Took a family backpack to see the views. Last weekend on Lost Creek Ridge was great so we thought the kids would like it (yeah I know we're stupid). After a late start and uneventful drive we arrived at the trailhead. We wondered why there was so much downhill traffic on the way up. On gettttting out of the car there was a car in front of us with a flat and the owners said the bugs were so bad they bailed. We figured, wimps.
Starting up the trail was not bad although we promised a the kids a rest stop every half hour. Two refugees passed us going down when we asked how it was and they only glowered and said BUGS.As we neared the meadows we tried a short break. then they hit us, gazillions of deer flies. Out came the fly dope. we had a wide variety of weapons in our quiver 100% DEET, Cuttrers, Deep Woods Off, and REI Black fly Cream. The beat was the REI produt which kept out 99% still leaving hundreds of bites. We bagged the break.
On reaching the meadows the problem increasesd and Horse Flys were added to the mix. On one or two occasions we foud gaps were the wind allowed only the flies in the slipstream of our legs to bite. We promised the kids they could play in the ponds when we got to our campsite. After a short clim we arrived at the ponds to find most of the shell hole sites filled but one was available neer the upper pond. The kids ran off to play but soon arrived back demanding that we set up the tent immediatly. we did so and all jumped in. We left off thefly for air and cooling. The girls made short work of the flys that folloed us in and soon had gathered a couple hundred dead ones. We stayed in the tent until the local sunset when we ventured out. The population had decreased then to a few thoiusand per cubic inch allowing us to cook dinner.
When welcome darkness came we started to watch the stars and we say several meteors. Mosquiteos soon took up the slack but their numbers were fewer but bite more lasting. The coolness was nice and we soon fell asleep.
In the morn we awoke and found the bugs had too. We started up the trail to the summit believing there would be fewer bugs there. It was a fight on the way up with crying miserable kids but we persevered. On top the wind kept the bus away excep for a few diehards slipstreaming in the lee of the lookout. We spent as much time as possible on top and raced to face our doom, breaking camp.
We arrived at camp and Lynda went inside to stuff the bags in the stifling heat. I packed packs having to take a quick run every couple minutes because the bugs could sense your hands were full and swarmed overyer everything like a Steven King Novel. Tossing everything in the packs we flw down the trail with a million wings beating on our legs. Arriving at the car we all jumped in like WWII paratropers leaving a transport and turned on the air conditioner. Down the road we rumbled with gravel spewing out from the wheels. We ducked into Buck Creek campground and flung ourself into the river washing off the acumulation of fly bodies and noxious chemicals. the ride home was nice and we promised not to take the kids here again until the bugs go away.