GSMNP Memorial Day Weekend: Planning Phase

[FireInMyBones]

Doing the Newfound Gap to Fontana Dam section of GSMNP on the AT Memorial Day weekend and curious about how buggy to expect it. I'm trying to decide whether or not to bring my bug net for my hammock.

I'm also hopping for moderate nights because I'm lending out my 20F gear again and will be using my 40F DIY quilts.

Any tips? I haven't been camping through there in quite sometime.

[colonel r]

Been up there several times in the last couple of weeks. Gnats are terrible but have yet to encounter the mosquitoes. Personally I would not go without a bug net this time of year.

Col R

[Les Rust]

I was hiking up on Upper Deep Creek last week. Gnats are out and about. Lots of ticks this year as well--don't know if that is the result of a mild winter. I would definitely recommend having a bugnet during the warmer months in GSMNP.

[Wolverine]

I would be a little concerned about night time temps at elevation. Just sayin.

[SGT Rock]

I would just wonder based on my prior trips how the gnats are right now at night?

I've taken my net in those seasons but find that at night the gnats leave. I would have a head net to avoid going nuts during the day at breaks, but I wouldn't bring my hammock net for sleeping at night. Along the lakeshore I would probably bring a net, but not at altitude.

[FireInMyBones]

I would be a little concerned about night time temps at elevation. Just sayin.

I tend to sleep warm, but I've heard it can still be real cool up there. I'll have to check the weather.

I would just wonder based on my prior trips how the gnats are right now at night?

I've taken my net in those seasons but find that at night the gnats leave. I would have a head net to avoid going nuts during the day at breaks, but I wouldn't bring my hammock net for sleeping at night. Along the lakeshore I would probably bring a net, but not at altitude.

We are only doing two nights and both right near the shelters at Double Springs and then at Russell Field. If I can get away with no net, I'd prefer it. That's a 3.25oz weight savings and I can always just deploy my tarp to keep ticks from dropping on me.

[Acer]

Keep tabs here for current weather,,

http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/weather.htm
and here,
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/weather.htm

Bugs are bad at the different elevations and I have a feeling,,its going to be a long hot dry summer.