High Sierra Topix

I am hoping to get my wife out for a couple days. It has been many years since we have been out for a walk without the kiddos. I was thinking of going up to LIttle Lakes Valley and exploring. I am a level 3.5 I suppose and we are both fit. My main concern is bugs. Will I be early enough in the second week of June? I have not hiked LLV but I assume it is pretty wet and a haven for skeeters. I saw someone posted the TH was covered in snow a few days ago, but I am assuming that should clear up in the next couple weeks.

Any advice would be great. We are looking to just do a short 3 day 2 night trip. We are celebrating 15 years of marriage so I would hate to have my sweet wife devoured by skeeters:) She is super adventurous so we can handle a few and are willing to camp up above the lakes if needed.
Any other suggestions for places to go would be great. I am in Bakersfield and do not want to travel further than we have too. I want to cap it at 5 hours closer means more time on the trail.

I hiked just below Rock Creek Lake through the wet meadow on Sunday (LLV was an absolute zoo over the 3 day weekend, overflow parking filled by 9:30) and there were no mosquitos, but I would expect them any time with the warm weather. I am a huge fan of Badger Anti Bug Balm stick roll on, no mess or leaking and easily fits in a pocket. Herbal, no deet or other harmful chemicals, and it works perfectly for me.

jessegooddog wrote:I hiked just below Rock Creek Lake ...

Sue,

I'm interested in your thoughts about LLV south of Mosquito Flat. I know Markskor was there a week ago and reported it was 100% covered in snow. I'm hoping this is not still the case.

Does anyone have information about the snow levels? What are your thoughts about the condition of Ruby lake by Sunday? My gut tells me it is still frozen over...but, this site shows the snow is almost gone.

http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/interactive/ ... &js=1&uc=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We are trying to spend some time at altitude without having to drive all the way to Barcroft Gate on White.

Thanks,

-Russ

VC,

Would be surprised if Ruby would be thawed by Sunday, being at just over
11100 ft and kind of boxed in by surrounding ridges, and lakes like Garnet
and 1000 Is Lake area still reported as iced over in the recent TR's.

Riverwalker,

In 2-3 weeks, when you are planning to head out, it may be difficult to recommend
a place that will not have mosquitoes for a 2 night trip. Would recommend going
out later, or go out prepared, camp in a windy spot, wear head nets and/or take
bug repellent. Read this thread for ideas: http://highsierratopix.com/community/vi ... t=mosquito" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Anyone planning to hike at those elevations most anywhere in the High Sierra in June, ought to either expect mosquitoes and deal with them, visit really low elevations like Potwisha or Buckeye Flat in Sequoia NP, or if t-shirt and shorts are your uniform stay home. It is not a matter of asking for locations that are not likely to have many. There are some good older threads here describing how to cope with mosquitoes that ought to have been made a sticky post.

VR
Does anyone have information about the snow levels? What are your thoughts about the condition of Ruby lake by Sunday? My gut tells me it is still frozen over...but, this site shows the snow is almost gone.

Info I gleaned from another board is that the trail is pretty clear all the way to Long Lake. I was up there Saturday to the TH an there was spotty snow mainly in the shade.

I have the ability to deal with mosquitoes. I have been in level 5 situations plenty of times. I also get it is skeeter season in June. I was just hoping for insight on the particular area (is it worse than others). I always plan for the worst when it comes to bugs but some areas are better than others.

BTW I was asking for other suggestions based on a short trip not on lack of bugs. I should have made that more clear. I shouldn't try to write right before bed.

austex wrote:Info I gleaned from another board is that the trail is pretty clear all the way to Long Lake. I was up there Saturday to the TH an there was spotty snow mainly in the shade.

Thanks Tex! We might check things out up there. Our main objective is to get to high elevation to acclimate.

Also, thanks for addressing me as Victor Romeo instead of Victor Charlie. I think Maverick sometimes has Bill Murray, Caddyshack, Vermin Cong flashbacks.

austex wrote:VR

maverick wrote:VC

Thanks,

-Russ

I stayed low, hiking from the lodge up to Rock Creek Lake and back down after dropping my sister off to fish so I do not know about trail conditions out of Mosquito Flat. Remember that there will be road work with long delays possibly into the fall.

I have hiked into Hilton Creek Lakes from Rock Creek. I thought the Hilton Creek Lakes were pretty nice.