u/Da-Chi-

I'm planning a trip on the North Lake to South Lake route (Bishop/Inyo NF area) in mid-August this year. I'll be using a Locus Gear Khufu DCF as my shelter.

Since it's a floorless, non-mesh pyramid shelter, I'm a bit concerned about mosquitoes and other bugs getting inside at night. Does anyone have experience with this route (or the Sierra in general) in mid-August regarding bug pressure at camp?

A couple of questions:

• Do mosquitoes actually get into a floorless/no-mesh shelter like this in that area during that time of year?
• How many of you actually use floorless shelters out there? Would you recommend a shelter with built-in mesh (like a Plex Solo) instead?

Would appreciate any first-hand experience, especially for that specific area/time of year. Thanks!

I'm flying in from Japan specifically to experience the ultralight backpacking culture of the Sierra Nevada — the real thing. I'll be entering via San Francisco and exiting from Los Angeles, with a 4–5 night itinerary planned around August 20th.

I've previously hiked a short section of the JMT from Yosemite Valley to Nevada Fall, so I have some feel for the trail. Now I'm ready for a longer push and trying to decide between these two routes:

• Lyell Canyon → Duck Pass（JMT, ~51.6mi）
• North Lake → South Lake（Bishop area, ~53.2mi）

I'd love to hear from people who've done both. Specific things I'm curious about:

• Iconic JMT scenery that stays with you long after the trip
• Alpine lake variety and quality
• Overall "wow factor" moments

A few additional questions:

1. Timing / temperatures around August 20th — Is this a good window in terms of weather and conditions? Any concerns I should know about?
2. Mosquitoes & floorless tent — I've heard mosquitoes can be brutal in the Sierra in summer. I'll be carrying either a Locus Gear Khufu DCF or a Durston X-Mid 1+. Would you consider this a problem around that time of year, or is it manageable?

I have experience with Japanese Alps, so I'm comfortable with exposed terrain and elevation. Any input appreciated!