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About


West Rattlesnake
Holderness, NH

Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Old Bridle Path
Looking up the Old Bridle Path

Route: Old Bridle Path

Though the forecasts were calling for a mostly cloudy day, I had seen nothing but blue sky out the window. As a result, I decided I would go for a sunset hike. West Rattlesnake fit the time constraint perfectly.

Arriving at the plowed Mt. Morgan parking area, I was somewhat surprised to see other vehicles there. Once at the Old Bridle Path trailhead, I could see the fresh snow from the night before had already been very well packed. While the trail was certainly barebootable, I decided to wear my snowshoes anyway, for traction and for the additional exercise. With temperatures hovering around freezing, I wore only a short sleeved shirt on the ascent and added a long sleeved shirt once I stood around on the summit ledges.

Since the Old Bridle Path is quite gradual, it's an easy snowshoe. After going to the summit, I went down to the view ledges to catch the beginning of the sunset. While not a bad sunset, it wasn't anything special, as just about the only cloud in the sky happened to be where the sun was setting. As a result of this thick, low hanging cloud, the colors weren't overly vivid. Nonetheless, it was still very nice to watch it set from such a nice, wide vista with two frozen over lakes in plain sight.



Hike Ratings
Getting To Trailhead: Easy
Destination: West Rattlesnake
Length: Easy
Steepness: Easy
Navigation: Easy
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Moderate


Hike Stats
Date Hiked: Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Hike Commenced: 3:48 PM
Parking Elevation: 815'
Destination: West Rattlesnake
Ascent Commenced: 3:51 PM
Summit Reached: 4:11 PM
Time Elapsed: 00:20
Trailhead Elevation: 800'
Summit Elevation: 1,240'
Distance: .9 miles
Vertical Gain: 455'
Hike Ended: 5:01 PM
Hike Time Elapsed: 01:13
Hike Distance: 1.8 miles
Hike Vertical Gain: 485'


The Old Bridle Path trailhead on Route 113
The Old Bridle Path trailhead on Route 113

Looking southeast across Squam Lake toward the Belknap Range from West Rattlesnake - Click to enlarge
Looking southeast across Squam Lake toward the Belknap Range from West Rattlesnake

The sunset as seen from the West Rattlesnake ledges - Click to enlarge
The sunset as seen from the West Rattlesnake ledges

Topographic map of West Rattlesnake


Directions to trailhead: Take Route 113 West from Center Sandwich. Shortly after the Mt. Morgan parking lot, the trailhead is on the left. Parking available in the Mt. Morgan parking lot and on the side of the road (not on pavement).

Back to West Rattlesnake Profile




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