With a high chance of rain in the area of Charlie’s Bunion for Friday, we will change our plans and hike the Cat Gap – Butter Gap trails, originally scheduled for July 31st. Due to the limited parking at the Fish Hatchery, we will meet at the Ranger Station at 8:15 for an 8:30 departure. RSVP jelute@princeton.edu if you plan on hiking.

Weather: Partly cloudy with a 60% chance of mid afternoon storms. High 81° with light winds.

Fellow Hoofers, If you have a favorite hike you would like to lead for the 4th quarter in 2026, you can do so by:

Sending a description of your hike with distance and elevation gain (if known). Criteria for Hoofer hikes is posted on the website.

Providing your contact information. Email address is required. Your phone number is optional. This information will be posted to the weekly update allowing hikers to contact you, if interested in attending your hike.

Selecting a Friday Hoofer date for your hike. The 4th quarter 2026 dates are October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13, 20, 27; December 4, 11, 18,.

Email this information to victor.zona@sbcglobal.net

I will put your hike information together and add it to the 4th quarter 2026 schedule, which will be posted in late September.

Thanks,
Vic

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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