This week we will hike the Coontree – Bennett Gap – Perry Cove loop. Meet at the Ranger Station at 8:45 for a 9:00 start. Hunting season has started so wear something orange.

Weather: Sunny with highs around 84° and light winds. Chance of rain 2%.

Tomorrow will be a perfect day to do a Parkway hike. We will enjjoy the newly opened John Rock Overlook trail at the end of the hike. Please let me know if you plan to hike by emailing me at  rtbzrh@gmail.com.   Ranger Station; 8:45.

10/14  Pisgah Ridge – Graveyard Fields – John Rock Overlook
4 mi, 300’cl, R3, $5.00
From the John Rock Overlook on the Parkway we hike the Pisgah Ridge trail to the user trail to Graveyard Fields.  We hike the Graveyard Fields loop trail to the new John Rock Overlook trail back to our cars.

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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