Wednesday Hikes
Ist Quarter 2005
Hike Ratings
First Letter Second Letter
Distance Elevation Gain
AA: Over 12 miles AA: Over 2,000 ft.
A: 9-12 miles A: 1,500-2,000 ft.
B: 6-9 miles B: 1,000-1,500 ft.
C: Under 6 miles C: Under 1,000 ft.
Also in the hike descriptions, the terms easy, moderate or strenuous reflect the overall trail conditions, the physical challenge and other factors influencing hike difficulty. If you have questions, CONTACT THE LEADER.
Wednesday hikes submitted by Paula McNabb, 828-274-0057 gcmcnabb@charter.net. Driving distance is round trip from meeting place. Hikes will assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I 240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings. Please phone the hike leader if you are not sure of the meeting location.
ALL DAY. No. W0501-327 Jan. 5
Ridgecrest Ramble 8:30 AM
Hike 6-7, Drive 40, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Joanne Tulip 828-299-3495 tulipinnc@aol.com
A good winter hike, following the Rattlesnake, Rhododendron and Adventure Trails. This moderate hike in the Ridgecrest area offers a number of great scenic overlooks as it meanders along the ridgelines, and includes Rattlesnake, Copperhead and Lookout Mtns. Second meeting place: McDonald’s at exit 64 of I40 at 9:20 AM. Topo: Montreat
ALL DAY. No. W0501-035 Jan. 12
Looking Glass Rock 8:45 AM*
Hike 6.2, Drive 70, Rated B-B
Chuck Rosen 828-298-2246
P400 Moderate and popular hike in the Pisgah Forest. We have a 3.1 mile climb up to the 3,969 ft. summit (elevation gain 1,369 feet), with magnificent views of Pisgah Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. We will stop at the North Face viewpoint on our descent for another wonderful view. *Meet at Westgate at 8:45 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station parking lot on US. 276 at 9:30 AM. Topo: Shining Rock.
ALL DAY No. W0501-296 Jan. 19
MST: Parkway HQ to
Folk Art Center 10:00 AM
Hike 5, Drive 0, Rated C-C
Paula McNabb 828-274-0057 gcmcnabb@charter.net
Note later start time. A good winter hike. Will begin at Parkway headquarters. Only meeting place will be the Blue Ridge Parkway Headquarters parking area, north end of lot.
ALL DAY No. W0501-438 Jan. 26
Rich Mtn., Round Top Ridge
Trail, Lover’s Leap 9:00 AM
Hike 9.5, Drive 70, Rated A-B
Tom Sanders 828-252-6327 mel&tgs@main.nc.us
From Tanyard Gap we will go north on the AT to the beautiful Rich Mountain views, then descend to Hot Springs via Round Top Ridge Trail, and culminate the day with a short climb to Lover's Leap, finishing on the AT in Hot Springs.
ALL DAY No. W0501-330 Feb. 2
Ravencliff Falls, The Cathedral,
Dismal Trail Loop 8:00 AM*
Hike 9 Drive 95, Rated A-B
Ann Gleason 828/859-9387 cowbonetail@yahoo.com
Hike to 412-ft Raven Cliff falls in Caesar's head State Park where we cross a bridge and descend 120 ft down "the cathedral". We then cross Mathews Creek with a steep ascent on the Dismal Trail to a large rock outcropping with great views of the falls, and return to the parking lot. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Bi-Lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Additional meeting place: Ravencliff Falls parking lot on US 276 at 9:00 AM. Note: $2 fee per person for park entry.
ALL DAY No. W0501-439 Feb. 9
Pounding Mill Trail 8:00 AM*
Hike 8, Drive 55, Rated B-C
Greg Goodman 828-684-9703
P400 This hike takes the South Mills River Trail to the Pounding Mill Trail and on to Squirrel Gap Trail. We’ll continue onto Pea Gap and then return on the South Mills River Trail. Moderate. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Boyleston Baptist Church on NC 280 at 8:30 AM.
ALL DAY No. W0501-101 Feb. 16
Big Laurel River 8:45 AM*
Hike 7.2, Drive 50, Rated B-C
Becky Elston, 828-749-1886 belston@cytechusa.com
Trail follows Big Laurel River to the confluence with the French Broad River, lunch here. Pass thru Runion, which was a thriving logging town in the early 1900's. Fairly rocky in spots. Meet at Westgate at 8:45 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Ingles on Hwy. 25/70 at the Marshall Bypass at 9:30 AM.
ALL DAY No. W0501-399 Feb. 23
John Rock-Cedar Rock Loop 8:00 AM*
Hike 10, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Brad Van Diver, 828-669-2740 bravandi@cs.com
P400 A lovely winter hike. Beginning at the fish hatchery, we first skirt the eastern side of John Rock to Cat Gap, then follow the Art Loeb Trail through Sandy Gap, and then pass the stunning white cliffs of Cedar Rock. We'll continue to the shelter at Butter Gap for lunch, then return to our starting point via Grogan Creek and Picklesimer Fields. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Fish Hatchery at 8:30 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat'l Geographic Pisgah Ranger District Map.
ALL DAY No. W0501-440 March 2
Mountains-to-Sea from
French Broad Overlook 9:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 25-50, Rated C-B
(subject to change)
Elisabeth Feil, 828-684-8719 hofeil@brinet.com
A nearby winter wandering with Elisabeth. We’ll decide what looks best, depending largely on how far the Parkway is open. This may be a car shuttle. Hike may be strenuous. Second meeting place: French Broad Over-look on Blue Ridge Parkway at 9:15 AM.
ALL DAY No. W0501-290 March 9
Shut-In – (MTS) and
Bent Creek 8:30 AM*
Hike 7-8, Drive 0, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Siro Del Favero, 828-277-2546
From the French Broad Overlook we will embark on a brisk hike through Bent Creek via Shut-In, Cascades, CMC extension, CMC, Wesley Branch, and Old Mill Trails back to the overlook. *Only meeting place: Ingles parking lot on NC 191, across from Biltmore Square.
ALL DAY No. W0501-441 March 16
AT: Up and Down Snowbird 8:30 AM
Hike 9.4, Drive 100, 2700 ft ascent,
Rated A-AA
Curt Holladay, 628-9477,
Start at the Waterville School Rd, hike northbound on the AT up a pretty well graded slope 4263 ft elevation to the to top of Snowbird Mt. We will have lunch, rest and hopefully have a relaxed descent back down. Nothing like a stiff hike to welcome in the Spring!
ALL DAY No. W0501-442 March 23
Montreat Ramble #3 9:00 AM*
Hike 5-5.5, Drive 25, Rated C-B
Diane Hankins, 828-298-2870 (before 9pm)
Very leisurely paced hike on Montreat trails. Suitable for anyone over 10 years old (those under 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult.) *Only meeting place: Oteen Ingles parking lot at the post office flagpole near the VA hospital on Tunnel Road (unless other arrangements made with leader before March 22.)
ALL DAY No. W0501-375 March 30
AT: Sams Gap to Rice Gap 9:00 AM
Hike 7.5, Drive 60, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Pat Elias, 828-687-1651
Note early start time. An in-and-out hike in the beautiful open forest from Sams Gap to Rice Gap. We'll lunch at the Hog Back Ridge shelter. Topo: Sams Gap