Rattlesnake Mountain, Rattlesnake Ledge — Tuesday, Mar. 29, 2005

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

The weather report said rain but today was overcast with sunbreaks and beautiful - which proves once again to just go for it and if you get wet so what? We did the entire traverse of Rattlesnake Mountain from the lake to the winery, about 12 miles in 6 hours. The trail up to the ledges is clear, snow free, and easy. From the third ledge to the log jam we encountered snow on the thick salal brush. It is heavy wet snow that soaks your legs but is not deep. We donned gaiters at the log jam and good thing. Snow from there to the quarry is up to 8 inches and from there to the east tower gets up to 14 inches. Snow is thick and wet with an annoying crust just under the surface too thin to hold you but thick enough to grab your feet. Still thick but less crusty snow all the way to Panorama Point. Back down the west end of the trail is muddy and shows lots of blowdown. Crews on the scene were clearing trail and digging drainage so the trail itself is clear but not very asthetic. Good hike today but it will become very messy when all the snow begins to melt.