The golden-mantled ground squirrel is one of Crater Lake National Park's most interesting smaller mammals, being a constant source of pleasure to all visitors. One of these creatures had the ingenuity to establish his homestead in an obscure hole in the middle of the highway leading to the Rim area from the Park Headquarters. Just as if he were amusing himself at the consternation of the passing motorist, he would sit on his haunches inches from his hole until the automobile was immediately upon him. As the concerned motorist saw the little fellow and attempted to avoid running over him, the little squirrel would dart into the hole with the car only inches away. Many persons got out of their cars and looked in vain for the smallest traffic cop of the Crater Lake highways.