A quick question about our favorite trail companions

imported
#1

How are the bugs (black flies, mosquitos, ect.) on the JMT in July?

Craig

#2

I walked the JMT in the middle of July last summer. The only bothersome bugs we encountered were mosquitos.

At their worst, they were phenomenal. Every human-sized volume of space anywhere you looked contained dozens of mosquitos. So even with repellent, they were still bumping into us and going into our mouths.

However, there is a lot of elevation and terrain change over the course of the trail. So the simplest approach we found was to carry DEET and just walk past the worst areas. (I eventually got used to a moderate number of mosquitos and a few bites.)

Eric

#3

The mosquitos are vicious. I’m extremely serious -you MUST have deet, head netting, and some bug-proof shelter. Unlike the AT, those little bastards can keep up with you when you hike. They hurt, and they are strong and fast. This was from Muir Pass to about 60 miles north of Tuolomne on the PCT for us for a bout the first week and a half of July. We had few problems with them south of Muir Pass, but I think it was just a hatch timing issue.

With that being said, it’s worth it. One the best hikes inthe world.

Tha Wookie

#4

Peak water season in Yosemite is past and Tioga Pass has been open for at least a week (some late snow years the pass opens just in time for July 4th). Kings Canyon has no snow in the canyon to Cedar Grove now and I heard that a PCT hiker is thru Tuolumne Pass.

All of this seems to add up to an early dry year with a corresponding early mosquito season. I would say take DEET and a head net but I guess that it is going to be a good hike in July.

The grasshoppers were incredible at Wanda Lake north of Muir Pass bouncing off our hats, faces, body and legs when we were there at peak wildflowers, with NO mosquitos! Strange because I was surprised to see grasshoppers at that elevation.

YMMV

Marcia

#5

hey I walked the PCT in 02 got on jmt on june, no bugs. Walked the JMT last year in July, Bugs.
the snow will be low and you should plan to camp above 10,000. not too bad that high, cold at night. but forget the meadows. I camped below Glenn in whatever that meadow is called and it was a non-stop buzz-a-thon.

Goof

#6

We even had them on Silver Pass (11,000 ft or close to it). I thought they were little flakes of dirt on the snow, until they smelled me and attacked.

Skeeters biting in the snow? No fair!

Tha Wookie

#7

Hello–semi-related question:

what is the bug situation in the North Cascades (Washington) in July? Anyone know?

M