Rattlesnake
- 2.1 mi
- round trip
- 1,361 ft
- climb
- 3,138 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Oct
- best months
Is Rattlesnake open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Rattlesnake, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
Stanislaus National Forest extends seasonal MVUM closure for two high elevation roads
Agency closure covering Stanislaus National Forest · USFS · Stanislaus National Forest
Extension of Seasonal Road Closures
Agency closure covering Stanislaus National Forest · USFS · Stanislaus National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Stanislaus National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Rattlesnake is an easy out-and-back hike of about 2 miles on the Calaveras Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The trail gains about 1,360 feet in elevation, taking you from a low point near 1,740 feet to a high point around 3,140 feet. The trail is natural-surfaced and open to both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and equestrians as well as hikers. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the Calaveras Big Trees weather station, about 8 miles away, show July highs around 81°F with lows near 56°F and only about one wet day that month. That station sits roughly 1,500 feet higher than the trail, so temperatures on the route run a little warmer. Nearby options include the Highway 4 Corridor fishing area about 1.2 miles away, the Oxidine West hike at about 2 miles, and the Cone Hill and Arnold Rim Trail hikes within about 2.5 miles.
Best time to go · May–Oct
Best time to visit Rattlesnake
Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
45° / 30°
11 wet
Feb
46° / 30°
11 wet
Mar
49° / 32°
11 wet
Apr
54° / 35°
8 wet
May
63° / 42°
6 wet
Jun
73° / 49°
2 wet
Jul
81° / 56°
1 wet
Aug
80° / 55°
1 wet
Sep
74° / 51°
2 wet
Oct
64° / 43°
4 wet
Nov
52° / 34°
7 wet
Dec
44° / 30°
11 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Calaveras Big Trees, CA, 7.7 mi away at 4,695 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
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