Great Smoky Mountains – LeConte – Bugs?

Its just a roll of the dice. Last year there were two major snow storms in that area (well as major as they got last year)during April. I was in the Smokies in early May and the bugs were bad the first two days. Then there was a cool spell and the bugs were gone again.

NC has weather that changes quickly and the bugs respond to it. I live just east of Greensboro. While the high here yesterday was in the 40's I was removing ticks from my dog earlier this week when highs were in the 70's for a couple of days. Our first frost was over a month ago.

The only safe (or bug proof) way to hike here is the dead of winter or carry deet.

BTW the same goes for snakes.