Elevation gain: 1110'
Trails used: Old Bridle Path, Ridge Trail.
Desi took Friday off so we decided to go for a hike. We tossed around a few ideas to do (Belknap, Ossipees, Squam Range peaks) but decided to do West and East Rattlesnake Mountains. We knew it was going to be a cold day so we made sure we were prepared and headed out.
The Rattlesnakes are located in Holderness, New Hampshire. There are several hiking trails in this small area but the most popular one is the Old Bridle Path which starts off of Route 113 about 5 miles from Holderness/Route 3. For more information and even a map of the trails for this hike, go here.
The start of the Old Bridle Path heading up. It is very easy hiking up to the West summit of Rattlesnake Mountain from the parking area.
Some very nice trail work on a heavily used hiking area, especially in summer and on nice days. They ask for donations at the trail head to help with keeping the trails in good shape as well as keeping the parking area plowed in winter.
Please respect the land this hike is on. We the heavy use it gets, it would be nice for future generations to have the ability to use and enjoy this area.
You can get some good views of the Squam Lake area on a good day, but today wasn't that day.
Looking west to the lower end of the Squam Mountains from the West Rattlesnake ledges.
More snow showers over Red Hill and Squam Lake from the West Rattlesnake ledges.
We used the Ridge Trail to get over to East Rattlesnake.
The views towards Red Hill and the snow squall moving in, taken from some ledges just below the summit of East Rattlesnake which is the highest of the two summits.
Five Finger Point and looking to the Belknap Mountains
Desi heading back down on a snow/ice free section in between both summits.
The only serious ice section along the trail. We did not use any sort of traction for this hike.
A cool looking rock on some lower ledges just down from the West Rattlesnake ledges.
The snow started letting up so we got this view of Mount Webster in the Squam Mountains.
Back to the car. We passed one couple heading up as we were coming down but on a really nice day, this parking area is packed and cars down both sides of the road.
It was cold to start the day, and it was cold over the duration of the hike. It spit snow for pretty much the whole hike as well. Still, it was a nice hike and good to be out. This hike also capped the end of my hiking week (since I took the whole week off from work) minus the big hike Brian and I would do on Saturday.
This hike is a family/kid friendly hike. Please remember to leave a donation if you do this hike to help maintain this trail as well as keep the lot snow free for the winter.
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