Florence Nature Preserve

Rattlesnake Knob Observation Point & Orange Viewpoint via Orange Spur Trail

2.6 mi · ▲ 412 ft · 1 hr 4 min

Rattlesnake Knob Observation Point & Orange Viewpoint via Orange Spur Trail is a 2.6-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, 1.3 miles in. It climbs 412 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade. It scores 51/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi3,045 – 3,468 ft · steepest grade: 24%2.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 35.49368, -82.33725
Nearest town Gerton, NC

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Rattlesnake Knob Observation Point & Orange Viewpoint via Orange Spur Trail

2.6 mi · ▲ 412 ft · 1 hr 4 min

Elevation 3,046–3,467 ft

Out & Back · Florence Nature Preserve

Trailhead: 35.49368, -82.33725

Weather Sep 4: Light drizzle, high 85°F / low 66° · precip 18% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:54 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 0.3 miTurn right, heading S.
  3. 0.9 miContinue straight onto Orange Spur Trail, heading S.
  4. 400 ftPass Orange Viewpoint.
  5. 100 ftReach Rattlesnake Knob Observation Point, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  6. 1 miTurn left, heading N.
  7. 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Weather

Light drizzleTemperature 85°F66°
Precip18%Wind4 mphUV7Humidity67%
Hourly temperatureRain chance
85°65° 12 PM: 1% rain1 PM: 4% rain2 PM: 11% rain3 PM: 13% rain4 PM: 18% rain5 PM: 18% rain6 PM: 13% rain7 PM: 6% rain8 PM: 2% rain9 PM: 1% rain
Sunrise 7:05 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 7:54 PM
Sat 88°69°
Sun 85°63° 67%
Mon 70°61° 55%
Tue 75°56°
Wed 83°56°
Thu 85°59°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.7 mi in (~17 min). Leave by 7:17 PM for the 7:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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