Virginia Lakes Rd. is closed and Virginia Lakes resident, the American Pika

Virginia Lakes Road is closed. Please refer to Mono County’s official page for the most current road status: Mono County Road Closures. With a winter storm moving in (winter storm watch notice for Jan. 2nd), residents and visitors are advised that travel will be hazardous. Plan accordingly and avoid unnecessary travel.

This post’s photo features the American Pika (not a mouse! My mistake yesterday), a small, high-country resident related to rabbits and often mistaken for a rodent. Like many here at Virginia Lakes, the pika prefers cool mountain air, rocky slopes, and calling out to its neighbors. It does not, however, appreciate heat or low elevations.

While their appearance might lead to confusion, pikas are not pests. They don’t enter homes, they avoid human structures, and don’t eat or store human food. They’re strict vegetarians who stash wildflowers and grasses in outdoor haypiles to get through the winter. The pika is a Priority Species and State Protected by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. When you’re here on quiet summer days, you might hear a ‘meep’ sound coming from a rocky field nearby; this is the sound of the pika, calling to its neighbors. Pikas are very territorial.

As a reminder, please avoid placing mouse traps outdoors. These can unintentionally harm native wildlife like the pika, who pose no threat and are a valuable part of our alpine ecosystem.

More info about the: American Pika. Thanks to Walt for the photo. And thanks to Ross for the news of the Virginia Lake Rd. closure. Thanks to Jess for correction, info and link about the American Pika.

Wishing all a safe and peaceful New Year’s Eve from Virginia Lakes.