Stop in at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center for a map and information. The main "road" through the property went under this bridge, between the lodge and the bank. About halfway to the Lodge is a nice view of the mountains. The lodge burned from some unknown cause, believed to be lightning, about 1926. Expect to encounter many hikers and dogs on the trail and use extreme … This carriage house stored the carriages from Asheville, and then the family or visitors walked to the lodge, or transferred to horses or to a specially built, narrow axle carriage. It burned in 1926. By closing the road 1/2 mile from the lake, the Mayor also closed the Cascade to Poulouse trail (Iron horse Trail) which is open for day use, according to the Governor and Washington State parks. It is situated in a half an hour drive from Bellevue or in a less than hour drive from Seattle. He also spent many of his vacations there, and frequented the lodge during winter and spring. The trail starts at Bull Gap and follows the Mountains to Sea Trail east. This purchase was extremely beneficial for the public, as now the property is protected from developers. A pipe for water to the area can still be seen above the trail on the bank. more, Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Asheville. Only the chimney stones remain today. Go about 3.5 miles to a small parking area on the left (for 3-4 cars). Waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway Hiking Tour. At one point, where the side of the trail seems most worn out, you'll enjoy unobstructed view … 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. Meals were eaten there with the whole family together. The trail reaches the remains of the flat, terraced yard at 1.75 miles, exploring the foundation of Rattlesnake Lodge to the left of the trail. This is the entrance to Dr. Chase P. Ambler's Rattlesnake Lodge. Rattlesnake Ledge Trail and Rattlesnake Mountain 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. Read more about the home and the surrounding buildings below. Mitchell. 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. 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. The government bought this additional surrounding land of 1,300 acres in 1916 for $10 per acre, and it became part of Pisgah National Forest, and later, part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Turn right onto the trail and go about 1/4 mile to a rock chimney. The kitchen housed the hot water heater, which was heated by a wood stove. Rattlesnake Lodge, as it was called, was purposely located off the beaten path so as to preserve the remoteness of the experience. Previous post Next post Leave a Reply Cancel reply. A pipe from the reservoir still protrudes towards this stand. Two corn cribs were opposite the potato house at the edge of the retaining wall. It was wide and had no roof, yet it was still shielded from the southwest sun by the trees. Shelves were on each side for storing vegetables, fruits and other goods. All three used the same chimney. He especially spent a lot of time there during the first several years, when the out-buildings and the trails were being built. 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. 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. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The trail follows the MST marked by white circles, on a carriage road. Continuing east, the trail hugs the contours of a stacked-stone wall, reaching the remains of the tool shed on the trail’s right, and the spring house on the trail… Actual elevation is around 3,700 (not 4,400 that is reprinted on the sign). After about 1.0 total miles, you might be able to catch a glimpse of Lane Pinnacle to the east through the trees. That’s when we head to Rattlesnake Lodge Trail. COW BARN About .1 miles north of the lodge on the Mountain-to-Sea Trail is what remains of the cow barn. Mattresses, springs and cooking utensils were obtained in 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 was done on purpose, in order to maintain as much privacy as possible, and to permit the place to have a feeling of remoteness. In my opinion, “ruins” is an overstatement. The living room ceiling was covered with rattlesnake skins. (Both trails are marked with blue blazes. The lodge was built in 1903 and 1904 to be a summer home for Dr. Chase P. Ambler and his family, and it served as this until it was sold in November of 1920. Rattlesnake Ridge Trail is a popular trail which is also is great for families with kids. 40 likes. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The cement pedestal for the generator can still be seen, with several bolts showing where the generator was mounted. Please choose a different date. The pool was only a few of feet deep, for safety, and being fed by a mountain spring, was quite cold. It is uphill to the site with many switchbacks. The reservoir, obviously roofed over for protection from the local wildlife, received water from two sources. MAPS. A good trail leads from here down the mountain to the Parkway at the Tanbark tunnel. It is nested in the forest with multiple scenic views. From the Blue Ridge Parkway: Go to Milepost 375 to a small parking area just before the Tanbark Ridge Tunnel. There is a picnic table about a mile south of the bridge. The caretaker and his family lived on the property year around, and cared for the livestock during the winter. A footbridge extended from the second floor to the bank, towards the terraced gardens and tennis court. Rattlesnake Ridge trail is a hiking trail, no bikes are allowed. Just before you reach the Blue Ridge Parkway, Elk Mountain Scenic Road is on the right. Once we hit the trail, we had so much fun. Look for the trail to the right (blue blaze), and take this back to the parking area. 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. All the logs in the lodge, and all other out-buildings, were hand hewn chestnut. One of the trails to the Parkway intersects the trail here. You hike to the "ruins" of a lodge that was built and enjoyed by many in the early 1900s. This mountain plantation, tucked in the Reems Creek Valley area near, This short mile-high hike offers huge rewards. Rattlesnake Lodge, North Carolina, Rattlesnake Lodge, NC. DIRECTIONS The Rattlesnake Lodge area is above mile post 375 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and can be reached by two common paths.One, from the Tanbark RidgeTunnel, where there is some limited parking, is .44 miles long and takes about 20 minutes.Moderate hike. His wife died in 1918 and he never returned to the Lodge. Follow trail beside the cascading stream. At the end of the ramp, turn right and a quick left and drive past Ingles grocery store. Mountain Laurel blossoms cover the Mountains to Sea Trail just past Rattlesnake Lodge, on the Water Loop extension Adds 1 mi. The trail begins on the west side of the road next to a small cascading creek. 12 trails on an interactive map of the trail network. 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. Both trails are moderately steep, approximately 0.5 miles long, and connect to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) that runs through the Rattlesnake Lodge site. The original land of 318 acres was sold in 1920 and was resold several times after that. 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. The Carolina Mountain Club maintains the Mountains to Sea Trail, with the cooperation of the Parkway. Hikes That Use This Trail: Rattlesnake Lodge. Well-marked, well maintained trail. The log structure was just beyond the potato house and was located at the edge of the wide trail, with access from the bank side. At 1.2 total miles, you'll come to a "gateway" of sorts, with two large rocks on either side of the trail. The two side porches were covered, and the one towards Bull Gap served as a small "wood shop" for Dr. Ambler's woodworking and carvings. At stoplight, turn right onto Reems Creek Road. at. Shop the wonderful Southern Highland Craft... Find Updates and Reopenings in Asheville & Western North Carolina. This trail could complete a pleasant round trip hike from the tunnel. The rock entrance to the "bank house," as it's normally called, can still be seen, although it is somewhat fallen down. Go 8/10 mile. POTATO HOUSE: This small storage "house" was located about 50 yards south of the spring house. A simple board cabin, with bunk beds and a fireplace, it was built for the lodge construction workers. Today the rock ruins that remain offer unique appeal for area hikers. 1.4 mile to the lodge site. The lodge had a back "porch," which was really part of the house and contained the stairs to the second floor and the bedrooms. This week we are exploring the Great Day Hike #6 in Segment 3, Rattlesnake Lodge: Craven Gap to Tanbark Ridge Tunnel hike by Marcia Bromberg. THE DEN: This area below the lodge site can be easily reached by leaving the yard to the south (left, facing away from the mountain), over a large, flat boulder. The Amblers built their summer retreat in 1903 and occupied it until 1920. For a loop trail (about 1.2 miles total): After a short distance up the trail, turn left, up the steps and continue uphill for about 4/10 of a mile to the lodge site. 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. It was understood throughout the area that Dr. Ambler would pay $5 for any rattler brought to him. TOOL SHED: The hand hewn log tool shed was in front of the spring house. Not far outside of Asheville there is a trail leading to the ruins of an old summer lodge from the early 1900s. After about 1.0 total miles, you might be able to catch a glimpse of Lane Pinnacle to the east through the trees. Go six miles and take Exit 21 for New Stock Rd. The cook was Kate Donovan, affectionately known as Dits. The hike from Ox Creek Road is about 14 miles north of downtown Asheville (7 miles east of Weaverville). There is very little parking, so you may need to. The doors in the lodge were chestnut plank. As $5 in those days was about equivalent to week's wages, many rattlers undoubtedly came from very far away! Dr. Ambler, who had a medical practice in Asheville, would always come up on the weekends and usually on Wednesdays. It's only a 1.4-mile round-trip hike to the top of the 5,892-ft. summit, Craggy Pinnacle. The trail does have some drop off to the side. What a great hike! The Rattlesnake Lodge Trail Running Tour is one of our closest offerings to downtown Asheville, second only to a tour of the North Carolina Arboretum.If you’re looking for something short and sweet, our shortest version of this run is just over 5-miles and averages 60 to 90 minutes for most of our guests. (When you return to your car, you can continue one mile on Ox Creek Road to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great Day Hike 5 and 6 are the two closest to Asheville and both are favorites with locals and visitors alike. As soon as you arrive in the parking lot you have a view of Rattlesnake Ledge's sheer rock face across Rattlesnake Lake. CARRIAGE HOUSE: Since there was a good public road over Bull Gap, a carriage house was built at the gap (near Ox Creek Road). During the first three years, it has been written that 41 rattlesnakes were killed on the property. This trail climbs steeply from the Tanbark Ridge tunnel to a historic site along the Mountains to Sea Trail. The brave rode the sled. 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. From this point, the trail starts up and climbs steadily all the way to Rattlesnake Lake. The water was furnished by an underground aqueduct. From the parking area, follow the trail for a short distance where it intersects with the Mountains to Sea Trail (white blaze). Rattle Snake Lodge was built in 1902-3 as a summer home for the Chase P.Ambler family, located above Asheville NC. The Shope Creek area, consisting of 1,000 acres, including the ridges of Lanes Pinnacle, Wolfden Knob, Rich and Rocky Knob, were obtained. Rattlesnake Ridge mountain bike trail map. Parking is limited. This is a fine hike on a well maintained, albeit busy trail through the forest with views of the Cedar River watershed, Mount Si, Mount Washington, Rattlesnake Lake and Chester Morse Lake. This side trail is on top of the ditch dug for the water pipe. Subcity There were three large fireplaces on the main floor: One served the living room, one the dining room and one a bedroom. Just A Mountain House Don’t let the name fool you. LAND: The first parcel of land, 293 acres, was bought in October of 1902, and additional acreage soon brought the total to 318 acres, directly around the lodge site. This original acreage extended from Bull Gap up the ridge to Rocky Knob (once called High Knob), and over Sassafras Gap to High Swan (once called Ray Knob) and down Tanbark Ridge.