Holy Snakes!

[Bivouac]

Hey, i am new to the site but not new to the San Jacinto's having done my first attempt and solo up c2c bout 15 years ago. What i am wondering about. . . is using this forum to build a consensus as how to deal with Rattlesnakes?

Last weekend kinda made me think about this.

After a jaunt to 5k with Doreen and Tina and heading back i was informed by two groups of hikers about a rattler at 2600'. I thought, what would be the chance it would still be there in the open on the trail in 30 more min? No chance i figured.

Well, danged if it wasn't. Big n fat and VERY po'd and totally on the trail but sorta out of sight from ascending hikers due to a bush. I thought about leaving him alone (i usually always do) but he was not leaving, just doing a super fast figure eight jig.

Finally took a stick and moved him some 15 feet off the trail cause 5 people were coming down behind me.

So, the question is. . . Why was this big guy so po'd? Tis obvious to me that he had been messed with (as i had messed with him) or he would not have remained in the middle of the trail doing the wild thang for the better part of an hour.

My point is this. . .do we move em off the trail, or leave em for somebody else to run into, especially if they are all coiled up nicely and hidden where a foot could easily land? Any comments? Move em - leave em?

Bivouac

[HikeUp]

... doing the wild thang ...

BBQ.

Beverage.

[guest]

Bivouac,

I'd imagine he was getting sun in the open, so stay'd in the open.

They probably don't know why people are coming around and gently messing with them, so they become defensive, but only as much as needed, most calm down if we let them alone.

I had to do what you did a week ago to continue our journey, there was no other way around in this area.

If we respect them (as it sounds you did) and be easy & as non- threatening as practical, they will sense it and respond in kind.

I've lived here in the desert for 22 yrs. being out a lot, and they are truly amazing creatures.

ss

[Rick M]

Having lived in the desert for 20 years and hiked in their habitat considerably longer, I don't know what to say on this. Poor snake minding their own business and someone come by terrorizing it (moving it off the trail) may get it in the mood to strike the next person. Once on a trail maintenance in the San Gabriels doing trail sweep at the end of about thirty people I saw the last person ahead of me step just inches from a coiled up rattler on the trail not making a sound (was he accustomed to people hiking by?). He never made a sound. I've also heard them long off and have seen them poised in their coil ready to strike (especially in my old prospecting days). Once came face to face with one rappelling into a cave in Texas and while working as a ranger in Death Valley picked a sidewinder up thinking it was trash at night, are you listening c23? I used to skin them in the Air Force while stationed in Texas until I found out guys were killing them just for me to skin for them.  In all my experiences, never a bite (knock on wood).

My advice when in snake country:
1) Leave them alone
2) Listen for their warnings (remember that sometimes they don't)
3) Don't pick them up
4) Watch where you step
5) Don't let it keep you from enjoying the desert (and mountains)
6) Don't pick them up
7) Give them a wide birth
and did I mention, DON'T PICK THEM UP!!!

ps Took one off a paved road to protect it from getting run over only to see a dirt bike rider grinding one (the same one?) into the ground the next day in the area I let it go.

[Hikin_Jim]

I think you did the right thing by moving it, but I for darn sure hope you did it safely.

[Rick M]

I really don't believe there is a "safe" way to deal with them. I've been to a few things, shall we call them snake classes, and even the experts get bit. Just one wrong move and...

Maybe that was nature's way that that snake's time was up and I shouldn't have intervened...ravens made a meal of the leftovers. I just see so much habitat destroyed and so many critters killed on the roads. TRUE STORY: while driving home on Coyote Trail Rd at night from a call, a coyote put his head through my radiator (cost $180) .

Most bites are on the hand so as I mentioned, don’t pick them up!

[nobohobo]

Give them a kiss, and gently move them off the trail

http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=104435

[Marknhj]

I've never even seen a rattlesnake (city boy newish to the desert and hiking). If I come across one on a narrow section of the trail, there's no way around it and it isn't going anywhere, what do I do? I'm clueless. How long a stick would I need and what can I expect it to do if I try to move it?

[magikwalt]

Hi Mark,

I had the chance to exchange a couple emails with Dr. Sean Bush at Loma Linda about snake bites. Seems the majority of snake bites here in the US occur occur to a single group of humans. They are male, attempting to scare, catch, move or kill a snake and the majority have alcohol involved.

Since most snake can easily strike to a 1/3rd of their body length its best to leave them alone. I believe their vision is in the infared range so a stick or pole doesn't tend to be a target but your finger, hand or leg would. Loose long pants will help shield your leg's heat signature as well as maybe giving a false strike point.

On the point of what to bring for first aid in case of a bite he recommends carrying one of two items. A cell phone or a helicoptor. Both if you have extra room in your kit.

Walt

[AlanK]

I had the chance to exchange a couple emails with Dr. Sean Bush at Loma Linda about snake bites. Seems the majority of snake bites here in the US occur occur to a single group of humans. They are male, attempting to scare, catch, move or kill a snake and the majority have alcohol involved.

I assume that you mean that the majority of snakes have alcohol involved. I mean, I can imagine an innocent hiker guy deciding to scare, catch, move or kill a snake. After all, nature was put there for our entertainment. But I can't imagine an intoxicated hiker. We humans are much too responsible for that!

Drunken snakes! Who knew?

And Happy First of April to all!