High Sierra Topix

jallen wrote:richlong8, how did you get into Monache? I had heard that the road was closed until further notice...

This is a backpacking forum, who needs roads?

To jallen:
I backpacked, mostly using the pacific crest trail. There are many trails into Monanche, from all 4 points of the compass, and Monanche is huge. The northern section of Monanche that the 4 wheel drive road goes to is just a very small portion of the largest meadow area in the Sierra.

regards

richard

richlong8, forgive the ignorance. I've ben there many times but only by 4x4. I should have made the connection since I've crossed the PCT there many times as well.

Jallen, its not necessary to ask for forgiveness- we are all here to contribute and make this is a good, informative board. I am going to be doing a trip report sometime soon on the Monanche trip. It will probably be in the Fishing Hole. We just try and leave posts here for skeeter conditions in the areas that we travel.

regards, richard

Well its time to bring along the serious gear folks. Am expecting bad reports are suddenly going to explode for those at 7k to 10k. And I don't expect like any amateurs to be one whining about getting hounded and bitten all over.

long tight weave nylon pants
long sleeve tight nylon weave shell
cap with full neck drape
both 50% and 100% DEET
head net for camp leisure
tent

large clear 1.5mil plastic bag to stand up inside and take our daily dunk in a stream or lake in peace or walking about at night to take a leak in peace

take a dip late in the day so one won't exude the sweaty stink that attacks them

powerful headlamp to make sure any flying draculas that gets into my tent at night won't be able to hide from my squishing hand grabs

Horseshoe Meadows: 3 or 4

Siberian Outpost, Chicken Spring Lake, Soldier Lakes: 2

Anything higher than those-- not a problem

Funny how different perceptions can be. We were in the same area as Papercup last week and thought Horseshoe Meadows was about the same at 3-4, Chicken Spring Lake was ok until late afternoon and then went to a 6-7 and Soldier Lake was about 5-6.

GunnyJC wrote:Funny how different perceptions can be. We were in the same area as Papercup last week and thought Horseshoe Meadows was about the same at 3-4, Chicken Spring Lake was ok until late afternoon and then went to a 6-7 and Soldier Lake was about 5-6.

Remember its a 5 point scale. That definitely accounts for some different perceptions.

Not much mosquito activity above 10,500. Rae Lakes had some at 2 p.m. though, which seemed ominous. Will probably be bad by next weekend. Arrowhead Lake (10,300) was bad by late afternoon. None in 60 Lakes Basin, which will be a mosquito mecca in a few weeks.

From the lowest point below Agnew Meadow on the river to 10,000 feet, mosquitoes were 2 or less, and mostly absent, even when camped near a wet swampy area. That is bound to change.
(Lets remember the scale is from 1 to 5.)