All Day Saturday and Sunday Hikes
All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 828-692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com. Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I 240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings.
ALL DAY No. A0403-134 Oct. 3
The Blacks Beyond 6000 7:30 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 13, Drive 123, 6000 ft. ascent,
Rated AA-AA+
Don Gardner 828-754-4067
SB6K Note earlier starting time. This is your chance to bag eight peaks over 6000 ft. in this very strenuous hike. The initial climb is 3100 ft., and there’s much more climbing in the ups and downs between peaks. Do not consider this unless you are in top shape. Bring extra water. Participants should phone the leader beforehand. Car shuttle or key swap. Second meeting place: Ingles on Burnsville bypass at 8:15AM. Topos: Celo, Mt. Mitchell; also PNF South Toe River, Mount Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Map
ALL DAY No. A0403-339 Oct. 3
AT: Garenflo Gap –
Hot Springs (moderate) 8:30 AM
Hike 7, Drive 85, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Chip Miller 828-654-9331 backpacker54nc@att.net
Note later starting time. This AT sequence hike offers nice variety, with a beautiful hardwood forest, Deer Park shelter and moderate climbs and descents. Short car shuttle. Topos: Lemon Gap, Spring Creek, Hot Springs
ALL DAY No. A0404-265 Oct. 10
Panthertown Prowl #3 8:00AM
Hike 8-10, Drive 120, 1200 ft. ascent,
Rated B-B
Joe Cirvello 828-627-1797
This will be our second annual exploration of beautiful Panthertown, timed for the brightest leaf colors in this high elevation valley. The exact route will be determined by scouting trips and will be posted on the CMC website at a later date. Second meeting place at Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topo: Big Ridge
ALL DAY No. A0404-394 Oct. 17
Cataloochee and
Little Cataloochee 8:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 95, 2350’ ascent, Rated B-AA
Dave Wetmore 828-884-7296 dwetmore@citcom.net
900M Walk the “Dug Road”, originally built in the 1850s. See an unrestored farm site, a restored log cabin, the old apple house, an old church and tourists looking for elk. It’s a mostly open easy 2.7-mile bushwhack on an abandoned trail. The rest of the trip is on maintained trails. Topo: Cove Creek Gap; also Nat’l. Geographic map of GSMNP
ALL DAY No. A0404-272 Oct. 24
Deep Creek – Kephart’s
Last Stand 7:30 AM
Hike 12.5, Drive 135, 2200 ft. ascent,
Rated AA-AA
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192
900M Note earlier starting time. This lovely hike starts at the Deep Creek entrance of GSMNP, outside Bryson City. The hike follows Indian Creek to the Sunkota Ridge Trail, in the heart of ancestral Cherokee country. We go down to Campsite #57, Horace Kephart’s last permanent campsite. We will look for a millstone placed by the Boy Scouts in 1931. Then we follow Deep Creek Trail back to the cars. Some rockhopping. After the hike, we will visit Kephart’s grave in Bryson City. This hike is the CMC contribution to the Buncombe County “Together We Read” program, which, this year, is reading “Our Southern Highlanders” by Horace Kephart. Second meeting place: Rest area on US 23/74 near Waynesville at 8:00 AM. Topos: Bryson City, Clingman’s Dome; also Nat’l. Geographic map of GSMNP
ALL DAY No. A0404-395 Oct. 29-31
Backpack (GSMNP Tremont area) 9:00 AM
Hike 37.8, Drive 200, 6000 ft. ascent,
Rated AA+-AA+
Don Gardner 828-754-4067
900M This backpack trip is designed to hike trails in the western part of GSMNP that are too far to be covered by a daytrip from Asheville. We will start and end at Tremont (GSMIT), hiking Friday, Saturday and Sunday, staying at Backcountry campsites. NOTE: Hikers must make reservations with Don Gardner as soon as possible but no later than Oct. 1. Don will communicate with participants before the backpack to discuss the trails to be hiked. Topos: Thunderhead Mtn., Cades Cove; also Natl. Geographic map of GSMNP
SATURDAY No. A0404-396 Oct. 30
Pilot Rock – Thompson Ridge 8:00 AM
Hike 8.5, Drive 80, 2000’ ascent, Rated B-AA
Lenny Bernstein 828-236-0192 lsberns@worldnet.att.net
P400 We will hike up the well-graded Pilot Rock trail to our lunch spot near the Pisgah Inn, and then down the Thompson Ridge trail. We expect good views. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: N. Mills River parking lot at 8:30 AM. Topos: Dunsmore Mtn., Cruso; also Nat’l. Geographic map of Pisgah Ranger District
ALL DAY No. A0404-103 Oct. 31
Coon Tree – Bennett Gap –
Avery Creek Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 68, 2650’ ascent, Rated A-AA
John Pawcio 828-299-8126
P400 This hike will combine late leaf colors with fine views on the Buckwheat Knob Trail and along beautiful Avery Creek. Fairly strenuous with two solid uphill climbs. Second meeting place: PNF Ranger Station at 8:30 AM. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
ALL DAY No. A0404-093 Nov. 7
Graybeard Mountain 8:00 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 10-11, Drive 35, 2700 ft. ascent,
Rated A-AA
Paul Benson 828-251-1909
An exciting ridgetop manway along the middle mountain is our path to the summit. Return to Montreat via Walker Knob and Pot Cove Gap. There’ll be good views, a delightful hike and a good workout. Fairly strenuous, including a very steep first mile. Second meeting place: McDonalds at exit 64 of I 40 at 8:15 AM Topo: Montreat
ALL DAY No. A0404-397 Nov. 7
Bad Fork – Chestnut
Cove Overlook (moderate) 8:45 AM
Hike 9.5, Drive 5, 950 ft. ascent, Rated A-C
Kathie Giddings 828-696-9808
P400 Note later starting time and different meeting place. This is an in-and-out hike, beginning at the Trace Ridge trailhead. We will hike up Bad Fork to the BRP (a steep 700’ ascent for the second mile). Chestnut Cove Overlook provides a beautiful view during lunch. Only meeting place: N. Mills River Recreation area parking lot at 8:45 AM. Asheville group to self-organize a carpool at Westgate to depart at 8:00 AM. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District and MST Profiles, pgs. 55-56
No hike scheduled Nov. 14
No hike is scheduled since the Wilderness First Aid Course is being held this weekend. Anyone wishing to hike should assemble at Westgate at 8:00 AM and select your own hike.
ALL DAY No. A0404-224 Nov. 21
Table Rock – Pinnacle Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 9.5, Drive 120, 2000’ ascent, Rated A-A
Linda Beja 828-293-3849 lrbeja@earthlink.net
This is a great hike with good views. We’ll start from the parking lot at Table Rock State Park on SC 11. Our first objective will be the Drawbar Cliffs near Pinnacle Mtn. with a spectacular view of SC. We will then hike to Table Rockand lunch before returning to our cars. $2 parking fee. Asheville group to form carpools at Westgate and meet the leader at Table Rock State Park at 9:15 AM. Topo: Table Rock, SC
SATURDAY No. A0404-398 Nov. 27
Sunburst - Green Knob-
Haywood Gap Trail 8:00 AM
Hike 7, Drive 95, 2000’ ascent, Rated B-AA
Dave Wetmore 828-884-7296
P400 We will start with an initial very steep mile to Green Knob and its spectacular views, then do a short bushwhack down to the Grassy Ridge Branch Trail. We return on the seldom-hiked lower Haywood Gap Trail. Wilderness area hike limited to ten people. Please contact leader to reserve your place. Topo: Sam Knob; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
ALL DAY No. A0404-399 Nov. 28
Cedar Rock Circuit via
Butter Gap 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 70, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Tom Sanders 828-252-6327 mel&tgs@main.nc.us
P400 This great loop hike begins at the Pisgah Forest Fish Hatchery and ascends along a beautiful stream and Picklesimer Fields to Butter Gap. We will circle around Cedar Rock Mtn. and then to the summit for the spectacular views at our lunch spot. We’ll return to the Fish Hatchery by way of Cat Gap Trail. Second meeting place: Fish Hatchery at 8:45 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
ALL DAY No. A0404-076 Dec. 5
Craggy to Little Snowball 8:00 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 8.2, Drive 18, 2650’ ascent, Rated B-AA
Don Walton 828-298-5084
From Bee Tree Gap at Craggy Gardens, hike a short distance on the MST, and then the Snowball Trail over High Rocks (Hawkbill Mtn.) to the site of the Little Snowball Tower. The Tower was removed years ago and the trees cleared recently for great views of the mountains. If the BRP is closed, we will drive in from the Barnardsville end of the road. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle; also MST Profiles page 65
ALL DAY No. A0404-400 Dec. 5
Ferrin Knob via Spencer Branch
and Trace Ridge (moderate) 8:30 AM
Hike 8-9, Drive 42, 1500’ ascent, Rated B-A
Barbara Passmore 828-667-8684 bpsss354@aol.com
P400 Note later start time. Another moderate Ferrin Knob hikes, but designed to cover some seldom-hiked trails for P400 aspirants. We will hike past the Henderson-ville Reservoir, ascend on Spencer Branch and Spencer Gap Trails, to our lunch spot atop 4064’ Ferrin Knob, the former site of a fire tower. Return via the MST and the Trace Ridge Trail. Second meeting place: Trace Ridge Trailhead at 9:00 AM. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map of Pisgah Ranger District
ALL DAY No. A0404-277 Dec. 12
Bent Creek Loop #2 8:30 AM
Hike 9-10, Drive 20, 1600’ ascent, Rated A-A
Ruth Hartzler 828-251-0886 ruthmtn@aol.com
P400 Note later starting time. A nice Bent Creek loop, starting at the Hardtimes trailhead. We’ll hike part of the MST, to the Lower Sidehill Trail, past Lake Powhatan.
A great close-in, cool weather hike. Topos: Dunsmore Mtn., Skyland; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
ALL DAY No. A0404-276 Dec. 19
AT: Streets Gap to Big Bald 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 70, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Tommie Boston 828-686-5029 (828-273-2638 from 7:15–8:00 AM on day of hike)
Big Bald is one of the crown jewels of our section of the AT, with views of the Blacks, Smokies and other ranges in WNC and Tennessee. The first 0.6 miles climbs up to Streets Gap from the Tennessee side, then follows the AT to Big Bald. If we’re lucky, the forest will be coated with beautiful rime ice. Topos: Sams Gap, Bald Creek
SKI TRIP Dec. 17-20
Carroll Koepplinger 828-667-0723
Carroll will lead a ski trip to Snowshoe Ski Resort in West Virginia, a seven-hour drive. Plans are to leave Friday morning (time to be determined) and return Monday Dec. 20. Contact Carroll for more information. Those wishing to go on the trip must contact him by Dec. 1 so he can make arrangements.
ALL DAY No. A0404-401 Dec. 26
Laurel Mtn.- Pilot Cove 9:00 AM
Hike 7-8, Drive 70, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Joanne Tulip 828-299-3495 tulipinnc@aol.com
P400 Note later start time. We’ll hike up Laurel Mtn. trail to Sassafras Gap, then bushwhack down to the upper Slate Rock Creek trail. We’ll descend on the Pilot Cove loop trail. Great views of Pilot Rock and surrounding mountains. Short car shuttle. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
NEW YEARS DAY No. A0404-281 Jan. 1
Green River Gamelands
8:30 AM breakfast, 9:30 AM hike
Hike 8, Drive 20 (from Hendersonville), 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Bruce Bente 828-692-0116 bbente@cytechusa.com
This annual hike begins with breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in Hendersonville (exit 53 on I 26), followed by a pleasant loop on trails around the Green River Gamelands. We’ll hike down to and along the Green River, with a late lunch at the big rocks, and then hike up and out on the Pulliam Creek trail. Short car shuttle. Topo: Cliffield Mtn., and Map of the Green River Gamelands Trails
ALL DAY No. A0404-402 Jan. 2
Tom & Joan’s Meadow
phone leader for time
Hike 9-10, Drive 70, 2100 ft. ascent,
Rated A-AA
Tom Bindrim & Joan Lemire 828-299-1572
P400 This will be a hike from Camp Daniel Boone up Fork Mtn. to a place very special to Tom & Joan. Wilderness area hike limited to ten people. Please contact hike leader to reserve your place. Topos: Sam Knob & Waynesville; also Nat’l. Geographic map of Pisgah Ranger District