2014 Rattlesnake Ridge Run

06/22/2014

Rattlesnake Ridge is a well-loved gem of the eastern Issaquah Alps, dividing the Snoqualmie River Valley from the vast Cedar River Watershed. The relatively new trail spanning the ridge threads through dense forest and has a few vistas to the Snoqualmie Valley, into the forests of the watershed, and over the craggy southeast end of the ridge and Rattlesnake Lake. We are delighted to be able to host 5 mile, Half Marathon, and 50k trail runs at this breathtaking venue.

The 5 mile will be an easy cruise on the wide Snoqualmie Valley Trail, the Half Marathon will be a one-way trip over the ridge from Snoqualmie Point Park to Rattlesnake Lake, and the 50k will take runners up the Rattlesnake Ledge Trail and over the ridge twice before finishing up on the gentler grades of the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. All runs will use the spectacular finish at the picnic area by Rattlesnake Lake, nestled in a valley between Rattlesnake Ledge and the slopes of the Cascade foothills of the watershed. After the finish, relax on the lawn or take a refreshing dip in the lake. Make a day of it by visiting the nearby Cedar River Watershed Education Center.

Results & Photos
Registration
Course Description
Schedule
Directions and Parking
Safety & Etiquette

Results & Photos

2014 Results

50k Photos
Half Marathon Photos
5-mile Photos

COURSE RECORDS

5-mile women: Nicole Crank, 33:43.4 (2013)
5-mile men: Keith Laverty, 27:04.4 (2013)

Half Marathon women: Iliana Sach, 2:06:00 (2013)
Half Marathon men: Seth Davis, 1:46:28 (2013)

50k women: Mollee Huisinga, 5:29:39 (2013)
50 men: Roger Mueller Jr., 4:28:42 (2014) NEW!

Registration

The half marathon and 50k are SOLD OUT.

The 5-mile has ample room for additional runners.

Super Early / Early / Regular / Day-of-Event
Until December 25 / May 14 / June 21*
5 Mile: $26 / 29 / 33 / 40
Half Marathon: $38/ 42 / 47 / 55
50k: $44 / 48 / 56 / 65

*Online pre-registration closes at 12:01am on this date, please register at the event.
We accept cash or check made payable to Northwest Trail Runs.

Half marathoners may want purchase a $10 shuttle pass, which can be purchased on this page under Directions and Parking.

This event has passed, please join us next year!

Course Description

Overview
This run offers three different distance choices, including a 5-mile perfect for the trail running novice and more challenging Half Marathon and 50k courses. The courses make use of the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail and the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. As always, all courses are well-marked and have ample, well-stocked aid stations.

View a PDF of the course map here

Route Descriptions
5-mile: From the start at Rattlesnake Lake, the course crosses Cedar Falls Road (cross when directed by event staff) and follows the wide Snoqualmie Valley Trail down the gentle grade toward North Bend, reaches the turn-around point at the halfway mark, then returns to the finish at the Rattlesnake Lake picnic area via the same route. Elevation gain: about 200 feet.

Half Marathon: Please note that this course is point-to-point, with the start and finish locations far apart, so runners will either need to sign up for the shuttle bus or arrange a car shuttle with other runners. From the start at Snoqualmie Point Park, the course follows the Snoqualmie Ridge Trail to Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area, passing aid station #1/3 at the radio towers. Immediately after aid station #4, adjacent to the Rattlesnake Ledge Trail parking area, the route crosses Cedar Falls Way. Event staff will assist in watching for traffic and determining when it is safe to cross. The course follows the Snoqualmie Valley Trail toward North Bend, going about 1.4 miles to the turn-around point along the trail, before returning to Rattlesnake Lake via the Snoqualmie Valley Trail and finishing at the picnic area. Elevation gain: about 2700 feet.

*Warm-up clothing and other items dropped at the start will be transported back to the finish for half marathoners.

50k: From the start at Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area, the course follows the Snoqualmie Ridge Trail to Snoqualmie Point Park, passing aid station #1 at the radio towers along the way. Immediately after aid station #2, at the Snoqualmie Point Park Trailhead, the course proceeds along the left side of the park entry road (Winery Road), then where it bends right toward I-90, the course goes left at the junction onto the blockaded road, continuing onto the trail up the steep hill where the road ends adjacent to Echo Lake. The course continues on the small trail across the first power line, then at the second power line, turns left onto the forest road, continues back to the crossing with the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail, and proceeds Southeast along the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail back to aid station #1/3 and to Rattlesnake Lake. Upon returning to Rattlesnake Lake and immediately after aid station #4, the course crosses Cedar Falls Way. Event staff will assist in watching for traffic and determining when it is safe to cross. Follow the Snoqualmie Valley Trail toward North Bend. At aid station #5 near SE 145th St is the turn-around point, and the course then follows the Snoqualmie Valley Trail back to the finish at Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area. Elevation gain: about 6500 feet.

*Drop bags will be transported to the Snoqualmie Point Park aid station, then back to the finish for 50k runners.

Aid Stations
The 5 mile course will pass a water station at or near the halfway point.
The Half Marathon will pass two aid stations, at approximately 5 miles and 10 miles.
The 50k will pass five aid stations, at approximately 5 miles, 10 miles (drop bag access), 17 miles, 23 miles, and 27 miles. 50k runners have the opportunity to prepare a drop bag, for example with small personal clothing items, snacks, or drinks, and the drop bags will be transported to the second aid station (Snoqualmie Point Park) for runners to access their bags there. The bags will be transported to the finish after the last runners have passed the second aid station.

Aid stations offer water, electrolyte drink, and some carbohydrate-rich or salty foods, such as cookies, pieces of energy bar, gels, chews, chips, bagel, fruity candy, fig bars, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and/or bananas.

Schedule

SUNDAY, JUNE 22

50K
6:00am – 7:10am – Check-in at Rattlesnake Lake
7:30am – Start at Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area
5:00pm – Course closes (9.5 hour time limit)

Half Marathon
7:00am – 8:15am – Check-in at Rattlesnake Lake
8:20am – Shuttle departs Rattlesnake Lake for Snoqualmie Point Park
8:45am – Shuttle arrives at start at Snoqualmie Point Park
9:30am – Start at Snoqualmie Point Park.
3:00pm – Course closes (5.5 hour time limit)

5 mile
8:15am – 9:45am – Check-in at Rattlesnake Lake
10:00am – Start at Rattlesnake Lake

Directions and Parking

Check-in and parking for 5 Mile, 50k and Half-Marathon is at the picnic area adjacent to Rattlesnake Lake, which is the start for the 50k and 5-mile, and the finish for the half marathon. Half marathoners can purchase a shuttle ticket to be taken from the finish at Rattlesnake Lake (where you can park and check-in), to the start at Snoqualmie Point Park. Purchase your ticket using the PayPal button below.

Note that parking at Snoqualmie Point Park requires a Discover Pass. If you purchase a Discover Pass online, you can print out a temporary pass before your pass arrives in the mail. There are also many vendors that sell passes in-person. See this website for details.

If you have a Discover Pass, please park in the Iron Horse State Park lot and follow signs to the Snoqualmie Valley Trail extension (across the road from the lakefront picnic area) to check in.

Non Discover Pass holders, park in the Rattlesnake Lake Recreation area lots and follow signs to the Snoqualmie Valley Trail extension to check-in.

Google Map

Half Marathon Shuttle to Start
The Half Marathon start is at Snoqualmie Point Park at 9:30am, and the parking and finish are at Rattlesnake Lake. Half Marathon runners may purchase tickets for $10 for a shuttle bus that will transport participants from the check-in and finish area at Rattlesnake Lake, to the start at Snoqualmie Point Park. Alternately, participants are welcome to arrange their own carpools to the start. There will be no shuttle after the race. Warm-up clothing and small personal items will be transported from the Half Marathon start to the finish by race staff.

Please purchase shuttle bus tickets using this form and button:
No paper ticket is needed, your name will simply be added to a list of shuttle ticket holders.

Safety & Etiquette

The trails will be open to other users during the event, including pedestrians with pets, and cyclists. Participants are responsible for their own safety while participating, and the organizers are neither qualified nor equipped to render medical care in the event of a serious injury. In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1. You are encouraged to bring a cell phone with you as a safety precaution, if you wish.

Where the trails are narrow, please let other participants pass you if they want to get by. It is a passing runner’s job to tell the person in front that they wish to pass.