Distance: 4 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1160 feet
Pass: None
Hiked: 4.29.18
This is a popular hike that we first visited in December 2017, but it’s a great, nearby hike with big payoff! The one (big) downside is that it’s usually very crowded. Even on the gloomy, drizzly day we hiked, there were still a lot of people.
Demi was visiting for a long weekend, and we decided to do a “city” day in Seattle and a “nature” day on Sunday. While I wanted to pick some distant hike (ahem, on the Olympic peninsula), we decided the drive and weather would make it not worth it so we stuck close to home for one of my favorite high-reward hikes.
The weather was drizzling on and off our entire way up to the top, but then it cleared up while we were enjoying the views (and Demi was eating her Starbucks Roastery snack). The view is stunning every time!
Driving Directions
From Seattle, drive east on I-90 to exit 32 for 436th Avenue SE. Turn right onto 436th Avenue SE, also signed as Cedar Falls Road SE. Proceed about four miles down the road to the Rattlesnake Lake parking lot on the right.