They can really move fast.

[mthorne]

Yesterday I was making my way down an unnamed canyon between Black Mesa and Yellow Peak in the Superstitions. As I was making my way down the canyon, I stepped onto a rock and just on the other side I ran into this guy:






It turned itself about at lightning speed, puffed out its belly, and spread its jaw wide - ready to bite. I was really surprised about how fast it could move. I was a bit startled to say the least. Anyway, it was pretty exciting to run into him.

Also, I saw a snake that I am not sure what it was. When I saw it, it was just starting to come out of its hole. When it saw me it drew back into its hole so I couldn't see how long it was. It looked to be a solid gray color. Judging from what I saw of it I would guess it was no longer than 2 feet long. It didn't have an angular head at all. The head was somewhat rounded near its nose. Also, where the head started seemed to just be a continuation of its body. i.e., a distinct head shape (like in rattlers) was not existent. Does anybody have any idea of what type of snake this was, or a good online dataset of pictures to help me try and identify it?
_________________
I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may - light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful.

-John Constable (1776 - 1837)

[Suz]

Dang, that thing is huge---like a monster!

Great pictures.

[mike]

They can be surprisingly fast. HIG & had a small one run right past us on the Ballantine Trail a couple of years ago. I didn't even have time to get a photo, it happened so fast.

I know the canyon you were in, as do a couple other folks on here. Did you hike all the way through?
_________________
[/size]

[mike]

Try this site to help identify the snake you saw: http://www.reptilesofaz.com/herp-snakes.html
_________________
[/size]

[Arizonaheat]

http://members.tripod.com/jrreptile/id89.htm

[Shihiyea]

I swear I was stalked by a gila monster once...they DO move fast! Mary

[Hikngrl]

Yeah, nice canyon huh!? I had a great time in there!
_________________
~~~Diane~~~

I want to shine!

[Nighthiker]

They can also climb a block wall. I was sent out to fetch one and found it half way up a block wall. Cool sighting.

[mthorne]

Thanks for the great snake webpages. Unfortunately just based on the head shape I have not yet been able to definatively identify the type of snake, but the closest thing I have seen thus far looks like it may have possibly been a coachwhip.

So, I didn't quite make it all of the way down that canyon. There is a point just before that canyon empties into Boulder Canyon where I left the wash and climbed up on top of Peak 2563. I then dropped back down into Second Water Canyon. There is an old mine pretty close to where 2nd Water Canyon comes up to the 2nd Water Trail. An old hand cart is there and there was a rock near the mine that had '? No. 1' hand painted in white paint on it. In Helen Corbin's book with Kollenborn's map it appears that he has this mine marked, but the name is partially cut off in the upper left hand corner. Does anyone know what the name is?
_________________
I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may - light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful.

-John Constable (1776 - 1837)

[mthorne]

By the way, the image conjured up of being stalked by a gila monster is pretty amusing. Especially, considering the somewhat awkward way that they lift their legs.
_________________
I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may - light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful.

-John Constable (1776 - 1837)