SsssNAKE SeasoN ......,(merged threads)

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Garrett, Feb 17, 2009.

  1. pandora808

    pandora808 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2009
    Messages:
    296
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Occupation:
    code monkey
    Location:
    agoura hills
    sweet! I haven't seen one there yet this year, or in my yard... I'm just a few blocks from there.
     
  2. Pooch

    Pooch New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2010
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Anaheim
    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. IMG_0203 (800x600).jpg 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. IMG_0209 (800x600).jpg IMG_0212 (800x600).jpg 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. IMG_0213 (800x600).jpg And a close up. IMG_0214 (800x600).jpg
     
  3. ocfred

    ocfred Turd Sandwich.

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2013
    Messages:
    120
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Gopher snake at blackstar and also my first rattler at santiago oaks this year. I only took a pic of the gopher. Watch out for ticks at blackstar!!!!!! Picked up 5 on my leg. Good thing i had my high socks on

    [​IMG]
     
  4. bvader

    bvader Long Live The Gorn!

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2008
    Messages:
    2,940
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Occupation:
    Tech Guy
    Location:
    Huntington Beach
    Angry big Red in Weir
    image.jpg
     
  5. ridinrox

    ridinrox Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2011
    Messages:
    2,054
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Occupation:
    Realtor/Full Realty
    Location:
    Murrieta
    Those are my favorite Steve/Bvader!! I have yet to see any rattlers at Oaks/Weir and I'm the Snake Piped Piper...sniff sniff
     
  6. McG715

    McG715 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2011
    Messages:
    2,073
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Occupation:
    Software Sales Executive
    Location:
    Irvine
    Great pic! That's only kind of rattler I've seen at Oaks.. they're always red and always quite large..
     
  7. templar

    templar Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2010
    Messages:
    306
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Occupation:
    Database, UNIX consultant
    Location:
    Aliso Viejo
    Lots of wildlife out today. Saw this snake on the fire road in Aliso.

    IMG_0454.JPG
     
  8. ocdingbat

    ocdingbat Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2011
    Messages:
    493
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Occupation:
    sparky
    Location:
    orange
    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 IMG_8544.jpg 20130504_165633.jpg 20130504_164559.jpg
     
  9. ocdingbat

    ocdingbat Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2011
    Messages:
    493
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Occupation:
    sparky
    Location:
    orange
    ^^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.
     
  10. jleano

    jleano New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2013
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    please tell me what I should do if I were to run into a snake on my trail ride.
     
  11. Wrecker

    Wrecker Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2012
    Messages:
    331
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Occupation:
    Consultant; I teach bad vs. good.
    Location:
    Huntington Beach
    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. :p
     
  12. genusmtbkr5

    genusmtbkr5 STR Moderator

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2007
    Messages:
    8,618
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Lead Aircraft Mechanic for Major Airline at LAX
    Location:
    South Bay/Pedro
  13. bconneraz

    bconneraz Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2010
    Messages:
    267
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    RSM
    on my commute home from work today. I had just jumped on Arroyo Trabuco at Alicia. He was slithering right across the trail; I was hoping he'd stop so I could get better pics, but he was just cruising along.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  14. 1TrackMind

    1TrackMind Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2008
    Messages:
    561
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Occupation:
    Sales
    Location:
    San Clemente
    I almost stepped right on this f'er while cutting behind a neighborhood to get back to the trail head. Note to self, STAY ON THE TRAILS!!!
     

    Attached Files:

  15. profnachos

    profnachos Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2009
    Messages:
    733
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Occupation:
    software engineer
    Location:
    West Garden Grove, CA
    Where is this neighborhood?
     
  16. ocdingbat

    ocdingbat Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2011
    Messages:
    493
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Occupation:
    sparky
    Location:
    orange
    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!
     
  17. jleano

    jleano New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2013
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    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 :D (after I stopped for this pic) [this was in Del Cerro BTW]
    snake.jpg
     
  18. socal_rider

    socal_rider Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2009
    Messages:
    219
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Winchester, CA
    Looks like a Gopher Snake. Luckily it wasn't a rattler.
     
  19. jleano

    jleano New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2013
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    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???
     
  20. socal_rider

    socal_rider Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2009
    Messages:
    219
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Winchester, CA
    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. ;)
     

Share This Page

Help keep STR alive, please click the donation button below