Plateau - Cats - 8/7

[TFR]

We met an aspirant, Doreen, at 8:30 and did a quick car spot, starting at Notch Lake, where the Devil's Path crosses 214. We headed up the steep cliff. All the streams were almost completely empty. The weather however, was almost perfect. It was about 50 when we started hiking, and the sky was a nice dark blue.

We passed thru various forest types, and saw quite a few flowers, for so late in the season. Here is a Cone Flower.

At abut 10:15, we were at the first lookout. We could see for miles and miles and miles! We could also see some fireweed right in front of us.

Speaking of fires, we saw numerous fire rings well above 3500' today, one just 3 feet off the trail and right in a clump of vegetation! May 10,000 black files swarm into your tent!

At this point, the path is almost level for about 2 miles. Glancing to the left and right you can see that the top is not very large, maybe only 100 yards across before it drops steeply away. We traversed the top, said hi to the Old Man of Plateau, passed the new Daley Ridge Trail, and soon were at the non-inspiring summit. But the best was yet to come!

Retracing our steps, we started back down the DRT. There are at least 7 view points along the way, and at least 5 of them are great, and 2 are spectacular! Unfortunately, we didn't get any good pics of these views, but we did see this little guy. The whole trail is soft under foot and nicely graded. We also found some delicious blueberries! Mmmmmmmm!

But the best was yet to come! A little while later, Doreen was leading and she stopped short and stepped back a few steps. Laurie saw why and stopped short too. It was this guy!



It was about 4-5' long and about 2" thick. (I later received an email that it was a Timber Rattler in a Black Morph phase). It was a hasty picture, as I did not want to get too close. Laurie wanted to turn around, but I convinced the women that I would lead them on a short bushwhack around the snake to a point farther down the trail, which I did. We had already seen 3 garter snakes during the day, so Laurie's Snake Magnetism was working overtime today!

The rest of the trip was uneventful. We headed back down to Silver Hollow and walked out the old road to Doreen's car, and back to Notch Lake. We chatted briefly with the DEC employee on duty and he said he would not be surprised if it was a rattler.

We slithered off to Cave Mountain and had some delicious wraps and beer!

[masshysteria]

Wow, great looking snake Tom.

[TFR]

Originally Posted by Peakbagr

Great find, Tom. Looks like a TR to me.
How warm was it out and was the snake in a sunny or shady location?

Alan

He was sunning himself on a rock, and it was not terribly warm, but about as warm as it was going to get yesterday. 70 maybe?

[daLunartik]

Originally Posted by TFR

Speaking of fires, we saw numerous fire rings well above 3500' today, one just 3 feet off the trail and right in a clump of vegetation! May 10,000 black files swarm into your tent!

And may you not notice them until after your stuck inside with a jammed door zipper!

Great snake sighting. I'm shocked you didn't try to get a better close up

And yer Flutterbye would be a Red Admiral.

[Hikerhiker]

This is the only trail in the Catskills that I have ever seen a Rattlesnake on. Have never seen one on Mt Tremper or Overlook Mt. We were taking a break at one of the viewpoints and right below our feet was a coiled up Rattlesnake. Cool !

[MattC]

Wow, TR (Tom Rankin) poster a TR (trip report) with a shot of a TR (Timber Rattlesnake). If we could get Teddy Roosevelt in there somewhere, I think the universe would collapse in on itself or something.

Anyway, interesting find. And a second posted indicating having seen timber rattler on the same trail before. I had no idea they were there. Was anyone else aware? The DEC?

Matt

[TFR]

Originally Posted by MattC

Wow, TR (Tom Rankin) posted a TR (trip report) with a shot of a TR (Timber Rattlesnake). If we could get Teddy Roosevelt in there somewhere, I think the universe would collapse in on itself or something.

Anyway, interesting find. And a second posted indicating having seen timber rattler on the same trail before. I had no idea they were there. Was anyone else aware? The DEC?

Matt

I mentioned it to the guy on duty at Notch Lake, who BTW was giving out tickets to illegally parked cars!

[Laurie Rankin]

Anyone who has hiked with me knows that there is always a great possibility of seeing a snake (I would rather see a bear anyday), however, this was very surprising to us. We had worked on building this trail and never heard of the possibility of there being Timber Rattlers there then. It does make sense as they are known to be in the area of Warner Creek and Tremper not far away. It was one of those things that was actually quite a gift to see one in it's natural environment once we escaped unscathed! It certainly was not bothered by us, neither coiled up or rattled, although I am sure it was aware of our presence and turned in our direction, then eventually moved away opposite of where we went around it.

This entire loop is such a great option, I hope the snake does not deter it's use. We also got to visit with a hummingbird while enjoying the blueberries and when done on a clear day such as we had, you can see well over twenty of the other high peaks and some unique perspectives, such as Table sitting in between Wittenberg and Cornell. Will do it again, though perhaps after purchasing snake chaps!

[Jay H]

Saw a small garter snake on the becker hollow trail just below 3500 feet on sunday on my way to surprise Halia and Flameus at the tower...

I see timber rattlers in Harriman State Forest too, almost stepped on one a few years ago when it was right in the trail..

Jay

[PA Ridgerunner]

What a treat! And so fortunate to be able to get a photo. I grew up in "rattlesnake country" and never saw one while I was hiking (but I was sure looking!!)

[Halia and Flammeus]

You lucky ducks! That one looks like a gorgeous speicmen. Nice shot from a respectful distance. I am glad all of you survived

So that's the name of the new trail: Daley Ridge? Is Daley a family name? I signed up to lead Plateau for the club later in the fall, and was planning to use that trail. I was thinking spectacular views + fall foliage = .

We waved to you from Hunter. And yes, Jay was totally successful in his stealth attack - we were totally surprised.

[Mikie]

What an awesome hike! Your fearless leader did a good job of spotting this guy. Doesn't always works out this way.

I'd carry an antivenom kit for her but for the fragile shelflife.

It usually takes 20-40 vials of CroFab anti-venom to reverse the effects of a Timber Rattlesnake bite on humans. Unfortunately for us, CroFab anti-venom is relatively ineffective for Timber Rattlesnake bites. The last I heard, each vial now cost $2,000. You usually have to start shots very early. After five hours, it is really too late. Significant heart and kidney damage is already done.

I had a German Shepard that was bit by a Timber Rattlesnake. Fortunately, the snake didn't pump much venom in. But, he was on the verge of death for days. And, it shorten his life due to heart and kidney damage.

Larger and older snakes are more experienced and may not pump as much venom. About 25% of bites are dry bites. But, newborn Rattlers will often pump the maximum amount, and they are the most dangerous. Most people get bit by stepping on them.

The den is most likely 1.5-2.5 miles from where you saw him. Each den will hold 75-100 snakes (rattlers, copperhead, and black rat snakes). I am a little surprised they have migrated this far. It takes a great many years for them to branch out to a new den. The Timber Rattlers you see in the woods are males and non-pregnant females. Pregnant females will bask on ledges and in grassy open areas (like the top of Overlook Mtn).

It is worth noting that high-quality leather hiking boots (3mm or thicker) will stop a strike. But, the tongues and vents holes are venerable areas.

[mudhook]

Wow,, nice find.
However, the cats are becoming quite the dangerous place to hike.

[Doodles]

Hello TR. Very nice TR. Very nice photo of the TR.

Nothing like sound of the warning rattle to bring you to attention.

How much snow do we need before it is safe to go back in the woods?

[TFR]

Originally Posted by Doodles

Hello TR. Very nice TR. Very nice photo of the TR.

Nothing like sound of the warning rattle to bring you to attention.

How much snow do we need before it is safe to go back in the woods?

I dunno, you're the ones who go out after dark!

[Snickers]

Very nice snake!! Funny, I hate spiders, but I love snakes, even if they do make me scream.

Happy Trails - Cindy

[Laurie Rankin]

We did the loop as a fall hike two years ago for the club using the southern/eastern approach from Silver Hollow, then down and out the Southern end of Mink Hollow. The weather was perfect and there were no snakes! Be careful with the dogs if you choose that route Heather!

Dangerous, the Catskills? Only after dark Jim! Seriously, traveled these trails so many times, never once seeing a rattler. My Dad saw them on several of the trails back when he was doing trail work and has always been surprised that I have not seen one before now. I even remember him bringing them home when they were "relocating" some that were in the way of new trail building, search and rescue practice, etc. Will have to be cautious on all new trails from here forward.

[mudhook]

Originally Posted by Laurie Rankin

We did the loop as a fall hike two years ago for the club using the southern/eastern approach from Silver Hollow, then down and out the Southern end of Mink Hollow. The weather was perfect and there were no snakes! Be careful with the dogs if you choose that route Heather!

Dangerous, the Catskills? Only after dark Jim! Seriously, traveled these trails so many times, never once seeing a rattler. My Dad saw them on several of the trails back when he was doing trail work and has always been surprised that I have not seen one before now. I even remember him bringing them home when they were "relocating" some that were in the way of new trail building, search and rescue practice, etc. Will have to be cautious on all new trails from here forward.

I have never seen one in the Cats either, but have outdoor working friends that have.
They have been spotted in Huckleberry Brook,upper Beaverkill, (where you better check under your dozer seat in the morning),Grand Gorge, Denver/Vega valley and other traditionaly snake free areas. Growing up along the headwaters of the Delaware we never saw any, go 15 miles in any direction and they were there, one of the nice things about living here; no posionous snakes, bugs, spiders, plants.
With the changing environment, more and more sightings will be made. We now have poison Ivy, Brown Recluse reports, different snakes. Just something to be aware of, not afraid of. As your Father knew, they have always been here, and I think they are as wary of us as we are of them.
As for night, don't snakes go to bed early?

[daLunartik]

Originally Posted by mudhook

As for night, don't snakes go to bed early?

If not, I'm sure the Parrot will take care of 'em

[Steveo109]

Me and my sister bumped into a rattler on the trail from overlook down towards echo lake. We got a little too close for comfort for both us and the snake. I would say that snake was every bit of 4ft long and a few inches of girth. Only one I have seen to date.