Near Rattlesnake Creek Trail #32051
Cedar Breaks National Monument.

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Hike Trail

Rattlesnake Creek Trail #32051

4.0 (4 Ratings)
This drops 2,500 feet in four miles to where it intersects with Ashdown Creek.
5.5
mi
Distance
84
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
Fall ColorsRiver/CreekViewsWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
5.5mi
Distance
84ft
Elevation Gain
2,885ft
Elevation Loss
70%
Max Grade
10,503ft
High Point
7,663ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
The Rattlesnake Trail follows Cedar Breaks boundary fence west, across a large alpine meadow and into a stand of spruce and fir. It continues along fence line before entering a small meadow, and to the edge of a rim looking into a beautiful view of the formation in Cedar Breaks and Ashdown Gorge. The trail starts a quick descent through a sidehill of mixed conifer and into a grass and aspen drainage. The trail crosses a large west-facing bare slope then enters a thick stand of mature spruce and fir. The trail is easy to find through the thick timber. The trail leaves the thick timber and goes past a good stand of fir and ponderosa pine before entering Stud Flat. Stud Flat is a long grassy flat with a good view of all surrounding topography. The trail follows rock conifer stand and down to Rattlesnake Creek. It then follows the creek downhill, past large ponderosa pine, pinyon, juniper, and fir. Trail meets with High Mountain Trail, #052 before crossing creek and working around a grassy hillside can begin to see the rock channel of Ashdown Gorge. Trail then works down to private land, across a creek to a road in Ashdown. The trail follows road until it meets with Potato Hollow Trail #050.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Rattlesnake Creek to Ashdown Gorge

Classic Hike Route

Rattlesnake Creek to Ashdown Gorge

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strenuous
9.76 mi
+2,061 ft
Alpine Pond Loop

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Alpine Pond Loop

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+114 ft
Sydney Peak Trail

Classic Hike Route

Sydney Peak Trail

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+227 ft
Chessman Loop Trail

Hike Route

Chessman Loop Trail

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easy
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Twisted Forest Trail

Hike Route

Twisted Forest Trail

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moderate
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+367 ft
Ramparts Trail

Hike Route

Ramparts Trail

Birding
moderate
4.89 mi
+1,265 ft
Contributors
Brian Smith