Rattlesnake Trail and the Connector
This trail reflects the name of the canyon. There are not more rattlesnakes here than anywhere else. There is almost always plenty of water in the creek, and the trail is always shady, and lots of flowers during flower season, making this a popular trail. It is also relatively easy compared to just about all the other trails in the area. It is well-maintained, gentle, and there are no mountain bikes allowed. 3.5 miles round trip to the meadow and about 5 miles to Gibraltar Road and back.
The trailhead is adjacent to Skofield park and is marked by a very large sign just behind the rock wall on the road. You have options to hike to a meadow and back or to Gibraltar Road and back or to connect with Tunnel Trail.
Rattlesnake trail is marked by a very large sign next to a masonry bridge over the creek.
The trail crosses the creek immediately after the signs. (You can skip the first creek crossing by starting the hike at the end of the bridge that is closer to Skofield Park.) After the crossing, it heads uphill. This uphill is the steepest part of the trail.
Along the way you may see side trails leading off to the creek or up the hills in other directions. Rattlesnake trail is more of a complex of the main trail, social trails and side trails that can form loops of various lengths.
At about 6 tenths of a mile, cross the creek diagonally upstream. There is a no fishing sign near the creek, a bit hidden. The hike climbs out of the creek and passes a large boulder that looks like a monster with a big mouth. People put rocks for teeth and eyes on the boulder and sometimes they leave trinkets inside the mouth.
Continue up the trail. There are pine trees in about 200 feet. The pines were planted by the Sierra Club a long time ago.
After the climb levels off and moves into the shade for a while, you will cross the creek again. This makes a nice rest.
At about 2 miles there is a meadow with a large rock many people can sit on that makes a nice destination. Above the meadow about 20 more feet are some nice boulders in the shade under large oaks. At these boulders is the junction with the Rattlesnake Connector. The junction is marked by a sign on a tree.
If you want to hike the Connector, turn left at the junction. The Connector is steep and climbs about 1/2 to 3/4 mile and meets with Tunnel Trail. From there you can either continue on Tunnel Trail or reverse your route to go back to your car.
If your destination is not the Connector, Rattlesnake Trail continues past the junction, climbing steeply for about 1/2 mile along shady switchbacks to where it meets Gibraltar Road. You can summit at Gibraltar Rd., or turn left up the road to the large rock formation where the rock climbers like to practice.
For the return trip, turn back the way you came.
Total mileage to Gibraltar is about 5 miles round trip.