Master of Understatement

Mosquitoes can be a nuisance on hikes in the Cascades, particularly in the Sky Lakes and Mt. Thielsen Wilderness areas. To avoid them, remember that these insects hatch about 10 days after the snow melts from the trails and that they remain in force about a month. Thus, if a given trail in the Cascades is listed as "Open mid-June," expect mosquitoes there most of July.

William L. Sullivan, 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon

We were warned.

We managed to cook dinner Friday night slathered in Cutters and swatting the little six-legged vampires who didn't seem to mind the taste of DEET. After a tolerably pleasant evening meal eaten while walking briskly back and forth to stay off-center in our personal swarms, we hurriedly washed the cooking pots and dove into our tents. There we remained, "as much prisoners as if we were in jail," as Lizzy said, reading, until dark.

"Maybe in the cool morning they won't be as bad," I said.

They were. We packed as quickly as we could, filled our water bottles, and headed up the trail, hoping to out-climb them. After a mile we gave up, turned around, and hiked as briskly as possible the seven miles back to the car.

Lesson learned: The Cascades are impassable from snow melt until mid-August.