WARNING!
BUGS: Much conflicting information about Lyme's disease has been distributed recently, and as of this writing some experts are claiming that hikers don't have quite as much to fear from ticks as originally thought. A potentially debilitating bacterial infection, Lyme's disease is indeed spread by tick bites--but according to the latest word, it takes hours for the tick to infect its host. And Lyme-infected ticks are much more likely to be encountered on the East Coast.
In addition to wearing long pants (which you're supposed to tuck into your boots), hikers are advised to check each other for ticks periodically and to visit a doctor if any inflammations, rashes, or unexplained fevers develop.
Scorpions have a painful sting, but the venom isn't that bad in California. Black widow spiders and violin spiders can produce a bad bite with serious medical consequences. They're shy and rare, fortunately. Black widows like dark, out-of-the-way places. Watch where you put your hands when you're gathering firewood.Tarantulas are shy and seldom bite. If they do, it's typically no worse than a bee sting. If you encounter any, please refrain from squishing them.
SNAKES: Rattlesnakes are the only poisonous reptiles in this region, but you aren't likely to see one. Inland hikers and backpackers encounter them more than anybody else, though they have been known to frequent dry driftwood piles and rocky washes along the coast. Adults usually survive bites, but the venom can be fatal for children and pets. Call 911, or seek immediate medical help, if anyone is bitten. Please don't kill our snakes. They help to keep the natural world in balance.
PLANTS: As for poison oak, the old adage "leaves of three, let them be" won't protect you in the late fall and winter when these lovely tri-leaved shrubs of Rhus diversiloba (usually shiny green with reddish stems) lose their foliage. Highly allergic people are susceptible to irritations from even the bare twigs, but there's no telling if you're one of them without breaking out. Over-the-counter cortisone preparations usually take care of the rash, but severe attacks warrant medical attention.
Don't gather and eat mushrooms unless you are an expert at identifying mushrooms. Need we say more?
ON THE BEACH: Winds and quirky wave patterns can produce rogue combers that are bigger and more powerful than the rest of the gang. These "sleeper waves" (frequently called "sneaker waves") can sweep up on shore suddenly or dash hard against the rocks, dragging fishermen and beachcombers to their deaths.
It's not a good idea to climb out onto the boulders and rock shelves to fish or examine tide pools, unless there's no chance a wave can get at you. Keep a constant eye on the surf, even where things look safe.
Another beach hazard is the incoming tide, which can trap coastal explorers in narrow coves or leave them dangling from the cliffs above an inundated beach.
Paddling or wading is out, too, unless you're at a bona fide swimming beach, preferably with a lifeguard on duty. The surf is generally safer on southern California beaches.
IN THE MOUNTAINS: The weather up here can turn nasty fast. Without proper attention to forecasts, hikers and backpackers can find themselves trapped in a bad snowstorm, even during the warm months. Carry a compass, keep your bearings, mark your trail if you're hiking off-trail--and tell somebody when you're leaving and when you plan to return. Click here for info on mountain lions.
If you climb to the top of a waterfall, it's wise to stay out of the water. People are always wading in for a closer look, slipping on moss, and hurtling over the edge.
Eeeeeyahhhhh!
