A Cautionary Trailhead Tale

[ski3pin]

Julie enjoys the videos put out by these two energetic and happy women. We watched this one as we've not yet hiked Torreys Peak. Enjoy the hike, then watch their return to the trailhead and the aftermath.

 

[AWG_Pics]

I have heard of packrats in Organ Pipe Cactus monument eating your wires under the hood, but never marmots in Colorado eating fan belts!
Quite a tale for their friends and family!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Their experience is a reminder for all of us to check our auto insurance policies and make sure we have coverage for rodent damage. A deductible is much easier on the wallet than the cost of an entire wiring harness.

 

[ski3pin]

Mineral King in Sequoia National Park is legendary for damage to vehicles by marmots. Some claim they are addicted to automotive antifreeze.

NPS - Marmots: Protecting Your Vehicle

 

[craig333]

It wasn't marmots, some other critter at one of the trailheads I went to. But yes, they are attracted to antifreeze. Some say leaving your hood open helps.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

It wasn't marmots, some other critter at one of the trailheads I went to. But yes, they are attracted to antifreeze. Some say leaving your hood open helps.

That addiction might reduce the resident marmot population.

 

[teledork]

Oso - the dog in my avatar - was known for alerting to rodents in the engine compartment. He would sit and stare at a front wheel until somebody did something. There were a few false alarms but more often than not the owner of the vehicle would pop the hood, a chase would ensue and Oso would proudly strut back with the hapless rodent in his mouth. He was a very good dog.

 

[craig333]

As much as the feral cats here annoy me they do keep the rodent population in check. Riley tries but even when he was young he didn't have the sprint in him to catch rodents. More of a long distance runner

 

[dr.tucson]

I've followed the Wander Women for a while, it just seems a little odd that the tow was necessary; they could have just as easily replaced the belt at the trailhead and avoided the $600.00 expense. It is hard to imagine anyone's insurance covering them riding in their truck on the tow truck. Oh well.

 

[AlbertaMTB]

In BC and Alberta, porcupines at the trail head and moose while getting to the trail head can cause problems:

Kokanee Glacier Park | BC Parks: For overnight stays, surround your vehicle with chicken wire to protect it from porcupines that like to chew on rubber.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/dont-let-moose-lick-1.7074587

 

[Taku]

the Bugaboos parking lot is famous for this also. Chicken wire is provided to wrap around your vehicle.

 

[pods8]

We watched this one as we've not yet hiked Torreys Peak.

There is a little bit of forest service area just beyond the trailhead, get there the night before and just camp over night because the parking lot gets packed to the point folks illegally park on the road (but they feel entitled to their 14re experience!). The saddle between grays and torreys is pretty quick to scoot between the two and tag both.