Trip Report
Naches Peak Loop — Monday, Jul. 23, 2018
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
Type of Hike
Day hikeTrail Conditions
Trail in good conditionRoad
Road suitable for all vehiclesBugs
Bugs were terribleSnow
Intermittent snow - not hard to cross
Beautiful as always but OMG THE BUGS. We are from the South (Georgia and Florida) and never in our lives have we seen mosquitos like this. We were all wearing bug spray (though not DEET) AND permethrin treated clothing and still were eaten alive. I’ll try to update with the scenery photos but for now here’s my poor 2 year old’s legs. :(
Comments
Zach on Naches Peak Loop
Yikes! I would definitely recommend using either DEET or picaridin. Thanks for the heads up and hope your kid isn't bothered for too long!
Posted by:
Zach on Jul 24, 2018 11:49 AM
allifam on Naches Peak Loop
Yep, those are definitely in the Amazon cart now. Thanks for the kind wishes! Thankfully he hasn't even tried to scratch at all. I, however, who was wearing all long sleeves and pants, am clawing my skin off. I simply cannot believe the bugs!
Posted by:
allifam on Jul 24, 2018 12:15 PM
Maddy on Naches Peak Loop
I think that this is an unusually buggy year based on reading others trip reports. July is of course the worst month for bugs. It also tends to be crowded and hot. I therefore do less hiking in July than any other month. If I do go in July, I pay close attention to the trip reports to avoid super buggy places. It really makes it a lot less enjoyable. Things fortunately usually settle down by mid August.
I don't think that anything works as well as DEET for mosquitos.
Posted by:
Maddy on Jul 24, 2018 06:58 PM
seattlenativemike on Naches Peak Loop
Wow sorry to see that! Calamine lotion will help post bite for the itches
Tolmie Peak was especially bad two days ago as well. I had on Sawyers Picaridin lotion and didn't get bit although they were swarming so bad I thought I might need a transfusion back at the trailhead.
Posted by:
seattlenativemike on Jul 24, 2018 07:25 PM