The weather has been great here now most of the week and should be continuing that way into next week. No rain forecast until maybe Wednesday next. So I must take advantage of it and get my exercise.
Today I hiked Rattlesnake Mountain again from Snoqualmie Point to Rattlesnake Lake, 10.5 miles. Last time I did it was drizzly and low clouds, no views to see anything, very disappointing. Today was completely opposite, not a cloud to be seen, cool to start(mid 50’s at 8:30am) which was good with all the sweating I do, but warm finish(mid 70’s at 2pm). I dropped the car off at Rattlesnake lake and had Wendy take me up to Snoq Pt on her way to work. There were a half dozen cars in the parking lot already, but I only passed 1 couple walking their dog about a half hour into the hike, and they didn’t look like they were going very far. Didn’t see anyone else for awhile. It was at the half way point where I was having a snack break, that I next saw someone else. A jogger who was going to the Ledge and back(almost 20miles RT!). We chatted for a few minutes. He looked older than me, but it great shape, and he talked about running the 25 mile Pacific Crest trail race recently, said he was still recovering a little from it.
Otherwise, it was interesting that there were fewer people on the trail that whole way this time compared to the drizzly day. Where was everybody? At the ledge of course, but not many seemed interested in going further today for some reason.
Got a couple of pictures at each of the viewpoints, including Mt.Baker, North Bend and the Mall from the halfway point, plus good ones of Mt.Rainier from one of the old logging and radio tower maintenance roads that intersect with the trail numerous times.
Had my lunch about 11:45am between just past the halfway mark at “Windy’s Point” viewpoint, a very short marked trail off the main trail. Had almost a 1/2 hour rest in the nice warm sun, then continued on my way. From there on, it was mostly down hill, so much easier hiking.
Arrived at the upper ledge at 1pm and no one there, while the lower main ledge appeared to be very packed. Rested a few more minutes, then got back to the car about 1:45 to a mostly full lot and lots of picnic’ers and sunbathers at the lake. And more people heading up to the ledge.