So this summer I’ll be getting about a month of free time for a backpacking trip. I just moved to Oregon and I thought it would be great to experience my new state via the PCT. My window is basically early July to early August. However, I’ve read somewhere that the mosquitoes are horrible in Oregon in July. Is there any truth to this? I dealt with Sierra mosquitoes on the PCT last year, but I want to know if I’m getting ready to walk into a buggy hell.
funtimecool
The several times Ive hiked Ore the worst time was mid july to the first week in aug. Take lots of deet and a tent to crawl into when stopping for the night. Still worth it
floater
Since it’s a dry winter this year (about half of normal)the skeeters might be gone by July. Still, carry DEET and at least a mosquito head-net if not a tent. I hiked Oregon last summer in August and it was great.
bowlegs
Not sure what data is showing that the winter precip is half of normal in Oregon? What i’m looking at has it almost exactly normal or slightly above normal.
Personally, i’d save the Oregon PCT for when you have time in late season. There are many other options, including the Oregon coast or a multitude of hikes in the High Sierra.
markv
It’s the high plateaus with lots and lots of lakes (and bogs) that are the worst for mosquitoes in July, in both Washington and Oregon. Sky Lakes, southern end of the Three Sisters Wilderness, Olallie Lakes, Indian Heaven Wilderness, the William O. Douglas Wilderness north of White Pass are all much better in late August when the bugs are gone and blueberries are ripe!
While the snowpack isn’t (yet) as horrendous as last year, it is above normal! After a dry winter, the Pacific NW this year had the all-time record precipitation for March. Don’t count on early access to the high country, unless it suddenly turns off warm and dry. No signs of that happening yet!
grannyhiker
You said don’t count on early access, do you mean snow could be a serious problem for Oregon in July?
Funtimecool
I would think there could be some snow that seriously gets in your way in July only in the highest areas along Jefferson and Hood. If you go nobo in Oregon starting in July, your worry is pretty much mosquitos, not snow.
Then again, a very snowy April and May could change that.
markv
Yeah, I’ll be going northbound starting in early July and I’m a slow hiker, so I don’t expect to get to those higher areas until August. Good to know!
funtimecool