[Markus]

Okay, was going to do the Ancient Lakes thing with a buddy... but he's (not me... nope, not this guy... not I... wouldn't be talkin' about me here) heard tales of the snakes coming out down there. So can someone tell me if it's either too early for many snakes to be out... or do I just have to lie to him and tell him that it's too early for many snakes to be out? Any help appreciated.

[touron]

I was there a little over a week ago. It was a hot day. I didn't see any snakes, and have never seen one in the 4 times I've been there, but I've never been there in the summer. The water in the falls was about half what it was a few weeks ago. I think the best time to visit them is mid-March to first week in May so you see more water in the falls and the area is greener. A friend has a picture of a rattler right at the beginning of the trail. Check it out, it's a great place.

[dicey]

It is too early for snakes!! really!!

[Quark]

#1 safety in hiking: Do not lie to your freind about conditions. If you do, he won't be looking out for them. It is not too early for snakes. I haven't been to Ancient Lakes this year, and can't say for sure, but they could certainly be out now, since it has been so warm.

[frankm3]

I was there a few weekends ago. Someone else who I ran across while camped there had a rattlesnake encounter that very weekend; that was the beginning of April, so it would be safe to say they are out now in my opinion. Here is the report from that trip- https://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4867

[Alan Bauer]

Snakes absolutely are active now in any region of the Columbia Basin. I actually wonder if they are less likely to be seen further into spring now than right when they come out and are in the "scatter and spread out" stage preparing for the hot season ahead. I've seen 6-7 rattlesnakes in the past three years. EVERY one was between April 21-May 3. None in June...(well, OK...I heard a few up Hardy Canyon on June 17th 2 years ago...). But you need to assume they are out. You also need to assume you have a FAR better chance of never seeing one than having the opportunity to see one. Not scrambling around or beating around in tall grass and brush reduces the chances another 80%. But the biggest reason to not beat in the brush and tall grass is to avoid ticks, if you ask me, not snakes.

[Quark]

Yeah, a freind of mine spent a day at Whiskey Dick last weekend, and all 3 members of their party had several ticks crawling around in their hair. They pulled over to scritch around each other's heads, like monkeys, and noticed the whole right side of the Jeep was loaded with them. The right side is where all the sagebrush was bashing into the open windows. They had to empty the rig and shake out all thier stuff, and still - at Sunset Cafe in Cle Elum, ticks were shaking off their bodies onto the table. Bob found several ticks in the bathtub after he took a shower once he got home, and one crawling on the wall in his house. So Seattle now has ticks. Imported ticks!

[frankm3]

Oh great; go ahead Quark.....encite the next NWH panic

[Quark]

No reason for alarm, they are just annoying creepy-crawlies, and a little embarrasing, if you don't catch 'em before they engorge themselves with your blood. You leave work in the morning, no problem. Later that day, you have engorged ticks hanging off your forehead and neck. That's the main problem with ticks.

[anon23bf]

Lyme disease carried by ticks might be a problem, though I haven't heard much about it here. It's most prevalent on the east coast, where I used to live and where it was a big public-health issue. Apparently there's some risk in western and central WA as well.

[Newt]

The whole area of E. WA, ID and MT are just crawing with ticks and rattlers. Best stay home this year. Really, don't leave the house. Don't even send your worst friend out to take photos. Newt

[kleet]

Newt, you have done us all a great public service with your sage advice! And FOR GOSH SAKE, don't venture out alone!

[touron]

Well, supposin' it's too late and you already have a tick. How do you be a gracious host?

[Alan Bauer]

[touron]

That does it. Me and the Nordic Princess, or rather the Nordic Princess and I, are going hiking there come high priced Shell or high water.