Rattlesnake Mountain: 4/10/25

A leisurely afternoon hike to Rattlesnake Mountain (1594 ft.) in Rumney, a great short and steep hike with a fun ledgy loop at the top with fine views.

From an off-trail ledge, a view up the Baker River valley to Smarts Mountain, Black Hill and Mount Cube. Plenty of hang time today in the sun.

Looking down the Baker River valley towards Plymouth.

Rattlesnake's ledgy summit crest, with Stinson Mountain looming nearby to the east. In the center of the photo, way in the distance, are Scar Ridge and North Hancock.

I love the view north to the trailless spurs of Carr Mountain, with Carr's dark summit peering over in back. I could trace my bushwhack route from earlier in the week, out to Bald Ledge (the  broad summit low down on the left) and up the ridge ascending to its right.

Another view of Stinson from the east side of the loop.

A steep ledgy ramp on an unofficial mountain bike path that runs north from Rattlesnake for a half mile along the ridge.

A ledgy area that was burned by an arsonist's fire in 1992.

I made a short bushwhack north along the ridge from the end of the mountain bike trail. Still some snow lurking in the woods. Yuck.

I was not the only wanderer on this ridge.

My objective was this lovely mountain meadow.

Wild spruce forest takes over beyond the meadow.

Looking south from the meadow.

The relentless descent on Rattlesnake Mountain Trail from the loop junction.