NH White Mountains

imported
#1

I am planing on a Memorial Day weekend section hike from Kinsman Notch to Crawford Notch. Would appreciate any input on trail conditions at this time. I heard the black flies could be quite bad, but they are only around for a few weeks. Generally when are those few weeks???

doodles

#2

Generally the black flies are around from mid-May to Mid July with the most severe weeks being the last of May through mid June. I’m usually not bothered by the pests while hiking but as soon as I stop the insanity starts. Occasionally during more severe years I use a head net. Thank goodness they go away at night.

Celt

#3

I found some interesting info on black flies in Maine at this page:

http://www.mainenature.org/blackfly/blackflyinfo.html

Celt

#4

I was in the area this weekend. The black flies have just started coming out in southern NH but have yet to start in the Whites. The snow at elevation (over 3,000 ft) is still very deep in places and when the air heats up makes for lots of postholing. No leaves yet, unlimited view abound and the crowds were small. By month end most of the snow should be gone but the black flies should be getting organized by then.

Big B

#5

between pinkham notch and lakes o’ the clouds, do you have to worry about black flies? above timberline? i am planning on having some family members meet me the last few days of june to do a loop from pinkham to madison to LOC and back to pinkham. i don’t want to invite them into misery. any info is appreciated.

David

#6

And if you to lazy, take Celts advise as what your doing.At least your going my way Celts, I know just what you mean. I also can say your the Talk of the local red necks that work in the woods, that you got no headnet and DEET if you want to stop below treeline basicly.
They are a cheap pesk, Now you want to talk about deer flys, that’s a evil fly.
And I’ll sell you my headnet for a $100 bill in the Whites to, know what I mean? And that’s a deal to, cause it was just a big a pain for me to get one to. Yup and all the rednecks chainsawing bought em all in town. they buy em all at once, your lucky to find one left still.:slight_smile:

Greg

#7

Once you get out of the woods in Pinkham Notch the black flies will not be a problem. You reach tree line pretty quickly from there. On the ridge they are no problem unless you get an extremely rare day when the wind is calm.

Big B