. Bring water to drink and lunch or snacks to eat either at the Ledge or at an earlier turnaround point. Even on a warm day it is a good idea to carry light sweaters or jackets since mountain weather can change rapidly. Carry a small first aid kit with bandages for blisters. This is a good hike even in a light drizzle.
