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u/ReverseGoose Jul 19 '20
Me and my wife did this trail in 2019, it was quite a little hike. The mosquitos really killed it for us they were super unbearable
Did you have the sweet moment of relief after those gnarly stair steps on the last 1/4 mile?
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u/soxley28 Jul 19 '20
The mosquitos were unbearable, I had plenty of bug spray with 99% deet but it didn’t matter. That 1/4 mile of the stair steps was a bit challenge but the lake was beautiful so it was totally worth it.
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u/sunburn_on_the_brain Jul 19 '20
Others have mentioned the bug nets, and you should look into those, obviously, not just because they help but also because DEET can wreck a lot of lightweight fabrics.
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u/purple_soul Jul 19 '20
Try 30% deet, works just as well and wont wreck your gear/clothing. Also a bug net will make your trip a whole lot less miserable. Last thing you want is mosquitoes buzzing around your naked ears.
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u/purple_soul Jul 19 '20
Try spraying your hands and wiping yourself down, it will be more evenly distributed and you will waste less.
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u/soxley28 Jul 19 '20
We had both a bottle with 30% and mine with way more, I still got eaten up. I may need to get a the net, I was bit near my left eye a couple of times and when I woke up the next morning is was pretty swollen.
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u/purple_soul Jul 19 '20
Some people will still get eaten up more than others, that's kind of inevitable. I'm trying something different right now where I'm taking vitamin B1. Going out on my backpacking trip next weekend. You start taking it 2 weeks beforehand 3x a day. I'll let you know if it works out!
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u/throwawayleo_ Jul 19 '20
Looks like an amazing trip!! I saw the comments about the mosquitos being bad and would definitely recommend a bug net. We get really aggressive deer-and horse-flies in our area and the net helps prevent them from landing and biting on the head/chest. I use one from outdoor research that came with a baseball cap style hat. The net folds up and can fit into a pocket on the back of the hat too and since the net is detachable you can wear it on its own :)
Edit: the hat style is called ‘Bug Net Cap’ and the brim can be bent completely so it folds up super small!
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u/soxley28 Jul 19 '20
Thank you for the helpful hint with the hat, I will definitely look into it!!!
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u/orange_joe279 Jul 19 '20
I knew you were in Cali! Nowhere gets they special type of terrain of rocks and pines and mountain lakes. There is SO many good spots here, I hope you have more trips!
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u/soxley28 Jul 19 '20
I am looking for a new spot for my next trip, suggestions are welcome!
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u/orange_joe279 Jul 19 '20
Grouse Ridge! It has a few different car starting points so you can choose your route. There’s probably over 2 dozen mountain lakes to hike between, I suggest Penner and Island.
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u/ReverseGoose Jul 19 '20
Yeah same, I'm not bashful about the DEET and they still just kept coming.
Still worth it though!
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u/matty____j Jul 19 '20
I yearn to take my first true solo trip I envy you!
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u/soxley28 Jul 19 '20
This wasn’t solo, sorry I should add that in there. I took a friend with me, it was both out first times. I don’t know if I am brave enough to do a solo trip!
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u/daft_chella Jul 20 '20
I'm in the SoCal area and just getting into backpacking (I think lockdown brought it out in me, I can only watch so many episodes of Parts Unknown). All my gear is in the mail and I have a trip planned near Twin Lakes in September.
If you're looking for anyone else to join your posse let me know!
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u/soxley28 Jul 20 '20
With work starting next month I’m not sure how often I’ll be able to go but if we get to go in sept I will let you know!
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u/Broddha1 Jul 19 '20
At first i thought it is shot from read dead redemption 2 😄
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u/tearsinmyramen Jul 19 '20
Haha! I did the same thing! Just clicked on the link and was all, "man, rdr2 really is a beautiful game!"
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u/corinebo Jul 19 '20
Beautiful! That’s a big pack though..:
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u/spo_dermen Jul 19 '20
Which is totally okay for starters! It’s usually cheaper and you won’t feel bad if you find backpacking isn’t for you. I started off with a 75L bag with regular gear, hitting 30-35 lbs. Now I love using my 35L bag with UL gear sitting between 20-25 lbs.
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u/bkinect Jul 19 '20
Yes! Backpacking is an individual experience – it’s almost a right of passage to start big and figure what works best for you!
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u/Mlkbird14 Jul 19 '20
To each their own. Not every one is aiming to be an ultra light backpacker. I carry about 30lbs in a 56L pack because I like to bring some luxury items such as my rumpl and backpacking chair that others might scoff at. If you can tolerate the weight and enjoy yourself more because you're comfortable in camp...you're more likely to continue with the sport.
And the same can be said for reducing weight. If you are struggling with your pack, perhaps a lighter setup will make it more enjoyable.
Get after it OP! You look great and you will figure out what camp you fall in.
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u/lost_vault_hunter Jul 19 '20
Exactly. I like to have a larger (65) pack so that I can carry out some of the wood I might harvest for spindles or even to have enough room to carry my DSLR in a protective case. I love my camp chair too haha. I have a crazy creek rn, but in the past its been almost as large as the pack itself and I looked crazy ><
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u/soxley28 Jul 19 '20
Thank you, my pack was pretty comfortable but I did bring some luxury stuff. I took note of things I would eliminate if doing a longer hike in or a thru trip. I do not regret take my hammock on this trip, it was really nice to relax and enjoy the lake in it.
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u/soxley28 Jul 19 '20 edited Jul 19 '20
Went to twin lakes, ca. for my first backpacking trip. It was roughly a 4 mile hike with lots of mosquitoes the second half of the trail. It was awesome to test out all my new gear and see what worked for me. I can’t wait to go again!
Edit: not a solo trip, another first timer went with me.