E M E R A L D L A K E
Gallatin National Forest
Southern Montana

The trail starts leveling out and I think maybe the climbing is over.

The time has arrived to cross over East Fork Hyalite Creek. I have to carry my bike over the bridge.

A little more climbing is required but the lake is not far away. Soon I can relax and enjoy the view. There's only one problem with my plan however. All the way up from the trailhead the mosquitoes and black flys have been hounding me. Everytime I stop for a rest break they jump me.

Have you ever seen that old commerical for the bug spray "Off" on TV? There's a clear plastic box filled with mosquitoes and some guy comes along and shoves his unprotected hand in, letting dozens of mosquitoes bite him? Well, picture not a hand but a whole body in that box. That is me on the trail. I have Deet in the van but forgot to put it on, stupid me.