Rattlesnake Island
 

Is there any public access or docking anywhere on Rattlesnake Island ?

Was thinking it might me interesting to hike to the top for the view !

Thanks,
BD

Lrct
 

The Lakes Region Conservation Trust has a dock on the Southeast side of the island. If you call and ask they will allow you to use it.

Dan

I never knew that. Would like to do that also.
Now just have to find the number for the conservation group !

I believe that you have to be a member of the Lakes Region Conservation Trust in order to get permission to access/use their dock and hike on Rattlesnake Island. The center of the island is controlled by the trust and the waterfront land is privately owned by individuals.
Without LRCT permission you have to know someone and be invited to visit and hike on the island.

One of my best memories on The Lake was taking a hike to the top Rattlesnake with my dad when I was younger. It was much easier back then to gain access to the island.

Me too. Every summer my Dad would take us kids (cousins and all) out to the island to climb it. We usually went early in the morning.

Rattlesnake Island
 

FYI, I sent LRCT.org an email several days ago, regarding access to the Rattlesnake Island dock, but as yet have had no response?

Do they have a tel# I could call?

Thanks,
BD

hiking rattlesnake
 

Does anyone know what the hike up Rattlesnake is like? Is it an easy hike or more of a challenge?

West Rattlesnake-Squam
 

Or you could take the 1-mile hike up West Rattlesnake Mountain in Holderness for an amazing view of Squam. Very popular day hike.

Info here:
http://www.hikenewengland.com/RattlesnakeWestGen1.html

BD, the phone # is 603-253-3301
http://www.lrct.org/contact-us.html

olimec, the vertical rise looks like about 350 feet, pretty easy in that regard. I have no idea if there is a trail or if is a bush whack hike. As noted some permission may be required.

Pictures of a hike on Rattlesnake
 

Taken on 10/10/10
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...7243&ppuser=15
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...7242&ppuser=15
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...7245&ppuser=15
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...7244&ppuser=15
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...7246&ppuser=15
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...7247&ppuser=15
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...7248&ppuser=15
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...7249&ppuser=15

Rattlesnake Trail
 

The trail is fairly well marked and maintained. That being said, there are some boulders to climb over and around. There is one quite steep section just to the north of the high point of the island that is a pretty strenuous ascent/descent (I wouldn't be happy doing it when it's wet).

I got an email today from someone from the LRCT. You do need to be a member to gain access to there dock.

I believe a simple small donation will make you a member...

Sorry, but I don't like them. They get contribution to get all this property and then they don't let anyone use it. Like the snowmobile trails.

Not Completely True
 

That's not 100% true...

They have done a wonderful job with the Ragged island project. The entire island is open to the public. They have a couple public docks, picnic area and walking trails. They have just completed a large demo project on the island where they removed many of the old abandoned and unsafe buildings, They are hoping to eventually have public tent camping sites. They are renovating one of the old beautiful camps so they will eventually have a camp directors lodge there.

They also have a lot of land on Stonedam island which is also open to the public with one dock, walking trails and beach area.

I believe 5 mile island is another one of their acquisitions and is open to the public, though I personally have not stopped by there to check it out.

Yes I am sure there are parcels of land they have that have been shut down to the public and without knowing the circumstance I have no comment except to say that sometimes the public is it's own worst enemy. Ever since Ragged Island has been opened up, they have had massive vandalism issues. I personally have seen the many vandalism issues that occurred there on multiple occasions and its heart wrenching to all the volunteers who gave their time to help make something nice for the PUBLIC. How long can something like this continue before they have no choice but to shut it down??

While I do not completely disagree with you, I just wanted you to realize that there is a some good with LRCT. :)

Dan

Rattlesnake Island & LRCT
 

I believe the reason why Rattlesnake Island has been closed to the public was due to inappropriate behavior by hikers - trash and campfires. It only takes a few to ruin it for all. :(

It is true, but sad some people trash land which looks vacant. I know that from personal experience. Maybe there is another answer than rather than these trusts buying them and shutting them down?

If you get a chance to climb Rattlesnake Island, you may notice that while standing on the top, looking north, it appears as if you are in the control room of a big battleship, on a small ocean.

Regarding LRCT: they are guilty of soliciting funds from the snowmobile clubs to buy land in the Ossipee mountains and then shutting down many (not all) of the trails to snowmobile use. There is no longer a snowmobile trail to an outlook of Winnipesaukee, where there used to be several. I was suckered into contributing quite a bit, so now their requests for donations are returned with an explanation of why there is no money in the envelope, or just go in the trash. That said, most of their actions seem honorable and I hope some day they make right on their Ossipee use policy.

On Rattlesnake Island in past years I had seen some trash and evidence of the camp fires RG mentioned. I do pick up what I find and dispose of it properly.
I have also seen some trail errosion in a few spots that if not protected/repaired could get larger and cause other damage. I have seen joggers on the trail at times and believe that this could be adding to erosion issues.

climb Rattlesnake
 

I can recall as a younger person back in the early 60's of four of us taking the Puddy-Tat into the cove on the sW part of rattlesnake, and tying it too a tree, We then spent the better part of the afternoon climbing rattlesnake. There were not very many camps on the island at that time. Today it would be nice if the residence there would build a public dock, and have an escalatore to the top of the island for all to see.:emb:

Rattlesnake Island
 

FYI.....

Just received a response back from my email to lrct.org regarding membership. Annual membership fee is $35.


BD

The jelly in the middle
 

JustSold
The center of the island is owned in common by all of the owners of the lots surrounding the island. The trust owns a large lot on the south east end. We pay the town of Alton property taxes and also pay for liability insurance for the common land in the middle.

The Perfect Guest
 

You're a great guest Ken! That's one of the reasons why you get invited back. :D

There has been a marked increase in erosion since our arrival to the island back in 2003. Hopefully the association can figure something out to combat this very concerning issue. Does anyone have ideas that we should pass along to remedy this erosion problem? It would be great to deal with it before it gets worse and becomes an even bigger problem.

Rattlesnake Island
 

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...01021_crop.jpg

A lookout like Abenaki Tower would be nice too! :laugh:

How would jogging impact the trail any more than hiking? I use the trail several times a week for a cardio workout, being careful to stay on trail and on rock wherever possible (perhaps it was me you have seen).

One suggestion to repair & preserve the trail would be for the board to organize volunteer trail maintenance days, given the number of enthusiastic
Hikers I encounter I'm sure we would get a good turnout. I will propose this at the annual mtg this year.

Can't wait for ice out!

Jeff

rattlesnake Island
 

I can remenber when rattlesnake was a deserated island! The only thing interesting about it was the measured mile! In those days almost no one had a speedometer on their boat, it was fun to get up early before the lake got choppy and ride through the measured mile and calculate how fast your boat could go. If I remember a top speed of 35 mph was very fast! My how times have changed!