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Marmots in Mineral King
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 3:17 pm
by mountaineer
I haven't been there in a few years, but plan on going out of Mineral King in June. Should I worry about marmots? I heard they eat brake lines, etc? Is there any secrets to protecting your car? Myabe a clandestine salt lick nearby?
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 3:44 pm
by Snow Nymph
You can use a tarp:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/791 ... 4494TvDzqX
or wire:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/791 ... 4538aaBowA
I use moth balls, ammonia, and pop the hood to let light in (marmots like dark areas). They didn't bother my 4Runner.
Some friends wrapped a tarp around their 4Runner and the marmots still chewed something (forget what it was) that cost $500.
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 4:19 pm
by SteveB
I've never seen a wrap job with a tarp like that! That's a darned clever idea!
What size tarp is being used for that pickup? I wonder if anyone's ever used those under-carriage lighting kits up at MK? I'd be curious to know if that keeps them away or attracts them!
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 4:55 pm
by Windwalker
The Rangers say it's a seasonal thing that passes around mid summer...but late spring/early summer watch out!
Haven't really heard about brake lines...but they love fan belts and radiator hoses and the anti-freeze/coolant that's toxic to dogs and cats doesn't seem to bother them marmots at all.
We used a combination of moth balls and the big blue tarp.
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 8:50 pm
by JM21760
The Marmots seem to be worse at the Sawtooth trailhead. They were eating hoses and belts as far back as 1978, my first summer in the valley. Apparently, this is the only area marmotia do this, at least according to NPS rangers in 1978. Silver City store used to sell emergency fan belts. I don't know if they still do. Of course, a fan belt won't get you too far if your wiring and hoses are chewed up. The marmotia (plural, slang), never bothered our cars across the bridge, and down by the cabin. There are stories of folks arriving in SoCal, with a marmot under the hood. Way back when, mothballs were the first line of defense. I have a comment in Summit Post.com, under "SierraBonehead". I believe it's under the Sawtooth Peak info. On a side note, around 1986-7, I was working in Faculty Flat, re leveling some cabins. Nothing like being under a cabin, with 2 feet of crawl space, and have a marmot pop up staring you right in the face 6" away! "Run Away! Run Away!"
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 9:42 pm
by Shawn
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 3:43 pm
by JM21760
Looks like a wanted poster Shaun. A cute one though. Was that pic taken in MK? The rock looks like MK rock.
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 5:23 pm
by Shawn
Hey, sharp eye. Indeed the little guy watched me as I walked up the trail to Sawtooth. Seems like I always see them in the same location.
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:14 pm
by ndwoods
We have a roll of chicken wire we take....didn't take it last year tho for some stupid reason. Darn buggers chewed the asbestos like liner from the hood of my car, 50% of it completely gone!!!!! Won't go again without the chicken wire!
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 11:06 pm
by JM21760
ndwoods, try a bag or 2 of mothballs. They'll probably still do damage.
I was thinking, for travelers to MK next summer, post your experiences, and Ranger comments on the Marmot problem in MK. Maybe we can start a poll in the spring. We might do a semi scientific study. What cha all think?
