A second week of hiking with Leila again. This week we did Rattlesnake Ledge which is pretty close to my new house in North Bend. The hike is just over 2 miles each way and 1160 ft of elevation gain. Unlike last weeks hike which was steep at the beginning and end but pretty flat in the middle, Rattlesnake ledge is uphill the whole way.
Now, I don't want to give the wrong impression, it is not a steep trail. It is consistant. Kids who are used to lots of flat will think of this as a very hard trail. Just tell them that they will be rewarded by the view from the top, that they are almost there, and you only get to go to Scott's Dairy Freeze if you make it to the end.
I got to hear how Leila hated hiking, how her mom made her go with me, and how she was not going to go with me again next week. Later on that night, she said "We'll see". (Secretly, I know she likes going but think it is hard. I do not mind the complaints at all.)
The trail continues on for another 9.7 miles. I will have to revisit this over the winter and make it to the other end. I will have to enlist Cathy to do this hike with me in the future. I am not sure Leila would be up for a 13 mile hike anytime soon.
 First view across the valley |
 North Bend From Rattlesnake Ledge |
 Another view of North Bend |
 View towards the East |
 Rattlesnake Lake |
 My car at maximum zoom from Rattlesnake Ledge |
 Leila at the top of Rattlesnake Ledge |
 View towards the South West |