Marmots Are Stealing Hikers' Shoes in California

The Marmots Want the Shoes

Hikers in California’s Mineral King Valley have learned an unusual rule: do not leave your shoes where a marmot can reach them. The chunky mountain rodents have been stealing footwear, grabbing hiking gear and chewing on cars in and around Sequoia National Park.

Some of the marmots are about the size of small dogs. They are especially active around trailheads and parking areas, where hikers leave behind sweaty gear and vehicles before heading into the mountains.

One Hiker Woke Up to a Surprise

Andrew Reinhart found out how bold the animals can be after he stopped for a nap during a hike. He woke up when a marmot licked his ear, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal and The Independent.

Other hikers have had belongings carried away. Jeff Weit told the Journal that a marmot once stole one of his shoes. He later found the shoe under a log, with the marmot nearby.

Another hiker said a marmot made off with a hiking pole. At that point, calling them shy mountain animals starts to feel a little generous.

Cars Are on the Menu Too

Shoes are not the only target. The National Park Service warns that marmots in Mineral King are known to crawl under vehicles and chew radiator hoses and electrical wiring.

The park says the problem is worst from spring through mid-summer. Visitors who plan to leave a vehicle for several hours are told to block access underneath it. One method is to park over a tarp and wrap the tarp around the vehicle.

That can make the parking lot look strange before a hike even begins. Cars wrapped in large tarps sit beside the trail while their owners head into the mountains.

Salt May Be the Big Attraction

The animals appear to be drawn to salty things. Sweat on shoes, packs and hiking poles can make gear especially interesting to a marmot. Vehicle fluids may also attract them.

Mineral King is a remote, high-elevation valley reached by a steep mountain road. Marmots are common there, and the park makes a point of warning visitors about their habits before they leave a car unattended.

For hikers, the lesson is simple. Protect the car, keep an eye on the backpack and, apparently, do not assume your shoes are safe just because you are still wearing the other one.

References: Marmots Are Terrorizing California Hikers and Stealing Their Shoes | Mineral King - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks | Stolen shoes, sabotaged cars and licked faces: How marmots are causing havoc for hikers in America’s West