Post Your 2009 Skeeter Updates.

Questions and reports related to Sierra Nevada current and forecast conditions, as well as general precautions and safety information. Trail conditions, fire/smoke reports, mosquito reports, weather and snow conditions, stream crossing information, and more.
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maverick
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Re: Post Your 2009 Skeeter Updates.

Post by maverick »

Thank you Tim, Windnot, and Trav867 for your updates.
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Re: Post Your 2009 Skeeter Updates.

Post by SSSdave »

One thing many don't seem to understand about snow mosquitoes is where they are at different times in the summer cycle.

Since there are huge amounts of soggy mid forest areas in the 6k to 8k elevation right now, that is where most of them are and they are breeding of course with more hatching all the time. Thus if one went to Siesta Lake, Kibbie Lake, or Lukens Lake it would likely be rather unpleasant right now. As soon as those areas start to dry out they will rise up into the upper forest areas at 8k to 10k and that is why they will probably be worst about Tuolumne Meadows by mid June. If they move up in elevation too quickly they can be caught in freezing temperatures that will kill them dead so tend to stay where water is everywhere as long as it is. And then later into timberline country most backpackers tend to visit will likely be worst about the Fourth of July holiday. Also lower shady forest areas in the 4k to 6k range even though the water sources have mostly dried up, still have numbers of mosquitoes that emerged earlier last month, are hanging out during days at moist cool areas, and are out to find victims in evenings. That is why I found the Mather Road area into Hetch Hetchy was a 2. In the evening although not in big swarms, were aggressive enough to make using my stove without applying deet difficult. Likewise I'd expect Yosemite Valley was similar.

One positive weather event moving in the next few days is possibly the last winter type system. That will likely cause some snows above about 7,000 feet and wipe out a lot of the buggers that have moved too high. Some years a couple such especially cold June events have manaaged to kill the main gang of squeeters so well that they never developed much into the summer.
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Re: Post Your 2009 Skeeter Updates.

Post by copeg »

This past weekend, Cathedral Lakes in Yosemite, I'd call it a 0.
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Re: Post Your 2009 Skeeter Updates.

Post by tory8411 »

This past weekend spent Thursday night at Jackass Meadow near florence, at 11pm it was a 1. Left early the next morning drove to Bear Diversion and hit trail with about a 2 working until about 8200 ft. Then slowed to a 1. Made camp at upper bear creek turnoff and evening was a 0. Next morning was a 0 and made our way up to Seldon Pass and over to Sallie Keyes, 0 the entire day and night at Sallie Keyes. Hiked out to Florence next day and didn't notice any hiking until stopped about 1/2 mile before Florence cutoff where they were about a 2. Remained a 2 all the way to Florence except for the torrential downpour about 2 miles before ferry cutoff where even the mosquitos were smart enough to take shelter. As we approached the ferry cutoff still had a light rain and they were back to about a 2, but as long as we kept moving they weren't a problem. Remained a 2 all the way back to the lake trailhead.
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Re: Post Your 2009 Skeeter Updates.

Post by balzaccom »

This past weekend in Emigrant Wilderness, we spent 4 pretty soggy days at 7-8K, and got a total of two skeeter bites. Yeah, we use some Off, from time to time, but in camp we didn't even bother. Nothing to worry about. yet.
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Re: Post Your 2009 Skeeter Updates.

Post by maverick »

Pleasant & Pate Valley #2 on amount of skeetrz but not really biting yet, sure to change
pretty soon.
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Re: Post Your 2009 Skeeter Updates.

Post by oldranger »

Mav
After you left Pate mosquitos got worse (june 2). I'd call them a 3. At the 5700+ Hetch Hetchy overlook they were 0 then on the 3rd where the trail first meets Morrison creek and thru the Aspen switchbacks below Harden they were 3 again but those were the really damp areas on the trip.

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Re: Post Your 2009 Skeeter Updates.

Post by maverick »

YO Mike

That is because they really love you Mike, and maybe 10 days without a shower
also made you more attractive to them Mike. Mav
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Re: Post Your 2009 Skeeter Updates.

Post by fedak »

Sunday: Tuolumne toward Glen Aulin: 0 on the trail.
(Was swarmed when I got back to the car around 4, not sure if that was representative of dusk conditions)

Today: Desolation, Mt Tallac: 0 except for 1 non-aggressive swarm above Cathedral Lake.
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Re: Post Your 2009 Skeeter Updates.

Post by ADP »

Anyone been up by Mt. Tallac (Desolation Wilderness) and near the lakes there? Wondering if the snow has thawed out and the skeeters are biting yet. Plan to go there over the 4th of July weekend.
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