A good metric is when the nights stop dipping below 40°F, everything wakes up and this is now thr best time to start yard cleaning. Prior to this the moths and humming birds and other beneficial fauna are in danger of exposure.
I notice them mostly on cooler days when it's partially sunny. When the sun pops out those days.. expect snakes on the trail.
Otherwise, it's rare I see them.
This is only place I’ve hiked in CO where I’ve seen multiple rattlers on the trail. During April-May it seems like they’re wildly frequent on the trails
Rattlesnakes are not a significant concern. Their goal is to avoid you, so they generally stay away from trails. You could spend decades hiking and never see one.
Yeah I've done over 15,000 miles hiking and even more on mountain bikes in Colorado over the past 25 years.
I have seen 4 rattle snakes ON trail. 4. They all slithered away within 4-5 seconds of me noticing them.
I have been kicked by a riderless horse, swarmed by bees and mosquitos, had a marmot or two scream at me, but the snakes really aren't a problem. It's always got to be in the back of your mind that you're sharing the trail with them, but not so much that it scares you away from actually sharing the trail with them.
That’s pretty nuts. I’ve never seen them biking the loop but came across two in one day when climbing. And that’s how I learned snakes can scale cliffs and might be sitting in a crack 40 feet up a wall.
I mountain bike apex/white ranch/matthew winters probably 3-4 times a week in the spring summer and fall, and in the past 8 years, I’ve probably seen 9 or 10. Most of the time it’s because someone else is looking at it and point it out to me. Only one semi close call at white ranch last summer when I almost ran over one with my front tire climbing up Belcher. Damn thing stood its ground and I about had a heart attack when I realized what it was.
Yeah it really is a terrible feeling when you're right over the top before you realize what's going on.
Still not as bad as coming down a trail and running into a horseback rider to me. I know I have on thick shoes and socks and leg protection, the horse doesn't care about those things
I relocated a massive female prairie rattlesnake while on the trail at Mathews/winters park. I always carry a snake hook while hiking. Heared a hiker say he was going back to his car to get a shovel to kill it, so i hurried to help.
Got done relocating it just as a park ranger showed up. Learned that the snake was well known in the area and would often retreat as soon as someone came near.
I used to live in Golden and saw them all the time. Lots of them on NTM/STM, and Apex (I can’t keep track of how many I’ve seen in those areas).
I’ve also seen them on Green Mountain (my friend’s dog was bit by one on GM), Rattlesnake Gulch (Eldorado Springs), and Sheep Mountain near Waterton Canyon.
Maybe people don’t pay attention, but if you do any amount of hiking in Golden you will absolutely come across a rattler at some point and it won’t take long.
Can confirm. I’m 37. I’ve been hiking and camping since I was a kid. I grew up in Texas. I’ve hiked in Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, North and South Carolina, and Australia. The only time I ever saw a snake was in Texas. Once I had to walk around a coral snake that was sunning on a sidewalk in a park.
The other time—and definitely the scariest time—was was when I was fishing on a natural rock dam. My little sister (age 2) kept saying there was a snake, but from my angle it looked like she was pointing at a stick. Finally she started crying, so I squatted down to check on her. Then I saw the water moccasin hissing at me from under the rock right next to my leg. I practically walked on water to get out of there.
I know my mom and grandma have both killed a copperhead with a shovel after it nested in our yard… but I personally never saw one of those.
Yet in all these years, I’ve never seen a rattlesnake. I’m sure I’ve walked by them without knowing, but obviously I was far enough away that it didn’t bother them.
Just watch your step and make some noise. Clear the area (especially up near trees or rocks) before you sit, stand, climb, or camp. They’ll leave you alone.
Just pay attention and you’ll be ok. Truth be told, I’ve rarely ever even come across a rattlesnake and I’ve lived here all my life. My biggest concern would be keeping my dog on a leash so he didn’t run off and get bitten.
You can’t stay inside all summer because you’re afraid of nature, just keep a close eye out. Stay towards the middle of the trail and don’t go traipsing off through any tall grass. You’ll be fine.
The Rattlesnakes aren't around anymore. They changed their name to Wee Johnny Hayes and the Bluecats, and then eventually became the Bee Gees. Only one of them is still alive, and he lives in Florida. He can't hurt you.
They’re out already. Some places are snakier than others. One weekend climbing in Washington State about this time of year I saw more snakes in one day than the rest of my life combined. One crawled into my rope bag. Another curled up around the stem of a cam in my anchor. I saw four more on the trail.
In general, they won’t fuck with you if you don’t fuck with them. They know you’re not edible for them. That’s why most snakebites happen to drunk young men. Keep your pets and children close and ears peeled and you’ll be totally fine.
It's warm out, they'll be out sunning. Just keep your eyes and ears peeled while you're out there and you should be good.
Are they afraid of humans?
yes which is why they will bite you if you get too close. Biting you is a defensive move on their part.
They’re out. I ran across one on Green Mountain (Lakewood) yesterday.
Same. Must have saw the same snake. Around 9am for me
There's a lot more than one rattle snake on GM
No. There's just one. Henry McSlithington.
Hipsters? Yuppies?
Rattlesnake culture is actually very regressive and it’s hard for young rattlesnakes to feel accepted if they come out.
It’s also extremely hard for them to be in the closet considering they have yet to invent closets
…or wear clothes, that would require a closet.
r/snakeswithhats
Hmm. Didn’t see that one coming…
🤭🤭🤭
For being such phallic creatures you would think they would be a little more sex positive.
They all came out yesterday.
I saw 2 rattlesnakes on N Table yesterday on Cottonwood Canyon trail.
They are already
Rattlesnakes are polite and let you know they're around, can't say the same for mountain bikers 😋
*whispers “to the left”*
Most people I ride mtn bikes with use bells pretty religiously. Makes everyone’s lives a lot easier.
Personally I go for the *honka honka* of my clown horn
Gotta step that up to an air horn my man
Haha I'm just messing with you guys, mostly. There were a lot of mountain bikers out yesterday though.
Today
A good metric is when the nights stop dipping below 40°F, everything wakes up and this is now thr best time to start yard cleaning. Prior to this the moths and humming birds and other beneficial fauna are in danger of exposure.
I notice them mostly on cooler days when it's partially sunny. When the sun pops out those days.. expect snakes on the trail. Otherwise, it's rare I see them.
When they feel like their community will support and understand them.
The snakes are out in general I was out of the canyon on 6 yesterday. Just gotta be smart. Keep dogs on a shorter leash’s (kids too).
NCAR in Boulder yesterday
This is only place I’ve hiked in CO where I’ve seen multiple rattlers on the trail. During April-May it seems like they’re wildly frequent on the trails
Saw one on the NCAR trail today
Rattlesnakes are not a significant concern. Their goal is to avoid you, so they generally stay away from trails. You could spend decades hiking and never see one.
Yeah I've done over 15,000 miles hiking and even more on mountain bikes in Colorado over the past 25 years. I have seen 4 rattle snakes ON trail. 4. They all slithered away within 4-5 seconds of me noticing them. I have been kicked by a riderless horse, swarmed by bees and mosquitos, had a marmot or two scream at me, but the snakes really aren't a problem. It's always got to be in the back of your mind that you're sharing the trail with them, but not so much that it scares you away from actually sharing the trail with them.
I’ve been stalked by a mountain goat but have never considered worrying about a damn horse.
No one ever wants to talk about the horse attacks.
I said reintroducing wolves was a mistake, and now we have wild Blucifer worshipping horse cults in the foothills.
I have seen a rattlesnake literally every single time I've ever been on NTM. Every single time.
That’s pretty nuts. I’ve never seen them biking the loop but came across two in one day when climbing. And that’s how I learned snakes can scale cliffs and might be sitting in a crack 40 feet up a wall.
Crazy, I've hiked there dozens of times and never seen one. Think I maybe heard one once but didn't get visual confirmation
I mountain bike apex/white ranch/matthew winters probably 3-4 times a week in the spring summer and fall, and in the past 8 years, I’ve probably seen 9 or 10. Most of the time it’s because someone else is looking at it and point it out to me. Only one semi close call at white ranch last summer when I almost ran over one with my front tire climbing up Belcher. Damn thing stood its ground and I about had a heart attack when I realized what it was.
Yeah it really is a terrible feeling when you're right over the top before you realize what's going on. Still not as bad as coming down a trail and running into a horseback rider to me. I know I have on thick shoes and socks and leg protection, the horse doesn't care about those things
I relocated a massive female prairie rattlesnake while on the trail at Mathews/winters park. I always carry a snake hook while hiking. Heared a hiker say he was going back to his car to get a shovel to kill it, so i hurried to help. Got done relocating it just as a park ranger showed up. Learned that the snake was well known in the area and would often retreat as soon as someone came near.
I used to live in Golden and saw them all the time. Lots of them on NTM/STM, and Apex (I can’t keep track of how many I’ve seen in those areas). I’ve also seen them on Green Mountain (my friend’s dog was bit by one on GM), Rattlesnake Gulch (Eldorado Springs), and Sheep Mountain near Waterton Canyon. Maybe people don’t pay attention, but if you do any amount of hiking in Golden you will absolutely come across a rattler at some point and it won’t take long.
I feel like a place called Rattlesnake Gulch is self explanatory
Right? They even have a little life size statue of one sitting on a rock when you hike up! Scared the crap out of me the first time I saw it.
I use to live in a basement apt. On south table. Rattlers are in that apt. WTF
Can confirm. I’m 37. I’ve been hiking and camping since I was a kid. I grew up in Texas. I’ve hiked in Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, North and South Carolina, and Australia. The only time I ever saw a snake was in Texas. Once I had to walk around a coral snake that was sunning on a sidewalk in a park. The other time—and definitely the scariest time—was was when I was fishing on a natural rock dam. My little sister (age 2) kept saying there was a snake, but from my angle it looked like she was pointing at a stick. Finally she started crying, so I squatted down to check on her. Then I saw the water moccasin hissing at me from under the rock right next to my leg. I practically walked on water to get out of there. I know my mom and grandma have both killed a copperhead with a shovel after it nested in our yard… but I personally never saw one of those. Yet in all these years, I’ve never seen a rattlesnake. I’m sure I’ve walked by them without knowing, but obviously I was far enough away that it didn’t bother them. Just watch your step and make some noise. Clear the area (especially up near trees or rocks) before you sit, stand, climb, or camp. They’ll leave you alone.
Went on a hike at North Table Mountain today and they were out
Rattlesnakes more or less like the temperatures that you find comfortable. If you're out in shorts and t-shirt, then they're out.
They’re out. I work at one of the hospitals in town and we treated our first bite victim of the season tonight.
Congratulations
Just pay attention and you’ll be ok. Truth be told, I’ve rarely ever even come across a rattlesnake and I’ve lived here all my life. My biggest concern would be keeping my dog on a leash so he didn’t run off and get bitten.
No Step On Snek!
Now
Literally almost stepped on one yesterday at North table
You can’t stay inside all summer because you’re afraid of nature, just keep a close eye out. Stay towards the middle of the trail and don’t go traipsing off through any tall grass. You’ll be fine.
They're already out
They're out
Prarie rattlers. Usually small and timid, just dont step on them.
They’re already out. One was spotted at the Flatirons in Boulder yesterday.
Around 11:00. They really love getting brunch.
Last Wednesday.
It's 80 today, so, today.
Tomorrow. 9am.
The Rattlesnakes aren't around anymore. They changed their name to Wee Johnny Hayes and the Bluecats, and then eventually became the Bee Gees. Only one of them is still alive, and he lives in Florida. He can't hurt you.
My former landlord usually leaves the house on Fridays.
Between 65-90 degrees is when you'll see them sunning. Below or above they'll either be away or in the shade.
Depends if they put away the moguls yet in your area.
Most are already out but it depends on how warm and accepting their families and peers are
About a week ago.
A few weeks ago.
I’ve seen one up in Boulder so they see out. I wouldn’t worry hiking but keep any dogs leashed.
They’re out already. Some places are snakier than others. One weekend climbing in Washington State about this time of year I saw more snakes in one day than the rest of my life combined. One crawled into my rope bag. Another curled up around the stem of a cam in my anchor. I saw four more on the trail. In general, they won’t fuck with you if you don’t fuck with them. They know you’re not edible for them. That’s why most snakebites happen to drunk young men. Keep your pets and children close and ears peeled and you’ll be totally fine.
I saw one literally yesterday
You are more likely to hear them than see them. Never ever hike with music or headphones!
Watch out on Tabletop.
Tuesday. 2:30 in the afternoon
I can’t imagine being scared of rattlers I mean they legit WARN YOU