ALL-DAY WEDNESDAY 2nd QUARTER 2007 HIKE SCHEDULE

Hike Ratings - First Letter: Distance,     Second Letter: Elevation Gain.

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-563 Apr. 4
Palmetto Trail: Pointsett Passage and Blue Wall Preserve. 8:30 AM*
Hike 10, Drive 100, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387, gleason.ann@gmail.com
Come hike the newly opened section of the Palmetto Trail: Pointsett Passage is a 6.6 mile stretch that 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 has been closed to the public for decades, then descends to the Vaughns Gap parking area behind Lake Lanier. The hike requires a car drop at the Lake Lanier end. *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Saluda Truck Stop, Texaco station at exit 59 off I- 26 at 9:05 AM. Topo: Saluda

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-564 Apr. 11
Greybeard from Montreat 8:10 AM*
Hike 10, Drive 40, 2500 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Ames Tryon, 828-669-3805, tryonaf@charter.net
This new CMC hike will give a good workout with lots of views. We’ll ascend the Rocky Head Knob to the Old Trestle Road, and hike a newly-cleared trail past Graybeard Falls to connect to the Graybeard Trail to the summit of Graybeard. We’ll continue on the West Ridge Trail and descend on the Big Piney Ridge Trail to our cars. *Meet at Westgate at 8:10 AM to form carpools,and meet leader at parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at exit 64 of I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Montreat

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-550 Apr. 18
Paris Mountain State Park 8:00 AM
Hike 9.9, Drive 130, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.org
Located between Traveler’s Rest and Greenville, Paris Mountain State Park is one of the oldest protected areas in South Carolina. Originally, the lakes were the source of Greenville’s water supply. We will walk on well-maintained trails, enjoying good views of Greenville, early spring flowers and historical artifacts. $2 a person entrance fee. Second meeting place: NE corner of Cracker Barrel parking lot at exit 53 of I-26 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Paris Mtn.

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-565 Apr. 25
Chattooga River 8:00 AM*
Hike 9, Drive 180, 600 ft. ascent, Rated A-C
Jack Fitzgerald, 828-685-2897, suejackfitz@bellsouth.net
Hike down to the Chattooga River from Walhalla Fish Hatchery Road on the Foothills trial. Visit Spoon Auger Falls, then hike two miles along the beautiful Chattooga River, with lunch spot at pretty white beach. Hike back up East Fork Creek to Fish Hatchery. Short car shuttle. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form car pools, and meet Leader at NE corner of Cracker Barrel parking lot at exit 53 of I-26 at 8:30 AM.

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-367 May 2
Art Loeb, Grassy Ridge to Bridges Camp Gap 8:00 AM*
Hike 9, Drive 65, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
SB6K, P400 Beginning with a climb up a short, steep manway to Black Balsam (6214 ft.) and Tennent Mtn (6040 ft.), we’ll descend to Ivestor Gap and then down Grassy Cove Ridge to the Big East Fork of the Pigeon River. . Short car shuttle required at end. This is a Wilderness area hike limited to ten people. Please contact hike leader to reserve your place. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet hike leader at Cold Mtn. overlook on BRP at 8:35 A.M. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-182 May 9
Green River Cove in the Green River Game Lands 8:45 AM*
Hike 7, Drive 80, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Becky Elston, 828-749-1886, belston@cytechusa.com
This nice in-and-out hike goes along the Green River. Our break lunch spot is on the river and maybe kayakers on the Green River will provide some entertainment. *Note later start time. Meet at Westgate at 8:45 AM to form carpools, and meet hike leader at Texaco station off Exit 59 of I-26 at 9:30 AM.

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-216 May 16
AT: Sams Gap to Devil Fork Gap 8:30 AM
Ruth Hartzler 828-251-0886, ruthmtn@charter.net
Hike 8.5, Drive 90, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
This section of the AT features magnificent wildflower displays and nice views into Tennessee from the ridge line, traversing a series of knobs along an unusual section of the TN-NC state line where Tennessee is east of N.C. and the southbound hiker is actually traveling north. Car shuttle. Topo: Sams Gap

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-491 May 23
Miami Mtns Watershed Hike 8:40 AM*
Hike 6, Drive 40, 1750 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Tommy Boston, 828-686-5029 (cell after 8 AM, 279-8410), Tambee2@aol.com.
Strenuous hike! This is the second time the club will hike the Miami Mtns watershed from Ridgecrest Boys Camp to Christmount Christian Assembly. Some steep uphills and good views of the Craggys. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:40 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at parking lot adjacent to McDonald's at exit 64 of I-40 at 9:00 AM. Topo: Black Mtn.

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-447 May 30
MST: Mt. Pisgah to Beaver Dam Overlook 9:00 AM*
Hike 8, Drive 45, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Joe Burchfield, 828-298-8413, Burchfield@niu.edu
P400 Note later start time. This moderate hike will start with a round trip up and down Mt. Pisgah, and will then follow the MST northbound to Beaver Dam Overlook. Expect good views along the route. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: BRP French Broad overlook at 9:10 AM. Topos: Cruso, Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map & MST Profiles, pg. 53-55

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-273 June 6
Boogerman Loop 9:00 AM*
Hike 8, Drive 90, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@mchsi.com
900M *Note later start time. A lush forest with giant old-growth Tulip trees and remnants of pioneer life make this a favorite loop hike in the Cataloochee area of the Smokies. If we’re lucky we may spot one of the elk. Second meeting place: Pilot truck stop at exit 24 off I-40 at 9:30 AM, but call leader first. Topos: Cove Creek Gap, Dellwood; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-270 June 13
Cedar Rock Mtn-John Rock Loop 8:30 AM*
Hike 8, Drive 80, Rated B-A
Charlie Ferguson, 828-398-0215, ccf108@gmail.com
P400 *Note later start time. This trip features two of the spectacular rock summits in the Pisgah Forest, with great views from both. Starting at the Fish Hatchery, we’ll have our major climb up to Cat Gap and then on to Cedar Rock for lunch. We’ll return via John Rock. Second meeting place: Pisgah Fish Hatchery at 9:10 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PNF map

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-566 June 20
Roans in Bloom 8:30 AM*
Hike 8, Drive 150, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Adrian Lotherington, 828-484-9132, jaloth@charter.net
SB6K A beautiful AT hike with some of WNC’s finest views. Expect rhododendrons and flame azaleas to be in bloom, with perhaps an early Gray’s lily. From Carver’s Gap we’ll go north past Grassy Ridge (6160 ft.) to a scenic overlook for lunch, then double back south to Carvers Gap. From here we’ll drive up to see the Rhododendron Gardens and the vista from Roan High Bluff (6287 ft.). (small fee to enter garden area) *Only Meeting Place: Rose's Car Park, across from McDonalds at the US 25/70 Weaverville Exit #19 at 8:30 AM. For any questions, please phone leader. Topo: Carvers Gap; also Nat’l. Geo. South Holston & Watauga Lakes map

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-555 June 27
MST: NC 80 to Woods Mtn. 8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 90, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net
Hike on a little-traveled section of the eastbound MST north of NC 80 to Woods Mtn., with seldom seen views of the Blacks and Mt. Mitchell. Second meeting place: parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at exit 64 of I-40 at 8:20 AM Topos: Celo, Little Switzerland