In the heart of Southern California, a routine family hike turned into a life-threatening ordeal for a young college athlete. Jake Entrup, 22, found himself in a terrifying situation when a rattlesnake struck him on the Wilderness Park trails near Higginbotham Park in Claremont on July 18, 2026.
The incident has sparked a conversation about the increasing number of rattlesnake encounters in the region and the importance of staying vigilant while enjoying the outdoors.
The Unexpected Encounter
Jake Entrup was running ahead of his mother and their dog when the unexpected happened. As he rounded a corner, a rattlesnake struck him. “The next thing I know, I got bit,” he recounted. “I looked down and I saw the fang marks.” The snake then hissed and slithered away, leaving Jake to grapple with the immediate effects of the venom.
His mother heard his screams and rushed to his side. Fortunately, a nurse who was hiking nearby stopped to assist, holding Jake’s hand and encouraging him to stay calm to slow the spread of the venom. The symptoms escalated rapidly, with Jake describing how his vision blurred within minutes. “Within the first two minutes, I put my hand in front of my face and I could not see it,” he told KTLA’s Sara Welch.
A Race Against Time
Jake was airlifted to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center where he received 20 doses of antivenom. As his condition did not improve, he was transferred to Los Angeles General Medical Center for additional treatment, where he received 14 more doses. In total, Jake required 34 doses of antivenom to counteract the venom’s effects.
Jake’s mother described the ordeal as “terrifying,” witnessing her son’s muscles, eyes, and lips twitch for two days. The incident highlights the critical need for prompt medical intervention in cases of rattlesnake bites.
The Rising Trend of Rattlesnake Bites
The incident comes amid a surge in rattlesnake bites across Southern California. As of early July, there have been three fatalities and nearly 250 bites reported. Experts attribute this increase to a combination of factors, including an early March heat wave and recent rainfall, which have led to more snake activity and encounters with humans.
In another recent incident, a 3-year-old girl from the Santa Clarita Valley was bitten by a rattlesnake hiding beneath an Amazon package in her family’s front yard. She was rushed to the hospital and received three doses of antivenom. In May, an Idaho man visiting family in Northern California was bitten by a rattlesnake and narrowly survived after receiving 54 doses of antivenom.
Recovery and a Cautionary Tale
After three days in intensive care, Jake was released from the hospital and is slowly recovering at home. A GoFundMe campaign has been organized to support him during his recovery, as he was working double shifts to cover the cost of graduate school before the incident.
Jake and his family, who are avid hikers, are now warning others to remain alert on local trails. “I would be very cautious of your surroundings,” Jake advised. “In the moment, it can seem scary, but you want to keep yourself as calm as possible.”
Their experience serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking in nature and the importance of staying vigilant while enjoying the outdoors.
