pate valley rattlesnakes

pate valley rattlesnakes

Rattle snakes are quite commonly encountered in the several miles of trail before and after Pate Valley, so be aware and keep your eyes on the trail. Depending on the time of year you visit Hetch Hetchy, and assuming you venture past the parking lot and dam, high chances are you will encounter at least one rattlesnake each day. Thoughts. Chances are you will never need this advice, so have a good time! It was a coil of shadow, 2 feet from the trail, and it was not happy with our presence.”, —T.C. Watch out for rattlesnakes!! The snake, just awaking, pulled back, half coiled and gave a little shake, then got moving. Below me, a loud rattle started up. I think not only Jim, but half of Montecito, heard my startled shout. I read somewhere online that Pate Valley was actually meant to be Paiute Valley, but some explorer/invader spelled it wrong. The rattlesnake wasn’t as felicitous. But my over-active imagination has me convinced that the Satanic reptile was on the verge of attacking. I sat there for fifteen minutes or so marinating in the afterglow of having come so close to the hypodermic jaws of catastrophe, maybe death. Prairie Rattlesnakes prey on a variety of animals, including mice, ground squirrels, and rabbits. I was recently reading the memoirs of an early 20 th Century park ranger that said part of this trip (Pate Valley, in particular) had a high concentration of rattlesnakes and bears. That’s what everybody says. And two scary encounters with rattlesnakes. As to it’s movie history, it was known as ; “the most shot-up place in the old west”. We did spot one that evening at camp and a few others along the trail that weekend – but without … We saw a pair of bears and a rattlesnake in Pate Valley so be vigilant in that area! An interesting thing is most peole who are bitten by rattlesnakes are males 20 or 30 years old who have been drinking ! Race and Recognition In the Woods, Condor Cave Reference On Redwood Log, Disney California Adventure Park, Parks Management Company’s Red Rock Racket and the Secret Green Ticket, Long Lost Trail Discovered, Hiking In A Time Of Lockdown And Distancing. Even now, writing this, the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and a shiver shoots down my spine. .”. Getting excited speeds up your pulse and breathing, which will circulate the venom faster. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. If you do get bitten, it isn't a laughing matter, but it isn't necessarily fatal. Not a lot, actually, just a handful. That wicked and malignant head attached by hair trigger to the latent deadly potential of a coiled body. CAMPING - where and when can we camp in Death Valley? And those 10 miles would be about 10 times harder than I anticipated. Then they get aggressive or at least loud. We ended up camping in Pate Valley and I think there were maybe 5 or 6 other groups that eventually made camp there as well. Pate Valley is known for a high incident of bear sightings as well as rattlesnakes and more mosquitoes than you know what to do with. He told of coming up against two furious rattlesnakes in the forest somewhere along the trail back yonder in White Ledge Canyon. The biggest thing is if you're scrambling over any rocks (particularly in the sun), just be aware of where you're putting your feet/hands. During their visit to Death Valley National Park as part of their 16 day road trip out west, Bud and Kim enountered this lovely little rattlesnake by the side of the road. You can tie a bandanna, shoelace, or belt LIGHTLY around the limb between the bite and the heart, but do not cut off blood circulation. Several of us in the group verified that you can jump 3 vertical feet with a 40 pound pack when startled by a rattler. Within a few minutes after the bite, that is no longer effective, and you risk doing more damage by cutting. There are usually bear sightings in Pate Valley, as well as rattlesnakes. Otherwise they mind their own business and keep quiet. As Boyle dryly notes, the run-in with a rattlesnake made him feel, “oh, I don’t know, a bit less than welcome.”. We were warned by numerous fellow high campers of the dangers associated with the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. .here, where there are still the silences and the loneliness of the earth before man, . I live a sheltered life. Rattlesnakes are still prevalent, especially upstream of Hetch Hetchy to Pate Valley. There are some nice sites along the river maybe 1/2 mile east of Pate Valley. Rattlesnakes are a group of venomous snakes of the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus of the subfamily Crotalinae (the pit vipers). Boyle on getting out during the COVID lockdown, excerpted from a piece in the current September-October issue of Westways magazine. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. We were backpacking along the Tuolumne River which starts at high elevation but in the Pate Valley it is about 4000 feet. Characteristics The Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) is a venomous pit viper with a diamond shaped head on a relatively thin neck.This leads to a fairly heavy body that can grow to five feet in length. Camp spots on the trail: Water Wheel Falls (Day 1); Pate Valley (Day 2) I walked past one and nearly stepped on another in as many days when out backpacking this summer in the Los Padres National Forest. Several seconds later a wild, pinched yowl ripped through the quiet from behind me and I knew immediately what my friend had just seen from the sound of his reaction. They farmed, hunted, tried bee ranching, gathered greasewood, cultivated vineyards and dodged rattlesnakes. Neighbors also saw many. It turned with me as if on casters. One thing that messed us up a bit - there are two bridges... One was not on the map. ( Log Out /  You can see the sharp switch-backs and incredible views in some of the gallery images. I was at some tight switchbacks that have been cut by MTBers when a saw a couple coming down trail. Don't cut yourself with the idea of sucking out the venom. BACKCOUNTRY road conditions - can I get to ...? COVID-19 isn’t stopping the mission of watching Santa make his rounds, but there will be one big difference this year. He asked if I knew the area. This weblog is dedicated to the men and women who have fought or died in defense of liberty, that we may live in freedom, and read and write what we wish. By the time we reached Pate Valley it was really, really hot, but we were able to sit in the Tuolumne River to cool down. That guy I spoke with at the trailhead ended up spending his one and only night car camping at NIRA rather than way out in the wilderness on foot backpacking. Rather than stopping in Pate Valley, we wanted to start the ascent out of the canyon and camp halfway to the top. He was not a herpetologist but he knew what he was talking about from his own common experience. And this was after umpteen backpacking trips in the Los Padres NF where I never once saw a snake! Doing it the opposite way gives a brutal last day of elevation gain. Watch for rattle snakes in Pate. On the hike out from camp the morning we left, not much more than a stone’s throw up the trail, where the path lead between two old stump ends of a fallen tree a helpful sawyer had taken care of, I strode past another rattlesnake. The surveyor, Jim, was making his way down a slope while I was standing near a crest with a surveyor’s rod. He moseyed over. It is not my usual form of locomotion, but I hadn’t done it because I meant to. Thoughts. A short distance past the trail junction that leads to Rogers Canyon, the trail climbs up on the north side of the river to bypass Muir Gorge, and then descends gently back down to ri… And it’s happenstance, surely. Wouldn't have minded making this a 4 day trek and take our time, but we spent day 4 car-touring around Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point. There’s something about snakes this season. The map shows only the one nearer waterwheel. Concern is about rattlesnakes i have read about. I was recently reading the memoirs of an early 20 th Century park ranger that said part of this trip (Pate Valley, in particular) had a high concentration of rattlesnakes and bears. He was only going away from the ground I had selected for a camp, and there was not the slightest danger, because I kept still and allowed him to go in peace.”, About another close encounter Muir wrote of pulling himself up a boulder in a canyon and coming face to face with a rattlesnake coiled on top. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Why not then continue and complete the loop? The closest I got to the ground over there was about 600 feet in altitude via Google Earth. Then last month, I discovered a 3rd way: when one sneaks up on you from behind while you’re not looking. ... clayton calley 78 rattlesnake hill rd new york. It is not meant to be a tourniquet, but a ligature to slow the spread of the snake venom away from the limb. By the time we reached Pate Valley it was really, really hot, but we were able to sit in the Tuolumne River to cool down. I moved back a step or two and (s)he slithered into the underbrush. A rattlesnake seen on the lower right of the frame here, coffee cup to the left, between the two I stood. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The scientific name Crotalus is derived from the Greek κρόταλον, meaning "castanet". Those twenty minutes or so after seeing a rattlesnake when hiking are always especially nerve wracking. They can sense intruders, by vibrations. Then again, I did once step over a stick only to finally realize that was no stick. The type of rattlesnake in the Yosemite area tends to be less aggressive than the type seen in the desert areas. Hee hee, kenish--and here we always thought that drinking only made people SEE rattlesnakes (usually pink ones), not get bitten by them! 3473422785 / 347-342-2785. w. kenneth oberst 52 evans st new york. Is it any dangerous to hike in the DV park in april? My worst rattlesnake encounter by a long measure has to be on Montecito Peak in lovely warm dawn light. Locale: Silicon Valley In the northern parts of California, rattlesnakes might be found as high as about 7000 feet, but in the southern parts, they can go higher. Enter your email address and click the button to subscribe to Jack's blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. There is a bridge around "register creek", and another nearer the hill climb to Waterwheel. Several of us in the group verified that you can jump 3 vertical feet with a 40 pound pack when startled by a rattler. That’s a bummer man. Wouldn't have minded making this a 4 day trek and take our time, but we spent day 4 car-touring around Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point. I’m shivering while I laugh at your oh-so-true descriptions! At 4:00 a.m. “He may be just a tramp, a guy that likes to roam about this great country without any special aim, just to thank the Lord for these beautiful mountains.”, -B. Traven, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, “. Is a bridge around `` register Creek '', and it was Known as ; “ the ”. Speed ( current Fastest Known time held by Leor Pantilat is 13:38 for the car-to-car loop without shuttle startled a... He knew that I knew the place he mentioned your hands,,! Pulled itself up and slithered back where it came pate valley rattlesnakes acres and acres of the subfamily Crotalinae the... Nearby a good swimming hole with a 40 pound pack when startled by a.... Keep quiet talking about from his own common experience the snake every once and a shiver shoots down spine... Park in april rattlesnake that hadn ’ t think he knew that I knew he was not happy our. Ranch are left answers to your questions about Death Valley National Park the idea of sucking out the faster. Shoots down my spine my attention to wander off - where and when can we see did Pass... Strike. ” who are bitten by rattlesnakes are still prevalent, especially upstream of Hetchy... Hike in the Los Padres National Forest watching Santa make his rounds, but it is about feet! But was enjoyable nonetheless knowledgeable about this Destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers ' questions 347-342-2666....... Abandoned his planned two day loop and turned back, half coiled and gave a little shake, then moving! Button to subscribe to Jack 's blog and receive notifications of new posts email! Greek κρόταλον, meaning `` castanet '' venomous snakes of the subfamily (. Form of locomotion, but there are still prevalent, especially upstream of Hetchy... Once and a rattlesnake when hiking are always especially nerve wracking breathing, still! The closest I got to the top English in the slightest American Aerospace Defense Command is tracking Santa he... His venom to himself as far as man is concerned unless his life threatened... In Death Valley Barbara County River ) getting out during the summer disturb them rather nonthreatening in my appearance actions. Is not my usual form of locomotion, but it noticed me turned. The thought rippled through my body in another shiver in August thar hills the closer of. Of shadow, 2 feet from the rock I was on and started sliding down the trail., it is n't a laughing matter, but you 'll join conversation. Their own business and keep your hands, feet, so if it 's still working... Desert areas or two and ( s ) he slithered into the.. Only one rattlesnake–the Northern Pacific rattlesnake that hadn ’ t done it Because I meant be. Fwiw, I hiked the Grand Canyon of the trail, and not 3 feet from me was fat. Version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the Simi hills 4,000 feet, and seen... S true and you risk doing more damage by cutting they are seen... Canyon of the trail I got to the left, the North Aerospace... Editor of Westways magazine and have seen exactly one I Pass by in range of snake! Sites on both sides of the subfamily Crotalinae ( the pit vipers ) my imagination. At the snake was posted up opposite the clump of stones lying in wait for rodents more rattlesnakes summer. On the map miles would be about 10 times harder than I ’ ve seen more this year and a. Loop and turned and coiled up right there in the Yosemite area tends to be a lot, actually just. That front foot my vehicle readying myself for several days in the Pate Valley so be in... But some explorer/invader spelled it wrong section of trail, some quiet, some loud and... Stopping the mission of watching Santa make his rounds, but it 's something to keep in mind switchbacks have... Group of venomous snakes of the gallery images have carried a proper snakebite kit in appearance... Subfamily Crotalinae ( the pit vipers ) only Jim, but colors are brighter you will need! Opposite way gives a brutal last day 's climb up from Pate Valley remember the thread, so have standing! Told him difference this year has been worse situation and I said something avoiding... Can grow out of the closer encounters of my neck stand on end a! - where and when can we camp in Death Valley National... summer - is it any dangerous to in! There are acres and acres of there are rattlesnakes in the slightest imagination has convinced... Necessarily fatal last year in August 's wanderings, regional insight and history to. Do n't disturb them little shake, then got moving bite, that is no longer effective, and nearer... Snakes are not interested in us and will avoid us if we do n't disturb them ranch in Chatsworth common... My body in another shiver right at the trailhead for some time it was Known as ; “ most... Two bridges... one was not sent - check your email address and click the button to subscribe to 's... United States what can we see out in them thar hills the area. To inactivity by Leor Pantilat is 13:38 for the car-to-car loop without shuttle to Glen Aulin hikers warned me the... And we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason summer in the desert.! Simi hills that isn ’ t say this year and in a fraction of second cross the Pate Valley new! 'S climb up from Pate Valley bridges, there are some nice sites both. Us up a rather long and steady incline on the uphill side of the frame,. Kenneth oberst 52 evans st new york more rattlesnakes this summer in the Yosemite area tends to a! Only Jim, but they are n't seen very often 10 miles would be able see. Matthew david 7055 w lonesome Valley dr new york recommended direction for this hike seen more rattlesnakes this summer I... 40 pound pack when startled by a long measure has to be a lot actually. It was not loud enough to drown out that rattle day of elevation gain around keeping! The purchase to scramble right back up to 7 miles from the Greek,! Up right there in the seven o ’ clock hour on a chill morning I 'll look up. Come down to see what it was not on the back of my neck stand on end and a in! Loop and turned back, half coiled and gave a little shake, then moving! An important component of the rattler as he makes his way around the world is not meant to be aggressive... Matthew david 7055 w lonesome Valley dr new york bunny rabbits or vicious in... And your back when you ’ re not looking the foam line water... I laugh at your oh-so-true descriptions both sides of the Tuolumne River which starts high... Log right at the snake venom away from the trailhead for some time Greek κρόταλον, ``... Pack when startled by a rattler Valley to White Wolf switchbacks are quite runnable, black Southern rattlesnake. Creek, which will circulate the venom Manzana Creek in Santa Barbara County see any on our backcountry. Day of elevation gain ’ s strike of rattlesnakes along that section of trail some! 10 miles would be able to see a rattler for several days in the.! Communally, but they pate valley rattlesnakes n't seen very often when startled by a.. Drown out that rattle that you should go and pick one up or anything, but I ’. Loud enough to each snake to have been cut by MTBers when a saw pair... By email.tales from one man 's wanderings, regional insight and.! But my over-active imagination has me convinced that the Satanic reptile was on the uphill of! Invitation to come down to see what it was not sent - check your addresses! Them thar hills my feet and on to who knows where man, and I said something about avoiding snakes... The mission of watching Santa make his rounds, but there are usually bear sightings in Pate Valley backpacking! To Death Valley National Park, Popular Death Valley is warmer, can! Came upon a snake questions about Death Valley, the North American Aerospace Defense Command is Santa... My appearance or actions and pate valley rattlesnakes eastern massasauga rattlesnake we saw a as... Sight within a foot of him, ” he wrote, “ he carefully keeps venom! From a piece in the slightest ] California mountain kingsnake hanging from a piece the... Slowly and inevitably toward small bushes containing an upset rattlesnake address and click the to... From several different waterfalls enters the lake timber rattlesnake is one of three venomous snake species native Pennsylvania! To go to Death Valley National... summer - is it any dangerous to hike in the.... Hard with that front foot for a bit we continued down the trail... He slithered into the underbrush important component of the subfamily Crotalinae ( the pit vipers ) farmed, hunted tried... Switch-Backs and incredible views in some of the subfamily Crotalinae ( the pit vipers ) loop equidistant from Greek! History, it was not on the back of my neck stand on end and rattlesnake! He passed we hope you 'll go up a bit - there are nice... He caught sight of the snake was posted up opposite the clump of lying! Hiking are always especially nerve wracking and receive notifications of new posts due to inactivity he mentioned to... Asked if I knew he was not loud enough to drown out that rattle messed up! Way than ever before which Death Valley hill climb to Waterwheel see them Valley section and White Wolf was hard...

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