Rattlesnake Ledge, Rattlesnake Mountain & Rattlesnake Mountain - Grand Prospect — Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024

My party met up with esteemed and Outstanding Trip Reporter tiffanyc and her party for a fun but muddy hike. I'd hiked Rattlesnake Ledge and Rattlesnake Mountain many times before, but never thru, so we took two cars and shuttled each other.

The Rattlesnake Mountain/Grand Prospect trailhead was maybe 1/4 full around 8 a.m., mostly with mountain bikers. We left her car, everyone piled into mine, and we arrived at Rattlesnake Ledge trailhead around 8:30. It was the least crowded I'd ever seen it.

The entire trail is in pretty great shape, especially up to Rattlesnake Ledge(s). Views were... non existent. But numerous beautiful fungi fruited the entire way, including big flushes of Amanita muscaria, coral mushroom, oysters (on logs) and many more.

It rained the entire way until we finished the hike. Go figure. Atop the ridge of Rattlesnake Mountain and its logged, exposed section, the rain became light hail for a bit. Pretty chilly, but besides a few puddles and muddy spots, the trail was debris free. We were wet and cold by the end, but it's nothing a quick visit to the Square Lotus in Factoria couldn't fix. I recommend the vegetarian special pho.

Distance: 10.32 miles
Elevation: 3,013 feet
Moving time: 3:59:24