By C. H. Eldridge
“Timber Rattlesnake on the Tongue Mtn. Trail”
Bolton, Warren County
Adirondack Park, Northern New York, USA
©Jeff Tabor
Yes, there are Rattlesnakes in the Adirondacks, and not just around Lake George! I remember reading a story years ago, about a guy being bitten in the hand, while climbing up a rock ledge, along the Boquet River. In all my 50+ years of being in the Adirondack backcountry, I’ve only come across a rattlesnake once! Here’s my story…
Around 30 years ago, a friend and I decided to go Brook Trout fishing, along this beautiful brook, that I had come across previously, back in the early 90’s. It flowed from a beaver pond, up in the mtns., on the East side of Lake George, and emptied into the southern most tip of Lake Champlain, called South Bay. The land, where we went that day, was owned by a family from Connecticut. I had asked permission to fish there, and they were kind enough to let me.
Now to date, this is the most beautiful stretch of brook, that I have come across in my travels! Cascading over some of the oldest rock on Earth, this gorgeous body of water offered multiple waterfalls, between 5 and 20ft. high, with nice deep pools and great Brook Trout fishing! I can’t even begin to put into words how special of a place this is, and how blessed I am to have experienced it! Definitely an Adirondack hidden gem, and I’d love to get back in there again sometime, with my camera!
Anyhow, back to the snake story! My friend Jason and I, had been hiking and fishing along the brook for a couple of hours. It was shaded all the way down, with a thick canopy of mainly Hemlock trees, with some deciduous scattered about. After the last waterfall, it began to open up. I saw something long and orange-looking in the water.
When I got a bit closer, I realized that it was an Eel! The water, at that point, was clear and running swiftly and I found it quite strange seeing and Eel in it! At this point, I didn’t realize where this brook was taking us. The water started to slow, deepen and began to turn a bit cloudy. It was at that point, that I caught a small perch! I chuckled to Jason, as I showed him what was hanging from the end of my line.
As we hiked along, we could see that this one time brook was now beginning to meander through a huge grove of old Maples. At the time, I referred to them as Swamp Maples, because the area we found ourselves in, was becoming very saturated and swamp-like. We kept on with our adventure, curious as to where this waterway was taking us.
Coming out of the grove, it started to dry up along the bank. We could look above us and see a mountain, that had a huge precipice. Through research, I had later learned, that it was called The Diameter. With the sky now open and the Sun shining down on us, it was around this point when we came across a large area of brush. We scanned the area and decided we had to walk up a 5-6 ft. bank, to get around the pile of brush, so we could continue on with our fishing adventure. This would be as far as we would get…
Jason went up the bank first, stepping on this large boulder, that was half embedded into the bank, making his way up with no problem. Then I started up behind him, with my pole in one hand and my tackle box in the other. Now, I weighed a considerable amount more that he did, so when I put my weight on the embedded boulder, it came loose from the bank and I went belly down and face first!
Very shaken, but not injured, I stood up, and that’s when I heard a strange sound, that I had never heard in the woods before. I quickly realized that it was a Rattlesnake! I turned around, and where my legs had just been laying, when I fell, was a thick, dark, mean-lookin’ Timber Rattler, coiled up and ready to strike!! With it only being about 2 ft. from me at that point, it could have easily bitten me! Without hesitation, I leaned my body away from the snake and quickly dragged my leg out of harms way!
“Rattlesnake Country”
Fort Ann, Washington County
Adirondack Park, Northern New York, USA
© Steve Sawn
Now, at this point, I think you have a fairly good idea, as to how I was feeling. I can’t say that the thought of killing it didn’t cross my mind, but knowing that they are protected, and seeing it there all coiled up as frightened of me as I was of it, and that it didn’t bite me, that I know of, I left it well enough alone, and respectfully admired it from a safe distance!
After a few minutes of watching this awesome predator, it finally uncoiled and slithered into that same brush pile, that we were attempting to negotiate ourselves around; still rattling as it disappeared. I looked at Jason, and knowing by his reaction to this unexpected event, what his answer was already going to be, I asked him if he wanted to keep fishing? He quickly answered NO WAY! I said alrighty, let’s head back.
“Timber Rattler Slithers across Tongue Mtn. Rock”
Bolton, Warren County
Adirondack Park, Northern New York, USA
© Scott Merrill
After dealing with that somewhat traumatic episode, and knowing where there is one there could be more, a person can tend to be a little on the paranoid side… It was pretty mentally challenging, for the first half mile or so! Continuously looking on the ground, where you were going to step, around every rock and under every log! Believe it or not, Jason was more freaked out about what had happened than I was. He was ultra paranoid!
We were both relieved, to finally get back to my truck! As we were heading home, I thought about how lucky I actually was! If that snake had bitten me, I don’t know if I would’ve made it to the hospital, or even back to my truck for that matter! The hike back was about an hour of strenuous uphill climbing, and my heart would have been beating at its maximum rate; pumping that venom swiftly throughout my body. I told Jason that it might have bitten my boot, when I fell on it. I’m just glad it didn’t get my skin, or I might not be here writing this story for all of you…
So yes, there are Rattlesnakes here in the ALPL! The beautiful Adirondack scenery can distract, from what lies below. Sometimes it’s a stick, log or rock, that trips you up, but that one time it just might be a Timber Rattler! Always be aware of your surroundings, the best you can, but don’t allow it to ruin your adventure. Remember, you’re the visitor. Respect those that live where you’re walking through. Whether it’s a Red Eft, a mushroom or a snake. Accidents will always happen, but they can be minimized, with a little more observation of one’s surroundings…
Above and Below are a few images of Timber Rattlesnakes, here in the Southeastern Adirondacks, captured and shared by members of our ADK Low Peaks and Lands Facebook group. Notice the color variations in the same species. From light, to a darker brown and even black.
© Scott Merrill
© Andy Mironchuk
© Scott Merrill
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