John Guilford's Hikes

Cedar Butte and Rattlesnake Ledge on 2026-02-17

Date: 2026-02-17

Location: Cedar Butte and Rattlesnake Ledge

People: (including myself): Happy Hikers

		  		Alt.	Miles
Start:			 10:00	970	0
Start of trail:		 10:20	1065	1
Cedar Butte (lunch): 	 11:10	1890	2.7
End lunch:  		 11:30	
Road:			 12:00	1065	3.9
Parking lot:		 12:20	970	4.8
Start Rattlesnake Ledge: 12:30	920	0
Rattlesnake Ledge:	 1:30	2050	2.2	
Leave Ledge:		 1:45
Finish:			 2:40	920	4.4

The group planned to hike Cedar Butte. The weather had been wet with a few snow flakes falling on my drive to the hike, but the day proved to be dry for the hike with some sun breaks.

You have to park near Rattlesnake Lake. Initially you hike up a dirt road (which you can't drive as it is gated shut) for a mile before you leave the road and start the actual trail.

About a half mile up the trail there is a fork. The trail splits into two options which join up later. We took the right (south) fork which is a bit longer but less steep than the north fork (which we used for the trip down).

About a mile after the trail junction, the two trails rejoin and continues on up to the top of Cedar Butte. There we had an early lunch enjoying views toward the north.

On our way back down, we took the north version of the trail which cuts off some the distance in exchange for a steeper trail.

We were back in the parking lot by 12:20. That was too early to go home, and the weather was relatively pleasant, so I decided to hike up to Rattlesnake Ledge (by myself). I left the car where I'd parked for the Cedar Butte hike (moving it would have taken almost as long as walking) and hiked over to Rattlesnake Lake and around the north end of the lake to where the real trail starts climbing.

The trail to Rattlesnake Ledge is wide, well maintained, and very, very popular. It is higher than Cedar Butte and has nicer views.

I set a fast pace up the trail. I had started the day wearing rain pants (in case of rain, which never happened) and gaiters (in case of a muddy trail). With the fast pace up the climbing trail, I soon got warm, shedding some of my layers. About half way up, I decided my pants were too hot, and I found a stump to sit on while I took off the rain pants and gaiters (something I should have done back at the car between hikes).

I got to Rattlesnake Ledge and spent a little while enjoying the view, taking pictures, and eating a granola bar. It was nice then and there, but I could see lots of gray clouds in the surrounding areas.

After a 15 minute stay, I started back down. I didn't go to the Middle or Upper Ledges - I figured this was enough for the day.

I again set a good pace going down. I'd passed a fair number of folks on my way up and my way down, as well as being passed by a few trail runners.

As I got lower, the skies turned darker and near the lake even a few snow flakes fell.

About ten minutes after I started driving home, a rain shower developed along with a brief spate of heavier rain. I think I timed my hike just about perfectly.