Tag Archives: Trailhead

North Bend, Peak Bagging

Rattlesnake Ledge Trail

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RATTLESNAKE MOUNTAIN SCENIC AREA

Activity: Day Hike, Peak Bagging

6 miles, 2040′ elevation, 1470’ elevation gain, 3 hour duration, rated Moderate

Date: 6-17-22

This is a very popular hike an hour out of Seattle, in the North Bend area and although there were hikers it definitely was not crowded like I have heard it is on nice weekends. I hiked it on a Friday and it was a misty, moody Pacific North West type of day.

The Forest was green and lush, the trail was great, but the views from the lower, middle, and upper Rattlesnake Ledge were not to be had on this day.  That is too bad as the view was the star of this show. Still standing on the side of a cliff where you see nothing is still sort of exciting when you find yourself ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. 

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure
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Rattlesnake Ledge Trail
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“There is always an adventure waiting in the woods.” – Katelyn S. Bolds

Thank you for joining me on a ledge starring off into the space. It is hard to have a fear of heights when you are gazing at a blank page. It is a eerie experience to see the rock in front of you and then nothing, just fog. But that is sometimes what it is like when you are ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ in the PNW. There are more adventures right around the corner, ( such as the jaunt that I took directly after this hike: Rattlesnake Lake Nature Walk), but be careful on that corner, because although you may not see a huge drop off due to the fog- it certainly doesn’t mean that it isn’t there. Stay with me by doing a couple of things: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you go to the menu above you will see that PBTA travels extensively all over this great West of ours. The menu is categorized mostly by location and occasionally by activity. Each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. My hope is that these description of my adventures will encourage you to find your next adventure soon. Nature can bring Balance into our lives and that is so necessary to our well being, it exercises both body and mind. If you are looking for Adventure Wear, (see my picture), look no further than SHOP APPAREL where you will find my line of top quality hats and shirts with the PBTA logo and mantra.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

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Whistler Canyon Trail

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WHISTLER CANYON-FROG POND-BLACK DIAMOND LAKE TRAILS

Orville, Washington

Activity: Day Hike

Distance: 9 miles, over 1500’ elevation change, duration 5 hours, rated Moderate

Whistler Canyon Trail near Orville Washington, part of the Pacific Northwest Trail, is actually a 14 mile trail that encompasses an elevation change of 3,776’ and is used by hikers, rock climbers, horse back riders, and just simply nature lovers. This area has all kinds of wildlife such as wild turkey, hawk, eagle, vulture, rattle snake, big horn sheep, mule deer, bear, marmot, coyote, moose, and cougar. There are sweeping vistas of the Okanogan River and Valley, the town of Orville, Osoyoos Lake, and Canadian mountains in the distance.

I bundled three trails in my day hike excursion: Part of the Whistler Canyon Trail, the Frog Pond Trail, and a portion of the Black Diamond Lake Trail.

If you only have a couple hours or so then the Frog Pond Trail might be a fun hike to do. Starting at the Whistler Canyon Trail you climb pretty quickly in elevation then off to your left you will find the sign to the Frog Pond Trail which is a delightful hike through an Ponderosa Pines wooded area with rocky cliffs on both sides. There is a great overlook that is not to be missed with super views of the Okanogan River and Valley. Finally you will arrive at the Frog Pond. When I was there in late August there was no pond only a grassy area surrounded by lovely Aspen, Birch, and Cottonwood Trees. I assume that the “pond” takes on a different look in the Spring.

After enjoying the Frog Pond I rejoined the Whistler Canyon Trail and headed up. It climbs 1000’ in the first two miles. I ventured off to the Black Diamond Lake Trail and went as far as the Overlook that once again had fantastic views, but this time wrapping around a little further north.

I really enjoyed this hike, and hopefully I will get the chance to go back and hike further into this area as the highlands above looked intriguing.

I can testify that there are rattlers in the area.
I can testify that there are rattlers in the area. The morning of my hike my Brother-in-Law Dale collected 2 rattlers right outside the garage for me to see. I will post the pics in another post.
Frog Pond Trail
The Frog Pond is an enjoyable little hike which is about 2 miles long, takes an hour. It brings you to a delightful little wooded area. There was no pond in August just tree trees and grasses. I am sure it is different in the Spring.
From the Whistler Canyon Trail I took the Black Diamond Lake Trail to the Overlook.
Not to be missed the views of the Okanogan Tiver and Valley, town, countryside, lake and mountains are great.
Overlook View of Orville and Osoyoos Lake

“Leave the road, take the trails.” – Pythagoras

Thanks for joining me “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure” in Whistler Canyon. Please give me a thumbs up by doing any or all of the following: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, and SHARE.