Florence Nature Preserve

Rattlesnake Knob Observation Point & Orange Viewpoint via Orange Spur Trail

2.1 mi · ▲ 328 ft · 52 min

Rattlesnake Knob Observation Point & Orange Viewpoint via Orange Spur Trail is a 2.1-mile out-and-back in Florence Nature Preserve near Gerton, NC. The route passes Rattlesnake Knob Observation Point before reaching Orange Viewpoint at the turnaround, 1.1 miles in. It climbs 328 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade. It scores 44/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi3,045 – 3,297 ft · steepest grade: 18%2.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 35.48797, -82.33977
Nearest town Gerton, NC

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Rattlesnake Knob Observation Point & Orange Viewpoint via Orange Spur Trail

2.1 mi · ▲ 328 ft · 52 min

Elevation 3,046–3,298 ft

Out & Back · Florence Nature Preserve

Trailhead: 35.48797, -82.33977

Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 87°F / low 68° · precip 12% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:53 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
  2. 0.3 miTurn right, heading SW.
  3. 0.7 miContinue straight onto Orange Spur Trail, heading S.
  4. 450 ftPass Orange Viewpoint.
  5. 100 ftReach Rattlesnake Knob Observation Point, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  6. 0.8 miTurn left, heading NW.
  7. 0.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Weather

OvercastTemperature 87°F68°
Precip12%Wind5 mphUV7Humidity74%
Hourly temperature
90°65°
Sunrise 7:05 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 7:53 PM
Sun 82°64° 74%
Mon 73°60° 74%
Tue 77°56°
Wed 83°56°
Thu 85°58°
Fri 82°62° 35%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.5 mi in (~13 min). Leave by 7:19 PM for the 7:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby