2012 Mosquito Reports

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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quentinc
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Horseshoe, Big Whitney and Tunnel Meadows 6/30 - 7/2

Post by quentinc »

1 everywhere, to my surprise.
Only place they were bad was on the way up from Big Whitney to Cottonwood Pass, along the creek, and then only at sunset.
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surfacant
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Sawtooth Pass Trail to Lower Monarch Lake 7/2 - 7/3

Post by surfacant »

Sawtooth Pass Trail to Lower Monarch Lake 7/2 - 7/3
1 on the trail up. 1 during the evening at lower monarch lake. 4 after the wind died down in the morning. I was swarmed enough 7/3 morning that I left early :\
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rlown
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Re: 2012 Mosquito Reports

Post by rlown »

Welcome to the HST!
Thanks for the info.
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David and Karen
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Kearsarge Lakes-Rae Lakes 7/1-7/4

Post by David and Karen »

My wife just got back from Rae Lakes (via Onion Valley) - bugs were a non-issue at Matlock Lake and Kearsarge Lakes - they were noticable at Rae Lakes but not that bad
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no2haven
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Pine Creek - Granite Park - Italy Pass - July 1-3

Post by no2haven »

0 on the trail up to Pine Lake.
2-3 at the Pine Lakes/Honeymoon Lake, especially in wooded areas.
0-1 in Granite Park. The only exception was the lake just below Italy Pass where there several discrete mosquito balls/swarms; they left you alone if they didn't catch your scent.
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schmalz
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Mono Pass to Mono Creek: June 30th - July 3rd

Post by schmalz »

I encountered pretty much no mosquitoes on the east side of Mono Pass, but definitely some on the other side.

6/30 4th Recess: Was only there for dusk and then the next morning. I'd say 2.5? They were definitely buzzing around but not terrible.

7/1: Hopkins Basin to the uppermost lake. 4. This was a blooming meadow and there were a ton of bugs. I went to a ridge above the top lake where I was far away from any moisture and they still found me up there.

7/2: Pioneer Basin. I'll say 3.5. They were active during the day but not quite as thick as Hopkins.

There was not much wind and it was warm. Bad skeeter conditions.
Last edited by schmalz on Thu Jul 05, 2012 10:27 am, edited 2 times in total.
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maverick
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Re: 2012 Mosquito Reports

Post by maverick »

Schmalz wrote:
7/1: Hamilton Basin to the uppermost lake. 4. This was a blooming meadow and
there were a ton of bugs. I went to a ridge above the top lake where I was far
away from any moisture and they still found me up there.
You meant Hopkins Lakes Basin, right?
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schmalz
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Re: 2012 Mosquito Reports

Post by schmalz »

maverick wrote:
Schmalz wrote:
7/1: Hamilton Basin to the uppermost lake. 4. This was a blooming meadow and
there were a ton of bugs. I went to a ridge above the top lake where I was far
away from any moisture and they still found me up there.
You meant Hopkins Lakes Basin, right?
Yep, my bad. Edited the post.
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Silverfox
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Re: 2012 Kearsarge Lakes -Rae Lakes

Post by Silverfox »

This is great news, leaving Sat. 7/7 for Charlotte, Keasarge, and Rae Lakes. I'll update next Friday 7/13.
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July 1-4 Pear, Moose Lakes, Alta Meadow

Post by cahiker »

July 1st - Pear Lake: 0/1. A few mosquitoes, but not bothersome.

July 2nd - Moose Lake: 4. Lots of mosquitoes buzzing around our heads at all times, with their annoying whine. Surprisingly, none landed on my ungloved hands or bit through my exposed socks.

July 3rd - Alta Meadow: 1-2. Fair number in Alta Meadow mid-afternoon, but we didn't stop. At our campsite on the ridge at the west end of the meadow there were only a few.

July 4th - Trail to Wolverton from the south, through Long Meadow - Very aggressive mosquitoes that managed to land on my arms and legs and repeatedly bite even though I walked as fast as I could and swung my arms wildly. Beautiful meadow, but I couldn't enjoy it because I had been lulled into believing I could safely hike in shorts and short sleeves with the bug spray deep in my pack (dumb, I know...)
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