Good hint about the water, DT. Fortunately, this rattler was much more scared than aggressive. The snake struck at, (but didn't hit), the rider who was stopped when my husband encountered him. After that, the snake remained coiled and kept rattling but didn't even strike at the rocks or sticks tossed near him. He didn't start striking again until a couple of riders used their bikes to get him off the trail. We would have left the snake alone if not for the concern that unsuspecting hikers/runners could stumble upon him and get bitten. Unsuspecting cyclists would probably have been safer as a snake is more likely to strike at the bike than a body part. Hikers/runners may not have been so lucky.

Next time, (if there IS a next time), I'll get my water bottle out right away just in case.