Rattlesnakes in Tehipite Valley

If you've been searching for the best source of information and stimulating discussion related to Spring/Summer/Fall backpacking, hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevada...look no further!
User avatar
vandman
Topix Regular
Posts: 283
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:08 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Rattlesnakes in Tehipite Valley

Post by vandman »

Tehipite is loaded with trout! You will catch your limit in one hour. I have never eaten so much trout.
http://wildernessjournals.tumblr.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://vanmiller.tumblr.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
East Side Hiker
Topix Regular
Posts: 391
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2010 8:10 am
Experience: N/A

Re: Rattlesnakes in Tehipite Valley

Post by East Side Hiker »

Wow! Rattlesnake bites to black widows and trout. I just love it.

When I get back from Tehipite Valley toward the end of May, I'll let ya'll know what I found.
User avatar
vandman
Topix Regular
Posts: 283
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:08 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Rattlesnakes in Tehipite Valley

Post by vandman »

Plenty of trout to go around.

This was taken in the Monarch Wilderness, below little tehipite in a side canyon. It's an aquatic garter snake, and that's a native rainbow.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
http://wildernessjournals.tumblr.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://vanmiller.tumblr.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
richlong8
Topix Expert
Posts: 837
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:02 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Rattlesnakes in Tehipite Valley

Post by richlong8 »

Amazing photo!
User avatar
East Side Hiker
Topix Regular
Posts: 391
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2010 8:10 am
Experience: N/A

Re: Rattlesnakes in Tehipite Valley

Post by East Side Hiker »

Totally amazing photo.

I do have a similar experience. A group of us were in the 60 Lakes Basin. Most of the guys were out fishing, but three of us were sitting around, cooking trout. After some time of inattention, we looked over and saw a garter snake actually taking a fish out of the frying pan!!! We were so stunned, no one thought to take a picture - we just watched the action...
User avatar
Cloudy
Topix Regular
Posts: 125
Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:08 am
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker
Location: Central California

Re: Rattlesnakes in Tehipite Valley

Post by Cloudy »

That IS amazing! It must have smelled pretty good :-)
User avatar
BrianF
Topix Regular
Posts: 295
Joined: Thu Jul 06, 2006 1:29 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Santa Barbara,Ca

Re: Rattlesnakes in Tehipite Valley

Post by BrianF »

Speaking of Aquatic and getting back to the topic of Rattlesnakes (but not in Tehipite) a few years ago I was almost swimming with a Rattlesnake here in the Los Padres. I was at one of my favorite secret backcountry swimming holes that has a cliff down to the water on one side,. After swimming and cooling off in the water for about 15 minutes I swam across towards the cliff and when about 5 feet from the cliff I saw a 3' rattlesnake half out of the water on a small ledge. The only way he could have gotten there was by swimming and the ledge wasn't big enough for it to get all the way out of the water, so I imagine it was a bit nervous with me in the water- the entire pool was only about 15' by 15'. I don't know if I scared it into the water with my approach or if it was washed down from above or what. Needless to say I wasn't anxious to panic it into joining me for a swim, so I left the water and after drying in the sun, left it to its own devices
The direction you are moving in is what matters, not the place you happen to be -Colin Fletcher
User avatar
mjh
Topix Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Aug 11, 2012 10:50 am
Experience: N/A

Re: Rattlesnakes in Tehipite Valley

Post by mjh »

Been to Tehipite 4X....two rattlers per visit was the norm. The 1st was the worst. Was jumping from boulder to boulder down by the water (below the miner's cabin) -- was looking for pools that might contain trout...very nearly jumped on a very large spicimen, camouflaged by the granite, sleeping in the afternoon sun. Found a piece of driftwood (baseball bat size) and smashed his head in. 13 rattles -- fat four footer. I suddenly lost interest in fishing, made a u-turn back to camp. Heard they travelled in pairs -- yes, there was another one, just where I had come from. A granite stone finished him off. Back in camp an hour or so later -- and still kind of "rattled" (get it?!) a patrolling park ranger came through. Very nice guy... asked about fishing, etc. Then he asked if I had seen any rattlers. I proudly announced that I had killed two in the last hour. He cringed and asked if they were threatening my life in any way. I told him I nearly jumped on one, and then I would have been in deep yogurt. He shook his head and reminded me that they are the residents -- and I was the guest. Hmmmmmmmm. Something to think about. Knees gone for any more Tehipite trips -- but I am glad I had the opportunity to visit this special place! mark
User avatar
rlown
Topix Docent
Posts: 8225
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:00 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Wilton, CA

Re: Rattlesnakes in Tehipite Valley

Post by rlown »

Apparently, snakes can be taken under a fishing license, but there are regs for various areas. If you just killed them because they were there, and kept the rattle, that might qualify under wanton waste if you didn't harvest the meat. They're probably as valuable as any other creature out there.

And welcome to the HST, Mark!

Russ
User avatar
lostcoyote
Topix Regular
Posts: 262
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 9:11 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: Rattlesnakes in Tehipite Valley

Post by lostcoyote »

"He shook his head and reminded me that they are the residents -- and I was the guest."

he is right.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot], liquidaddicted, mschnaidt and 114 guests