[pct-l] Poison Oak/Ivy & Poodle-Dog Bush on the PCT

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good evening,

The first poison oak that I can remember on the PCT was about half-way down
Hauser Canyon where the path leaves the dirt road and switches back to the
west.

The next infestation was near Barrel Springs; in fact, there was a large
patch of the stuff in the shade about 15 feet away from the stock tank –
just where several hikers had flopped soon after their arrival.

As Ken mentioned, poison oak likes the moisture in little creek bottoms –
usually below 3,500 feet elevation.  As soon as I see the trail is going to
switch-back in the brush of a small drainage, I start looking.

One caution for everyone crossing poison oak habitat is dogs, and to a
lesser extent, horses.  Many hikers like to pet the friendly four-footed
critters, but they very often are covered with poison oak oil.  Dogs in
particular can’t seem to stay right in the middle of the trail, and they
are just the right height to brush their noses and sides against trail-side
poison oak.  It doesn’t seem to bother them a bit.  I try my best to step
aside for dogs, and fend them away with my hiking poles.  I never pet
horses, even if the rider says it’s OK.  Horses get their noses in the
poison oak when snatching bites along the trail, and many horses seek it to
eat.  They often will have poison oak oil all over their noses.

N. California seems to have quite a bit of poison oak mixed in with other
brush hanging over the trail.  There’s lots of it in the last miles of
trail approaching Seiad Valley, and then again along the first 2-3 miles in
the climb northbound from Seiad.  Walking down the section toward Seiad I
encountered a young couple day-hiking with two big, shaggy dogs.  I fended
off the dogs and mentioned to the couple to look out for poison oak because
I could see that they were walking right through it with their bare legs,
as were the dogs.  The guy told me they weren’t worried because there
wasn’t any poison oak around.

For those of you from the east who are not familiar with poison oak, just
look for poison ivy with a slightly different-shaped leaf; and there are
many variations of poison oak leaf shape -- much more variety than I’ve
seen on poison ivy.  The two plants are very similar and you’ll probably
learn quickly.  To avoid it, altitude is your best friend.

Steel-Eye

-Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye
http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09/

On Wed, Mar 13, 2013 at 6:48 PM, Lindsey Sommer <lgsommer at gmail.com> wrote:

> Oh boy, reminds me of growing up in Mendocino county on the north coast of
> CA. My friends and I ALWAYS had PO because it grows everywhere up there. I
> assume it's something to do with moist redwood forests that probably
> provide an ideal home :)
>
> Oddly I haven't had it since childhood and I think this is partially
> related to the fact that I'm VERY good at identifying it. I'm also slightly
> allergic, so being able to recognize it during different seasons is
> important (though, this is rough when there aren't any leaves). I'm sure
> there are going to be spots where it's unavoidable, but I suggest doing a
> good review of identifying it throughout the west?
>
> (This might be a myth that I've allowed myself to believe since childhood,
> but doesn't PO look slightly different depending on what type/region? This
> might be entirely untrue and if so I should probably look that up!).
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 13, 2013 at 9:26 PM, Ken Murray <kmurray at dr.com> wrote:
>
> > Melissa,
> >
> > I'm a volunteer wilderness ranger and trail crew leader, mainly in the
> > Sierra.... in fact, I'm going to spend a week working the PCT for the 7
> > miles north of the Kennedy Meadows Campground in just over a week.
> >
> > One reason I like working in the Sierra is the LACK of Poison Oak (we
> have
> > no Poison Ivy in the western states, only the east) up there above 4,000
> > feet. There is a lot on the west side of the range, in the lower regions.
> > the PCT pretty much doesn't go there. I saw my first poodle brush plant
> > last year 5 miles north of Kennedy meadows (I removed it). That's in 50+
> > years of backpacking up there.
> >
> > Poison oak also likes and prefers a lot of water. Very often, it is where
> > there is a stream crossing where you will see it at lower elevations. I
> > doubt if you'd encounter it in the desert, but semi-desert is prime
> > territory.
> >
> > I have used all the prevention products for my winter activities on the
> > westside, and they work to some degree, but are a hassle. If you wash
> with
> > soap ASAP after a known exposure, you may prevent the outbreak.
> >
> > Long clothing is a good idea, but of course, you are getting the oil on
> > your clothing, instead of your skin, and it is sitting there ready to get
> > you.
> >
> > You CAN wear different clothing at different stages of your hike, and
> > should think of doing so, just like some prefer different footwear.
> >
> > As for removing the oil, soap and water works well, also rubbing alcohol.
> >
> > Hope you feel well soon. The coast range is FILLED with PO!
> >
> > Ken Murray, MD
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>
> --
> Lindsey Sommer
> MLIS Candidate 2014 -- University of California, Los Angeles
> lgsommer at gmail.com
> M: (808) 298-1116
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