pandora808
New Member
sweet! I haven't seen one there yet this year, or in my yard... I'm just a few blocks from there.
SsssNAKE SeasoN ......,(merged threads)
- Thread starter Garrett
- Start date
sweet! I haven't seen one there yet this year, or in my yard... I'm just a few blocks from there.
Recent finds
Here is a large gopher snake I came across a couple of weeks ago. Largest one I've seen. He was across half of the trail.
Then yesterday, my GF and I came across the first rattlesnake this year. Right on Telegraph where they cut the fallen tree down, it was starting to cross the trail and then backed up under the log a sat there rattling. I didn't want any hiker to walk up to it unexpectedly so I helped it into the weeds with the help of a very, very long branch.
We then went up Little Canyon and took a break in a small shady spot on the trail. When I commented that without rattling, we never would have seen the snake in the weeds, I saw a baby rattler a couple of feet from where we were standing. Not sure how I picked it out because it was camouflaged pretty well. 
And a close up.
Here is a large gopher snake I came across a couple of weeks ago. Largest one I've seen. He was across half of the trail.
Then yesterday, my GF and I came across the first rattlesnake this year. Right on Telegraph where they cut the fallen tree down, it was starting to cross the trail and then backed up under the log a sat there rattling. I didn't want any hiker to walk up to it unexpectedly so I helped it into the weeds with the help of a very, very long branch. We then went up Little Canyon and took a break in a small shady spot on the trail. When I commented that without rattling, we never would have seen the snake in the weeds, I saw a baby rattler a couple of feet from where we were standing. Not sure how I picked it out because it was camouflaged pretty well. And a close up.
bvader
Long Live The Gorn!
Angry big Red in Weir
Great pic! That's only kind of rattler I've seen at Oaks.. they're always red and always quite large..
templar
Member
Lots of wildlife out today. Saw this snake on the fire road in Aliso.
8-[saw these two at oaks last saturday...my first red...seen many green/grays. I almost ran over this sucker...he was pissed. I sh*t my pants. the king was on the climb to edison and the red diamondback on the beginning descent on barham
^^in response to herzalot^^^....I don't know about a coiled rattler, but I've always been able to clear a rattler off the trail be stomping my feet and bouncing my bike from a safe distance. It's far more effective than sticks and stones, and a helluva lot safer. I've probably cleared about 15 rattlers this way over the years, and it's never failed. I have not tried it with a coiled snake. I've only encountered one who coiled on me, but it was far enough away not to be huge concern."
-yeah this is the first time I see one of these pups coil up. The first thing i tried was stomping my feet over and over but no luck. Even tickling him with the branch took a while but he finally gave it up and slithered away.
-yeah this is the first time I see one of these pups coil up. The first thing i tried was stomping my feet over and over but no luck. Even tickling him with the branch took a while but he finally gave it up and slithered away.
Wrecker
Member
I was riding down Stagecoach today (I think that's the name, the trail that goes from the top of Bommer Ridge down into Nix) when I passed a few hikers sitting on the side of the trail. With my charm and trail etiquette in full force today (such a beautiful day, how could it not be), I yelled out a good morning. Just as I finished, I saw a HUGE rattler lying across the trail.
After taking a few seconds to identify the snake (giant triangular head was a give-away, then I saw the rattles) then to flash through my options (jump, skid to a stop, go in front of it), I decided to skid to a hault. This freeken snake was huge. I almost didn't stop in time and probably should have tried to jump, but I'm not very acrobatic. Somehow, in the midst of all of that, I think I screamed (total chick moment).
One of the hikers jumped to his feet and rushed over with a golf club. My second greatest fear on the trails - humans.
By the time he met me, the snake had coiled, rattled a pissy rattle, then scooted off to the bushes. The hiker said he carries the golf club because he saw a rattle snake out there once. He either hits the ground to scare it or scoots it. Either way, more courage than me; I was considering climbing back out.
No, I don't have pics. That mother-effer scared me. I wouldn't take pics of a serial killer coming after me either. Freaks.
After taking a few seconds to identify the snake (giant triangular head was a give-away, then I saw the rattles) then to flash through my options (jump, skid to a stop, go in front of it), I decided to skid to a hault. This freeken snake was huge. I almost didn't stop in time and probably should have tried to jump, but I'm not very acrobatic. Somehow, in the midst of all of that, I think I screamed (total chick moment).
One of the hikers jumped to his feet and rushed over with a golf club. My second greatest fear on the trails - humans.
By the time he met me, the snake had coiled, rattled a pissy rattle, then scooted off to the bushes. The hiker said he carries the golf club because he saw a rattle snake out there once. He either hits the ground to scare it or scoots it. Either way, more courage than me; I was considering climbing back out.
No, I don't have pics. That mother-effer scared me. I wouldn't take pics of a serial killer coming after me either. Freaks.
genusmtbkr5
STR Moderator
Check this link: http://www.socaltrailriders.org/for...hats-protocal-rattlesnakes-im-east-coast.html
Lots of info there on what and also not do when you encounter a snake.
This and other "sticky's" can be found here: http://www.socaltrailriders.org/for...stickys-search-here-general-info-stickys.html
1TrackMind
Member
profnachos
Member
Where is this neighborhood?
even though I hate snakes more than anything else in the world, they are great to have around, as they keep the mice population in check. I have seen at least two dozen in the last couple years and this is the first big sucker i have ever seen coil up and stand its ground. He didnt like my Purgatory's. The only other pissed off one I encountered was a baby (maybe 12" long) set off by a great dane and a little old lady who could hardly control it. that little sucker rattled the whole time and must have struck like 10 times!
Well i saw this guy crossing during my climb. I dunno what I was thinking, but my head was down and i was pedaling hard and didnt notice him until he was right by my wheel... give myself a couple good pedal strokes to get out of his way fast, and he went along his business as I did mine 
(after I stopped for this pic) [this was in Del Cerro BTW]
(after I stopped for this pic) [this was in Del Cerro BTW]
socal_rider
Member
Well i saw this guy crossing during my climb. I dunno what I was thinking, but my head was down and i was pedaling hard and didnt notice him until he was right by my wheel... give myself a couple good pedal strokes to get out of his way fast, and he went along his business as I did mine
View attachment 154884
Looks like a Gopher Snake. Luckily it wasn't a rattler.
you tellin' me bud! I still got really spooked! lol.
tell me, if it were a rattler, and I did accidentally get that close, you think he would have went after me???
socal_rider
Member
They're usually smart enough to get out of your way if they hear you coming. But sometimes you surprise them...and they you. I've run over one at night. Best thing to do when you get surprised like that is keep rolling over it. Don't panic, slam on your brakes, and got OTB on/near it. Then you've got a big problem.