[pct-l] Poison Oak

[Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com]

Patti's right, poison oak isn't a big worry on the PCT. Most of it is  
completely avoidable. And a huge amount of what people think is  
poison oak is just squaw bush, which looks very similar.

I have some pictures of poison oak in case you want to try and  
memorize what it looks like:
http://www.santabarbarahikes.com/gorp/poisonoak/

I really should take pictures of squaw bush, but I found a picture  
online. Of the 3 leaves in the picture, squaw bush is on the left.  
The main way to tell the difference between it and poison oak is the  
top leaflet isn't on a stem like poison oak.
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ww0802.htm#taxonomy

I've also noticed that squaw bush leaves are a little smaller usually  
and the size and shape of the lobes is more consistent than poison  
oak. Poison oak is an inconsistent shape-shifter, tiny stiff leaves  
on this plant, big soft ones on that plant, a vine over here, a shrub  
over there, in the sun on that mountain, in the shade in that canyon,  
maroon when it's new, green when it's spring, red in late summer and  
fall, no leaves in winter but it'll still get you.

After a while, you can actually get really good at identifying poison  
oak on the trail. But in case you aren't good at it, it's best to  
avoid brushing against anything whenever you drop into the elevations  
that support oak trees. The main places I saw poison oak were near  
the first of the Feather Rivers, on the drop into Belden, and a  
little bit in Section O. I can't remember if there was any on the  
descent into Sierra City, but there might have been. Just go on the  
alert when you see oaks.

If you do brush against it, wash the area immediately with water.  
That'll help better than doing nothing or waiting a while.

If you do get it, remember: It's just a rash. It's nothing to really  
worry that much about. I've gotten poison oak a million times,  
sometimes bad enough for steroids to be prescribed. It's really not  
much more than a nuisance.


On Feb 18, 2010, at 11:36 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> I'm pretty positive u won't have to worry about it in most  
> areas...the only time I even heard word about it last year was in  
> Belden...there was a all weekend rave and well some of the peeps  
> got a little out of hand in the libation department and rolled  
> around in it on accident...man he was a mess....but yeh other than  
> that...never even saw it!
>
> patti?Sugar Moma PCT 09!
> www.hikestrong2010.com?hiking again in 2010 for cancer!?
>
> --- On Wed, 2/17/10, Justin Smith <justinsmith91 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> From: Justin Smith <justinsmith91 at hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Poison Oak
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 12:30 PM
>
>
> If I hear the word poison oak it seems like I get it.? I am going  
> to be carrying a small tube of Zanfel.? It is pretty magical.?  
> Quite costly for a 1oz tube (found it at Costco for 26$) but really  
> does zap-it pretty quick.? Hope this helps best of luck staying clear.
>
> Inspiring Children to Explore the Outdoors
> www.inspireout.com