OT: But I had to share!!

coinlieutenant

I went on one of my favorite hikes here down the coast from the Monterey Peninsula, about half the way to Big Sur for those of you that are familiar with the area. The name of the hike is called Soberanes Ridge. It is in Garrapata State Park if you are ever in the area and want to try it out. It is the most strenuous hike in the area and has the best views bar none.

It is the hike that I do for a good workout and for training. Tonight my friend Matt and I were late in getting there (about 5:45). We were hauling butt up the mountain (it goes from sea level to 2000 feet over a little over a mile and a half), went around a bend and I came about six inches from stepping on a three foot rattlesnake. I jumped to the side just in time. I think it was trying to hide as it wasnt rattling. As soon as my friend Matt moved off the trail and it knew that it was out of immediate danger it started rattling like crazy!! First one that I had ever seen in the wild and I couldnt believe how LOUD the rattle is. Definitly a cool hike although six inches is a bit close for me. Could tell if struck at my boot since I was jumping wildly to the left, but it was ready to!!

Just thought I would share since it was so cool!!!

Here is pic from the hike (on a different day)

Edited to remove pic. I was turning WWW on... He was writing me raunchy emails....... sicko.....


John

jbsteven

it that hair on your back I see?

ElectricEye

it's not a gut, it's a powerpack

Sandhawk

So, will you be showing us your new Rattlesnake skin belt or hat band anytime in the near future ???

coinlieutenant

JB,

Nope. That was my mullet... I had it tied back!! LOL!!

WWW

John, that six-pack of yours turned into a keg.

coinlieutenant

Man... It's not that bad!!!

WWW

No, but you asked for it.

coinlieutenant

You will pay in Portland....

Trooper

John
I know the feeling about hearing one rattle for the first time. It happened to me and my buddy when we where mule deer hunting in Wyoming. Walking down a narrow trail between some boulders and as soon as we got within 8 feet that thing was going full speed. After that I was a little more carefull of course. The "almost go bit" one was when we were prarie dog hunting in SD. We parked the truck and about a half hour later our buddy was using his cell phone standing by the opened door and happened to look down and there was one. It must of came out of one of the holes. scared the cripe out of him. That snake never made a sound until we pinned him with a stick and then he was trying to strike at everything that moved. I actually took a video of that.
One of my hunting buddies (I've never tried it but it does make sense) is if you are ever at the point where you are in striking distance and you know if you move that snake is going to bite is to raise your foot(with shoes on of course) directly at him, making the bottom of your boot the target. The snake will strike the bottom of the boot. He has to recoil back to strike again so right after the first strike run like heck... Considering a good boot might have at least 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of rubber it's better protection than a pair of jeans or socks.

Tom

coinlieutenant

Trooper,

I think that we might have surprised him as it was mildly cool out. He was getting the last rays of the sun.

Pretty cool though and thanks for sharing the story...

John

JadeRareCoin

John, great picture! Wow, that looks like a cool place to hike. I am in the frozen wasteland known as Michigan, so that scene looks far, far away at the moment.

jbsteven

<< <i>That was my mullet... I had it tied back!! LOL!! >>



I KNEW you were a closet mullet head! Come out of the closet and be secure with your mullet (god knows I have)



edited the pic I see........

coinlieutenant

Jade,

Feel free to visit!! It is a great place. I spent alot of summers growing up in the U.P. of Michigan so I know what you mean. Summertime is the best time to visit up there. The winters are rough...

JB,

You going to be at Portland?

John