Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Driving to White Mountain Peak for Whitney training hike

63 - Don't rely on the Google time. Most of the road isn't paved, and in sections the rocks are very sharp. I've seen lots of vehicles with flat tires including a Barcroft lab Taurus with two. I'd allow an hour from Grandview.

As for hiking time - that will depend. IIRC, it's about 7 miles to the summit over mostly moderate grades, or 14 miles overall. It's not a continuous ascent/decent - there are a couple of spots where you have to regain altitude. You won't think too much about them on the way up, but you sure will on the return! I've done it three times, and always waited for the gate to be open to so that I could park at Barcroft. That happens twice a year, and I don't have to fret about the marmots possibly chewing on my hoses and tires if parking at Barcroft. I don't know how realistic a concern that is, but I do know there are prodigious colonies of marmots living up there.

Thanks for the info Kevin. Do you still live in Manchester?


Hmmm... wondering if I should reconsider this trip. Does anyone know if this is a significant risk this late in the season? Most of what I'm reading is that early in the season is the bad time for marmots.

(from here)

we were there 8.21.12.

photos here .

~ took an hour from the end of the pavement to barcroft gate.
~ rode in rav4 - no problems.
~ hiked from gate to barcroft observatory and back. only saw marmots in the vicinity of the observatory.
~ they were actively grading the road between end of pavement and the gate that day. smoooooth.

your mileage may vary one month later.

Regarding marmots:

Interesting... I've not seen that story before. Google can't find the same text anywhere else, either. From the spelling and comments, I am not sure how reliable it is.

The Mineral King story is from July, 2004. The problem at Mineral King was talked up quite a bit back then, but I haven't seen much lately.

If it were a big problem, we'd have heard much more about it. I wouldn't cancel the trip.

If you want more reassurance, I'd call the Inyo N.F. people and ask specifically when the last time any marmot damage was reported. ...and please let us know.

i'm not sure if we are talking about the same article, but go here for a fresno bee published article.

the story, as seen in the previous post, is found in the "comments" below that article.

maybe we were lucky, but as we were not aware that there might be a problem - we couldn't worry about it. and, no problems.

i would hate to be stuck out there though. not much nearby.

Don't be put off by MONSTER MARMOT stories. Rodents of all kinds sometimes like to crawl into engine compartments, because it is warm and safe from predators. This happens often with mice and rats, but only when the car has been left unattended, with the hood closed, for a number of days.

I've been leaving my car at Sierra Nevada and White Mountain trailheads for 45 years, and have never had a problem with rodents under the engine hood.

If you're still worried about the Marmots, put several mothballs inside the engine compartment; that usually keeps all kinds of creatures out of the engine area. And maybe leave the hood open; it won't seem as safe from flying predators that way for the little guys. Don't forget to remove the mothballs before you start the engine to leave...ha ha.

By the way, at the risk of being insulting, I find it comical that folks who live far away from this area seem to think they know so much about local conditions and animals. You'd be better off listening to people who actually live here...

i agree with you 100%.

we live in a residential neighborhood. we recently tore down our 1920s era garage that, in addition to its intended purpose, was housing rats. for their vacation home they set up residence in the engine compartments of our parked-outside vehicles - one that remains parked most of the time and also in one that is driven daily. found a dead one on the engine manifold, mummified.

> I find it comical that folks who live far away...

I believe the individual just recently relocated from the east side of the Sierra.

The late Wayne Pyle had moved to Florida, but his help with mapping and peak identification continued.

My apologies to that particular individual. Thanks for the heads-up, Steve.

Just moved there. Lived in the Eastern Sierra for many years.

I've not been bothered by marmots personally at trailhead, but at my home rabbits and ground squirrels were an issue for myself and my neighbors. They get into engine compartments, most likely seeking warmth, and can chew on wires. I had to make several repairs over the years, as did my neighbors. FWIW - moth balls didn't work, and automechanics in the area would tell you they're a waste of time. Decon did work over time to keep the population in check. I hated to use it, but didn't have any other choice.

Hope this helps.