Snow Lk Gem Lk

This is one of those
hikes that I will do only on a weekday, as the thundering hordes are just too much on weekends. I started out on the trail at 7:15 to beat the heat--and did so, except for the way back, after noon. Because of the hot weather lately, Snow Lake is now 98% thawed out, and Gem Lake is completely snow-free. There are some snow patches on both lakeshores, and some on the trail to Gem Lake. But everywhere the snow is rapidly melting and ponding, the mosquitoes are breeding and swarming. ""Clouds of angry bloodsucking devils darkened the midday skies"". (Sorry.) Bug juice with DEET strongly advised!