Rattlesnake Ledge — Attraction in North Bend

“Are there rattlesnakes here,” asked my hiking companion. That’s a good question based on the name, so I did a quick Google search. According to the CPR Seattle site, there are no venomous snakes in Western Washington. Thus reassured, we set out for the trailhead. We are retired, so we can go hiking anytime. We picked Monday, hoping to avoid the crowds. We should have thought about traffic. It took an hour to get to the trail from Seattle, much of the time spent stuck in the parking lot that I5 becomes in the morning. Next time, I’ll take the backroads. The weather was perfect. Clear skies with a temp warm enough so we didn’t need coats and cool enough to not be oppressive. The coolness came from a nice breeze up the valley. There is plenty of parking at the trailhead next to a lake. I’m guessing that on a nice weekend, finding a parking spot would be quite a bit harder. There is a big map at the trailhead that shows a few trails around the lake and up the ridge. It is a simple enough layout that there is not much chance of getting lost. We picked the 1.9 mile trial up to the ledge. The trail is well trodden, so it was always clear which way to go. There are small stones in the trail that create a bit of a tripping hazard. We stumbled a bit ourselves and noticed several other people having the same problem. The trail is steep and as people tired out, they had more difficulties with the tiny imperfections in the trail. My hiking companion was a new friend and we expected to be able to talk on the way up. We tried hard, but the steep trail had us breathing hard, making conversation difficult. We are in our 60’s which may have been part of the problem. Kids ran and played around us without much difficulty. The one big fork in the road is near the top. To the right is a short set of steps. To the left are two options - one 2 miles long and the other 8 miles according to a large wooden sign. The left option looks like it goes up higher. Some day, I’d like to check out that route, but we were only up for the easy path on the right. The shorter trail led to a ledge that was plenty good enough for a rest and to take on the view. The lake at the trailhead is a beautiful blue and the valley is a gorgeous green. Dozens of other hikers were scattered on the rocky ledge. We all handed phones back and forth to take pictures of each other in front of the amazing view. I like to snack on fruit and nuts when I hike, so it was a good thing that I had an ample supply in my backpack. We washed down the treats with water that we brought and had a nice chat to get to know each other. The hike down was much easier than coming up. We noticed much more of the environment as we let gravity help us along. People were still headed up, despite the afternoon heat. We wicked...

The trail to Rattlesnake Ledge in Washington offers a remarkable hiking experience, leading visitors to breathtaking vistas and panoramic views. Located in the North Bend area, this popular trail provides an accessible yet rewarding adventure for outdoor enthusiasts.

The trailhead begins in a forested area, surrounded by towering trees that create a serene and peaceful atmosphere. As you embark on the journey, the trail gradually ascends, taking you through a well-maintained path adorned with ferns, moss-covered rocks, and wildflowers during the warmer months.

The hike to Rattlesnake Ledge is approximately 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) long, making it a moderate challenge suitable for hikers of various skill levels. The incline can be steep in some sections, but the well-defined trail and switchbacks help make the ascent more manageable.

As you climb higher, the anticipation builds until you reach the summit of Rattlesnake Ledge. And once you arrive, you are rewarded with one of the most spectacular views in Washington. The ledge overlooks Rattlesnake Lake, framed by the surrounding mountains and lush greenery. The sight is simply awe-inspiring.

From this vantage point, you can take in the grandeur of the lake, its sparkling waters contrasting with the surrounding forests and cliffs. On a clear day, the view extends far beyond, allowing you to marvel at the vastness of the landscape and the natural beauty of the area.

The experience at Rattlesnake Ledge is not limited to the incredible vista alone. The ledge provides a perfect spot to rest, enjoy a picnic, or simply take a moment to soak in the tranquility of nature. The peaceful ambiance, combined with the beauty of the surroundings, offers a serene and rejuvenating atmosphere.

It's worth noting that Rattlesnake Ledge can be popular, especially during weekends and peak seasons. As a result, the trail can be busy, so it's recommended to arrive early to secure parking and enjoy a quieter experience.

In conclusion, the trail to Rattlesnake Ledge in Washington offers a memorable hiking adventure that culminates in a stunning view. The well-maintained trail, surrounded by lush forests, leads to the breathtaking vista overlooking Rattlesnake Lake and the surrounding mountains. It's a place where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, find serenity, and create...

The ledge is the great experience for hiking enthusiast. It's not too hard and well obviously it's not flat. It has a nice gradual upward elevation, and as you were going up the mountain keep reminding yourself of the end reward which is the beautiful Vista mountains towns and lake. It is almost a 270° view when you arrive at the main lookout. You could go up higher for the secondary and 3rd viewpoints as well but they don't have the same expansive view as the main one.

When you're right at the top to the naked Rocky part of the viewpoint don't feel pressure to jump over all the rocks as the holes between the rocks is pretty steep. Either use another person's hand or you can go from the left side avoiding all the rock gaps.

This place is beautiful in all time of the year. We often go here where it's very very rainy. And you do not need special rainy boots just regular hiking boots would help you as the mountain ground is pretty sturdy. But go with the gear you're comfortable with whether it's hiking sticks or rain or heavy hiking boots as it is still a hike with no guardrails and quite a big drop off 🙂🥾🚶‍♀️⛰️

And please take a moment as you're at the top to really enjoy and take their in view.

We went on a rainy and foggy day and even though most of the area was covered in fog it took extremely beautiful. And we had multiple Chipmunks that were crawling our legs and wanting treats ( they were not...