Crestridge Lake–Rattlesnake Trail, 3 sights
4.2 mi · ▲ 1,435 ft · 2 hr 7 min
Crestridge Lake–Rattlesnake Trail, 3 sights is a 4.2-mile out-and-back near Ridgecrest, NC. The route reaches Crestridge Lake at the turnaround, 2.1 miles in. It climbs 1,435 ft, with sections as steep as 28% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 29/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Crestridge Lake–Rattlesnake Trail, 3 sights
4.2 mi · ▲ 1,435 ft · 2 hr 7 min
Elevation 2,857–3,790 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Adventure Trail · 35.63253, -82.27142
Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 90°F / low 68° · precip 15% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 7:04 AM · sunset 7:54 PM
Dogs allowed on leash
- Start on Adventure Trail, heading N.
- 0.1 miBear left onto Rhododendron Ridge Trail, heading W.
- 0.6 miBear left onto Old Mitchell Toll Road, heading W.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Rattlesnake Trail, heading S.
- 200 ftBear left onto Copperhead Mountain Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear left onto Rattlesnake Trail, heading W.
- 0.5 miSharp right, heading E.
- 350 ftContinue straight onto Lake Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 0.1 miSharp right, heading NE.
- 50 ftSharp left, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 150 ftReach Crestridge Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading E.
- 50 ftSharp left, heading E.
- 0.2 miSharp left onto Rattlesnake Trail, heading NW.
- 0.5 miBear right onto Copperhead Mountain Trail, heading NW.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Rattlesnake Trail, heading NW.
- 200 ftContinue straight onto Old Mitchell Toll Road, heading N.
- 0.5 miBear right onto Rhododendron Ridge Trail, heading E.
- 0.6 miBear right onto Adventure Trail, heading SE.
- 500 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.4 mi in (~50 min). Leave by 6:44 PM for the 7:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
More from Adventure Trail Trailhead
- Lookout Mountain–Rainbow Gap, 3 summits 4 mi · ▲ 1,429 ft
- Brushy Knob–Big Slaty, 12 summits 15.5 mi · ▲ 4,502 ft
- Buck Gap–Adventure Trail, 4 sights 15.9 mi · ▲ 3,717 ft
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