Rattlesnake Peak Loop via Shoemaker Canyon Road
9.1 mi
Distance
3 hrs 46 min
Time
terrain
3,491 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a moderate loop trail to Rattlesnake Peak in Angeles National Forest.
This trail goes by Heaton Flats Trailhead.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Solo day hiked Fri 2/9/2024 – Wow! I really underestimated this week’s snowfall at the lower elevations and paid dearly for it. Started up Rattlesnake using the Eastern side HPS Route 2 through the tunnels and then up to 4500 ft snow free. The snow solidly blanketed the trail at 4600 ft but postholing was only 8-14 inches. Fortunately, several paws marked the trail through the snow up to 4800 feet. By the time I reached 5000 ft, the snow was up to knee level on the steep slopes which really slowed things down. On the positive side, it was unconsolidated and great for kick stepping, just a lot of work. The horizontal ridge sections were up to waist level, hiding the yuccas and buckthorn like land mines. I dropped in one section up to my arm pits. But it was a nice day and so I just powered through it and was glad that I did. Was walking around the Rattlesnake summit through deep snow and just happened to kick the summit box – a lucky find. After descending from Rattlesnake to Peak 5030 on the HPS Route 1/All Trails Route, I was back on dry ground and had a very pleasant return trip to Shoemaker Cyn Road. Views off the Rattlesnake summit were fantastic with the high cloud level. Was quite an adventure for a short hike. Logged 9.9 miles/3547 vertical ft. with Gaia.
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Public Tracks
