High Sierra Topix

Just back from 4 days. Mosquitoes were a 0 or 1 in all locations, even Graveyard Meadow at dusk. zero bites.

Greetings,

I've been reading this for years but this is my first post. Hiker/camper for almost half a century.

I camped on Tioga Pass and we had a few mossies in the evening but nothing above a 2.
20 Lakes Basin - 2
Mono/Parker pass trail in Yosemite - 0 during the day
Trails around Tuolumne Meadows - 0 during the day
Conditions are primo right now but it as busy as I have ever seen it. I rarely go up in August because of the crowds and now I remember why.

Welcome to the HST, Gabodinga!

Is that breakfast you're holding?

Took my wife up to camp on the north side of Muir Lake this past weekend and stayed at the trail head campsite on Friday Night.

Horseshoe Meadows/Cottonwood Lakes walk in camp - 0
Muir Lake - 1 - a few skeeters out at dusk and dawn, brought bug spray and head nets and used neither all weekend.

Chewing Gum Lake: 0 (no bites)

Tarns near Chewing Gum: 0 (no bites)

Horseflies, however, were around. Final score there was me, 2, horseflies, 1.

Chewing Gum Lake was packed! Must have been over two dozen campers around the lake. Nearby tarns were much better option for swimming & camping.

Very similar route to zabaco's above. The weather was slightly cooler, and there was a breeze at times. Nighttime temperatures were in the upper 30s. Never went above 8600'.

Left Crabtree on 8/6, hiked past Camp Lake, cut south from Piute Meadow to Groundhog Meadow, over to Wood Lake, then south to Karls Lake. No mosquitoes anywhere: level 0. Bivvied without any bug protection for my face.

On 8/7 hiked from Karls to Leighton to Kole to Pingree to Rosasco. No mosquitoes anywhere during the day: level 0

At dusk at Rosasco I finally saw a few (level 1), but a light spray of picaridin drove them all away. Again bivvied without any bug protection for my face.

On 8/8 hiked from Rosasco up Louse Canyon, then back to Crabtree through Pine Valley, stopping at Grouse Lake. No mosquitoes anywhere: level 0

For what it's worth, I tend to be less attractive to mosquitoes than many others. But still, I barely even saw any.

rlown wrote:Welcome to the HST, Gabodinga!

Is that breakfast you're holding?

Who says there aren't fish in the high country? Late afternoon sprats and beer.

No skeeters at all except for slight nuisance at Wilber lake at dusk and a few watery shaded areas.

TH-Granite Park. 1.5
a very small number through the day up from Pine Creek TH. a bit bothersome at dusk and early AM. but nothing more than a 2. a little Picardin did the trick.

Granite Park-Bear Lakes Basin. 0.
didn't see a one! good steady breeze helped out.

Bear Lakes Basin-Merriam Lake. 2
the descent from Feather Pass to La Salle saw lots of 'em.medium sized clouds-not actively attacking though..a few takers. Merriam was a 1.5 at dusk and dawn, small clouds here and there but just kinda buzzing around doing their thing.

Merriam Lake- Honeymoon Lake. 1.5.
none along French Canyon and up to the Pass, Honeymoon was a 2. pretty active at dusk only.

Honeymoon to TH. 1
just a few through the shade and along the lower Pine Lakes.

8/7 - 8/12:
Bear Creek --> Hilgard Branch --> Bear Paw Lake --> Merriam Lake --> French Canyon --> Piute Creek --> Muir Trail Ranch
1-2 in all locations