At lower elevations you'll find chipmunks -- but at these high altitudes, it's more common to see a Pika. These cute, chubby rodents seem well suited to the high tundra. They enjoy hiding in and around the rocks, and sometimes sitting on top and 'chirping' (you often hear them before you see them). I take a picture of this Pika before continuing down the trail. < See him? Click photo for help >

Today was a massive hike that tested my limits. 9 miles; almost 2900 feet elevation gain and hiking at over 12000 feet elevation. On the hike down, it snows for a few minutes before clearing up for dinner time.


< Fitbit on hike: 24000 steps, 244 floors | Full day total: 26000 steps, 247 floors >
[as calibrated here, 1 floor = about 12 feet elevation gain, 2700 steps = about 1 mile]


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