Rattlesnake #285

Rattlesnake Trail is so named because it’s located in the upper reaches of Rattlesnake Canyon, not necessarily because it’s home to an unusual abundance of the West’s most famous trail hazard. Then again, there has to be a reason the canyon got that name in the first place, so it’s probably a good idea to watch where you step and where you put your hands while you’re passing through. Many people confuse this trail with the Powers Garden Trail #96, which is also in Rattlesnake Canyon. Trail #96, however, winds its way through the lower reaches of the canyon from the bottom of Powers Hill to the point where it joins the Rattlesnake Trail roughly in mid-canyon. Rattlesnake Trail branches off the East Divide Trail #287 a short distance north of the point where the High Creek Trail #290 provides access to the East Divide from Forest Road 159. Because the High Creek Trail is only 1.7 miles long, this route (High Creek, East Divide, Rattlesnake) provides the shortest access into the history-rich area once homesteaded by the Power family (see the Power Cabin page of the History section of this guide). As the trail drops from conifer-clad high country to canyon bottom, it passes through vegetation that varies with aspect and exposure from pine forest to oak juniper woodland to riparian zone. A short spur trail, #285A, leads to Holdout Spring.