2010 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.
Post Reply
huts

Re: 2010 Skeeter Updates

Post by huts »

Eastern Sierra, I have used Pennyroyal as a repellent. It has a purple flower head and smells minty, grows in rocky/dry areas (hmmm, mosquitoes in wet areas) and has to be rubbed on the skin frequently to be effective.

BTW, Golden Trout Wilderness, Mulkey Meadow, Templeton Meadow - bugs almost a non issue except in shaded, windless, wet locations. July 23-28.
User avatar
mountaineer
Founding Member
Posts: 660
Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2005 8:35 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: 2010 Skeeter Updates

Post by mountaineer »

Any reports from the lakes above Twin Lakes?
User avatar
RLC
Topix Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 12:19 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: 2010 Skeeter Updates

Post by RLC »

Thanks for all the info on this board. We hiked the JMT from the Meadows to Agnew meadows from the 26th to 29th. Skeeters were pretty much non-existant through Lyell Canyon, got a little worse over Donahue Pass, and were most abundant around Garnet lake, but still no big deal.

We tried the permethrin treatment to clothing, and it seemed to really help. Never used headnets, they just were not that bad. It was a great trip.... Overall skeeter rating= 1. Cheers, Robert
User avatar
mosquito pharmer
Topix Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 9:45 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: 2010 Skeeter Updates

Post by mosquito pharmer »

Just got back from duck pass to reds meadow weekend loop 8/1/10. No skeeters at duck lake (10,800 feet), probably a 2 at purple lake (9,800), a definite 4 at the cascade valley (7.500 feet) with very few if any below 7,000 feet at Iva Bell and reds meadow.
User avatar
ddduong
Topix Novice
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:54 am
Experience: N/A

Re: 2010 Skeeter Updates

Post by ddduong »

7/30-8/1

Thousand Island Lake - 4

We took the River Trail there and spent 2 nights at 1000 Island. They would swarm us during dusk, but were tolerable during the afternoon. They were with us on the majority of the river and high trail but as long as we kept moving they didn't become much of a problem. We brought along 100 deet.
User avatar
PatrickQuin
Topix Regular
Posts: 111
Joined: Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:10 am
Experience: N/A

Re: 2010 Skeeter Updates

Post by PatrickQuin »

Just an FYI which i found kind of interesting recently. I was reading an article by Ralph Cutter pertaining to mosquitos as a trout staple. He claimed that Deet does not become more effective above i believe 34%. So when you apply these heavy heavy deet repelents you are just applying greater amounts of creepy chemical with no added benefit. And given he is the namesake of the Cutter band repelents i think i believe him on this one.
User avatar
gary c.
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1479
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:56 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Lancaster, CA

Re: 2010 Skeeter Updates

Post by gary c. »

I have read that before but I have also read that the higher the percentage the longer it's effectivness. I don't know how true any of it is but with 100% I can normally go the entire day without having to reapply. I usually need to do a touch-up on my hands and neck.
"On this proud and beautiful mountain we have lived hours of fraternal, warm and exalting nobility. Here for a few days we have ceased to be slaves and have really been men. It is hard to return to servitude."
-- Lionel Terray
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11835
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: 2010 Skeeter Updates

Post by maverick »

I to have read that the 33 percent deet was the most effective several years ago, and
have used it ever since with no problems.
The Ultrathon lasts 12 hrs, so you only need to apply once, but to be honest I very
rarely, if ever use it.
User avatar
Xosob
Topix Acquainted
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed May 12, 2010 2:28 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: 2010 Skeeter Updates

Post by Xosob »

My experience from F 7/30 - today (Th 8/5):
North Lake (F 7/30): 3 @ 7 AM
Puppet & L Lakes (Sat 7/31): 2.5
Granite Basin (Sat 7/31): 2
Lake Italy (Sat 7/31-M 8/2): 1 (but two snow banks remain on south shore, as I believe usual)
Teddy Bear & Brown Bear Lakes (Sun 8/1): 2
Hilgard Branch (M 8/2): 2.5
Bear Ridge (M 8/2): 1
Cold Creek/Goodale Pass Trail (Tu 8/3): 4 (+ deer flies that bit my hand -- ouch!)
Virginia/Purple/Duck/Pika Lakes (W 8/4): 1-1.5 (sidenote: Pika Lk was fantastic!)
Deer Lakes (Th 8/5): heavy @ lake at 10 AM but not biting, for some reason (?)
User avatar
bheiser1
Topix Regular
Posts: 177
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2010 9:39 pm
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker
Location: Twain Harte, CA
Contact:

Re: 2010 Skeeter Updates

Post by bheiser1 »

In the 5 Lakes area (northwestern Tahoe, Granite Chief Wilderness), last weekend (7/31-8/1) I'd say it was a "2". Few to no skeeters during the day. In the evening they were moderate to heavy. In some spots during the evening there were clouds of them.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 35 guests