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Ants at Lone Pine Lake
#41321 01/08/15 12:38 AM
Joined: Nov 2011
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I have stopped at Lone Pine Lake twice; once on a day hike (early July), and once as a planned overnight camp site (early June); and both times I was visited by lots of the little friends.

Not having seen them at Whitney Portal campground; or any mention of them in trip reports, videos, books; I was unprepared for the volume of ants at the campsite on the western side of the lake.

I admit it- I'm a 'Wuss' when it comes to ants.(With Modern Chemistry I can deal with chiggers, ticks and flying insects.) I moved my site twice on the west side of the lake in the trees; and when I had them on my legs, water bottle and stove within 30 minutes of setup; enough was enough; and I left for an 'ant free' environment.

Fortunately I don't have to deal with these little friends in Grand Canyon- Just mice, ravens and ringtail cats; so have forgotten how to deal with them.

Is this a seasonal issue, my bad karma, the selection of a site in the trees on the West side; or do I need to bring lots of 'Raid' to 'carpet spray' the site(which won't make the wild life people happy)? Are they just at the Western side of Lone Pine Lake and not higher up; since I haven't seen any mention of them at campsites?

If they are part of 'the experience'; then what are some tips to mitigate their exploring (short of 'Raid")?

Re: Ants at Lone Pine Lake
JAGCHiker #41325 01/08/15 02:19 PM
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Keep in mind, the ants were there before you...so were the bears, the grouses (or is it grice?), the deer, the marmots, the Steller's jays.

Leave the Raid at home and find a better place to camp.

Plenty of real estate up there. Just don't camp where you are not supposed to.


Journey well...
Re: Ants at Lone Pine Lake
+ @ti2d #41326 01/08/15 02:23 PM
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I'm not sure why you would get so many ants. I've never had the problem anywhere in the Sierra.

Re: Ants at Lone Pine Lake
+ @ti2d #41328 01/08/15 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted By: + @ti2d
the grouses (or is it grice?)

gouse or grouses is correct. a single family is a covey of.... and a larger group is a pack of...
thank you, i learned this today. smile

Re: Ants at Lone Pine Lake
+ @ti2d #41329 01/08/15 05:45 PM
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Not really interested incurring more weight of "Raid" cans; however it was an option.... everywhere I looked on the West Shore-there they were... Guess I'll just use other sites on future walks.....

Re: Ants at Lone Pine Lake
JAGCHiker #41332 01/09/15 07:34 AM
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You're going to find ants at every location in the whole Sierra. Even on the highest bolder covered slopes. Luckily they very rarely bite. It's just something you will have to get used to.

They only annoy me when I feel them crawling inside my pants legs and then I have to shake them around until they fall out. This is quite common. wink

Re: Ants at Lone Pine Lake
JAGCHiker #41333 01/09/15 08:55 AM
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BOLO (be on the lookout) for little mounds of dead pine needles and and sand. Sure sign of a nest.


Journey well...
Re: Ants at Lone Pine Lake
+ @ti2d #41335 01/09/15 03:08 PM
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Thanks for the info-that explains the west shore; Pines and sand....


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