Page 1 of 1

Ten Lakes to May Lake

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:20 am
by Joel H.
We have scheduled a first ever trip to TM Arriving Aug 7th. We don't have permits but have researched and found that the Ten Lakes trail will likely be available. We are Level 2 , Class 1 hikers. Do you think that Ten Lakes trail to Ten lakes then to May lake and back to Tioga Rd. is reasonable for us in 3-4 days, with lots of just hanging out.

Re: Ten Lakes to May Lake

Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:29 pm
by balzaccom
I would not count on these permits being available===this is one of the more popular routes in Yosemite for a shorter pack trip. The good news is that your itinerary is fine--a lovely hike and nice places to stay. BUt if permits are available now, book them. You don't want to find out in August that your options are not there...

Re: Ten Lakes to May Lake

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:21 am
by maverick
Because of the heavier than usual snow a lot of people will push there trips back into
the later half of the summer season, so getting permits for this popular area is probably
a good idea.
4 days is fine for this trip, be prepare for a lot of skeeterz!

Re: Ten Lakes to May Lake

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 5:28 pm
by Joel H.
Thank you vary much for the replies. I'll get on it.
Joel H.

Re: Ten Lakes to May Lake

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 2:10 pm
by Joel H.
OK, I got my permit app. in, along with some other choices. Maverick mentions skeeters which I would expect, but my experience is with Midwest mosquitoes. I suspect/fear that you have mosquitoes on a whole different level than I'm use to. Can anyone give me a better idea and also advise as to the best ways to deal with them, ( Head net?, Body net?). Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Joel H.

Re: Ten Lakes to May Lake

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:13 am
by EpicSteve
Hi Joel,

I'd strongly advise a head net. With any luck, you'll never have to use it, but if the mosquitoes are horrible, it could save your sanity. It takes up very little room, costs very little, and weighs almost nothing, so why not bring it? I like to wear mine over a wide-brimmed hat, so it doesn't rub and scratch on my face, and so the bugs can't sting me through the mesh.

Make sure you bring good repellent with DEET in it. Some people prefer the more "natural" repellents, but I've never found them nearly as effective as DEET. Personally, I can't stand getting it on my hands or breathing the spray, so I use the Cutter brand stick. It's like a stick deodorant - you just rub a little on enough key areas, to keep the bugs from landing.

Re: Ten Lakes to May Lake

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:16 am
by EpicSteve
I should add that sometimes a certain percentage of the bugs bite you no matter what kind of repellent you're using. Hence the head net. :eek:

Re: Ten Lakes to May Lake

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 12:08 pm
by maverick
Head net if it is really bad.
I usually wear an ultralight windbreaker(4 oz), long pants, bandanna under my cap, and
light weight gloves, all treated with permethrin (keeps skeetrz off, most of the time)
the day before.
I have been avoiding deet the last few years when possible.

Re: Ten Lakes to May Lake

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 5:23 pm
by Joel H.
Thank you both Maverick and Steve. I just bought head nets, as a matter of fact. Looking foreword to the trip. Good to have this forum and it's experienced regulars, to fill in the blanks as it were.
Thanks again, Joel H.

Re: Ten Lakes to May Lake

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 6:02 pm
by adam
I've managed to go deet-free recently with baggy thin hiking pants and loose thin cotton shirt (also sunscreen free) with cotton gardening gloves and headnet for the really bad times. At the higher elevations, it's usually not so unbearably hot to wear long (light) sleeves and pants, and it's wonderful to not have the deet/suncreen scum all over me and my sleeping bag-- just sweat and trail dust scum instead! But maybe that's because I've never really felt that deet works-- I seem to just have some fraction of zillions of mosquitoes all over me instead of the full zillions, which I guess is an improvement, but doesn't really feel like one.