Hiking Rattlesnake Ledge: Fog, Solitude, and Smiles

I arrived at Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area at 6:30 AM, just as the Park Ranger opened the gates. Even at that early hour, I wasn’t alone—several cars were already parked along the roadside. Grabbing my pack, I set out solo, watching as clusters of hikers were making their way down, headlamps still glowing faintly in the dim morning light.

Their goal had been sunrise from the ledge, but a thick bank of fog had rolled in, hiding the views. Strangely, no one seemed disappointed. Each hiker I passed was grinning, chatting, or moving quietly with that satisfied calm you only get after greeting the day with a climb.

The Trail Experience

The Rattlesnake Ledge Trail is a straightforward 1.9-mile ascent with about 1,100 feet of elevation gain. The wide, well-maintained switchbacks make it approachable for nearly anyone—families, early risers, runners, or solo wanderers like me. The air that morning carried the scent of cedar and Douglas fir, the forest alive with quiet bird calls muffled by the mist.

At the top, the ledge usually delivers sweeping views: Rattlesnake Lake spread below, the silhouettes of Mount Si and Mount Washington, and Chester Morse Lake tucked into the Cedar River Watershed. But this morning, fog turned the ledge into something else entirely—quiet, otherworldly, a rocky perch in a sea of shifting white. For a solo hiker, it was less about the view and more about the moment: the stillness, the sound of breath, and the sense of being suspended above the unseen.

A Touch of History

Despite its name, there are no rattlesnakes in Western Washington. Early surveyors in the 19th century mistook the sound of seed pods rattling in the wind for snakes, and the name stuck.

The lake itself isn’t natural—it was formed in the early 1900s when Seattle built a dam for drinking water. The small logging town of Moncton, once nestled near its banks, was flooded out in 1915. Foundations from the old town sometimes emerge when the water levels drop. Today, Rattlesnake Lake serves both as recreation hub and as part of the Cedar River Watershed, which supplies drinking water to the city.

Why Go Solo?

Hiking Rattlesnake Ledge alone offers a different rhythm. While groups fill the trail with conversation, a solo morning hike gives space to listen—the crunch of boots, the rush of breath, the subtle creak of trees in the fog. Even with a steady stream of hikers, there’s still a solitude to be found here, especially when the views disappear into mist and you’re left with only the trail beneath your feet.

If You Go

• Trailhead: Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area, just off I-90 near North Bend, WA.

• Distance/Elevation: 3.8 miles roundtrip, 1,160 feet elevation gain.

• Parking: Large lot at the lake, but it fills quickly on weekends. Arrive early (gates open at 6:30 AM). Overflow parking often spills onto the roadside.

• Best Time: Early morning for sunrise (though fog is common), or late afternoon for softer light and fewer crowds.

• Nearby Eats: Afterward, head into North Bend for a hearty post-hike bite—Twede’s Café for the Twin Peaks-famous cherry pie, or Pioneer Coffee for something lighter.