Saturday, May 23, 2009

Rattlesnake Mountain, Grand Prospect viewpoint




This is a great hike anytime of the year - to get in condition or to stay in condition. With an early start you can have the trail pretty much to yourself except, perhaps, on a sunny summer weekend. The trail is close to home (Seattle, North Bend, Issaquah) and in good condition.




It being the first day of the Memorial Day Weekend, we did get an early start and wanted to beat the heat as well. Much of the trail is in cool, shady forest and the elevation gain (2,100 feet) is gradual.




From Stan's Overlook (1,000 feet from the trailhead) and Grand Prospect there are views to Mount Si, North Bend and a row of hazy peaks in the distance. We enjoyed the flowers and the "character" of old stumps, some charred from fires, others with cubistic patterns of lichen.




Good day, good companions.




To get there from Seattle: Head east on I-90, get off at Exit 27, follow road to trailhead parking.




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