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.
Bedbug wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 9:15 pm
Nothing compared with the 2015 mosquitogeddon /level 5 of the Sabrina Basin.
That's interesting. My wife's first backpacking trip was 2015 Sabrina Basin (mid-Aug) and we had no issues with them. Stayed at Blue & Donkey and day hiked to Baboon.
Likely heading up there in less than 2 weeks. Hope things are not too bad.
August 14/15 - From Blue Lake to Hungry Packer Lake - Level 4
Pretty much any time I stopped moving I was swarmed within seconds. Getting into my tent at Topsy Turvy Lake let in about 15 mosquitoes in the few seconds it took to dive into the tent. It turns out my Prana Stretch Zion pants don't have a tight enough weave to prevent bites through the pants
SirBC wrote: ↑Fri Aug 16, 2019 9:41 am
August 14/15 - From Blue Lake to Hungry Packer Lake - Level 4
Pretty much any time I stopped moving I was swarmed within seconds. Getting into my tent at Topsy Turvy Lake let in about 15 mosquitoes in the few seconds it took to dive into the tent. It turns out my Prana Stretch Zion pants don't have a tight enough weave to prevent bites through the pants
Hmmm, maybe we want to change plans. Intending to hit the same area the 26th.
SirBC wrote: ↑Fri Aug 16, 2019 9:41 am
August 14/15 - From Blue Lake to Hungry Packer Lake - Level 4
Pretty much any time I stopped moving I was swarmed within seconds. Getting into my tent at Topsy Turvy Lake let in about 15 mosquitoes in the few seconds it took to dive into the tent. It turns out my Prana Stretch Zion pants don't have a tight enough weave to prevent bites through the pants
Hmmm, maybe we want to change plans. Intending to hit the same area the 26th.
I wouldn't change my plans because of the mosquitoes. When not hiking, at camp I set up a chair in the shade and put on a headnet and long-sleeve shirt and read my kindle. Also, they might be better in 10 days.
Level 3 for first, second, and third lake, and Sam Mac Meadows, even around noon or early PM when setting up tent under the sun.
Went without spray and had to dive in the tent and kill several that got in with me each time. They land on and can pierce through tight-fitting sleeves. The itching remains a day after the trip.
Was able to sit down for lunch without being swarmed only above Sam Mac Meadows, where you can see the first three lakes in a string formation.
Upper & Lower Piute meadows - 4
Tower Lake - 2
Lane Lake to Leavitt Meadows - 2
If I stopped running in Piute Meadows, we instantly had a cloud on us landing and then taking off again, with a few managing to bite through the DEET cloud I had on. That was some real ****. Tower Lake & lower lakes were surprisingly pleasant.
"Adventure is just bad planning." - Roald Amundsen
Also, I have a blog no one reads. Please do not click here.
Southern Yosemite - Buena vista loop (from Chilnualna falls trailhead) and then connect to the red peak/post/fernandez pass via buck camp.
Falls through Buena vista loop + buck camp connector: 2 most times, but patches of 4 in marshes/thick woods.
Ottoway and red devil lake: 2+
Red devil through post peak pass - 2
Post peak pass through fernandez pass - 3-4 through most of the trail. This was the worst mosquito stretch, sometimes close to a 5 near the 2 stream crossings. Waning to a 2 once you got closer to the pass.
Shepherd Pass trail: 1 except for Anvil Camp which was a 3 in some shady areas
Lower Colby Pass trail: 2-3 with pockets of 4-5 around 10k feet in shaded areas
John Muir trail near Tyndall Creek cutoff: 5 in the evening. Dozens at a time landing, drinking, and returning for seconds.
Picket Lake: 1 or 2. Well behaved.
8/16-8/19 Lake Edison
End of ferry ride to Pocket Meadow - 1
Silver Pass to Lake Virginia - 2
Purple Lake to Minnow Creek to Jackson Meadow - 2
Grassy Lake to turnoff for Wilber May Lake - 4
Lake of the Lone Indian, Papoose Lake - 2.5
Goodale Pass to Upper Graveyard Meadow - 1
Graveyard Meadows - 3
Rest of the way to Vermilion campground - 1