So where be the snakes?

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 6:56 am

So far this summer I've hiked in the Los Padres, the Santa Monicas, the Simi Hills, the San Gabriels, and the Panamints and haven't seen a single snake. Zip, zilch, zero, nada, the big goose egg. Darn few lizards too. Anybody else experiencing that or is it just my personal misfortune?

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 8:40 am

I haven't seen any this year either. Hmm.

HJ

tracker · Post by **tracker** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:19 am

The ravens seem to be finding the road-kills like usual but I haven't seen as many while walking around. Noticeably less coachwhips.

Post by **JeffH** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 4:48 pm

I saw a bunch of lizards on Sunset Peak last Friday evening. Friendly enough to try checking out my pack.
I have yet to see a snake this year...

PackerGreg · Post by **PackerGreg** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 9:16 pm

No snakes, but I have seen this guy hiking around (I wonder if one can get that stick at REI?)...

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 9:25 am

Yeah, but beware of that guy PG. When he throws that walking stick to the ground it actually turns into a snake. And that snake will then eat your trekking poles.

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 10:38 am

Finally saw my first snake of the season - a nice looking King Snake about 20-25" long....in my garage in the burbs.

AlanK · Post by **AlanK** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 11:43 am

Friday, August 3
Mount Wilson Trail below Orchard Camp

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 2:00 pm

Zoiks! Snake *and* poison oak!! Throw in some Turricula, and you'd really have something there.

HJ

AlanK · Post by **AlanK** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 2:34 pm

Hikin_Jim wrote: Zoiks! Snake *and* poison oak!! Throw in some Turricula, and you'd really have something there.

Yeah, pick your poison. I opted for "neither" but it took some doing to convince the critter to crawl away.

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 6:26 pm

Did you just wait him out?

HJ

AlanK · Post by **AlanK** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 6:40 pm

Hikin_Jim wrote: Did you just wait him out?

No, I'd still be there!

I tossed a couple of small sticks onto him until he decided to move on. Near-misses did nothing.

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 7:27 pm

AlanK wrote: I tossed a couple of small sticks onto him until he decided to move on. Near-misses did nothing.

I used to roll pebbles over their backs, but bits of sticks sounds good.

HJ

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 7:31 pm

AlanK wrote: Friday, August 3
Mount Wilson Trail below Orchard Camp

Dang! You got shocks, pegs....lucky!

DukeJH · Post by **DukeJH** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:33 pm

I jumped a 24" rattler on the descent from Icehouse Saddle August 4 about 3/4 mile from the trailhead. He was moving downhill just a little slower than I was.

Snakes, why did it have to be snakes?