Wednesday hikes submitted by Charlie Ferguson 828-333-5165, ccf108@gmail.com and Ann Gleason 828-859-9387, gleason.ann@gmail.com . Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Wednesday 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. Meeting times vary.

WEDNESDAY No. W0804-625 Oct. 1 (this hike will not be done and the hike below will be done instead)

WEDNESDAY No. W0804-620 Oct. 1
Devil’s Courthouse – Pilot Mtn. *8:30 AM
Hike 8.5,Drive 75, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@mchsi.com
P400 *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at 9:10 AM. Have you ever admired the fabulous views of Pilot Mtn. from Devil’s Courthouse and the Chestnut Bald and Silvermine Bald overlooks, and wished you could be there? From Devil’s Courthouse we will follow the MST, and then descend steeply on the roller coaster ALT to Farlow Gap for lunch at Bruce Rock before proceeding to a snack stop on top of Pilot Mtn. with its 360° mountain vista. We’ll return to the BRP crossing where a short car shuttle will reunite us with our cars. Topos: Sam Knob, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

Scouting Report: Three people came with me on the scout. A part of the steep descent from Farlow Gap on the Farlow Gap Trail was very rocky and slippery. Therefore, I decided to cancel hike 625 and substitute with a better hike of comparable distance and elevation change: It will be hike W0804-620 , Devil’s Courthouse to Pilot Mountain, which is also scheduled for Sunday, October 12. Meeting times and places will be the same.  :-)

WEDNESDAY No. W0804-076 Oct. 8
Craggy to Little Snowball Hike 8:30 AM
Hike 7.2, Drive 38, 2630 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA
Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net.
From Bee Tree Gap at Craggy Gardens, we’ll go 135 feet on MST South, then get on Snowball trail over high rocks (Hawkbill Mtn.) to Little Snowball tower site for great views. We’ll return on the same route. Second meeting place: Bee Tree Gap at 9:00 AM. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle; also USFS South Toe River, Mt. Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Map

Note: There are two hikes on Oct. 15 - you can do both if you want.

WEDNESDAY No. W0804-427 Oct. 15
Soapstone Ridge 8:30 AM
Hike 10, Drive 90, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Rich Sampson, 704-453-9059, richsampson360@gmail.com
P400 We will begin at the gauging station and follow a mild bushwhack up Soapstone Ridge to the Black Mountain Trail which we’ll follow to our lunch spot at Buckhorn Shelte., We’ll then take the Buckhorn Gap trail down to the S. Mills River trail back to our cars. Second Meeting Place: PRD Ranger Station at 9:00 AM. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780. (Note: after this hike there will be an option to join the easy 2-mile Full Moon Hike (below) to Black Balsam. We may be able to eat supper at Pisgah Inn at 5:00, or bring food for your evening meal.

WEDNESDAY N0. W0804-626 Oct. 15
FULL MOON HIKE *5:30 PM
Hike 2, Drive 75, 500 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net
P400 Come and join us on the night of the full moon to enjoy first, the sunset, and then the moonrise a short time later from the summit of 6215 ft. Black Balsam (great view)!. We’ll park at the MST crossing on FS 816 and hike the ALT up to the summit to enjoy beautiful scenery on a hopefully clear night. Bring a good flashlight, snacks and warm beverage to share with fellow hikers. Please contact leader to register; the leader will contact those registered in case the hike has to be rescheduled. *Meet at Westgate to form carpools, and meet leader at trailhead at 6:30 PM. Topo: Sam Knob, Shining Rock; Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

WEDNESDAY No. W0804-204 Oct. 22
Max Patch Ramble 8:30 AM
Hike 7.5, Drive 100, 1100 ft., ascent, Rated B-B
Adrian Lotherington, 828-484-9132, jaloth@charter.net
A hike that may be our last opportunity to scale this beautiful section of the AT before Jack Frost descends! We will begin and end at Max Patch, one of WNC’s most stunning views. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck stop at Exit 24 off I-40 at 9:00 AM. Topo: Lemon Gap

WEDNESDAY No. W0804-600 Oct. 29
Pink Beds-Buckhorn Gap-S. Mills River loop *8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 75, 1000 ft ascent, Rated A-B
Jack Fitzgerald , 828-685-2897, suejackfitz@bellsouth.net
P400 *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station at 8:30 AM. We’ll start on the Pink Beds loop to Barnett Branch, up to Buckhorn Gap, and then down to the S. Mills river. Hike to gauging station and return to cars on Pink Beds loop. Lots of variety and a moderate pace. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

WEDNESDAY No. W0804-271 Nov. 5
Chestnutwood Mountain 8:30 AM
Hike 9, Drive 70, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Lee Silver, 828-668-7147, leehsilver@aol.com.
We will do our major climbing before lunch on this pleasant hike past streams, two nice cascades, a glimpse of the Black Mtns., and a 20 yr. old timber harvest in the Grandfather District. Some bushwhacking and hiking on over-grown trails. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonalds off I-40 at Exit 64 at 8:50 AM. Topo: Old Fort

Scouting report:  As expected a lot (as in all) of the trails on this hike were unmaintained.  Most "trails" were easy enough to walk on with only a few short annoying bushwhacks.  In places the trail disappeared and we picked our way through the trees or shrubs.  We had one pair of loppers which we put to good use.  An old and inaccurate GPS track helped keep us close to our intended route.  The amount of climbing on this hike is more than the hike description above states - about 2700 feet.  The hike will probably be modified to make the difficulty closer to what's in the description.  We started by climbing about a 1200 feet on a trail, that appears on recent hiking maps, to Buckeye Knob.  On the way we saw two cascades along the Hickory Branch creek.   There were some glimpses of the surrounding mountains through the trees. There were a few trees across the trail which were easy enough to step over or under.  There were two short but very steep climbs on the way to Buckeye Knob.  We may opt to not do one or more of those to save time and energy.  We had lunch near Buckeye Knob.  We hiked back about a half mile to where a very old trail goes along the ridge line to Chestnutwood Mountain.  This trail appears on old USGS maps but not on recent maps.  The footpath is still visible but is very over grown in places.  We used the loppers to open it up in a few places. It didn't take long to get to the top of the mountain, which would be another good place to have lunch if we get there soon enough. We bushwhacked east down to an old logging road that had a faint path on it.  We walked about a mile and a half on the road, clipping only the most annoying branches in our way.  Then another short walk off trail down to a well used but unmaintained trail along Paddy's Branch and back to our cars.

WEDNESDAY No. W0804-627 Nov. 12
Montreat Ridges and Greybeard *8:30 AM
Hike 11, Drive 30, 2500 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Ames Tryon, 828-669-3805, tryonaf@charter.net.
*NOTE: Strenuous hike. Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form car pools and meet leader at parking lot just inside the Montreat gate on NC 9 at 9:00 AM. This hike is a variation on several Montreat hikes, commencing at Big Piney parking area on Greybeard Rd, ascending to East Ridge Trail via Rocky head and following the Old Trestle Rd to the Greybeard trail. After lunch on top of Greybeard, we will descend to Montreat via the West Ridge and Big Piney trails. There will be lots of views and great samplings of Montreat hiking. Topo: Montreat; also MTC Montreat Trail Map

WEDNESDAY No. W0804-460 Nov. 19
Pilot Mtn. to Courthouse Falls 9:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 60, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Mary Beth Gwynn, 828-254-2042, mbgcmc@gmail.com
P400 This in and out hike begins with a short bushwhack below Pilot Mtn. and follows FS 140A through interesting forest to FS 140 and on to Courthouse Falls. This route affords a different view of Devils Courthouse. There is one easy stream crossing (Kiesse Creek). Second meeting place: PRD Ranger Station at 9:30 AM. Topo: Shining Rock, Sams Knob; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD Map #780.

WEDNESDAY No. W0804-519 Nov 26
Raven Cliff Falls, Cathedral Rock, Dismal Trail Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 95, ascent 2300 ft, Rated A-A
Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387, gleason.ann@gmail.com
Get ready for the “turkey chow down” with this scenic loop hike featuring waterfalls, stone cliffs and a double-cable crossing over Matthews Creek (look up hike #519 on website to see pictures of it). From the Raven Cliff parking lot, we take the #13 Gum Gap trail, then #14 Naturaland Trust trail descending down to the #12 Dismal Trail where we will cross the rushing waters of Matthews Creek on a cable, ascend the dramatic Cathedral Cliff alongside and over Raven Cliff Falls and back to cars. If water is low, you can rock-hop creek (if the cable isn’t your cup of tea). Additional meeting places: Bi-lo parking lot at Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM, and Raven Cliff Falls Parking lot on US 276 at 9:00 AM. Topo: Table Rock; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area trail map

Scouting Report: Jeff McGurk will lead this hike.  Charlie Ferguson will assist.  Jeff and I scouted Raven Cliff yesterday. the trail is well maintained most of the way, though the cathedral /raven cliff trail is in need of work as much of it is showing signed of wear and erosiion that will eventually send it sliding. I don't think they have been doing a lot of maintanance on that section, though its ok for now.
Near the bottom of the Dismal trail, there are a couple trees down and it is easy to get off the trail there... so keep your eyes peeled . Jeff will remember the spots. The rest of the trail is fine. I think the length of the hike is more like 8 or 8.5 miles and not the larger amount in the book, though it is strenous enough. Note: due to last weeks rain, the cable crossing could not be avoided with a rock hop, though that may change by the 26th. Cable is in good shape. Ann

WEDNESDAY No. W0804-492 Dec. 3
Annual Cookie Hike: Bent Creek Ramble *8:30 AM
Hike 7, Drive 25, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Ken and Carol Deal, 828-281-4530, cnkdeal@charter.net.
Moderate loop hike in the Bent Creek area: *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet the leaders at Ingles parking lot across from Biltmore Sq. on NC 191 at 8:40 AM. We will start from the parking area for Cold Knob Rd (FS 479H) off Bent Creek Rd beyond Lake Powhatan. Using a variety of short sections of trails, we will hike up to the MST, past Sleepy Gap and descend on the Stambaugh Trail to Lake Powhatan picnic area for lunch and cookie feast. Afternoon return walk back to cars is 2 miles. Bring cookies to share. Topos: Dunsmore, Skyland; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780 and Bent Creek Trail Map

WEDNESDAY No. W0804-i Dec 3
Alternate - shorter Cookie Hike *10:00 AM
Hike 4, Drive 10, Rated C-C
Sherman Stambaugh, 828-254-1736.
Easy 4 mile hike in the Bent Creek area. *Only meeting place: Ingles parking lot across from Biltmore Square on NC 191. We will meet the 1st group for lunch and cookies at Lake Powhatan at noon and return to cars. Call Sherman if you want to go on this shorter hike. Bring cookies to share. Topo: Skyland; also Bent Creek Trail Map

WEDNESDAY No. W0804-277 Dec.10
Bent Creek Loop #2 8:30 AM
Hike 9-10, Drive 20, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Ruth Hartzler 828-251-0886, ruthmtn@charter.net
P400 A nice Bent Creek loop originated by Tom Bindrim, starting at the Hardtimes trailhead. We will hike part of the MST, a little easy off-trail (about 1/3 mile), the Lower Sidehill Trail, and stroll past Lake Powhatan. A great close-in, cool-weather hike. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn., Skyland, and Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

WEDNESDAY No. W0804-493 Dec. 17
Pine Mt. Loop II 9:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 20, 1850 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Barbara Morgan, 828-738-3395, bcmorg@hughes.net
P400 Hike up to Pine Mtn. from the Bent Creek side via Explorer loop, Chestnut Cove Trail and MST. Bushwhack up to Pine Mtn from BRP, then down other side to MST, down Ruth’s Ridge and the Lower Sidehill Trail to cars. Second meeting place: Ingles Parking lot across from Biltmore Sq. on NC 191 at 9:15 AM. Topos: Enka, Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

Scouting Report: It was a beautiful fall day for hiking from the Bent Creek Road area. Charlie Ferguson and Bruce Bente combined their knowledge of the previously used route with GPS technology, and our group of seven hiked the route as it had been done a couple of years ago. The trail starts off through the lower woods of Bent Creek, FS 479 and winds onto and off various trails and bushwhacks up to the top of Pine Mountain, about 800’ above the BRP tunnel of the same name. We then hiked out to a wonderful lunch spot on Double Top, with tremendous views. We completed the loop, bushwhacking, on the MST, and other trails and eventually completed the loop to the cars. It is a beautiful hike with lots of variety.

Through the scouting trip, we realized that the hike, which had been listed as 9 miles and 1850 feet elevation gain, was more like 10.7 miles and 2500 feet elevation gain. The start and end of the hike have since been altered to start at F479H (Cold Knob Road) and end where 145A (Sidehill Connector) comes back into FS479. This will make the hike very close to the 9 miles in the hike listing in Let’s Go.

Note: The portions of the hike going up the last 800’ of elevation gain to the summit and back down the other side are quite strenuous and are not on established trail. On the good side though, the gun season for deer (Nov 24-Dec 13) will be over, although bear season starts up again on December 15, for two weeks.

WEDNESDAY No. W0804-545 Dec.24
Bent Creek #11 - Boundary Trail 8:30 AM
Hike 8.5, Drive 25, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
P400 From Bent Creek Gap we will follow the MST to the Bent Creek Boundary Trail, on to Ingles Field Gap, to Ledford Branch Rd and down to Deer lake Lodge Trail and the Rice Pinnacle parking lot. Great winter views. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot across from Biltmore Sq. Mall on NC 191 at 8:45 AM. Topo: Dunsmore Mt., Skyland; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780 and Bent Creek Trail map.

NO HIKE SCHEDULED HAPPY NEW YEAR Dec. 31