It's not a Sidewinder. It's a Speckled Rattlesnake. The Sidewinder has horns over it's eyes, and a different color pattern.
Nice photo!

I do realize that the snake pictured here does not have an obvious, horn-like scale over the eye. My ID was based primarily on the odd sideways manner in which it moved. Have you heard of Western Rattlers moving this way?

Hi guys,

That's actually a speckled rattler,Crotalus mitchelli, a common rock dweller in much of the Mojave. Sidewinders do prefer the flats, but diamond-backs are mostly down there as well. Diamond back tails have distinct black and white banding. Check out

www.californiaherps.com

for great identification info on the state's reptiles and amphibians.

Here's your guy:

www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/c.m.pyrrhus.html

Good find!

Great photo!
I had never heard of a Speckled Rattler...Super interesting!

Very cool!! Thanks for the info and the links, jeffjays.

Great shot!
Diamondbacks have, uhh, diamond backs...
Good ID methinks!