I am planning to go to Yosemite this long weekend, and we will be avoiding the valley (the crowd), but going to the High Country (Toulumne meadow). We want to do a day hike to the Cathedral lakes. Gathering some info from the other visitors, it seems that there will be swamps of mosquitos in the park.
I am really worried. Is it worse in the high country?? Or should I give up the idea of going to the high country? Any tips to fend off the mosquitos?
Thx!

There's a new line of clothing out that claims to be bug-proof; you might look into that. I've seen it in the TravelSmith catalogue, among others.

Probably there will be lots of mosquitos, especially near marshy lakesides. They are worst when the air is still and you stop moving. But you won't have them on the entire hike. It is a beautiful hike - do it!

I just apply Off (or something with high DEET content) and also bring it on hikes to reapply as needed.

Hi kkclub,

I just returned from Yosemite and spent a wonderful day in Tuolumne Meadows. Please do yourself a favor and DON'T give up the idea of going into the High Country. It was the highlight of our trip. Yes, there were mosquitos around, but it was only pretty bad in a few places. I'm personally a "mosquito magnet," but I was fine with some basic "Off" cream.

I was, however, very happy that I was hiking in a long-sleeved shirt (it was cool, anyways) and in very lightweight long pants (the kind that can zip-off to become shorts). Dressing like that might be a good idea for you if you're concerned (I only had to apply repellant to my neck and face... avoid high concentrations of DEET if you're going to use it anywhere near your face.)

The above poster is right about where you'll find mosquitos. We had a picnic lunch at Tenaya Lake and then walked the trail around the lake, and at one point there were a lot of them. We also hiked around the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River and it was incredibly beautiful.

Note to last poster, kkclub was already at Yosemite when you posted.

kkclub, how was your trip?

yes, i saw that right after i hit "post"
hopefully kkclub wasn't deterred by the mosquitos and got to enjoy the high country.

On repelling mosquitoes: There's a product out now, new or not I don't know, which you spray on your clothes. The spray repels mosquitoes and stays on the clothing through several washings. It is sprayed all over shirt, pants, and socks.

I found it at REI in several different sizes. However, since the spray was applied to my clothes and I threw the bottle away, I can't give you all a product name. Look/ask for it at your local sporting goods store.