High Sierra Rattlers

[Dry Fly Rie]

I've been fishing, camping, and hiking in the Sierras, primarily around Mammoth, for my entire life. I've seen all kinds of wildlife from a distance and up close and personal. One of my (formerly) comforting thoughts was that, although there are some snakes in the area, I didn't think encountering a rattlesnake was a possibility. I naively assumed that the elevation was too high, or the nights too cold, or whatever.

But on my most recent trip to the Sierras last week, I felt a * in my mental armor when we came across a 2.5 to 3 foot buzztail that had just moved off the trail as we were approaching. I apologize for the poor picture, but I didn't feel like trying to maneuver through the brush to get a better angle.



As usual, my cross-country-coaching dad was leading the way as we hiked up a canyon. Pops had just stepped over a fairly recent pile of horse droppings. I was stepping to the side of the mess when I noticed a clump of trail-side low-growing white flowers was moving in an odd manner. I stopped and looked down at the clump of flowers (about the size of a small watermelon) and I heard the tell-tale rattle that gives most of us the chills. I stepped back and noticed the snake moving away from the trail and into the brush/trees where I snapped a couple of pictures, but only one came out decent. The snake had 6-8 buttons on its tail and was fairly thick. Oh yeah, we were at approximately 8,500 feet of elevation. I was floored!!!

So my question is, how common is seeing a rattler in the Sierras? Has anyone else had a similar experience?

[Gila Trout]

Over the years I have seen two rattlers in Rush creek area between Silver and Grant lake.

[WanderingBlues]

None in the Eastern range. One or two down in the Southern Range.

[planettrout]

I have run into a couple of buzzworms, near the Onion Valley campground (just over 9000 ft.) above Independence and I have also encountered them along the EWR...


PT/TB

[Wildman]

I regularly see them down here in the San Gabriels around 8,000 feet up on Blue Ridge (where Mt High Ski Area is located) We have predominately the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake here and they are most black when they reach adult stage. You would be amazed at how well that works for camouflage when they are on the trail and in the shade. I have friends who have encountered them just below the summit of Baden Powell while practicing for the Angeles 100 mile race.

In all the years I've traveled to and in the Sierras, I've never seen one. That being said, I frequently step over five foot snakes while traveling on the trail to fishing spots and see nothing.

[planettrout]

"In all the years I've traveled to and in the Sierras, I've never seen one. That being said, I frequently step over five foot snakes while traveling on the trail to fishing spots and see nothing."

Hey Jim.

Walk along the fence line at the Irene Cuffe Guest Ranch on Lone Pine Creek - at dusk....YIKES !!!

PT/TB

[BobK]

I've seen them on Bishop creek just below the turn-off to South Lake, all over the Buttermilks, PVR and in the foothills south of Bishop on both sides of the valley. The magic elevation seems to be 8500ft and below. I could be wrong on that one. I've also removed 2 from Lundy Powerhouse and seen a couple in the Bodie hills. BobK

[dray]

Yikes, glad to hear you moved past that guy. Knock on wood, never encountered one at that elevation.