July 19, 2004

I hiked from Greenwood Lake, New York to Arden, NY, today, over steep and slippery terrain.  Six miles of the A.T. pass through the northern part of a 20,000 acre tract, called Sterling Forest.  As I climbed Mombasha High Point I was excited.  On a clear day, one can see the New York City skyline.  It wasn't a clear day, but I did hike past three copperhead snakes within five feet of each other.

Bear and I were planning to have lunch at this point, but pressed onward to a less threatening site.  At Buchanan Mountain, Bear was waiting for me.  Thank God!  The rattlesnake basking in the sun was HUGE and in the middle of the trail.  Damn!  I hiked to the far right way off the trail to get past the well-fed snake.  Bear then asked me if I wanted a picture so I handed him my picture phone so that I could share the snake with family and friends.  I also reminded Bear that getting a picture wasn't worth his life.  Bear gently moved towards the rattlesnake with my cell phone in one hand and one of my trekking poles in another. He held out his long arm and stretched to point the phone's camera eye in the direction of the snake.  He took a deep breath before pressing the camera button.  As he did the phone rang and vibrated!  Bear was sure that he was under attack and his heart raced with fear.  So did mine. 

Bear eventually caught his breath again and we both laughed at the timing of my cell phone letting me know that I had a message.  Wow, four snakes in one day!  Apparently, snake dens exist in this area because snakes are protected here.  Although dangerous, snakes do eat rodents which is why they are protected.  OK...as long as they don't eat me!