Route Editor
Route Scout
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DESTINATION Geronimo Trail - South Mountain 63 Photosets 2016-05-20 2016-01-23 2015-11-22 2014-07-27 2014-04-12 2014-03-16 2013-12-25 2013-12-24 2013-12-01 2013-11-21 2013-09-12 2013-04-08 2013-02-18 2012-12-29 2012-10-23 2012-09-17 2010-07-31 2009-10-20 2008-04-20 2006-11-05
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| HAZ Member outdoor_lover's 483 Photosets 2012-11-20 2012-11-17 2012-11-16 2012-11-13 2012-11-12 2012-11-10 2012-11-08 2012-11-05 2012-11-02 2012-10-28 2012-10-27 2012-10-23 2012-10-20 2012-10-20 2012-10-18 2012-10-11 2012-10-04 2012-10-04 2012-10-03 2012-10-02
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This was my first time on it and I really liked it. Got to National as the Sun was setting, so I was behind in where I wanted to be at this point. 
Went ahead and took a small break and then started hauling pumpkin on National. By the time I got to the Hidden Valley Junction, it was getting pretty dark, but I could still see the Trail, so I didn't pull my light out yet. I have never done National on this stretch before, so this little section between Hidden Valley and Mormon Trail was new to me.
I stopped dead in my tracks and tried to make out the location of the Snake in the dark. Luckily, it was a Black-Tail, so it contrasted with the Trail and I was able to pick him up pretty quick. He was right in the middle of the Trail!!! 
After thanking him for giving me a little bit of warning, I took a couple of pictures of him... 
The Trail here is downhill, and I was grateful for the Rattle, since I had still been moving at a fairly good clip. If he hadn't warned me, I'd run right into him!!! After taking a couple of pictures, I pulled my little Flashlight out of my pack. By the time I did that, the Snake had started to retreat into the bushes alongside the Trail. I turned my Light on and watched him disappear. I thanked him again for taking the initiative to get off the Trail on his own, rather than making me force him.... 
That's only my third Rattlesnake encounter this season, so as unnerving as it was initially, I really was glad to see another one. 
Somehow, I got my hands down and my wrists held, preventing me from going down completely, so I managed to escape the Road Rash. I really turned it good this time, I could feel quite a bit of stretch on my outer ankle. I was really gimping good when I started walking again. After about 1/4 mile the pain went away, although it still felt pretty weak. Made it the rest of the way down without any more incidents, about 5 minutes before the Ranger closed the gates.... 
