Kenna Morton's Journal, 15 April 2022

oh my goodness!!! 

Holy cow that’s a big one. I have rattlers here too. They freak me out. I need to get king snakes to keep the rattler population low. But then I have 2 species to get freaked by… Haahaaa 

We have at least 4 different kinds of rattlers here. Mojave green, western diamondback., etc. short, fat yellow ones and long ones like this. I don’t worry about the big ones, it’s the small babies that are a concern this time of year. Adult rattlers can selectively envenomate while babies can’t. When they strike, they got you. The biggest issue on the trails is guys who think it’s fun to try to poke and irritate the snake, who typically are just sunning themselves. Then the next person that comes by is going to encounter a mad, irritated snake.. fellow hikers and riders are usually pretty good about warning each other — “snake on the trail”! 

Ewww!!! 

We have Copperheads in our yard & gardens. I do take pics, but I look for them.  

We'll set up a go fund me and buy you a go pro setup. hands free and non-distracting. I kid, of course, stay alert and stay safe. that guy is one of the reasons we stop canyon walks when it gets hot. three dogs is too many to keep an eye on everything that needs watching.  

There are rattlesnakes in BC as well - in the dry tumbleweed interior of the province. Just give them a wide berth - snakes usually try to get far away from humans. Interesting! 

Yikes! I too always look down while hiking... 

we saw several while camping in SD a few years ago, sure didn't make sleep in a tent scared  

wow.... nice 👍 

Situational awareness is crucial. I often hike alone so I am particularly alert 

They have a few in this area too but they usually stay away from the pathways taken by people. Most rattlesnakes prefer to avoid people but sometimes...lol. We were in the Mojave one time on a military FTX - on a short break one of the guys encountered a rattler between some rocks. He started poking at it with his weapon so the snake tried to move away. He kept poking at it and getting braver and braver. Finally and very, VERY quickly the snake struck at him right in the hand as he got too close. The funny part was, he was born and raised in Southern California, and he was telling us that they will run away, we shouldn't be afraid of the (especially us city folks that didn't want anything to do with those creatures) He wasn't talking too much crap after it bit him. It kind of looks like this guy is out looking for a meal. 😨 

Yikes! I don't like snakes! 

Yikes! Oh yeh. woah ... I'll pass. Eek! not a fan either 

Thanks for takin this photo...I don't think I would have had the presence of mind!!😱 

😳😱 stay safe out there Kenna. Wishing you a blessed Easter🙏🏽 

Eeeekk!!😳 

Oh wow! Scary!!!!! 😳 

Yikes!!! 

Yes, this is mating and travel season and the babies will be,out soon if not already. They are cold blooded so as soon as the sun comes out they will lay right in the middle,of,the trail, like this one. I usually stomp around so they feel the ground vibration or if there is a few of us we talk loudly and stomp. If they don’t move off I just turn around unless there is space to side step them. In the early hours they are very sluggish but the hotter it gets they can really move. I have taken many wilderness travel classes, wilderness medicine and have done a few search and rescue cases. I know what can happen and not into having to push the envelope.