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Today I was in Usery Mountain Regional Park, where there were a lot of people out. Some young kids, a lot of elderly on the Pass Mountain Trail. While on the trail I came upon a young rattlesnake, that was well concealed but right on the edge of the trail, hiding coiled up under a bush. I couldn't see him until I was only a couple of feet from him. About 100 yards back or so, there were about 7 adults riding their horses, and I waited for them to warn them about the snake before I took off. But later I started to think, "Was that a bad decision?"

I have seen snakes out in the Superstitions and other places, on trails that are used but not heavily used, and used by a lot of hikers who are less experienced or careful. In those situations I have just left the rattlers alone and not thought any more of it. But in an area like this, would you try to run off the snake so that he's not hiding out right next to the trail? If so, how would you safely do it?

Here he is, BTW: http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=86745

I would for sure try to get it away from the trail. There could be kids, senior citizens, and regular adults walking by hours later that i can not tell. Also there always is the crazy moron who would mess with it or try to kill or injure it. Like one time in Tucson I came across a bull snake that had been beat to death with some kind of club because it was on a trail that a drunk guy saw.

Whether I coach the snake off the trail or not depends on whether I think the snake is in danger. I've helped rattlers off roads and busy trails a few times. I've also left some undisturbed on trails deep in the Supes during summer hikes when I did not expect anyone else to pass by. I don't know if my efforts actually help the snakes since I didn't wait around to see if they'd come back onto the road after I left.

Somehow I'm always running into snakes on the trail especially during the summer months. I've even seen them on trails in Utah when it's not their season. I have a very good friend who is Navajo and I've been to their home in the Monument Valley area several times in the past few years. Ama' san hi (Grandmother) has told me that my totem is the snake which is a symbol of eternity, healing, wisdom and initiation of new ways and that I fear these above all else.