Just read an article in the Conway Daily Sun by their hiking guy , Ed Parsons.
TLDR- he found himself in a precarious position on a trail and then realized he was *also* in a position that was irritating a yellowjacket nest. What followed was not that much fun.
The article also included some interesting information about their life cycle and why they are so cranky this time of year.
I think the same applies to baldface hornets ( if you havent met them, they are yellow jackets' more irritable cousins ).
I can attest there's a lot of yellowjacket activity in the Bartlett area, and in SW New Hampshire.
My best hiking buddy and I are being careful to stay separated by a few yards, so if one of us has to run away they wont trip on the other;
I pay extra special attention when I have one of those spots on the trail that take some extra care and can't be quickly abandoned.
And if I notice a swarm of flies near the ground - that aint flies after a carcass, that's a signal to get clear NOW.
A swarm like this once taught me this lesson. They weren't yellowjackets, I don't know what they were. Hurt like crazy though. 🙄
Good luck, be careful out there but have fun 🤗