Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board HIGH SIERRA TRAIL - CONDITIONS?

I will be hiking the High Sierra Trail in mid-August, and this is my first time on this trail. I have hiked the JMT and lots and lots of other trails in the Sierra's.

The question I have is:
I have heard that mosquito's and horse flies are particularly bad on the HST. Have other hikers observed this to be the case? We don't start until August 20th, so I'm hoping that will help with this issue as well.

Thanks, and happy trails.

I did it a few years ago around Labor Day. Few to no mosquitoes. Lovely time to be doing that trail, although not a lot of flowers.

Agree with Akichow, by mid-August the mosquitoes could be much less, however, I'd bring repellent just in case.

I was on part of the HST a month ago and the gnats were everywhere there was not water and the mosquitoes were everywhere there was water. We camped at Tamarack lake and the first day wasn't so bad. The second day was terrible and we bugged out (so to speak) on the third day. Deet helped a lot but they were still everywhere. Funny thing is deer woke us up in the middle of the night licking our packs and trekking poles. We'd get up and stand a foot or two away and they didn't seem to mind. Saw a couple bears too but they were mellow and left us alone.

As for flowers, not sure what you will see in mid-August. A month ago everything was lush green with flowers everywhere. But it will be much nicer mid-August without the bugs!

Hi Neil,

My youngest daughter and I will be starting the HST a couple of days after you. For two generations it has one of our family's favorite hikes.

Our experience has been that by late August issues with mosquitos and creek crossings usually have subsided. But we have still seen parties turning around before the Kaweah Gap due to blisters, altitude sickness, and deteriorating weather. On several stretches of the HST we are on high alert for rattlesnakes.

For us the crux of the hike has often been the fact that it is a point to point hike and transportation must be planned carefully.

Enjoy the full moon August 26.

Jim

I just did the HST finishing the 24th. Mosquitoes were bothersome, though not hellish, at most of our campsites (bearpaw, big arroyo jct, jct meadow). But I'd expect most of them to be gone by Aug 20, along with the daily monsoonal lightning and hail that plagued us!

My daughter and I hiked the HST August 23-26. Some notes:

No clouds, mild temps, and great visibility prevailed between the Kaweah Gap and Mt Whitney. A little haze/smoke was seen at the lower elevations of the drainages of the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River and Lone Pine Creek.

We saw a couple of mosquitos and one bear, as well as heard one rattlesnake. The Summit Marmot seems to have relocated to the junction of the JMT and MMWT.

All creek crossings were the easiest in recent memory.

The Ranger Station at Bearpaw Meadow is being rebuilt.

Crowded camping at the Hamilton Lakes and Kern Hot Springs, but few hikers seen between.

Spectacular full moon hovered over Guitar Lake on the final night.

The spring at the 23rd switchback is still a good (and welcomed) source of water.

Excellent burger and hot dog enjoyed at the conclusion of the hike.

Jim

Hi Jim,
I"m starting the HST 9/6. Looks like you covered a lot of miles
each day. Did you camp at Moraine Lake.. is it worth the diversion?
Would appreciate any tips. Where did you see the bear at?
Happy Hiking
Rick

Rick,

We did not pass by Moraine Lake, but have been there before. For me it is not nearly as attractive as Upper Hamilton, Timberline, and Guitar Lake. However, if you plan on camping between the Big Arroyo Patrol Cabin and the Kern River, Moraine Lake would be a very attractive option. It has many good campsites, water, a bear box, and a fire ring. If you skip it you only save a mile.

We saw the bear on the bend in the trail about a hundred yards after crossing Nine Mile Creek. It graciously stepped off the trail to let us pass.

The weather was really good so we were able to hike many hours a day (which is our personal preference). Our packs were light (a necessity for me) and we carried food for only four days which kept us focused on getting to the Whitney Portal Store by the 26th.

The weather forecast for the start of your hike (9/6) currently looks favorable. However, it should be noted that September is the start of the Transition Season. Last year I finished the HST (Guitar Lake to Whitney Portal) on 9/1 and walked through 6 miles of fresh snow.

At Crescent Meadow there was plenty of room in the bear boxes to store some extra provisions. Also, finding a good parking spot was not an issue. However, there was no water at Crescent Meadow. The first water source was at Panther Creek (3 miles).

Enjoy your hike on the HST!

Jim

Hi Jim,
THanks for your input... congrats on a successful
trip.
Happy Hiking to All
Rick