High Sierra Topix

Thanks all for the replies.

The info about kids wad buried deep within the original post in "our preferences".

We did Kibbie Lake on Memorial Day, before mosquitoes.

You could go low: Rancheria Falls at Hetch Hetchy is likely mosquito free by now and a good hike with kids, though perhaps hot at this time of year (try a climb of Leconte Point: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5136" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). Might not meet your 5 day criteria, though Tiltill Valley/Lake Vernon may be OK to add a few more days.
Or go south: Cottonwood Pass & Miter Basin sounds like it is very dried out already (again a good kids trip: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6526" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), although a long drive from the Bay Area.

Both have trip reports from last weekend with little mention of mosquitoes (though it was windy, and that might not be the case next week).

I was considering doing a very similar trip (same area) a little bit later in July... are the mosquitoes really that bad??

THE SIERRAS HAVE A DEFINED CYCLE OF INSECT LIFE. THE MOSQUITOS COME FIRST. YOU ARE DEFINITELY ASKING FOR THEM AT THIS TIME OF YEAR. BUT POSTPONING TIL AUGUST (AS SOMEONE SUGGESTED) IS NOT MUCH BETTER AS IT IS BEE SEASON. I ONCE HIKED IN AUGUST INTO JENNIE ELLIS WILDERNESS. NO ONE WAS THERE BUT TWO GUYS CAMPING AT A LAKE IN FULL MILITARY GARB, INCLUDING GAS MASKS, LEATHER GLOVES, ETC. BECAUSE OF THE BEES. WHY THEY CHOSE TO STAY THERE WAS BEYOND ME?
I PRAYED I COULD PEE WITHOUT GETTING BUZZED/STUNG, THEN TURNED MY BOOTS AROUND AND HIKED RIGHT BACK OUT. MOSQUITOS ARE NO FUN FOR YOUR KIDS, CONSIDER ANOTHER DESTINATION, PERHAPS A SEASIDE ONE, WHERE THERE IS FRESH AIR, SUNSHINE, FUN WAVES TO PLAY IN.

Sacha Kai wrote:NO ONE WAS THERE BUT TWO GUYS CAMPING AT A LAKE IN FULL MILITARY GARB, INCLUDING GAS MASKS, LEATHER GLOVES, ETC. BECAUSE OF THE BEES. WHY THEY CHOSE TO STAY THERE WAS BEYOND ME?

Why someone would even consider carrying that kind of gear in the first place is what's beyond me.

mtn.horhe wrote:I was considering doing a very similar trip (same area) a little bit later in July... are the mosquitoes really that bad??

I'll also be in the area this upcoming weekend, so I'll let you know. Fortunately I don't have kids to worry about so I can torture myself with mosquitos all I want!