RATTLESNAKE RIDGE

Rattlesnake Ridge towers high over the cool waters of Rattlesnake Lake and the Snoqualmie River valley.  The hike from the parking lot to Rattlesnake Ridge is 4-miles roundtrip with 1160 ft. of elevation gain, no permit or pass required and the views are breathtaking. Peer southeast into the rarely seen Cedar River watershed, with Chester Morse Lake dominating the close-in scenery.

Interesting Facts: 

• Rattlesnake Lake and Rattlesnake Ridge got their name from Seattle pioneer Arthur A. Denny when the rattle of seed pods on the nearby prairie frightened a road surveyor into thinking he was being attacked by a rattler.
• The town of Moncton existed in 1906–1915 around the northern edge of Rattlesnake Lake. In the spring of 1915 it was destroyed by flooding caused by seepage of water from the newly created Chester Morse Lake into Rattlesnake Lake, and later condemned. Hardly any traces remain.

SAFETY TIP: The ridge is a very exposed, large rock that has sheer cliffs, so it would be wise approach slowly if you are hiking with kids or dogs.