The correct email for responding to Kelly is kellyleann@comcast.net.

Kelly O’Rourke will lead the Hoofers along a variety of trails in the Bent Creek area.  Meet at Pisgah Forest Walmart at 8:30 or the Ingles in Mills River at 8:45 for a 9:00 AM start.  Please RSVP . 

Friday 0% Precip. / 0.0 in
Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid-70s, upper 50s at start time. Winds E to SE 3 to 7 mph.

Another nice day is in store for our hike to and up Big Sam. Please plan to meet at the Pisgah Ranger Station parking area at 8:45 am and leave at 9:00 am.

Wednesday 0%; Precip. / 0.0 in
Sunny skies. Highs in the mid-70s by the afternoon, with temps in the low 50s at the meeting time – a little cooler in the mountains. Winds NW 3-7 MPH.

We should have a nice day for our hike in DuPont tomorrow. Please let me know if you plan to hke by emailing me using the embedded link: RTBZRH@gmail.com. Don’t hit the reply button. That reply goes to WordPress–not me. Meet at the Corn Mill Shoals parking lot at 8:45.

10/7 DuPont–Wilkie Trail – Quarry Loop
4 mi, 400’cl, R3, $0.00     
Met at the Corn Mill Shoals parking lot 
From the Corn Mill Shoals parking lot we hike Wilkie trail to the Micajah trail to the Rock Quarry trail to the Wilkie trail back to the parking lot.

The first Hoofer hike for the 4th quarter will meet at Cathey’s Creek Road at 8:45 for a 9:00 start.

Starting at the MST/Haywood Gap grassy parking along the BRP (not the Rough Butt overlook),we hike the MST to the Buckeye Trail then return via the Haywood Gap trail. There is a definite wet stream crossing along the Haywood Gap trail. RSVP Sharon at sharonbode1@gmail.com if you plan on hiking.

Weather: Intervals of clouds and sunshine with a high of 81°. Chance of rain around 40% later in the day. Winds around 5 mph.

Bear hunting season begins on October 3 and ends on November 21. Deer hunting season begins on November 29 and ends on January 1. It’s time to wear or display orange on our hikes. The Find Outdoors Gift Shop at the Pisgah Visitor center is selling orange vests. The vests have reflective tape sewn in–quite stylish. The price is only $4.95–a real bargain. Supply is limited.

Yellow Jacket Season is upon us. Yellow jacket season runs through October. Visitors at the Ranger Station/Visitor Center have reported getting stung at the entrance to the Moore Cove trai. Yellow jackets are known to attack hikers stinging multiple times. Fortunately there is a cheap and effective treatment. Here is an article from The National Gardening Association:

When you get stung by a bee, hornet, wasp, yellow jacket, or stinging caterpillar, you can relieve the pain almost instantly and greatly lessen the effects of swelling by pouring ammonia on the sting. The ammonia breaks down the protein in the poison. You can pour ammonia into small containers, such as plastic lemon squeezers, and keep them handy in your gardening areas so that you can get to them quickly. The sooner you use the ammonia, the less pain, heat, and swelling you will experience.

I have used this treatment for many years. It works! Ammonia doesn’t burn the skin. I carry a small containter (contact lens cleaning solution bottle) of household ammonia in my pocket during a hike. If I get stung, I instantly (if not sooner) pour the ammonia over the affected area. Instant relief; no pain. Hopefully none of us will need it this yellow jacket season.

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