All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 828-692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net. Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center parking lot near CVS (Exit 3B off I-240) UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings. Please contact the hike leader if you are not sure of the meeting location.

Directions to Westgate (Call leader for directions to other meeting places)

Scout Dates: If the hike leader is open to others hiking the scout, hikes might have a scout date listed.   If you want to go on the scout then call the hike leader.

SATURDAY NO. A0904-626 Oct. 3
FULL MOON HIKE *4:30 PM
Hike 2, Drive 75, 500 ft. Ascent, Rated C-C
*Meet at Westgate at 4:30 PM to set up carpool or drive to trailhead at FS 816 & MST. Everyone enjoyed this hike when CMC did it last year. We’ll do a self-directed hike this year (no leader). Everyone is invited to gather on the summit of 6215 ft. Black Balsam to see the moon rise in the east and the sun set in the west, and enjoy the great views and autumn colors. The nearly full moon will rise at 6:39 PM, and the sun will set at 7:12 PM, so come early enough to enjoy both. Bring a flashlight for the hike back to your car. If you need directions, phone Bruce Bente at 692-0116.  Deer Bow hunting season - hike in groups and wear bright orange.

ALL DAY NO. A0904-082 Oct. 4
The Blacks Beyond 6000 *7:30 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 11.3, Drive 70-80, 3000 ft. (northbound) or 6000 ft. (southbound) ascent, Rated A-AA+
Don Gardner, 828-754-4067, gardog3@bellsouth.net (southbound) & Peter Barr, 704-941-9296, pjbarr@unc.edu (northbound)
SB6K, LTC *Note earlier starting time. Key-swap hike. This is your chance to bag seven SB6K peaks on this very strenuous hike. The southbound initial climb is 3100 ft., and there’s much more climbing in the ups and downs between peaks. North-bounders get to go down the 3100 ft. The hike is great fun with incomparable views, but do not consider this unless you are in top shape. Bring extra water. Participants must phone a leader beforehand. Second meeting place: Phone a leader. Topos: Celo, Mt. Mitchell; also PNF South Toe River, Mount Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Map

ALL DAY NO. A0904-667 Oct. 4
Pink Beds – Pisgah Inn *9:00 AM
(moderate)
Hike 8.2, Drive 85, 1700 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@gmail.com
P400 *Note later starting time. Meet at Westgate at 9:00 AM to organize carpools for post-hike supper choice, and meet leader at Pisgah Inn Convenience Store at 9:30 AM. From the left branch of the Pink Beds Loop we will take a short in and out on the Barnett Branch Boardwalk, recently built by CMC Friday Pisgah crew. We will proceed on the Barnett Branch trail, with a steep climb after we cross Yellow Gap Road, and pause at a waterfall. We’ll connect with the Buck Spring/MST Trail up to the Pisgah Inn. Optional post-hike dinner at the Pisgah Inn. Car shuttle. Topos: Shining Rock, Cruso; also NatGeo map #780

SATURDAY NO. A0904-365 Oct. 10
Mt. Mitchell Ramble *10:00 AM
Hike 7, Drive 75, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary.avl@gmail.com
SB6K *Note later start time. We’ll do a loop on several trails in the Mt. Mitchell area, including the Old Mt. Mitchell Trail, Camp Alice Road and the Commissary Ridge Trail. Second meeting place: Craven Gap on BRP at 10:20 AM Topos: Mt. Mitchell, Montreat; also PNF South Toe River, Mt. Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Maps  Deer Bow hunting season - hike in groups and wear bright orange.

ALL DAY NO. A0904-668 Oct. 11
Chunky Gal Trail, Deep Gap to Glade Gap *8:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 170, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Brent Martin, 828-369-7084, brent_martin@tws.org
*Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader in Franklin at the Roller Mill shopping center, in front of K-Mart, on US 64 at 9:30 AM. A stop will be made at the rest stop beyond Waynesville on US 23/74 at 8:30 AM. Starting at Deep Gap, we’ll hike 3 miles on the AT before turning onto the Chunky Gal Trail. We’ll travel along the ridgeline with mountain views and old growth oak trees before descending to Glade Gap. Topos: Rainbow Springs, Shooting Creek; also NatGeo map #784

ALL DAY NO. A0904-265 Oct. 18
Panthertown Prowl *8:00 AM
Hike 9.3, Drive 120, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net
*Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:35 AM. This moderate loop hike has everything: waterfalls, granite domes with impressive cliff, high altitude bogs; a lovely valley floor, great views from the tops of Little Green and Big Green Mountains and brilliant fall leaf color. Topo: Big Ridge

Scout Report: Hike #265, Panthertown, was scouted on 10/7. It will be about 10 miles long with a climb of about 1800 ft. The hike features outstanding scenery, with four different waterfalls, hiking along clear creeks, and good views from two different plutons. Leaf colors included lots of reds and yellows--with luck, we'll see the same bright colors on the hike. Bring your camera!

There are two steep climbs and one short but steep descent. People with knee problems should take note.

-reported by Bruce Bente

BACKPACK NO. B0904-188  - Moved to Nov 6 - 8

SATURDAY NO. A0904-669 Oct. 24
MST: Buckeye Gap to NC 215 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 80, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Paul Dickens, 828-476-0010, psdicken@charter.net
Starting at Buckeye Gap, we’ll hike the MST to NC 215, with a side trip out Fork Ridge past Green Knob to overlooks of Middle Prong, Cold Mtn. and Shining Rock. Wilderness area limited to ten hikers--Call leader for reservation. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at M.P. 412 at 8:40 AM. Topo: Sam Knob; also NatGeo map #780  Deer and Bear hunting season - hike in groups and wear bright orange.

ALL DAY NO. A0904-487 Oct. 25
Bent Creek Loop #9 *9:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 20, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Lenny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, lsberns@worldnet.att.net
P400 *Note later start time. This will be a moderate hike around Bent Creek, starting at the Hardtimes trailhead and scheduled when leaf colors should be at their peak. A great close-in hike suitable for everyone. Topos: Dunsmore Mtn. , Skyland; also NatGeo map #780

ALL DAY NO. A0904-670 Nov. 1
Goshen Prong / Huskey Gap *7:30 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 15, Drive 220, 4700 ft. descent, 800 ft. ascent, Rated AA-B
Janet Martin, 502-494-9309, jaykaymartin@msn.com
900M *Note earlier start time, and that this is the first day of EST*. From Clingman's Dome, we’ll follow the AT along a narrow ridge to access Goshen Prong Trail, which has a steep, rocky descent for its first mile. The steep descent will continue until Camp #23 at 3300 ft. The trail continues downhill to the Little River Trail, which we’ll follow for a mile to Huskey Gap Trail. The significant drop of elevation on this hike will highlight the several zones of biodiversity in the park. Second meeting place: Phone leader. Topos: Clingmans Dome, Silers Bald, Gatlinburg; also NatGeo map #229

Scout Report: These maintained trails are in good condition. If the ground cover is wet, slippery leaves will slow our descent on the top section of Goshen Prong. The pace on the lower section and Huskey will be quicker.  It will be cold at the start of the hike. If we have misty fog and wind, it will be frigid at the beginning and along the AT--be prepared with gloves and headgear. Due to steepness in some sections and possibility of occasional ice in depressions on trail, hiking poles are recommended. The views can be great and overall this is a lovely walk thru the woods. The contrast in the vegetation between the top and bottom sections tells its own story..  Janet

ALL DAY NO. A0904-273 Nov. 1
Boogerman Trail *8:30 AM
(moderate)
Hike 7.5, Drive 90, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.com
900M *Note later start time, and that this is the first day of EST. A lush forest with giant old-growth trees, stone walls and a root cellar make this a favorite loop hike in the Cataloochee area of the Smokies. We’ll cross Caldwell Fork ten times on bridges. Second meeting place: Pilot truck stop at Exit 24 off I-40 at 9:00 AM. Topos: Cove Creek Gap, Dellwood; also NatGeo map #229

BACKPACK NO. B0904-188 Nov. 6 - 8
Clingmans Dome to Mingus Mill *7:30 AM
Hike 26, Drive 150, 5500 ft. ascent, 9000 ft. descent, Rated AA+-AA+
Paul Benson, 828-251-1909, pdbenson@charter.net
SB6K, 900M *Note earlier start time. This two-night, three-day backpack will follow the MST from Clingmans Dome to Mingus Mill near US 441. Stay at campsite #54 on Deep Creek the first night and #52 near Newton Bald the next night. The hike is strenuous and limited to experienced backpackers, limited to a group size of 8. Hikers must contact leader to reserve a space. *Meeting places: meeting place(s) to be arranged with leader. Topos: Clingmans Dome, Smokemont; also NatGeo map #229

ALL DAY NO. A0904-254 Nov. 8
Green Knob via Snooks Nose 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 65, 3600 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+
Carroll Koepplinger, 828-667-0723, carrollkoepp@bellsouth.net
This strenuous trip from Curtis Creek climbs up, over, and above the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Green Knob fire tower. Great views along the way as well as at the lunch stop on the summit of Green Knob. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot adjacent to McDonalds at Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:20 AM. Topo: Old Fort

SATURDAY No. A0904-578 Nov. 14
Flat Laurel Creek, Little Sam Knob, MST Loop *10:00 AM  (No second meeting place!)
Hike 7.5, Drive 80, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
P400 *Note later start time. This is a pleasant loop trail with views of Big Sam Knob, Fork Ridge and Flat Laurel Creek. We’ll begin on the Flat Laurel Creek Trail, which ascends gradually until we are hiking next to the creek, where we will stop for lunch. Little Sam Knob Trail, with views of Little Sam Knob and Sam Knob, connects to the MST. A one-mile side trip to Devils Courthouse will offer good views before we return on the MST to our cars. Bear hunting season - hike in groups and wear bright orange.

Weather notice:  The recent rains have filled up a lot of creeks in the area which makes the scout of the above hike difficult.  Be prepared for a hike along different trails in the same area that don't require difficult or dangerous stream crossings.

ALL DAY NO. A0904-142 Nov. 15
Jerry Miller Trail to AT to Fork Ridge Trail *8:00 AM
Hike 9.5, Drive 92, 3300 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+
Tish Desjardins, 828-656-2191, desraylet@aol.com
*Meet at Westgate at 8:00AM to form carpools, and meet leader at US25/NC208 intersection at 8:45AM. *After the hike there will be a potluck supper in the nearby Bear River Community Lodge. Hikers are requested to contribute food for the supper. Food will be taken to a refrigerator before the hike. Please phone the leader to coordinate what food to bring. We’ll hike up the Jerry Miller Trail to Bearwallow Gap and right on the AT to Andrew Johnson Mountain. Right on the Fork Ridge Trail down to FS 111 and a short walk to the cars. Topo: Greystone; also NatGeo map #782

Friday  Nov. 20  9:00 AM  Scout of Kagel Mountain hike.
Hike 9, Drive 80, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Charlie Ferguson, 828-625-2677, ccf108@gmail.com 

ALL DAY NO. A0904-489 Nov. 22
Bad Fork - Trace Ridge Loop *8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 60, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Les and Catherine Love, 828-658-1489, lesrlove@charter.net
P400 *Note later start time. From the Trace Ridge parking area, we will hike a short distance along a gravel road to the Bad Fork Trail, which will take us to the BRP on a steep 800 ft. ascent. From the BRP, we will have a long, steady climb to Ferrin Knob, then down to Beaver Dam Overlook for lunch. After lunch, we continue down the Trace Ridge Trail Topo: Dunsmore Mtn; also Natl. Geo. PRD map # 780

ALL DAY NO. A0904-588 Nov. 29
Coontree Loop extended *9:00 AM
Hike 7, Drive 70, 1700 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Marianne Newman, 828-257-2136, marianneln@att.net
P400 *Note later start time. We’ll hike the Coontree Loop, but extend it by including the Perry Cove and Bennett Gap trails, with a short road walk on FS 477 to connect the two. Second meeting place: Coontree Picnic area at 9:40 AM, but phone leader first. Topo: Shining Rock; also NatGeo map #780

ALL DAY NO. A0904-563 Dec. 6
Palmetto Trail: Poinsett Passage and Blue Wall Preserve. *8:30 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 10, Drive 100, 1200 ft. or 2400 ascent, Rated A-B or A-AA
Charlie Ferguson, 828-625-2677, ccf108@gmail.com / Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387, gleason.ann@gmail.com
*Note later start time. Come hike the Poinsett Passage of the Palmetto Trail. This stretch climbs along the NC / SC border and NW ridge of the Greenville water shed. The trail travels up and down the ridge through wilderness that had been closed to the public for decades, then descends to the Vaughn’s Gap parking area behind Lake Lanier. Key swap. Second meeting place: Saluda Truck Stop, Texaco station at Exit 59 off I-26 at 9:10 AM. Topo: Saluda

ALL DAY NO. A0904-278 Dec. 6
Kitsuma Peak *8:30 AM
(moderate)
Hike 9, Drive 60, 1700 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.com
*Note later start time. This joint hike with the Carolina Berg Wanderers (Charlotte) will ascend Young’s Ridge and offers great views of Greybeard, Green Knob and the Mt. Mitchell area. We will return on old US 70, now blocked off to traffic, where we will see the railroad and numerous tunnel portals. The hike is limited to 10 CMC and 10 Carolina Berg Wanderer hikers, so please contact leader to reserve your space. Second meeting place: McDonald’s parking lot at Exit 73 (NOT Exit 64) of I-40 at 9:00 AM. Topos: Old Fort, Black Mtn.

SATURDAY NO. A0904-423 Dec. 12
Pilot Rock, Laurel Mtn., Slate Rock Creek Trails *10:00 AM
Hike 7, Drive 90, 1450 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Dave Wetmore, 828-884-7296, dwetmore@citcom.net
P400 *Note later start time. Meet at Westgate at 10:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station at 10:35 AM. We’ll hike up the Slate Rock Creek Trail, one of the gems of Pisgah Nat’l. Forest., and then a connector up to the Laurel Mtn. Trail, which we’ll follow for a while. We’ll turn downhill on the Pilot Rock Trail, stopping to enjoy the views along the way. Short car shuttle. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also NatGeo map #780 Deer hunting season - hike in groups and wear bright orange.

ALL DAY NO. A0904-671 Dec. 13
Raven Cliff Falls – Naturaland Trust *8:00 AM
Hike 12, Drive 100, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Jeff McGurk, 864-801-1314, jbsbestfan@hotmail.com
*Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, stop at Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:35 AM to meet more hikers, and meet leader at Caesar’s Head S.P. visitor Center at 9:00 AM. This new hike in Caesar’s Head State Park will go from US 276 to Raven Cliff Falls, then double back and follow the Foothills and Naturaland Trust trails back to US 276. There will be a cable crossing of Matthews Creek. Short car shuttle. Topos: Table Rock, Cleveland; also Mtn. Bridge Wilderness Area map

ALL DAY No. A0904-589 Dec. 20
Shut-in Trail & Lake Powhatan loop *8:30 AM
Hike 9.6, Drive 15, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Bob Hysko, 828-645-4626, rhysko@yahoo.com
P400 *Note later start time. This loop follows the Shut-In Trail south, then descends Sleepy Gap Trail, skirts Lake Powhatan and finishes with three miles on the Bent Creek Trail with a dirt road connecting parts of the trail. Second meeting place: BRP French Broad Overlook at 8:45 AM. Topos: Asheville, Dunsmore Mtn., also NatGeo map #780 and Bent Creek Trail Map

SATURDAY NO. A0904-053 Dec. 26
East Fork Pigeon River *8:30 AM
Hike 7.5, Drive 74, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Barbara Morgan, 828-738-3395, bcmorg@hughes.net
P400 Wilderness area, limit 10, so contact leader for reservation. A stroll along one of WNC's most beautiful streams, the East Fork of the Pigeon River, which is often spectacular in the winter. We will ascend to Dark Prong for lunch and then return. Second meeting place: Big East parking area on US 276, north of BRP at 9:15 AM Topo: Shining Rock; also NatGeo map #780

NO HIKE SCHEDULED—SEE YOU NEXT YEAR! Dec. 27