Rattlesnake Ridge, Snoqualmie, WA

This weekend, I flew home to Seattle, WA for Fall Break. It was a wonderfully relaxing weekend at home, including lots of time spent outside enjoying the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. My family loves to hike together, so we knew that we would do a lot of hiking during my short stay at home. On my first day back, we chose to hike Rattlesnake Ridge. This is a popular hike as it does not take all day long and ends with an amazing view of Rattlesnake Lake, Mount Si, Mount Washington, and Chester Morse Lake. It is a comfortable four miles round-trip. I have hiked this trail more times than I can remember, however this time was especially interesting as I consciously noticed more of the nature along the way, rather than solely focusing on the view at the final destination.

The base of the trail is located right next to Rattlesnake Lake, a popular swimming and floating destination. In October, there are not many people relaxing by the water as it is a bit too chilly for bathing suits, however I did see quite a few people enjoying the view across the lake and letting their dogs take a dip in the water. Shortly into the trail, there was a large, mossy rock. Some kids were trying to climb on it, however the moss made it slippery and difficult to hold on to! We continued on the path past bushes that appear to harvest huckleberries in the warmer seasons and evergreen trees that created a canopy above us. The trail includes numerous switchbacks to make the hike a little less steep, however we had to be careful not to twist our ankles on the roots and overgrown trees that cover the path.

After about an hour, we reached the top. The trail widens to reveal large rocky platforms that open up to the beautiful view of mountain peaks, lakes, and evergreen trees.

Hikes like this one always bring me peace. When I am sitting at the top of a mountain, looking out on the untouched beauty around me, I feel so small. It makes the stress of school and everything else I worry about feel miniscule and unimportant. This hike was a great escape and perfect way to start my Fall Break. It gave me the opportunity to appreciate the world around me, do some self-reflection, and spend quality time with my family. I am so grateful to have beautiful hikes like this one so easily accessible from my hometown.