Originally Posted: June 2021
Updated: December 2022

Rattlesnake Mountain Trail Traverse: Snoqualmie Point to Rattlesnake Lake

Stan’s Overlook
Grand Prospect
Rattlesnake Mountain: middle summit aka Donna’s Pinnacle (3360’+)
Rattlesnake Mountain: East Peak (true summit) aka East Rattlesnake Peak (3517′)
Rattlesnake Ledges

Route Summary

Region: Central Washington Cascades

Sub-Region: Issaquah Alps

Areas: Raging River State Forest & Rattlesnake Mountain Scenic Area & Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area

Starting Point: West Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead (Elev. 1080 feet) at Snoqualmie Point, accessed from Winery Road

Way Points: Raging River Mountain Bike Trail Junction & Powerline Crossing & Stan’s Overlook Trail Junction & Cedar Alley & Sally’s Swale & Grand Prospect & Middle Rattlesnake Peak Road Junction & Windy Landing Trail Junction & East Rattlesnake Peak Road Junction & Logjam Landing & Upper Rattlesnake Ledge Trail Junction & Middle Rattlesnake Ledge Trail Junction & Lower Rattlesnake Ledge Trail Junction & East Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead kiosk (trail hike)

Ending Point: Rattlesnake Lake maintenance road gate (Elev. 920 feet), accessed from Cedar Falls Road SE

Sidetrip 1: Stan’s Overlook (trail hike)

Sidetrip 2: Middle Rattlesnake Peak (road walk)

Sidetrip 3: Windy Landing (trail hike)

Sidetrip 4 / Summit: East Rattlesnake Peak (road walk)

Sidetrip 5: Upper Rattlesnake Ledge (trail hike)

Sidetrip 6: Middle Rattlesnake Ledge (trail hike & rock scramble)

Sidetrip 7: Lower Rattlesnake Ledge (trail hike)

Approximate Stats (excluding all seven sidetrips): 10.4 miles traveled; 2650 feet gained; 2800 feet lost; 4 to 6 hours elapsed.

Approximate Stats (including all seven sidetrips): 10.8 miles traveled; 2800 feet gained; 2950 feet lost; 4 to 7 hours elapsed.

Typical Season: mid-May thru mid-November

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Rattlesnake Mtn Trail Traverse (east to west): Rattlesnake Lake to Snoqualmie Point

Route Overview

Rattlesnake Mountain is an elongated landform oriented in a northwest-southeast alignment and sandwiched between the Snoqualmie River and Raging River, just southwest of North Bend.  This mountain and three others to the west—Cougar, Squak, and Tiger—comprise the locally famous Issaquah Alps.  However, unlike the other three Alps, which are blanketed with a web of hiking trails, Rattlesnake Mountain really has only one dedicated hiking trail:  a 10-mile-long footpath that follows the topographic spine in a remarkably straight line between Snoqualmie Point and Rattlesnake Lake.  This special characteristic makes the Rattlesnake Mountain Trail particularly appealing as a hiking traverse.

The Rattlesnake Mountain Trail Traverse can logically be completed in either direction, given that the total elevation gain and loss is essentially the same each way.  An east-to-west trek, starting at Rattlesnake Lake, offers the advantages of hiking away from the largest crowds and making a more relaxed (less steep) descent at the other end.  A west-to-east trek, starting at Snoqualmie Point, offers the advantages of better forward views and a more dramatic finish at Rattlesnake Ledges.  The west-to-east option is described below. For a description of the east-to-west option, look at my companion report.

The western trailhead, at Snoqualmie Point, can be accessed from Winery Road off Interstate-90, Exit 27.  A Discover Pass is required to use the established parking lot here, but free parking is available along Winery Road, just outside the parking lot.  The eastern trailhead, at Rattlesnake Lake, can be accessed from Cedar Falls Road SE off Interstate-90, Exit 32.  No permit is needed at the parking lot here.  Be aware, however, that both parking lots fill up quickly on summer weekends; as such, an early start or a midweek trek is highly recommended.

Full Route Description

The Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead at Snoqualmie Point features an architecturally handsome stone-and-wood kiosk displaying several informational signs and maps, as well as a plaque showing that this trail is part of the Mountains-To-Sound Greenway.  Because this is also a major trailhead for the Raging River mountain-biking trail system, expect to encounter numerous twin-wheeled warriors here, especially on summer weekends. 

The Rattlesnake Mountain Trail (RMT) heads upward from the kiosk on an old logging road.  You will quickly cross a gravel road and come to a trail fork, where bikers are sent to the left.  Take the right fork and begin ascending through a combination of young leafy forest and mature evergreen forest, crossing several more gravel roads and passing underneath a powerline. 

After a steady ascent, the RMT arrives at a six-way junction adorned with multiple signs and a large photomap (1.9 miles + 1000 feet from starting point).  Several mountain-bike trails branch out from this junction, and a short spur leads leftward to Stan’s Overlook—the first of seven sidetrips described herein. 

Stan’s Overlook makes a particularly fine picnic spot, thanks to several tables and benches. The view extends northward to Mt. Index, which is seen as a broad peak standing directly above the tiny cone of Fuller Mountain.

Back at the six-way junction, look carefully for the RMT heading straight uphill and passing through a wooden stile; don’t be misled by the mountain-bike trail angling up to the right.  From here, you will continue ascending through mature second-growth forest before abruptly emerging onto a small clearing at Grand Prospect (4.0 miles + 2000 feet from west TH).  This vantage provides a great view of Mt. Si, towering directly above downtown North Bend.

Continuing eastward from Grand Prospect, the RMT levels out a bit and makes an undulating traverse around the flank of West Rattlesnake Peak.  You soon exit from the deep forest and enter an extensive clearcut.  For the next ½ mile, the RMT closely parallels a gravel road that leads up West Rattlesnake Peak.  I can’t recommend it, but if you happen to be desperate for a longer sidetrip to an industrial summit, hop onto the gravel road a few dozen yards to your right and head on up.  Otherwise, stay on the RMT as it skirts the eastern edge of the clearcut, allowing you to look back at West Rattlesnake Peak and see its cluster of radio towers. 

Farther into the clearcut, you will cross a gravel spur road.  This spur road leads up to a small radio tower and auxiliary building sitting atop a minor hill that is identified as “Middle Peak” or “Donna’s Pinnacle” on some maps.  These names seem ill-fitting because the hill doesn’t look anything like a pinnacle and doesn’t feel much like a peak to me.  Judge for yourself.

After leaving the Middle Peak, you will come to a marked junction with a short spur trail leading out to Windy Landing.  This was probably a good viewpoint in past decades, but now the view is completely obscured by young trees and bushes.

Shortly past Windy Landing, the RMT encounters a switchback on a mossy road.  For another worthwhile sidetrip, follow the road uphill to the left.  A 1-minute walk will take you past a little viewpoint bench to the summit of East Rattlesnake Peak—the true summit of Rattlesnake Mountain (6.0 miles + 2750 feet from starting point).  The summit area hosts a tall lattice tower and a curious old, red, log-style, facility building.  If you like hunting for Easter eggs, you might have fun looking for the “Snake Benchmark” here.

From the mossy road switchback, the RMT proceeds straight ahead, staying closely below the ridge crest and offering one last brief look up at the tall radio tower on East Rattlesnake Peak.  You will then re-enter deep forest and twice more cross the same mossy road.  Gradually, the RMT gradient increases as it drops off the crest of Rattlesnake Mountain.  Other hikers become noticeably more prevalent with increasing distance. 

Eventually, you will reach a wooden sign and a short spur trail leading out to Upper Rattlesnake Ledge (8.4 miles + 2750 feet from starting point).  From this marvelous vantage, the massive façade of Mt. Garfield can be seen rising above the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valley to the northeast.  The rocky knobs of the Middle and Lower Ledge are visible down to the southeast.

Continuing southeastward on the RMT for 5 to 10 minutes brings you to another short spur trail leading over to Middle Rattlesnake Ledge. If you are comfortable with exposure, you can scramble out to the brink of the ledge; otherwise, just enjoy the view from the first rock outcrop.  To the southeast, Chester Morse Reservoir is barely visible as a sliver of blue water at the head of the broad Cedar River Valley.  In the opposite direction, Upper Rattlesnake Ledge can be seen atop a steep, rocky buttress.

Another 5- to 10-minute descent on the RMT leads to the crest of a minor ridge marked with a wooden sign.  Take a short spur trail off to the left for the last of seven sidetrips described herein.  This spur trail leads over to Lower Rattlesnake Ledge, which provides striking views down to Rattlesnake Lake, 1200 vertical feet below.

From Lower Rattlesnake Ledge, the RMT descends through dense forest for 2 miles until reaching its official eastern terminus at Rattlesnake Lake, marked by another handsome kiosk.  You will likely see scores of hikers milling about here.  From the kiosk, turn left and walk an additional ¼ mile along a gravel access road that curves around to a gate adjacent to the main parking lot (10.8 miles + 2800 feet from starting point). 

Route Maps & Profile

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Photo Gallery

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