Vegasclimber
Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 23, 2012 - 11:40pm PT
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As the resident keeper of OT Marmot, I've decided to head out into the wilds and get some new Live Action OT Marmot shots to use for the Tacoites that know and love him.
My girl and I are considering heading to Mt. Whitney, as I've seen several marmot pics from that area. I know we can see them in Yose, but we are looking for more then random encounters.
Looking for any info from anyone that knows where to find a large concentration of them in the Sierra, be it Whitney or elsewhere. We are hoping to locate actual burrows, so we can catch the furry guys and gals in their social settings.
Thanks in advance, for any that wish to share. Blue Skies!
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Ron Anderson
Trad climber
USA Moundhouse Nev.
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Jun 23, 2012 - 11:44pm PT
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monitor summit - between topaz lk and markleeville,right ontop to the north on the small peaks right off the highwy.
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Vegasclimber
Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 23, 2012 - 11:59pm PT
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Cool, I know the location well but never hiked up there. I spent part of my time as a kid living in Walker, but mostly stuck to the mountain ranges on the east side of the Coleville Valley...monitor was a bit out of the reach of my bicycle lol.
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kaholatingtong
Trad climber
the green triangle, cali
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Jun 24, 2012 - 07:18am PT
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i seemed to have lots of luck on pretty much the entire southern half of the JMT
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Jun 24, 2012 - 07:21am PT
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Any talus field above 7k.
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rincon
Trad climber
SoCal
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Jun 24, 2012 - 07:27am PT
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1. Olmsted Point
2. Mineral King (the place is overrun with them).
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schilds
Trad climber
eastside
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Jun 24, 2012 - 08:46am PT
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I've seen the most if you drive up Horseshoe Meadows Rd. from Lone Pine and hike towards Cottonwood Lakes...total marmot buffet! It is also the only place I've yet seen a mountain lion and he looked well-fed:)
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10b4me
Ice climber
dingy room at the Happy boulders hotel
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Jun 24, 2012 - 09:01am PT
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White mountains up near the Barcroft lab
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Captain...or Skully
climber
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Jun 24, 2012 - 04:51pm PT
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Just don't bring any fig newtrons to Cathedral Peak or you'll have a fight on your hands.
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LuckyNeck
Trad climber
the basement of Lou's Tavern
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Jun 24, 2012 - 05:12pm PT
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Rincon is right. Mineral king area seems like ground zero.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jun 24, 2012 - 05:32pm PT
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They're pretty thick in places in the Pamirs and surprisingly tasty.
I'd post pics but don't want to bring on the hate.
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Captain...or Skully
climber
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Jun 24, 2012 - 10:17pm PT
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Marmot-B-que? Some of them look big enough, almost...
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Jun 24, 2012 - 10:21pm PT
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Would possession of a fig newtron lead to atom smashing? Paging Dr. Hartouni!
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Tami
Social climber
Canada
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Jun 24, 2012 - 10:29pm PT
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^^^^that was horrrrrrrrrrrrrrrible.
I'll deal with Anders; you all get back to marmot-love.
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Captain...or Skully
climber
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Jun 24, 2012 - 10:33pm PT
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We like marmots(mostly), Tami...T'was an idle jest.
No wind in those sails.
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Vegasclimber
Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 25, 2012 - 12:31am PT
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Thanks much for all the replies!
The main reason we were considering Whitney is due to the fact that we haven't been there yet. But I'm going to do some research on these locations and see what's best from a time and distance standpoint. I don't know how likely, or even possible it is to get a permit if you just show up. But being as Lone Pine is the access point, we may just do the other hike suggested in that area. Will have to look up access and bear can regs, etc.
I don't know about the Mineral King area as far as access, permits etc - could anyone elaborate?
Feel free to keep them coming, the trip is still a few weeks out.
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aguacaliente
climber
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Jun 25, 2012 - 12:44am PT
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Mineral King is in Sequoia-Kings Cyn NP. There is a separate entrance, south of the main entrance, and road up to the area. It's known for marmot problems, especially marmots taking up residence in car engine compartments, eating hoses, drinking coolant, posting drivel to Supertopo, and occasionally hitching rides back to LA.
I would guess that the marmot problem in Mineral King is partly because there are cabins and stuff up there and so more cars and other human junk at high elevation than in other places, but it doesn't really explain why MK is notorious for this and other high elev. trailheads and campgrounds are not.
Lest you think I am joking, the NPS says http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/marmots.htm They don't mention that chicken wire or tarping the underside of your car are recommended. It's really a very nice area if you can deal with marmots all hopped up on coolant and goofballs.
Edit: You don't need a permit to day hike in Mineral King; you need a BC permit to backpack, but I think it should be a lot easier to get one than for Whitney. The backpacking can be spectacular.
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Vegasclimber
Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 25, 2012 - 01:03am PT
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Scratch the Mineral King area...out of range driving wise, so Lone Pine area it will be. Thanks though, Agua!
Whitney is totally out, no sense in trying to fight for even a day permit when we arent planning to summit. Looks like a really big hassle.
Looks like there are chances to get "day before" permits in the Lone Pine area, and it's an easy 4 hour drive.
So, to narrow the topic a bit, any info about Lone Pine as far as campgrounds and such will be good. The FS site is jacked on the maps section, so I am not sure how far of a hike it is into the Cottonwood Lakes from the trailhead. Also, we have a low clearance 2WD car, so I am not sure about the roads out there travel wise.
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Blakey
Trad climber
Newcastle UK
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Jun 25, 2012 - 01:23am PT
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In the late 90s my wife and I were up on Cathederal Peak. At the base while sorting gear several Marmots assembled, and got quite close. Nothing unusual in that, they probably get fed.
Anyhow off we go, I run out up the wide crack groove and set up a stance at the ledge on the right and Bronwen follows. Six foot below her a Marmot climbs the crack, like a furry carpet rippling up the fissure. When she gets to the stance the little bugger continues and stems up past us!
I set off up the next pitch which finishes in a recess with a shelf at the back, where the Marmot was, awaiting my arrival. I bring Bronwen up and we have a stand off with the rodent. I need to get past him, but don't want to get too close (do they bite?)
Anyhow the only way to shift him was to ostentatiously drop a piece of pwerbar down the cliff - he/she scuttled headlong down the crack after it and we were on our way. The soloist below us may have met it going down, as he came up!
All very impressive, and possibly indicative of a rise in standards over the years!
Steve
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Vegasclimber
Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 25, 2012 - 01:28am PT
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Wow! Awesome story Steve, very cool. Thanks for sharing!
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