Mosquitoes in the alpine?

[fowlweather]

this came up in a hot-tub conversation with a friend. I am planning on doing a hike in the summer and i am posting this before I forget, i am going to be scouting a new spot at around 7-8000 feet. will there be any bugs? there are no lakes or swamps nearby and its just alpine

[Jagermeister]

There does not have to be large water to harbour mosquitos. Any amount of pooled water, about as much as a tire will hold, can be a breeding place for mosquitos. Generally, they are not too much of a problem in the alpine if there is a constant breeze blowing, but that can change once the wind subsides.
Go down the slope abit and they can be super abundant, especially if the slope is broken rock with moss covering. Those nice crevasses are the daytime roosting places for mosquitos, much like caves for bats.

[ufishifish2]

X2 - What Jagermeister saaid.
The breeze up there will generally help a bunch, but expect bugs. June and July are the worst, and August is getting better as things get drier. The first frosts in September will knock them back a lot more.
Enjoy your hike.

[6616]

I've never seen mosquitoes above 8000 ft in the Rockies but there can be lots of horse flies in the hot mid-summer months, they're aggressive and bite like hell,,,, and it hurts like hell....!

[ianwuzhere]

yup i agree with jager- mosquitoes dont need swamps etc.
one thing for sure is a stiff breeze will keep em away!

[Trophyslayer]

Don't camp or stay in any bowls they will be there I have camped at 7500 ft In early sept in the coquihallia area and there were skeeters but I have also been up there sept 1 and woke up to 6 inches of snow and no bugs in my experiance if it's warm be prepared for bugs

[RiverOtter]

Put it this way, I wouldn't go on a hike in the summer and neglect to plan for em'....

[yukon john]

I was eaten alive last year on a 3 day trek at 7000ft in july, bring your bug dope/net

[OutWest]

Like 6616 said, maybe not mosquitos but be prepared for horse flies. Was up above 7 000 last September and they were everywhere.