Rattlesnake Ledge

Last Thursday morning (April 26) in Seattle was rainy and overcast, so I figured I’d pass on my planned hike to Rattlesnake Ridge, but by noon the weather had lifted and I was in the car, heading east. When I arrived at Rattlesnake Lake the sun was out and the temperature was quite warm. The ledge is visible from the parking area, and I could see that it was shrouded in clouds, so I opted to take a jacket along, as I knew it would be cold up there if the weather turned for the worse.

The trail was nearly deserted on a Thursday afternoon. I’d read a few recent reviews where folks had taken this hike in very crowded conditions, but that wasn’t the case for me. I saw fewer than 20 hikers all afternoon. I stopped often to take photos as the light was very nice, but even still made the summit in around an hour. Unfortunately a storm was brewing at the ledge. I had hoped to get a few good photos of the lake and the Cascades to the east, but that was out of the question. I like to keep my camera dry!

One of the great things about this short hike is that you get the sense that you’re on a real mountain when you reach the ledge. I was so glad to have my coat along, as being caught in a storm on a mountain can be dangerous. The temperature had dropped at least 20 degrees and I would have been soaked to the skin without protection. I didn’t spend much time on the ledge, as the wind was howling and the rain coming down hard.

I first hiked up to Rattlesnake Ridge back in the 90s, and in those days the top of the trail was quite steep. It’s since been reworked with new switchbacks, so it’s a more gradual incline. I was glad for that trail work on my way down as the trail was quite wet, but the footing was always very sound. Within 15 or 20 minutes of leaving the ledge I was back in nicer weather: dappled sunshine with drippy trees and ferns all around. I spotted some vivid red berry blossoms on the way back and got a few good photos.

I love Rattlesnake Ridge because it is so close to the city, and yet it’s a real mountain hike: short, vigorous and full of beauty. I’m very grateful to Mountains to Sound Greenway for their work in this part of Western Washington. All in all, a great afternoon hike.