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Rattlesnake Mountain Trifecta
Rattlesnake Mountain is located in Southern California, within the city of Riverside. It offers good views, but far from a wilderness experience with lots of trash dumped on and around the peak. There are 2 other adjacent peaks, creating the possibility of a 3-peak hike. No evidence of rattlesnakes seen during my visit.
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I did this hike in the morning during a family vacation. Several approaches possible, but I chose to park near the cement plan at the end of 20th street. After letting some cement trucks clear out, I made my way through a gate and up the trail a bit for this view of "East Rattlesnake Mountain" (Peak 1452') to the northeast.
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Lots of trash along the way, but some occasional flowers too.
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Not long after leaving the trail and heading up East Rattlesnake, a couple Screech Owls appeared. This one let me get quite close.
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Rattlesnake Mountain (far right) from the summit of East Rattlesnake.
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South Rattlesnake Mountain from the summit of East Rattlesnake.
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After backtracking to the trail, I followed various road/trails up Rattlesnake Mountain. Here’s the summit view including East Rattlesnake and South Rattlesnake.
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I then hiked down Rattlesnake, and over to South Rattlesnake Mountain (Peak 1739'). It was steep at first.
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View toward the summit of South Rattlesnake from the false summit. The single track trail up this peak was by far the highlight of the day.
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Memorial cross on the summit of South Rattlesnake.
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To finish, I followed a different trail back down. Rattlesnake and East Rattlesnake in the distance.
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Map of my route. About 4 miles and 1500' elevation gain round trip, in 2 hours of hiking. I went counter clockwise.
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