>> ... and a snake this dangerous should NOT be in my favorite hiking destination EVER.
I think you got it all wrong. That snake and other snakes, venomous and non venomous, live there. It's their home. They are part of that ecosystem. You're just visiting.

Snakes don't like interacting with humans and vice versa. If you leave them alone, they'll go about their business of catching small critters.

After all you've been through with that encounter, it's good to know you're well. Thanks.
Maybe next time, bring a long walking stick.

Maybe, one day I'll see some of you at the springs.

This is a reminder to all of us that wilderness is wild and dangerous. So, be aware and be prepared.
If you treat wilderness like a disneyland tourist, bad things happen (sometimes deadly).