Posted on Sep 20, 2018
A Simple Guide To Staying Alive In The National Parks
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Outdoors
Outdoor Recreation
National Park Service
Hiking
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Patricia Overmeyer
SPC Margaret Higgins: The problem is everyone thinks rattlesnakes rattle before they strike. They don't. If they did, they wouldn't eat. And those suckers are surprisingly fast and well camouflaged. We live with them all the time here in the desert. They can be three inches from the trail and you wouldn't even know it. And they come in all types in Arizona...from diamondbacks to Mojaves (they are really nasty and aggressive) to Rocky Mountain rattlers, etc. Know your snakes before you hike so if you are bit the doctors know what type of anti-venom to use.
As for hiking in the desert, even if it's a beautiful day in the 60s with clouds, you will get dehydrated. That is the biggest problem with hikers that we have in Arizona. When you are halfway done with your water, turn around and hike back. Otherwise, meet our nice rescue personnel and expect to be charged for the helicopter ride out of the park.
Hope you all come out hike our trails and enjoy our beautiful parks sometime!
As for hiking in the desert, even if it's a beautiful day in the 60s with clouds, you will get dehydrated. That is the biggest problem with hikers that we have in Arizona. When you are halfway done with your water, turn around and hike back. Otherwise, meet our nice rescue personnel and expect to be charged for the helicopter ride out of the park.
Hope you all come out hike our trails and enjoy our beautiful parks sometime!
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SPC Margaret Higgins
Patricia Overmeyer - Patricia, I thank you for the detailed information. I just, to be totally frank with you: am paranoid of snakes, heights, and fire.
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Patricia Overmeyer
SPC Margaret Higgins - I'm very hypersensitive to snakes. I was bit by a water moccasin when I was 4 years old. Thankfully it was a dry bite but scared the hell out of me and my parents (until they knew I hadn't been poisoned). So I keep a very healthy distance and let my husband kill the rattlesnakes. They are territorial, so they are killed and tossed out for the bobcat, hawk, buzzard, coyote, pack rat or whatever gets it first. King snakes will actually kill rattlesnakes, so they are on the do not kill list. But I know to keep my eyeballs peeled for them as we live in a semi rural area. Right now I'm a little peeved that the snakes aren't making a dent in the pack rat population at the house.
But we'd love to have you come enjoy our natural beauty here in Arizona. Every part of the state has something that is absolutely beautiful.
But we'd love to have you come enjoy our natural beauty here in Arizona. Every part of the state has something that is absolutely beautiful.
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I could not believe it when we were at Yellowstone and how many tourist tried to interact with the animals!!
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Watched some idiot tourist get up close and personal with an elk (male) guarding a group of females and young. He was lucky the ranger was close by.
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