Avoid Poison Oak, The Bane Of Sierra Nevada Trekkers

Hikers in Yosemite’s lower and middle elevations should be aware of the presence of poison oak, a native shrub that can cause contact dermatitis. It certainly shouldn’t keep you from enjoying the park’s wilds firsthand, however. With a little awareness, you can usually avoid poison oak—and appreciate its considerable beauty from a safe distance. Poison Oak Basics Poison oak is widely distributed in California, mostly between sea level and 5,000 feet. That means it’s absent from Yosemite’s high country, but scattered in chaparral, grasslands, and lower woodlands. Hetch Hetchy Valley, Yosemite’s lowest, driest country, is one area you should be particularly on guard—but be watchful wherever you go outside subalpine and alpine realms. Poison oak’s leaflets typically come in threes and have broadly lobed edges—roughly resembling oak-tree foliage. They’re rich green in summer and vibrant crimson in autumn. The plant is variable in growth habit, often growing as an erect shrub or a twining vine. Avoidance and Treatment An oil on poison-oak foliage and twigs called urushiol can provoke a rash that lasts weeks; you can get one brushing your skin directly against the plant or by touching clothes that have done so. When hiking, wear long pants and sleeves while keeping a sharp eye out for the shrub. Learn its features through a guidebook or have a ranger point out a specimen. Once you’ve definitely identified poison oak, it’s relatively easy to spot in the field—but remember that it often hides in thickets and tall grass. If you do contact poison oak, wash the area expediently with soap and cool running water. There are also a number of over-the-counter products that can ward off rashes, such as Tecnu; consider stowing a bottle in your hiking pack. Wash clothes or any other objects that have brushed poison oak on their own, and be careful when handling them so you don’t pick up soaked-in urushiol. Keep a sharp eye out on the trails and you’ll likely have no real trouble from poison oak—and you can spend your energy soaking in Yosemite’s glory!

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