14ers.com

What are the weather conditions? Also are the marmots still a problem?

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Were the marmots ever a problem? I've left my Jeep at the trailhead and nearby many times without any issues.

Weather... go to the front page of this website....
Left side..., list of 14ers...
move your mouse to the "dots" to the right of the peak name, then click weather...

Yes the marmots were a problem earlier this season. Someone posted it in trip condition that he had to bag the trip because they were so bad and he didn't want to leave his vehicle unattended due to them chewing thru brake lines and electrical wiring.

Thanks for the info.

Are/were they a problem at the American Basin TH, Grizzly Gulch/Silver Creek, or both? I'm headed to Grizzly Gulch/Silver creek this afternoon and was thinking about grabbing some chicken wire on my way.

I spent last Thursday and Friday nights at the Grizzly Gulch/Silver Creek TH and I didn't see anything to be concerned with. As a precaution, I did place a few bags of mothballs under my vehicle.

When it was posted it was in American Basin. Also place moth balls under your hood.

Heading there in a couple weeks, is the best application of moth balls to hang them from the corners/bottom of the vehicle. also people have used coyote urine, i presume they sell this in lake city, or do i need to buy a female coyote a couple drinks then have an awkward conversation about peeing in a cup?

I had a porcupine chewing on my car at night at grizzly gulch a little over a week ago, had to chase him off about five times...

derekesq wrote:Heading there in a couple weeks, is the best application of moth balls to hang them from the corners/bottom of the vehicle. also people have used coyote urine, i presume they sell this in lake city, or do i need to buy a female coyote a couple drinks then have an awkward conversation about peeing in a cup?

I was in Lake City a few weeks ago. While at the Sportman Outdoor and Fly Shop, I asked about coyote urine (had forgotten to bring mine). They didn't have it. You may try another place in town (maybe Dan's Fly Shop?), or better yet order it online. If all else fails, I think the Lake City coyotes frequent a saloon called Cannibal Grill.

Some friends and I climbed Handies from American Basin on Wednesday (8/17), leaving 2 vehicles at the 4WD trailhead during our climb. We laid out tarps on the ground, drove our vehicles over them, and then pulled the tarps up around the vehicles on all 4 sides and secured the tarps with twine. We also found mothballs on the ground in the parking area and sprinkled them around our vehicles for good measure. Upon returning to the trailhead, we found our vehicles intact. The hassle with the tarps was worth it to us for the peace of mind it provided. Better safe than sorry.

I bought some Coyote Urine at a local Garden Center. Many should have it.

I used it and mothballs, and didn't have any problems at either American Basin or Silver Creek. But these were just day hikes. I did not camp overnight. This was early July.