One of the best parts about hitting the trail is never knowing what you might stumble upon. Some days it’s wildflowers, a bird you’ve never seen before, or a new insect to identify. Other days, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with nature’s raw power.

On our latest Trail Mommas adventure at Eagle Nest Point, we wrapped up the Kids in Parks TRACK Trail and were about to load up when other hikers told us of an epic battle happening right on trail. So in true adventurer fashion we headed out to locate the battle happening between these two titans.

Curled tightly on the trail was a king snake wrapped around a copperhead. At first, we just stood in awe, watching this rare encounter unfold. King snakes are immune to the venom of copperheads and other pit vipers, which means they don’t just avoid these dangerous snakes—they actually hunt them.

We watched as the king snake constricted the copperhead, then dragged it by the head before beginning to swallow it whole, headfirst. It was both shocking and fascinating—a real-life lesson in the food chain happening right in front of us.

Moments like this remind us why we hike, explore, and stay curious. Nature is never staged, never rehearsed, and always full of surprises. You don’t have to look far to witness the incredible balance of the natural world—it’s happening all around us, if we’re paying attention.

Nature Journal Notes

• Species Observed: Eastern King Snake (Lampropeltis getula) and Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix).
• Fun Fact: King snakes are immune to the venom of copperheads, rattlesnakes, and cottonmouths. They play an important role in keeping venomous snake populations in check.
• Trail Completed: Eagle Nest Point TRACK Trail.
• Trail Mommas Adventure Highlight: Watching the food chain in action!

So—what do you think? Would you have stayed to watch or taken off running? 👀🐍