Rattlesnake Mountain
Clifftop viewpoint on Rattlesnake Mountain
- Easy (to Windy Gap)
- 3.2-mile loop
- 740 feet elevation gain
- Open July through October
- Use: hikers, horses
- Moderate (to Rattlesnake Mountain)
- 6-mile loop
- 1750 feet elevation gain
Right next door to the popular Diamond Lake area, but overlooked by tourists, the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness is a hidden haven of subalpine wildflower meadows, viewpoints, and quiet trails. One of the best hikes starts from a gravel road that sneaks into the heart of the wilderness. For an easy loop, hike to Windy Gap and the flowers along Fish Creek. For a longer trip, climb to the views atop Rattlesnake Mountain—a snakeless summit with a meadow.
From Medford, take Crater Lake Highway 62 east …
The trail sets off downhill through a meadow with a rainbow of summer wildflowers. Look for goldenrod, red paintbrush, white yarrow, purple aster, blue lupine, black coneflower, and sweet-smelling mint. From late August to early October you may also find cows grazing here. The path follows Fish Creek, a splashing mountain brook, 0.7 mile to a junction. Turn left and climb 1 mile to Windy Gap, a wooded saddle where four trails meet.
For the easy loop, …
Other Hiking Options
The Rogue-Umpqua Divide Trail extends …
This chapter taken from the book 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon.