Note:  Due to this Winter's weather, road and trail conditions hikes may have to change on short notice.  Last minute changes may not be updated on these schedules.  As long as road conditions are safe the leader will try to be at the meeting places and discuss any changes.  Some changes may involve driving quite a distance to a suitable hiking area.  If it is important to know where the hike is actually going to be please contact the hike leader.

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.

NEW YEARS DAY NO. A1001-281 Jan. 1
Green River Gamelands *8:00 AM breakfast, 9:15 AM hike
Hike 6.5 or 8, Drive 70, 1300 or 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net
*Meet at Westgate at 7:30 AM to form carpools and meet leader at times above at the NE corner of the Cracker Barrel parking lot in Hendersonville (exit 53 on I-26). After breakfast, we’ll do our traditional New Year’s Day hike on a series of trails around the Green River Gamelands. We’ll hike down to and along the Green River, with a late lunch at the big rocks on the Green River, and then hike up and out on the Pulliam Creek trail. Short car shuttle. Topo: Cliffield Mtn.; also Map of the Green River Gamelands Trails

SUNDAY NO. A1001-276 Jan. 3
Street Gap to Big Bald 8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 80, 1700 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Jay Bretz, 828-658-1220, jbretz1220@gmail.com
In-and-out hike on the Appalachian Trail, heading north. We will have panoramic views of the Blacks, Smokies and other ranges in WNC and TN. once we reach Big Bald as well as the Wolf Laurel area enroute. Topos: Sams Gap, Bald Creek

SUNDAY NO. A1001-186 Jan. 10
Little Pisgah Mountain 8:30 AM
Hike 9, Drive 36, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net
A pleasant hike, close to home for our coldest month. We’ll hike from Hickory Nut Gap through part of the Florence Preserve and up into an open meadow to the summit of Little Pisgah Mtn. If the weather is clear, the view doesn’t get any better. Topo: Bat Cave

Scout Report: (This was hiked on a Wednesday instead of the scheduled Wednesday hike)  Eight hikers started to make our way to the Florence trail head. During driving up to the parking area above the Gerton Grocery store, we came around a curve and there was CMC members from Camden, SC Charlie and Alice Brice with Alice lying in the middle of the road. They had gotten their car stuck on the way to hike and while walking back down Alice fell on the ice and injured her shoulder. We helped comfort Alice while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. After getting the car out and getting Alice safely on her way to the hospital, we prepared to start our hike. We started up the blue trail with about 9 other CMC alternate Wednesday hikers. If this trail is typical of our trails in this area, the heavy snow storm and the ice from the rain have made the trails a maze of thousands of broken branches many that will require chain sawing. This made the hike slow going until we got to the road to Little Pisgah. Then as we came out of the trees the road turned to almost solid, very hard ice, on the way up. We had lunch about a mile from the top, great views, then turned around and proceed back to the cars. It was a great day in the woods. Don Walton

SATURDAY NO. A1001-172 Jan. 16
John Rock Loop 10:00 AM
Hike 6, Drive 72, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Victoria Tripp, 828-348-4505, torrose@gmail.com
P400 A moderate loop hike starting at the Fish Hatchery and hiking via Picklesimer Fields and Cat Gap, with good views from John Rock. Second meeting place: Fish Hatchery parking lot, off FS 475 at 10:40 AM. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also NatGeo map #780

SUNDAY NO. A1001-678 Jan. 17
An Edge of Panthertown *8:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 110, 2300 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA
Dave Wetmore, 828-884-7296, dwetmore@citcom.net
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. This new hike for the Club begins with a long gradual ascent on an old road to a gap followed by an equally gradual descent to the viewpoint near the bottom of the Devil’s Elbow Ridge. We’ll climb the old trail up the ridge to our second viewpoint. From there a short cross-country descent to another old road will take us back to our gap and from there back to the trailhead. Time permitting, there will be a short detour to Aunt Sally’s falls. The old roads are all open and have foot trails on them. There are a couple of easy rock hops near the trailhead. Topo: Lake Toxaway

ALL DAY NO. A1001-532 Jan. 24
Sassafras Mtn. 8:30 AM
Hike 9, Drive 140, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Lenny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, lsberns@worldnet.att.net
This is a pleasant hike from US 178 up to the highest peak in South Carolina, following the Foothills Trail. Second meeting place: NE corner of Cracker Barrel parking lot at Exit 53 of I-26 at 9:00 AM. Topo: Eastatoe Gap; also Guide to Foothills Trail, sections A4 to A2.

SATURDAY NO. A1001-019 Jan. 30    (This hike has been rescheduled to February 20)
Winter Plant ID hike 9:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 20, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Becky Smucker, 828-298-5013, bjsmucker@gmail.com
P400 This moderate-paced hike is designed for identification of plants in the winter. Bring magnifying glasses if you have them. We’ll hike the MST between the French Broad River Overlook and a little beyond Walnut Cove, stopping often to look at various plants along the way. Limited to 12 people; contact leader for reservation. Topo: Skyland; also NatGeo map #780 and MST Profiles book, pg. 57

SUNDAY NO. A1001-596 Jan. 31
Foothills Trail: Laurel Fork Gap to Lake Jocassee *8:00 AM
Hike 10.8, Drive 103, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Michael and Kathy Cornn, 828-458-1281, mcornn@aol.com
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leaders at Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. We’ll hike the Foothills Trail in SC, from Laurel Fork Gap to Lake Jocassee. This in-and-out hike along Laurel Fork Creek features a beautiful stream, waterfalls, great bridges, and a scenic lakeside lunch spot. Topos: Eastatoe Gap, Reid; also Foothills Trail map

SUNDAY NO. A1001-093 Feb. 7
Graybeard Mountain 8:00 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 11, Drive 35, 2700 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary.avl@gmail.com
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. The first mile is very steep. Second Meeting place: Ingles parking lot at Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:20 AM. Topo: Montreat; also Montreat Trails Map

SUNDAY NO. A1001-104 Feb. 7
Wolfe Ford and High Falls *9:00 AM
(moderate)
Hike 7.3, Drive 80, 900 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Rich Bowerman, 828-808-2891, pcdbowerman@hotmail.com
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 9:30 AM. From the gauging station on the South Mills River, we'll hike this mostly level trail to High Falls, then cross the footbridge at Wolfe Ford and loop back to the trailhead. Two small stream crossings. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also NatGeo. map #780

SATURDAY NO. A1001-679 Feb. 13
Elk Pasture Gap - Mt. Pisgah via MST 10:00 AM
Hike 7, Drive 45, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Paul Dickens, 828-476-0010, psdicken@charter.net
P400 We will hike the MST from the NC 151 / BRP junction to Buck Springs Gap, then up to the summit of Mt. Pisgah. Our return will be on the closed Blue Ridge Parkway. Pack for wind and cold. Trip is dependent on weather and ability to reach the top of NC 151 by car. If heavy snow or ice occur during the preceding week or if a storm is forecast for the hike day, an alternate hike will be chosen. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.

...You are right, Mt Pisgah is out because of fresh snow and Hwy 151 not passable without a jeep (maybe try again in March). My plan for Saturday 2-13 is to take whomever shows up at Westgate at 10 am down to Hominy Creek Park in West Asheville and explore the new extension of the French Broad River Greenway (Wilma Dykeman Trail) in the snow. Should be some nice views across the French Broad river into Biltmore.  Paul

SUNDAY NO. A1001-592 Feb. 14
ALT – Butter Gap - Long Branch Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Stu English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at the side parking lot of the Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 8:30 AM. This hike will start at Gloucester Gap and follow the Art Loeb Trail over Chestnut Mtn. to Butter Gap. At the gap, we’ll turn downhill onto the Butter Gap Trail, then the Long Branch Trail and Cemetery Loop past the McCall Cemetery . There will be a short side trip to a beautiful, but rarely visited waterfall. We’ll finish with a short road walk back to the trailhead. Topo: Shining Rock; also NatGeo map #780

Scout Report: Due to road and trail conditions in the PRD, I’m not going to do the scheduled hike. I tried to get to Gloucester Gap this morning, but turned back because of snow and ice. I had a 4 wheel drive and probably could have made it, but not everyone could. Also the trails are slick and icy and I don’t expect that situation to change much by Sunday morning at 8:30. I am willing to do a shorter more accessible hike. In these conditions it takes much longer to negotiate the distances. The hike I had scheduled is a loop with really no bail out points. If someone would pass this word on at Westgate, I would appreciate it. If anyone were to organize their own more adventurous hike, I would understand. I would get some snowshoes, but I don’t get a discount at REI.  Stuart

SATURDAY NO. A1001-019 Feb. 20  (Rescheduled from January 30)
Winter Plant ID hike 9:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 20, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Becky Smucker, 828-298-5013, bjsmucker@gmail.com
P400 This moderate-paced hike is designed for identification of plants in the winter. Bring magnifying glasses if you have them. We’ll hike the MST between the French Broad River Overlook and a little beyond Walnut Cove, stopping often to look at various plants along the way. Limited to 12 people; contact leader for reservation. Topo: Skyland; also NatGeo map #780 and MST Profiles book, pg. 57

SUNDAY NO. A1002-558 Feb. 21
Round Top Ridge Trail to Rich Mtn., AT to Hot Springs 8:00 AM
Hike 11.7, Drive 70, 3000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Paul Benson, 828-251-1909, pdbenson@charter.net
From Hot Springs we climb to the lookout tower on the summit of Rich Mountain via the Round Top Ridge Trail, then descend on the AT through Tanyard Gap, Pump Gap and Lovers' Leap Ridge back to Hot Springs. An option to enjoy a relaxing post-hike soak in the natural hot spring waters is offered. If interested contact the leader by Feb. 17 for reservations. Topo: Hot Springs

Scout Report: I scouted this hike yesterday (Sunday, 2/14), and as I suspected, the trail is in rough condition. The trail is almost impassible between Pump Gap and Tanyard Gap due to rhododendron blowdowns. There is also a big tree that is uprooted just south of Pump Gap that is completely blocking the trail and is difficult to get around. There are numerous smaller blow downs the length of the hike. Yesterday just about the entire length of the trail was covered in snow, ranging in a dusting at river level to about a foot on the top of Rich Mountain. Fortunately, it was soft and traction was not bad, but it made walking slower and more difficult. More snow is expected this week with the possiblilty of freeze/thaw changing this snow to ice. After a few miles into the hike I was ready to cancel it, but I survived it in 6 solid hours of hiking, so I'm sure others can too. But I do want to warn people considering the hike to expect extremely difficult and possibly dangerous conditions, be ready to squeeze through blow downs and hike off trail to get around them. Snow, possibly deep, and ice will be present, traction devices are essential.  Paul
 

SATURDAY NO. A1001-680 Feb. 27
Lost Cove in Tennessee 8:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 90, 2200 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA
Les and Catherine Love, 828-658-1489, lesrlove@charter.net
On this new CMC hike, we’ll explore the old settlement near the banks of the Nolichucky River that still has three houses standing and old cars in the yard. Optional supper at Farmer’s Daughter in Chuckey. Second meeting place: Rose’s in Weaverville at 8:15 AM, but call leader first. Topos: Huntdale, Chestoa; also NatGeo map #783

SUNDAY NO. A1001-502 Feb. 28
Deep Creek – Sunkota Ridge 8:00 AM
Hike 13, Drive 135, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated AA-A
Bob Hysko, 828-243-3630, rhysko@yahoo.com
900M We will hike alongside Deep Creek, one of the beautiful streams on the east side of the Smokies, and then climb up to and down Sunkota Ridge, which will have good winter views. Second meeting place: Rest area beyond Waynesville on US 23/74 at 8:30 AM. Topos: Bryson City, Clingman’s Dome; also NatGeo map #229

SUNDAY NO. A1001-221 March 7
Newton Bald via Mingus Creek and Thomas Divide Trails *8:00 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 11, Drive 130, 2500 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Cindy & Scott McJunkin, 828-213-9701, mcjfive@aol.com
900M, WC100 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leaders at rest stop beyond Waynesville on US 23/74 at 8:30 AM. From Ela (near Bryson City) we will ascend by the Mingus Creek Trail to the neighborhood of Newton Bald, then descend by the Thomas Divide Trail. On the connector Deeplow Gap Trail we will see beautiful Little Creek falls. Topo: Clingmans Dome; also NatGeo map #229

Scout Report: We scouted this hike on February 14th, and there were still some icy patches on the state road leading up to Cooper Creek Trout Farm. It began to snow as we climbed toward the Mingus Mill junction. Eventually we were marching in snow up to two feet deep in places, and we plodded through it for a few miles until we descended to Little Creek Falls, which is near the end of the loop. The trail crosses the base of the 95 feet of water falling over shelves of Thunderhead Sandstone. We didn't find significant blow downs, but we rock hopped several places, and the trail goes through some shallow streams. If the weather continues to moderate, we should be able to do this loop on March 7th.
 

SUNDAY NO. A1001-681 March 7
Foothills Trail: NC 281 to Fish Hatchery Rd. *8:10 AM
(moderate)
Hike 8.8, Drive 140, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Brent Martin, 828-369-7084, brent_martin@tws.org
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at US 64 / NC 281 south intersection at 9:00 AM. Stop for additional hikers at Pisgah Bi-Lo at 8:30 AM. A moderate two-state hike on the Foothills Trail in SC. A diverse section of the FHT, with good views into the Piedmont. Topos: Cashiers, Tamassee; also Foothills Trail Guide, pg. 46-48

SATURDAY NO. A1001-682 March 13
Green River Gamelands from Green Cove Road 10:00 AM
Hike 7, Drive 70, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
Expect to see early wildflowers as we loop through the following trails of the Green River Gamelands, beginning and ending at Green River Cove Road: Bluff; Stair Step Falls; Long Ridge; Bear Branch; Pulliam Creek and Green River Cove. The hike begins with a challenging 700 ft. uphill in the first mile Second meeting place: NE corner of Cracker Barrel parking lot, at Exit 53 of I-26 at 10:30 AM Topo: Cliffield Mtn.; also Map of the Green River Gamelands Trails

SUNDAY NO. A1001-683 March 14
DuPont Forest: Hooker Falls P.L. #2 – Five Falls Loop *9:00 AM
Hike 11.2, Drive 95, 1250 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.com
*Note that this is the first day of Daylight Savings time. This hikes takes in five outstanding waterfalls, including some that were sites for The Last of the Mohicans. On the way, we’ll climb to a ridge in the Forest that gets fewer visitors. If you haven’t hiked in Dupont lately, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the improvements. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 9:30 AM. Topo: Standingstone Mtn.; also DuPont State Forest map

Scout Report: I scouted the hike with Charlie, Jeanie and Jeanie's friend, Judith.  My first challenge is realizing that the Ridgeline trail had been relocated and all those branches in the middle of the old trail were not blowdowns but telling me that we were on the old trail.  The new trail is much gentler. After that, the only challenge was the snow.  There was plenty of it. And even though, the weather forecast calls for sunny weather for the next few days, there's no guarantee that the trails will be snow-free.  You all come. Danny  P.S. the picture is of Wintergreen falls, probably the most isolated of all the waterfalls.
  

SUNDAY NO. A1001-684 March 21
Mackey Mtn. and Sugar Cove Creek Trail *8:00 AM
Hike 12, Drive 70, 2700 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+
Jim Reel, 828-738-0751, jimr57@yahoo.com
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at US 70/Curtis Creek Rd. intersection at 8:45 AM. A stop will be made at the Ingles parking lot at Exit 64 of I-40 for additional hikers. Mackey Mountain was part of the first purchase of national forest land under the Weeks Act of 1911 and is designated “Mountain Treasure” by the Wilderness Society. We will hike from the end of Sugar Cove Road up to the Mackey Mountain Trail. We’ll have great winter views and do a short bushwhack to the summit and then near bushwhack on a seldom used section of trail. This hike ends on private property with access permission for only this CMC hike. Topos: Marion West, Old Fort

Scout report for Mackey Mtn. and Sugar Cove Creek Trail, March 21st
Darrell Stamey and I scouted this hike on Sunday, March 7th. On two previous trips in the last two weeks we had already cleared the first 5 miles of trail of extensive ice damage from the Christmas ice storm. We were hoping as we got to higher elevations the damage would be less. We were WRONG! The last 3 miles are clear. The problem was the 3 miles across the two summits of Mackey Mountain, still covered in snow, where we bushwhacked and crawled for six hours as we went over, under, around and through literally hundreds of large and very large tree limbs and tree tops. The ice damage in that area is unbelievable. Almost every tree in that area has had the top broken out of it, making the trail very hard to locate in several places. The total time for our hike was 10 hours for 11.4 miles. Due to these trail conditions, I will not lead the hike as I planned it. We will hike from Sugar Cove Road to the point where the trail becomes impassable, about a half mile past Narrows Knob, and then return on the same trail for a hike of about 11 miles with an elevation gain and loss of about 1800 feet. This will be a great opportunity to view up close the damage to the forests in this area. Jim Reel

SATURDAY NO. A1001-398 March 27
Sunburst – Green Knob – Haywood Gap Trail *8:30 AM
Hike 9.2, Drive 65, 3200 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+
Brent Martin, 828-369-7084, brent_martin@tws.org    (Folks that registered with Charlie: Brent has your names)
P400 This very strenuous and difficult hike will start with an initial very steep mile (up to 45 degree incline) to Green Knob and its spectacular views, then we’ll do a short bushwhack down to the Buckeye Gap Trail. We’ll return on the seldom-hiked lower Haywood Gap Trail returning to the Sunburst Campground. There are two wet crossings. *Wilderness area limited to ten people. Call leader for reservation. Topo: Sam Knob; also NatGeo map #780

SUNDAY NO. A1001-051 March 28
Hickey Fork / Whiteoaks Flats / Pounding Mill *9:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 85, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Tish Desjardins, 828-656-2191, desraylet@aol.com
Thanks to the Forest Service building a splendid new footbridge over Hickey Fork, CMC is able to schedule this hike which we have not done in 10 years. A nice loop hike using three different trails and finishing on the newly and heavily rebuilt Hickey Fork Rd. *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at US25/NC208 intersection at 9:45 AM. 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. Topos: White Rock, Greystone; also NatGeo map #782