Alpine chipmunks share the typical pattern of genus Neotamias, being gray-brown overall and featuring three white stripes on the cheeks and four down the back.

Alpine chipmunks only live in high Sierra Nevada, from Yosemite National Park in the north, to Olancha Peak in the south.

They primarily inhabit the talus slopes and sub-alpine forests, where there is a large accumulation of loose, rocky debris.

During the summer, where the high-elevation environment becomes increasingly arid and warm, the alpine chipmunk utilize these rocks by retreating into the cool, deep crevices of boulders to regulate their body temperature.

[5] Some examples are the bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata), currant (Ribes), blueberries and huckleberries (Vaccinium), and their most common source of food, pussy-paws (Spraguea umbellate).

Usually while running, they are observed to straighten out their tails vertically in order to appear larger and longer to ward off predators and competition amongst other alpine chipmunks.

During late July and August, they gain a lot of weight to prepare for hibernation under snowpacks which are like heating pads.