High Sierra Topix

Any suggestions for backpacking next week June 28-july1 w a couple of very capable teens in the eastern sierras. The only caveat is both can't stand mosquitos and the youngest,14 gets terrible reaction to bites. I know late June and early July a bad time to hike this area, as the critters are ready to roar but I thought maybe there was some areas less prone or maybe going up to 11k is the call. Thanks in advance and sorry if I didn't post this properly...

Seek windy places. Stay out of thick forests. Stay south. Northern Sierra, particularly northern Yosemite is terrible. If you can wait until a day before to make the decision, look at weather forecasts (NWS website) and find forecasted wind. Cottonwood TH seems a good prospect.

Humphreys Basin tends to be open and windy. It however may have lots of standing water and newly hatched mosquitoes. Would not go there unless a firm forecast for wind.

They can be bad at any elevation, but staying out of the greenery helps a lot. Open granite and windy helps a lot. Long, loose sleeves, long loose pants, a headnet over a broad brimmed hat...

It is called September (before school starts.) It also gives them all summer at home to walk a lot to prepare for the trip.

Thanks for the suggestions and advice. Getting above the trees makes sense. I'll give Humphry basin a look. These are the only days we an hike.

rlown wrote:It is called September (before school starts.) It also gives them all summer at home to walk a lot to prepare for the trip.

I dunno, seems like all the schools around here get going the last week of August.

But it's a dry year, I bet the skeets will be gone by August.

Ok. then go as late as possible for your children's sake.

Hi regone.

I have a solution that solves your problem and makes everyone happy. I think you should consider scrapping the backpacking aspect of your trip and book a motel room in Mammoth or Tahoe instead.

Just imagine the piece of mind you'll enjoy knowing your kids can go back to the motel if there are too many mosquitoes. No whining or crying. You can also go hiking by yourself if they choose to stay indoors. There's tons of great hiking in Mammoth and Tahoe. One dayhike I recommend in the Mammoth area is the Little Lakes Valley Trail. And there's an air conditioned mosquito free room waiting for your kids after the hike.

The main thing is that you get to be in the mountains this week and everyone has a good time being with each other.
Harmony is what's important here.

Little Lakes Valley Trail:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/re ... 4&actid=50

Good luck!

thanks for all the suggestions... we are just going to get above the tree line and take our chances. Not sure where but the back trip will happen. DEET!!!