Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Holiday shopping feature: Pika presents

This post was written by Angie Glaser, 2012 Project Specialist.


Pikas are hands-down the most adorable high Sierra residents. They live in talus slopes high in the mountains, and sightings of these squeaky, furry mammals are a treat for hikers willing to explore remote alpine areas. You can now enjoy these cute “rock rabbits” in more comfortable environments, thanks to three different pika items featured in the Mono Lake Committee’s online store.

The much anticipated pika T-shirt was a new arrival this summer and is now available online. The 100% preshrunk cotton, tan shirts feature three pikas drawn by scientific illustrator Logan Parsons. On the back of the shirt, two pikas prepare for winter by gathering grasses, while the pika on the front of the shirt perches atop a rock to sound an alarm call.

The front (left) and back (right) illustrations on the pika T-shirt. Illustrations by Logan Parsons.

Add a dose of cuteness to your desk with the pika journal. Featuring a pika with a mouthful of hay designed by artist Wendy Morgan, this journal is filled with blank, heavyweight, recycled, acid-free paper.

For a more lifelike pika gift, check out the pika finger puppet. Sure to be a hit with pika lovers of all ages, this five-inch finger puppet is as close to a real pika as you can get. All of these pika items make great gifts for hikers and nature lovers!

For more information on these items and more, or to place an order, check out our online store. Don’t forget to type in the code MONOCHEER for 15% off your purchases through November 30.