`PCT 2026 DAY 12 – CA Section B – First rattlesnake encounter

Wednesday, April 8th, 2026

A lot of western towns had their initials carved into the sides of nearby hills and mountains. Before GPS and maps, this allowed people to find the small towns scattered across the wilderness.

Warner Springs ha a big, metal”W” on a water tank.

After a brief stop at the Warner Springs Community Center for some fresh water, I headed north onto PCT California Section B.

These rocks look like they were deliberately put on the trail, but I have no idea what they were supposed to be.

These small lizards (the one below is a Western Fence Lizard) were very plentiful along the trail. There were a lot of different kinds, but they were harmless. But sometimes their rush to get off the trail in front of you sounded like a snake or the tip of their tail looked like the back of a snake. It did tend to make you pause and look around.

Mile 118.5

I heard the rattle first. Looked down at the trail and didn’t see anything. Then I heard a hiss to my right.

Saw the snake about a foot off the trail. Saw the rattle. Saw it hissing at me with its beady little eyes.

I was too close to back up, so I skirted the trail and got past the snake as quick as I could. After putting enough safe distance beyond the snake, I looked back and took some pictures. (Of course 😄)

Don’t believe me? My iNaturist app confirmed it was a rattlesnake.

More details to follow when I have found my missing wits. 😀

The rest of the day was uneventful climb along many meadows and ridge lines.

After I found a campsite, I got my first view of my next biggest obstacle:

Mount San Jacinto Peak

At 10,813 feet high, it’s not even close to the highest mountains in California or elsewhere that I’ve climbed. But it is the highest point in this part of the PCT and is one of the milestones that PCT hikers look forward to in Southern California.