MT. BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST, WA :: The trail to Rattlesnake Ledge is short and sweet, climbing about 1200' to a ledge overlooking the Snoqualmie Valley and Rattlesnake Lake. I hiked a little further beyond the ledge to a higher point where Mt. Si, Tenerife and Mailbox Peak are unmistakable across the valley. Between them are many other mountains whose names are unknown to me. They frame the mysterious Middle Fork. I haven't hiked that area too much. Something about that place is uninviting.

But the hike up Rattlesnake Ledge was very nice. The warm sunshine and blue sky was an invigorating escape from the thick layer of fog and smog that has been suffocating Seattle for the past two weeks. The trail is well maintained, and despite what many reports claim, it wasn't crowded at all. Setting the alarm clock a little earlier makes all the difference.

The trail to the point above the ledge and back is about 3.5 miles roundtrip. At the ledge, the trail continues and a sign indicates it's possible to hike another 9 miles, past a radio tower, to the gates of the old Snoqualmie Winery. If the short trail to the ledge doesn't satisfy, you can keep on hiking to your legs' content.