I hiked two trails near the town of North Bend. On the first day, I took on the 7.9-mile climb and descent of Mount Si. On the next day, I hiked 5.3 miles to the three ledges on Rattlesnake Mountain.
Mount Si
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Mount Si
(as seen from North Bend) |
The entire hike is through forest until you reach the top. At the valley floor, everything is moist and lush. As you climb in elevation, the ground and flora become a bit drier.
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| Early Section of Trail |
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| Ferns Galore |
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| Have You Ever Seen Straighter Trees? |
The outward journey is almost entirely uphill with only a few short flat sections. This was a key reason why this was probably the most tiring hike since I began traveling in my van.
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| Stairs of Rock or Wood Were Built All Along the Route |
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| Steady and Consistent Incline |
Due to the density of trees, a hiker's view is limited to within the forest. While you see primarily trees and plants, this rock formation did rise from the earth at one point.
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| Rock Formation |
When you finally emerge out of the forest at the top of Mount Si, you see the rocky outcropping named Haystack which is the true top of the mountain. As you turn outward, you take in views of the Snoqualmie River Valley (and Mount Rainier on a clear day).
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Final Scramble
(pathway is more rock than trail) |
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| Haystack |
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| View of Snoqualmie River Valley and Part of North Bend |
Rattlesnake Ledges
This hike begins near the north side of Rattlesnake Lake. The trail winds its way up Rattlesnake Mountain.
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| Rattlesnake Lake |
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Rattlesnake Mountain
(at the Top are the Three Ledges) |
The scenery along the way is one of green plants such as ferns and salmonberry vines amid trees with rocks of various sizes scattered across the mountainside.
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| Large Boulder beside Trail |
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| High Undergrowth |
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| Moss on Tree Limbs |
There are several types of flowers and berries in colors and shades of white, red, yellow, and purple.
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| Red Berries |
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| Speckled Golden Flowers |
The trail is mostly wide enough for easy two-way traffic. Most of the climb is gradual with only a few steeper sections and switchbacks sprinkled in.
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| Switchback before Steep Section |
At the top, you arrive at a succession of three ledges. Each offers panoramic views of mountains and valleys.
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Looking Southwest from the Lower Ledge
(The Edge of Rattlesnake Lake Can Just Be Seen) |
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| Looking Southeast from the Lower Ledge |
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Looking South from the Middle Ledge
(Rattlesnake Lake and Lower Ledge are Straight Ahead) |
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Looking Southeast from the Middle Ledge
(Further to the East than from the Lower Ledge) |
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| Rattlesnake Lake and the Other Two Ledges from the Upper Ledge |
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| Looking Almost Eastward from the Upper Ledge |
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