Rattlesnake Hill -- 1,220'

Rattlesnake Hill

Rattlesnake Hill has been on the agenda for a while. Located in the Pigeon River Country State Forest in northwestern Montmorency County it would be otherwise unremarkable if it weren't for its partially open summit, needless to say a rarity in Lower Michigan. Also, after mentioning the name of the hill to my oldest son Alex, the previous fall, he decided that if I went I would have to take him. Twist my arm why don't you:) Well, we didn't get out to it last fall or over the winter. Alex hadn't forgotten, though, and as soon as the snow melted he began pestering me to take him out there for a hike. I couldn't get the weather to fully cooperate (too many clouds) but the leaves had just started to pop which helped a lot. If you make it to the end of the album we even made quite a remarkable discovery (for mid-April!)...


Trailhead GPS Coordinates:  45.070542, -84.281838


Route Type:  Out-and-back

Difficulty:  MODERATE

Mileage Hiked: 2.5 miles

Trailhead Temp: 53'F

Min. Elevation: 910'

Max Elevation: 1,220' 


Trails Used (blaze color): High Country Pathway (blue)


  • Brian Puls

    on June 15, 2020

    Really nice album and descriptions. Looks like it was a great day. 10 years goes by fast I'm sure. This is very close to a spot we like to camp and fish on the Black River. Last time we looked around the hill we couldn't find the trail. I don't think we went far enough down the road to reach Rattlesnake Creek Rd where your GPS coordinates are. Are there signs at the trailhead at all? Do you take Rattlesnake Creek Rd in then cut east up the hill? I want to take my mountain bike up this thing.

  • Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)

    on December 13, 2019

    Matthew...thank you so much for taking the time to comment. My deepest condolences in the passing of your dad. I'm honored that in some small way this album has helped with the grief. This hike was taken back in 2010 and I remember there still being two tracks from four wheelers up there at that time. As a matter of fact I vaguely remember passing a couple riders while we were up there on a different visit. I've been away from the area for a number of years now but still have great memories taking my (now not-so) young boys up there, teaching them about the forest. Again, it means a lot what you've shared here and I'm grateful you posted. All the best.

  • MATTHEW EBEL

    on December 13, 2019

    This is amazing. This is just a mile or so from the cabin I grew up going to when I was little up until early adulthood, until it sold in 2014. This brings back so many memories. I remember being smaller and you could actually take four wheelers up there, until it got blocked off for the conservation. My dad (RIP) spend numerous weekends up here and this just gave me a sense of love. I need to head back for the memories. Thank you so much for posting this (I don't know when it was) but it has done a lot for me in the healing process of my dad passing away.