Hike description: When higher-elevation trails are not available, you can check out the Cedar River Watershed and the Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area with this close-to-home hike. This trail offers a forest walk with a view on top overlooking Interstate 90 and the Snoqualmie Valley, making this “summit” a great spot for lunch. It is a good trail for hikers, dogs and children.
From the sign near the outhouses, hike along a winding gravel road for 3-4 minutes to the John Wayne Trail. Turn left and follow the level graveled road of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail (the old Milwaukee railroad bed) for about 0.8 of a mile. You’ll cross a small wooden bridge over Boxley Creek. The Cedar Butte Trail starts about 500 feet from the bridge on the right-hand side. It is signed “Cedar Butte.”
Follow the well-brushed trail upwards. After about 300 feet of elevation gain, you reach an intersection. Here make a choice to go left up the steeper but shorter segment another 300 feet in elevation to Saddle Junction; or hike right along a gentler, but half a mile longer grade to the junction. Either way will take you to the summit, so make it a loop trip, going up one route and down the other. Continuing up to the summit from Saddle Junction, there are views of the Rattlesnake Lake and Rattlesnake Ledge. (Not to worry – there are no real rattlesnakes here.) At the summit, 1,860 feet above sea level, look across to Mount Si, Tenerife and Mailbox and up the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River.
Directions: Take I-90 past North Bend to Exit 32 and turn south (right) on 436th Avenue Southeast (or Cedar Falls Road Southeast). Follow it up the hill, and on to Rattlesnake Lake, about 3 miles or so. Go as far as the Iron Horse State Park and turn left into the parking lot (a short distance past the parking lot on the right for Rattlesnake Lake and Rattlesnake Ledge hikes), which has room for 60-70 vehicles. To start the hike, look for the “Iron Horse State Park – John Wayne Pioneer Trail” sign near the outhouses.
Difficulty rating: 2 (1 is easiest, 5 is most difficult)
Miles round-trip: 4
Elevation: 900 feet
Best time of year: Year-round
Map: Green Trails 205S Rattlesnake Mountain Side A Section J11
Pass: None needed
Also: Always carry the 10 Essentials on all wilderness travel, preparing for the weather and conditions you hope to have and those you know you might encounter in the mountains. Be good stewards by practicing Leave No Trace Wilderness Travel, packing out all your own trash and any trash that you find along the way. You can add an educational component to your day by stopping at the Cedar River Watershed Information Center to learn about this important regional resource. This trail is not recommended for use by bicycles or with horses.
Info: Cedar River Watershed Information Center at the trailhead parking and on line.cedarriver.org; Washington Trails Association: wta.org; “Day Hiking Snoqualmie Region,” Mountaineers Books.
Hike of the Week is presented by the Hiking/Backpacking Committees of the Olympia and Tacoma Branches of The Mountaineers.
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