Female Hiker Bitten By Rattlesnake On Santa Rosa Plateau Near Murrieta

MURRIETA, CA — A female hiker was reportedly bitten by a rattlesnake Monday morning on the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, just west of Murrieta city limits.

Just before 10:30 a.m., Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department received a call about a hiker who was on the reserve's Hidden Valley Trail with a rattlesnake bite.

When crews reached the injured woman, they found that she had a snake bite on one of her legs, but the reptile was gone, so officials could not confirm the species, said Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokesperson Tawny Castro.

The woman was airlifted via helicopter and sent to an area hospital in stable condition, Castro said.

Rattlers are Southern California's only venomous snakes, and due to warmer spring weather, they are currently out and about. The snakes are common across the region but are timid creatures that usually won't strike unless startled.

To avoid rattlesnake bites when out hiking, wildlife officials advise sticking to trails and avoiding tall grass and heavy underbrush where snakes might shelter. Do not step over large rocks or logs (you don't know what is slithering on the other side or underneath). It's also recommended that hikers wear long pants and sturdy shoes.