Effect of drought conditions on backcountry

[jms703]

I'm trying to figure out when to plan my summer backpacking trips. Has anyone discussed the effects of the drought in California on the Sierra Nevadas, as far as backpacking is concerned? I've noticed that the snowpack has melted sooner than normal. From this I've deduced that:

* dry conditions = more fires, thus air quality affected
* light snowpack = creeks will be lower, perhaps some will dry up
* early snowpack melt = mosquito swarms will start (and hopefully end) sooner

If I'm accustomed to backpacking in August during a healthy winter, might I see similar conditions in June or July instead of August?

[bbmq]

I've struggled with the same questions. I usually prefer late August or early September but am hiking mid August this year and it may be too late. Wild fires are a huge concern and I'm already planning on not depending on any creeks for water, sticking with lakes. There is one night where I may have to camp near a creek but am planning on hauling water from a lake on the way.

[AlmostThere]

There is still snowpack - above 9000 feet. Another inch of snow is likely to fall this coming week, in parts of the Sierra. Late spring snow has been mushy and not at all fun - snowshoeing is pointless and you're just postholing in cruddy wet snow.

The mosquitos are making themselves known about 7,000 - 8,000 feet right now. They are not swarming or biting much. It's still too cold at night - the temps seesaw between 20-30F. I would expect them to be done by mid June, along with the melt.

Meadows and areas that are typically wet this time of year are too dry. When I touch anything nylon at night, I can see small sparks - the air is too dry.

Anticipate that you will not be able to build a campfire anywhere this year. Put away the alcohol stoves and wood/stick stoves. Fire bans are already going into effect.