Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Insects on MMWT

What's the story with bugs on the trail? How bad will they be, should I bring along my 100% Deet Jungle Juice, or will I survive without it? I'm heading up on Sunday for an overnight at Trail Camp before heading up to the peak on Monday.

I had copious amounts of mosquitos on the Cottonwood Lakes trail mid-month in August in the evening hours just before sunset, but saw nary a single one the way back down in mid-morning. Should I expect the same behavior in the lower altitudes on MMWT?

Thanks!
mchiker

hi i was up there mmwt trail on labor day not bad had some bugs at outpost camp but above that no problems and it is getting colder so probly wont be as bad i didnt have to use anything they didnt bother me very much have fun good luck

The Forest Service hardly issues any Trail Permits to insects, so you don't find many on the MWMT. The ones that are caught are heavily fined.

Hey, Alan, don't tread on my territory!

Sorry, Ken. You caught me without a permit. :-(

Dude, you guys crack me up!

There were no mosquitos at all at Trail Camp last w/e of August. Never broke out the DEET.

Did see one hummingbird-looking and acting thing, though. Striped like a bee, little antennae, and flitted from flower to flower. Was this just the altitude talking? Anyone know what this thing is?

-Laura