If I'm in snake country I step up on the log and not over it #1. If I were in that situation I'd back away as quickly as possible without making any sudden moves. I got within 5 feet of a pink rattler while on the tonto plateau of the grand canyon back in 2001. I was about 14 miles from the closest road when I heard him rattle from just in front of me on the trail. I back up and yeilded plenty of room to him as I passed.