If you develop an itch where you wouldn't scratch in public, check it out. My clothes go into the wash when I get home and I shower right away. ![]() When you get out of the lakes area, check yourself for ticks. Unfortunately beer cans, bottles and packages from fishing gear litter the riparian zone. I simply didn’t move, except for the palpable increase in heart-rate, and he crawled off. I looked down to see a rattlesnake crawl across my boot. I was fishing one day when it was much warmer than this and standing on the wet mat of cattails and mud at the water’s edge. For this reason, it is very wise to carry a good flashlight if you might get caught walking in the dark. There are a few exceptions to these temperature guidelines if the night air is chilly but the rocks and sand have retained the day’s heat, be careful. ![]() I find far fewer snakes when wearing boots.and that's just fine. Snakes and lizards are most commonly encountered when air temperatures are in the 65 to 75 degree range and if wearing tennis shoes. Snakes and lizards are commonly seen during a relatively narrow temperature band if you are comfortable wearing a tee shirt and shorts, watch for snakes and lizards. Snakes, lizards and occasionally scorpions can be found in this area. Leave the earbuds and music at home, minimize talking while walking and listen for meadowlarks on the tallest sagebrush, red-winged blackbirds on the cattails along the lakes and crows, magpies, ring-necked pheasants in the distance, and everybody’s favorite hiking and camping encounter, rattlesnakes. The dry grass ignites easily and burns very hot and quickly so fires are prohibited in this area much of the year, If you are lucky and get a spring rain, there is nothing more refreshing than the smell of wet sage and the desert flowers can be quite beautiful especially if the spring has been damp. I also wear light weight-light colored long-sleeved shirts to minimize scratches and sunburn and to make ticks more visible. ![]() I wear 8” lace up boots with slick, long pants to minimize seed “collection”. Once mahogany colored, it has hard seeds that burrow into shoes, socks, pants, and the dog’s ears, feet and fur. We frequently get a little rain about the last week in May, and shortly thereafter, the invasive cheat grass turns from green to mahogany colored. The desert is most beautiful while still green and flowers are in bloom, which is why I choose the June 10th date. In my opinion, the Quincy Lakes Area is most enjoyable on warm spring days generally before June tenth and again in the winter with snow on the ground. I have hiked the entire Quincy Lakes Wildlife Area countless times over the past 35+ years.
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