POTATO HOUSE: This small storage "house" was located about 50 yards south of the spring house. 40 likes. The rock foundation of the Cow Barn is on the right as you approach the lodge area on the Mountains to Sea Trail (from Ox Creek Road). From the parking area, follow the trail for a short distance where it intersects with the Mountains to Sea Trail (white blaze). One was from a spring at the site, which can be seen just above the reservoir, through a built-up, coverless manhole. Rattlesnake Lodge was built in 1904 by Dr. Chase P. Ambler. COW BARN About .1 miles north of the lodge on the Mountain-to-Sea Trail is what remains of the cow barn. The trail/road from Bull Gap (Ox Creek Road) to the lodge was built to be four feet wide, not suitable for the horse and carriages of that day. Mitchell. and 350 ft. of climb The main Lodge area normally marks the end of this hike, but you can extend the hike on a beautiful loop of trail (the water loop ) and visit another spring and the lodge's old water reservoir. At the end of the trail you can explore the remnants of the Rattlesnake Lodge, which served as a mountain retreat in the early 1900s. The teens I was with found lots of spots around the lodge ruins to snap selfies. The Blue Ridge Parkway obtained a right-of-way in the 1930s, and in 1976, what was left of the original tract was sold to the Parkway. At stoplight, turn right onto Reems Creek Road. A simple board cabin, with bunk beds and a fireplace, it was built for the lodge construction workers. Read more about the home and the surrounding buildings below. It is situated in a half an hour drive from Bellevue or in a less than hour drive from Seattle. The caretaker and his family lived on the property year around, and cared for the livestock during the winter. This is a nice drive back to Asheville.). At 1.2 total miles, you'll come to a "gateway" of sorts, with two large rocks on either side of the trail. This purchase was extremely beneficial for the public, as now the property is protected from developers. This trail could complete a pleasant round trip hike from the tunnel. The route is not far from a cascading stream through a mixed hardwood forest its entire length. He also bought 300 additional acres down into the Ox Creek area. Today the rock ruins that remain offer unique appeal for area hikers. Normally, visitors would stay in this room, especially during the summer when the children were at the lodge. The living room ceiling was covered with rattlesnake skins. At one point, where the side of the trail seems most worn out, you'll enjoy unobstructed view … Beginning at Rattlesnake Lake, the first 2-mile section to Rattlesnake Ledge Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in the region. Take a right on the Mountains to Sea Trail to loop back down to the lodge area. Later it became a guest cabin, available gratis to anyone hiking or riding through on the way to Craggy Gardens and Mt. There is a picnic table about a mile south of the bridge. Electricity for the lodge came from a water-driven generator, which was located in the bottom of this shed. The front porch was the normal gathering place for family and friends. Go four miles and turn right onto Ox Creek Road. Much of the rock foundation is still in existence. On the way back (hike is a loop) I stepped 6" off the trail to "answer nature's call" and saw a black bear! Combine your love of North Carolina history with a trek into the woods you won’t soon forget. Very quickly, the trail splits. 1 review of Rattlesnake Lodge "A nice hike, not too hard but uphill most of the way. Once we hit the trail, we had so much fun. The lodge had a back "porch," which was really part of the house and contained the stairs to the second floor and the bedrooms. Continue up the mountain on the trail to the other source, a spring on the Mountains to Sea Trail. This natural "amphitheater," easily seen from the Tanbark Ridge overlook on the BRP, was chosen because of the shielding on three sides. The trail head isn't clearly marked, but there were plenty of folks around who helped us. Dr. Ambler, who had a medical practice in Asheville, would always come up on the weekends and usually on Wednesdays. Rattlesnake Lodge, North Carolina, Rattlesnake Lodge, NC. Kate had her own room in the lodge during the summers. This hike takes you past the ruins of Rattlesnake lodge, built in 1904 as a summer retreat for Dr. Chase P. Ambler and his family. Dr. Ambler was an avid forest conservationist and is regarded by many as the father of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This was done on purpose, in order to maintain as much privacy as possible, and to permit the place to have a feeling of remoteness. The trail follows the MST marked by white circles, on a carriage road. Description. Driving directions from Asheville: From I-240, take Exit 4A for US Highway 19/23 north toward Weaverville. All three used the same chimney. The remains of the spring house are underneath a fallen tree (great for climbing!). About a quarter of a mile after that, the trail passes under some power lines and you get a great view to the East towards the Twin Falls trailhead and Mailbox Peak. He especially spent a lot of time there during the first several years, when the out-buildings and the trails were being built. Rattlesnake Ridge mountain bike trail map. A footbridge extended from the second floor to the bank, towards the terraced gardens and tennis court. Its 2.2 miles to the Rattlesnake Lodge site. The MST is marked with white blazes.) InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in Asheville, Hotels near Western North Carolina Nature Center, Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in Asheville, Canyoning & Rappelling Tours in Asheville, Game & Entertainment Centers in Asheville, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Asheville, Conference & Convention Centers in Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum: Tickets & Tours‎, New Belgium Brewing Company: Tickets & Tours‎, Asheville Pinball Museum: Tickets & Tours‎, Basilica of Saint Lawrence: Tickets & Tours‎, Downtown Asheville Art District: Tickets & Tours‎, Asheville Community Theatre: Tickets & Tours‎. All the logs in the lodge, and all other out-buildings, were hand hewn chestnut. This trail climbs steeply from the Tanbark Ridge tunnel to a historic site along the Mountains to Sea Trail. Turn left on the trail and head up the switchbacks. The Rattlesnake Lodge Trail is a moderately difficult, 3.2 mile hike that will take about 2 hours to complete with Fido. The Rattlesnake Lodge Trail is a family favorite, and you can still access this trail from an open portion of the Parkway, as well as from North Asheville. The 3.7-mile round trip hike is moderate with 600 feet change in elevation, not steep but a steady incline. On the south end of the Tanbark Ridge Tunnel there are dirt pull-offs on both sides of the road that serve as parking for the trailhead. TOOL SHED: The hand hewn log tool shed was in front of the spring house. At 1.2 total miles, you'll come to a "gateway" of sorts, with two large rocks on either side of the trail. As $5 in those days was about equivalent to week's wages, many rattlers undoubtedly came from very far away! The Carolina Mountain Club maintains the Mountains to Sea Trail, with the cooperation of the Parkway. A favorite hike for locals, the Rattlesnake Lodge Trail is a fun trip back in time. The cook was Kate Donovan, affectionately known as Dits. About a quarter mile past the lodge and a small stream on the Mountains to Sea Trail is the fallen rock chimney of "The Shack." The trail starts at Bull Gap and follows the Mountains to Sea Trail east. The Parkway not only owns this amphitheater, it fortunately owns other property outside of their "normal" right-of-way, beyond the lodge area all the way to Potato Field Gap. park further down along the road and walk back. There are two trails that lead to the site: a 1.4 mile gradual climb from Ox Creek Road and a … By far my life's most exciting rest stop! Extend you hike by another mile: The main reservoir is about a quarter mile up a steep side trail which starts beside the large fallen tree over the spring (Blue Blaze). The shed was at ground level with the existing path. This is an unmarked trail. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Not crowded. During the first three years, it has been written that 41 rattlesnakes were killed on the property. This trail is part of the Mountains to Sea Trail. The Rattlesnake Lodge route follows the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) to the foundations of Dr. Ambler's summer home, swimming pool, shed, and reservoir. This close-in trail is mostly forested and opens up to a long-range view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, all within a 20-minute drive from Pinecrest. Narrow trail, you'll be behind, not beside your partner. This pipe probably came from a small spring just east of the stable, where today a fairly strong stream crosses the Mountain-to-Sea trail. The trail does have some drop off to the side. 12 trails on an interactive map of the trail network. The rock entrance to the "bank house," as it's normally called, can still be seen, although it is somewhat fallen down. Rattlesnake Ridge trail is a hiking trail, no bikes are allowed. He sold it and it burned in 1926. A nice informational sign marks the spot of the lodge. (Blue Blaze) You will intersect the Mountains to Sea Trail at the lodge ruins. The Shope Creek area, consisting of 1,000 acres, including the ridges of Lanes Pinnacle, Wolfden Knob, Rich and Rocky Knob, were obtained. This mountain plantation, tucked in the Reems Creek Valley area near, This short mile-high hike offers huge rewards. He also spent many of his vacations there, and frequented the lodge during winter and spring. As soon as you arrive in the parking lot you have a view of Rattlesnake Ledge's sheer rock face across Rattlesnake Lake. ... find your park, FindYourPark, hike, mountains to sea trail, rattlesnake lodge, trillium. It is uphill to the site with many switchbacks. His wife died in 1918 and he never returned to the Lodge. The brave rode the sled. Not far outside of Asheville there is a trail leading to the ruins of an old summer lodge from the early 1900s. There are two trails leading to the Lodge. The trailhead for the Rattlesnake Lodge Trail is located at Milepost 374.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. He sold it and it burned in 1926. The doors in the lodge were chestnut plank. The lodge had a separate dining room, between the front living room and the kitchen. A few spots have rock steps or roots, but the surface is mostly in good condition. After about 1.0 total miles, you might be able to catch a glimpse of Lane Pinnacle to the east through the trees. The main "road" through the property went under this bridge, between the lodge and the bank.