Bugs at Cumberland Gap this time of year?

**atison** · 05-04-2011, 08:35

I am doing a 2 nighter at Cumberland Gap NP next weekend, going from one end to the other up on the ridge.

Thinking about just taking my DIY hammock without bugnet versus my HH. Never gone sans bug net before.

Anyone that frequents these areas know what bugs are like this time of year? Mosquito's are my biggest worry. Anything else to be worried about?

Also, checking temps regularly expecting lows down in the low 40's. Are temps considerably lower up on the ridge? Is wind an issue up there?

Thanks
Andy

**rigidpsycho** · 05-04-2011, 09:44

With all the wet weather we have here in KY, Im not for sure about the bug situation yet, but with all the moisture and if it warms up they may start coming out. Im goin out next weekend as well to the Gorge and trying to figure out whichof my hammocks to take.

**BearChaser** · 05-04-2011, 10:00

Here in northern WV the mosquito's are starting to come out, especially in the wooded areas. Also saw a few moth's circling the light on my porch.

Mosquito's I noticed was at an elevation between 1300' & 1400'

**wisenber** · 05-04-2011, 17:57

The ticks certainly will be abundant....

**bwg** · 05-05-2011, 01:50

Originally Posted by atison

I am doing a 2 nighter at Cumberland Gap NP next weekend,

Thinking about just taking my DIY hammock without bugnet versus my HH. Never gone sans bug net before.
.....

Also, checking temps regularly expecting lows down in the low 40's. Are temps considerably lower up on the ridge?

I switched from a HH Deluxe to a double-layered hammock after camping on Cumberland. Mosquitoes bit through the bottom of my HH.

Midges (no see ums) are now out and biting along the Georgia coast. Mosquitoes will be at work too.

I expect nightly lows in the 60s rather than 40s, but if you camp on the beach a strong breeze will certainly cool things and keep some mosquitoes off you (but not all, I know from experience). Of course difficult to hang hammock on beach; after X number of bites while in my hammock, I retreated to the beach hoping the stiff breeze would keep them off. While it helped, some still managed to find me while lying on the ground.

It is possible a bug net may be of some utility on Cumberland Island this time of year.

Bryan

**bwg** · 05-05-2011, 01:51

This is fun, something I just discovered. Check local mosquito activity on Cumberland:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/homea...tenday_trigger

P.S. If this forecasts strong winds that may keep mosquitoes at bay, keep in mind that much of the camping area has a canopy of trees and thick undergrowth. This results in a wonderful wind block for mosquitoes. So even with a stiff breeze from the ocean, at some camping spots it is difficult to feel any breeze.

**rigidpsycho** · 05-05-2011, 02:46

Cumberland Gap is actually on the Tn, Va, Ky borders. This where Daniel Boone made his way in to Ky.

**Detail Man** · 05-05-2011, 05:34

Last weekend in the Smokies had the full compliment of biting pests.

**bwg** · 05-05-2011, 06:58

Originally Posted by rigidpsycho

Cumberland Gap is actually on the Tn, Va, Ky borders. This where Daniel Boone made his way in to Ky.

Hey, thanks -- I completely missed that and was thinking the thread was about Cumberland Island, Georgia.

**atison** · 05-05-2011, 07:08

Got excited when I came back to this post to see all the activity, till I realized people got a little lost.

Thanks rigidpsycho for orienting everyone.

Guess I will bring the HH and a good dose of deet for the ticks (**** I hate those things).