An Adult Great Basin Gopher Snake on the Pacific Crest Trail
By Gloria Siess
A Refreshing Surprise!
While Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail at Cushenberry (Big Bear, California) my partner and I encountered an adult Great Basin Gopher Snake. It appeared to measure nearly 4' in length, with an impressive thick body. Like all snakes of this species, it went into an orchestra of sound effects to frighten us away. It huffed and puffed and nearly blew the trail down with its theatrics. This is a harmless, non-toxic reptile, with a gorgeous pattern and coloration as pictured.