Rattlesnake Mountain Trail - Nov. 3, 2011

 Last week, while we were on top of Mt. Si enjoying the views, we looked across the valley at this mountain (picture below-right) and in our ignorance asked one another, "What mountain is that?"  We couldn't answer the question, but nevertheless decided that running up it would be our second "peak a week."

Rattlesnake Ridge on a warmer day.  Looking south.

Upon returned home, a quick Google search informed me that the mountain we were looking at was Rattlesnake Ridge.  Fortunately, there are numerous trails and logging roads to explore up there.  I quickly found a good route and the following Thursday morning Mikey, Daniel and I were ready to do some peakin' again.  We decided to summit the mountain (East Peak) from the west, opposed to the more popular route from the east and Rattlesnake Lake.  After a very convenient park and start (trailhead is right off of exit 27, to the right) we were headed up Rattlesnake Mountain Trail, following signs toward East Peak (below).

Mile markings.  We parked a little way down the street.

The trail moves gradually up and along the ridge, west to east, periodically moving in and out of forest canopy and old clearcut, crossing logging roads now and again.  At the 2.5 mile mark, take the short jaunt to Stan's Lookout at 2,100 ft.  It's a great spot to take in the opposite views of Mt. Si, this time looking north at Si, North Bend and the rest of the Snoqualmie Valley below.  Despite some snow and cloudy skies, the view was great.  After leaving the lookout, we continued uphill at a much gentler rate that last week on Si.  We even had a few little flat and downhill sections to give our legs a break and look through the ever increasingly fog filled forest...northwest trail running at it's finest.  The last bit of the run was definitely the most difficult part: the path got steeper and we started running through a few inches of snow.  Again, Mikey and Daniel eased ahead of me as I sucked cold air and struggled through the snow.  The end came quick enough though, as my running partners kindly waited for me (again) to summit the last hundred meters together (62:44 to tower on East Peak). 

Don't do this run for the views at the top, since there are none.  But standing at the base of a radio tower after a hard climb brings its own kind of satisfaction.  As does a delicious homemade Gu-cicle (blackberry flavor = yum!) that Daniel and I both made for ourselves.  After a few minutes in the cold refueling, we headed back down the mountain.  This was my highlight of the run.  Thanks to the small flat and downhill sections coming up, we were able to let the leg muscles go and get some good speed coming down, using the little uphills as breaks in the place of our quads and knees.  The descent was like a running roller-coaster: up, down, jump, whip around a corner, all without much strain on the legs like most downhills in these areas.

Despite the lack of views at the top, I would highly recommend this run just for the sake of the beautiful forests and the exhilarating downhill sections.  I'm also looking forward to doing this run again soon...maybe even heading up and back down to Rattlesnake Lake and back for a 22 miler.  Anyone else interested?

Daniel and I enjoying our Gu-cicles at the top.

For more info and directions, check out: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes-of-the-week/rattlesnake-mountain-trail

Run Stats:  Total Distance: 12.2 miles   Time: 1:58:24
Elevation Gain: 2,520   Pace: 9:42/mile


*An added bonus to this run:  We made our first post-run trip to Issaquah Cafe, which has become a Thursday morning favorite for us.  I highly recommend the biscuits and gravy, any of their scrambles and the coffee.  From our experience checking out other breakfast establishments, this down-to-earth home-style cookin' is hard to beat for a famished runner.