Mosquito Peak (Rattlesnake Wilderness)-September 19, 2026

Participants: Tony LeBaron, Bily Brown

Today's jaunt was a bike-to-hike adventure up Mosquito Peak. We met at the main Rattlesnake trailhead at 8 AM, made some last minute bike adjustments, and started pedaling up Spring Gulch. The ride up was uneventful but steep, with occasional walking and some epic maneuvering of bicycles around deadfall. A group of trail runners warned us about a black bear nearby, but we never saw it.

By 11 AM, we were at the wilderness boundary. Pursuant to Section 4(c) of the Wilderness Act of 1964, we ditched our mechanical transports and set off on foot.  It was truly autumn in the subalpine! The forest understory glowed yellow, orange, pink and red. A low cloud ceiling hung below us in the Grant Creek drainage. The gray overcast conditions made the fall colors feel especially bold.

The hike was straightforward and Stuart Peak Trail #517 was in great shape. As the trail follows a ridge, we kept stopping to take in the views. 3.5 miles north of the wilderness boundary, we took the spur trail to Mosquito Peak. After a frustrating encounter with a false summit, we made it to the real summit around 1 PM. This was Bily's first Rattlesnake summit! Congratulations sir. We celebrated the accomplishment with lunch and a few selfies. We hiked back the way we came until we reached the wilderness boundary once again.

Back on bikes, we made a quick egress as the trail switchbacked through a magical carpet of hot pink understory foliage. This was one of the most colorful days I've ever had in the Rattlesnake. We were in awe that this is our local backyard mountain range-- majestic, yet easily accessible and close to home. We arrived back at the trailhead around 4 PM. One heck of a day!