MORRISON, Colo. -- A Colorado woman bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking is OK after she turned around and walked more than a mile for help.
Susan Schwartz was bitten just below the knee while she was hiking Devil's Elbow in Mount Falcon Park in Jefferson County Wednesday morning. After the bite, Schwartz hiked more than an hour over 1.5 miles to get help. She contacted a ranger who called 911.
Indian Hills Fire Chief Don Schoenbein said Schwartz tied a constricting band to her leg to slow the venom's spread. The hiker was hospitalized but released Thursday afternoon.
Park rangers said snakebite victims should usually call 911 and try to avoid moving too much, because activity can spread venom. It wasn't clear if Schwartz had a cell phone.
Another hiker reported nearly stepped on another rattlesnake an hour later at the same park.
Rangers said there are probably 100 rattlesnakes in the popular park.