Arizona Trip---Bugs?

What are the bugs like in the Superstition Wilderness this time of year? Trying to decide how much or little shelter I need to bring with me.

It is hard to use bugs and Arizona in the same sentence. It has been a while since my last backpack in the Superstitions, but I don't recall any problems with mosquitoes and the like. Just don't go poking around under rocks and dead wood - there be scorpions there abouts. Weather can be tricky this time of year since there is always a chance for a late winter storms. On occasion they can be severe. In general, this is a great time to visit the Superstitions. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Ranger has nailed this one....no bugs to speak of this time of year. Watch for 'Africanized Bees' however, they are in full force right now....they are very defensive,leave them alone and you'll have no problems. In the event you accidently disturb a hive...run through brush to lose them, remove stingers by scraping them off with your fingernail. Don't let them stop you from coming....the odds of seeing any are really quite slim.

Okay, so I'm planning on bringing the rainfly to my tent (it sets up without the tent) and a groundcloth, and not worry so much about bug netting. And the scorpians won't decide that my sleeping pad/bag looks like a really nice log to chill out underneath?

Actually, I have found scorpions under my ground cloth when I roll it up for packing. Not often and I have never been nailed by a scorpion while sleeping. Stung once when I picked up a rock w/o looking at the underside; but sleeping, no. Do I look at the bottom of stuff that I pick up now? Yes!

When I came to the desert, I was instructed to faithfully shake out my boots, lest I be stung by the scorpion that would make a beeline (can scorpions make beelines?) for the just vacated space. Over the years, I lapsed from this practice since I never once found a scorpion (Maybe I have really smelly feet). Has this practice ever paid off for anyone?. Otherwise section XIV, part A, para 45 (a)(3) of the Ranger Manual pertaining to proper inspection of boots in desert environments perhaps should be rescinded <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I faithfully follow the Ranger Manual 87% of the time..

I'm sort of an obsessive shoe shaker. But, the only time I have ever found a scorpion in my footwear was a few years back when I shook a dead bark scorpion out of a pair of shoes that had been in my bedroom closet unworn for at least two years. Of course my feet don't smell, so the wee beastie must have been drawn by the scent of roses. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I called in the local exterminator for a spray job.

Once at ban... um Phantom Ranch a guy had a portable black light for his son to locate scorpions. The scorpion density surprised me.

I have smoothed the dirt around me before sleeping, then checked the tracks in the morning. BUT don't do it because you do not want to know.

However, I have never found one in my shoes or been stung.

Often there is one late snow storm in early april that frosts the blossoms on early blooming fruit trees. That might mean sleet in the Superstitions.

I can recall a couple of snowstorms that occurred for graduation at NAU. This was in the 80's before global warming. The folks coming up from Phoenix to see their kids graduate had a rough trip.

Highly unlikely you'll need more than a headnet for a few strays at nightfall. I'd use a cat tarp set up with trekking poles, and a light bivy in case of rain or snow. Otherwise, sleep under the stars! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Most likely it will be dry and warm with 25-50 degree nights, depending on where you are. The Sups range from Ponderosa pine to saguaro, so be ready for fickle spring weather. Enjoy!

To report.

The mosquitoes ate me for dinner.

No bugs during the day, but right around 6:30 they would appear and were determined to get me all night long. My tarp wasn't a big deterrent.

Sigh.

Other than that, a good trip.