Trail Trouble ... and Some Great Views!

Shenandoah National Park.

At the parking lot for Overall Run Trail, there's a sign with a map and trail information. Two notices were fastened to the sign, slightly damp sheets of paper although covered with plastic. I stepped closer to see what they said.

Attention Hikers.
Please exercise extreme caution on the following Mathews Arm Campground Trails:
- Traces
- Tuscarora/Overall Run
- Beecher Ridge.
We have experienced numerous bee/hornet stings in the last few weeks on these trails.

The warning continues and the second sheet is a map showing known locations of hornet nests in the ground. And I thought all I had to worry about was bears and snakes!

I wasn't actually planning to hike the trail. I just wanted to wander around taking pictures, but with that warning in mind, I didn't venture more than 30 yards from the car!

Later I saw a similar sign on another trailhead. And at Limberlost Trail, I met a park employee who had just been stung several times as she used a leaf blower! She had marked the location of the incident and was on her way to report it.

The park website now has a warning about yellow jackets. I read elsewhere that they swarm in late summer, especially after the queen leaves the nest to find winter quarters and others leave with her.

Appalachian Trail. Sharing with Tom's Signs linkup.

Skyline Drive at Hogback Overlook.

Sharing with Fences Around the World.

I have a few more views to show you.