Bay Nature Hike: Glen Ellen Snake Searching
Description
Join Bay Nature and Herpetologist Mike Rochford for a snake hike in Glen Ellen on Saturday, March 7 from 10am - 1pm. Hike along paved and unpaved trails with short jaunts through annual grassland in a valley between wine country's rolling hills and join trained herpetologist Mike Rochford for a search for snakes in targeted areas where they are known to frequent. With luck, we'll observe snakes such as Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes (from a distance), California Kingsnakes, Gopher Snakes, and Ringneck Snakes. We will likely see a variety of other reptile and amphibian species as well. This event is inspired by this piece by Anton Sorokin, about how to find snakes in the SF Bay Area. Tickets are free for Bay Nature Members. *Snakes will only be handled by trained professionals, please do not pick up snakes on your own.*
Meet Your Hike Leaders:
Mike Rochford is a herpetologist that studied Burmese Pythons, American Alligators, and American Crocodiles for over a decade at the University of Florida and has worked with San Francisco Gartersnakes and Giant Gartersnakes in California. He also seeks snakes as a hobby any chance he gets.
Meet up Location: We will meet up near where we park along Harney, just before the intersection between Harney and Railroad: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WRcfNgVAMfQ6Ft7c. Navigate to the Sonoma Ecology Center at 15000 Arnold Dr, Eldridge, CA 95431, but rather than turning onto Arnold Drive, stay on Harney until you reach the Harney x Railroad intersection and find street parking nearby. We will meet up at the intersection of Harney and Railroad.
Length and difficulty: 1.5 - 2 miles
Parking: Plan to street park along Harney, just before the intersection between Harney and Railroad: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WRcfNgVAMfQ6Ft7c6
Weather Note: This event is rain or shine, unless there are unsafe travel / driving conditions.
Access to restrooms and water: There are no bathrooms or water at this location, so please plan to use the restroom prior to arriving and bing plenty of water.
Other notes:
- Water bottle
- Long pants with tall socks and close-toed shoes.
- Binoculars / cameras if you'd like
- Warm and windproof layers (a vest, a beanie, gloves, etc.)
- Snacks
- Sun protection
- Hiking poles to assist with balance if needed
- Comfortable walking / hiking shoes
No dogs are allowed on Bay Nature hikes. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entirety of the hike. Snakes will only be handled by trained professionals, please do not pick up snakes on your own.
Pacific gopher snake © kendalloei, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) via iNaturalist