How ';buggy'; are the Sawtooths in late June???

Hi. We%26#39;re new to Idaho and want to take some friends to the Sawtooths camping in late June. Is it generally REALLY buggy that time of year? We%26#39;re tent camping with small kids. Also, if we have a mild winter, will that reduce the ';bugginess'; or make it worse?

Thanks for any info/counsel!

How ';buggy'; are the Sawtooths in late June???

Yes, since we are having a very mild winter, less likely ';buggy';. BUT%26lt; as you know, no one can predict the weather in Idaho...Last few days we had a 80% chance of snow, and you could have gotten a tan. Now on the only day, (in laws are coming today BUSSING INTO SV) that was supposed to be nice, it is snowing.

Just take repellent. It is a guessing game, but the Sawtooths are worth any bite. They would be worse in the back country, backpacking. Have a fire, use repellent, not too bad. They come out around dusk for the worst part. enjoy

How ';buggy'; are the Sawtooths in late June???

Welcome, newbies!

Where you come from will color your definition of bugginess. In June there are mosquitoes and ticks but not much else. It%26#39;s not like in the South where you get an infinite variety of critters such as chiggers, no see ums, gnats, June bugs, love bugs, and many, many others.

I second Charley%26#39;s advice. Plenty of good quality bug repellant, nice smoky fire, and make sure to check everybody for ticks every night.

Have fun, and enjoy Idaho!

Pug

I must say that in 30 years of backpacking and avid hiking, i have never seen a tick...i remember the bumper sticker that said,';visit Idaho , the Rocky Mountain Tick State';, that was , abviously to deter the masses of visitors....I am not sure, but at the elevation of the Sawtooths, there may not be any ticks...the poisionous snakes do not live at that elevation and the fleas do not as well. I must look into that. Untill then, enjoy

Charley, I just must have an aura that ticks love... I%26#39;m always the one who picks one up wherever we hike. I usually find them before they sink their little chops in.

Newbies, better safe than sorry!

Pug

pug, are you hiking at 9,000 feet???

I don%26#39;t know about that particular location, but in general ticks are a concern in Idaho. It is a good idea to pretreat your clothing with Permanone. This should be applied to the garment and allowed to thoroughly dry before wearing it. According to the manufacturer the combination of the permethrin and solvent is what makes it too toxic for skin contact.