looking for a mountain range with few mosquitoes in early/mid August

[regehr]

I'm just not a mosquito-tolerant human being. I hate them. I've done trips in the Winds, the Uintas, and the Tetons in late July / early August that I just didn't think were very enjoyable due to the number of them. But I can't very well push my trips past mid-August since I'm a professor and I start teaching well before the end of the month. Does anyone have ideas about mountain ranges within like a 6-7 hour drive of SLC that will be better than the ones I listed above, starting around August 5? Like maybe the Toiyabe Range or something? Just about the only July trip I've really enjoyed was the Jarbidge Mountains, where there were just a few mosquitoes (but also some ticks, ugh!!!!).

 

[wick e. pedia]

Usually by that time of year the Sangre de Cristos are pretty dried out, and the mosquitos mostly gone with them. That's a couple extra hours out of your way, but their northwest/southeast run with the San Luis Valley south of them mean they get a whole lot of southern sun to dry out earlier than some other places.

I will say that I always lean on the National Weather and Climate Center's interactive snowpack map to see which areas have been wetter than normal. It's a fine line to dance between 'dry enough to dodge skeeters' and 'so dry it could be fire season early,' but it's a resource that's helped me plan ahead time and time again.

(Plus I just love the Sangres. I'd advocate visiting them whenever possible!)

 

[regehr]

(Plus I just love the Sangres. I'd advocate visiting them whenever possible!)

despite being a longtime Utah resident, I've neglected the Colorado mountains somewhat shamefully. thanks!!

 

[OregonAndrew]

I didn't have too much trouble with mosquitos or ticks when I went up into Eagle Cap near Baker City OR last August. I posted a trip report here with some pics + vids: https://backcountrypost.com/threads/eagle-cap-from-china-cap-to-meadow-mountain.10848/ If you come up this way let me know if you want a hiking buddy!

 

[Bob]

LOL .................. Best up here is after about Aug 15. Dont know, maybe Arc Dome, Rubys in Nevada.... water questionable then. Owyhee, Hells Canyon, Lost Rivers (mostly rock) in Idaho. Everyplace without mosquitos is usually hot and dry.

 

[Rockskipper]

Maybe take up scuba diving? There's a group that frequents Bear Lake and another at Lake McDonald in Glacier. Or caving might work.

FWIW, I've had good luck with no mosquitoes in the Big Blue wilderness in Colorado, but they generally don't like me anyway.

 

[canadug]

We often go to the Sierra Range late July/early Aug as there are few mozzies left by then. I also despise those little DEVILS!

 

[balzaccom]

completely depends on the weather and snow. This yer might be okay. Last year was a big snow year, and the mosquitoes lasted a long time.

 

[Rockskipper]

Well, never mind on Colorado's Big Blue. Just talked to my brother who was out there late last summer and he said the moskies were the worst he's ever seen.

Maybe take up scuba diving? There's a group that frequents Bear Lake and another at Lake McDonald in Glacier. Or caving might work.

FWIW, I've had good luck with no mosquitoes in the Big Blue wilderness in Colorado, but they generally don't like me anyway.

 

[canadug]

completely depends on the weather and snow. This yer might be okay. Last year was a big snow year, and the mosquitoes lasted a long time.

We went last August and the bugs were the worst I have ever experienced in my 30 years of exploring the Sierra Range......For sure all depends on how fast the snow melts in the next few months.

 

[wsp_scott]

I have the same scheduling issues as a lecturer. It is about 8 hours from SLC to Bishop, CA which gives you the heart of the High Sierra. I've only had one bad bug trip in the last week of July/first week of Aug and it was a high snow year. The flowers were awesome, the bugs not so much

 

[John Goering]

This year, just about anything in the Northern Rockies is looking pretty good mosquito wise. It will all be on fire-------

 

[fossana]

+1 for the Sierra even though it's a little longer of a drive. It's not a monster snow year like last year.