Sunday No. A2403-984      Jul 07, 2024
Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Andrews Bald & Clingmans Dome 8:00 AM
Hike 7.4, Drive 137, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated B-A,
Danny Bernstein, 828-450-0747, dannyhiker@gmail.com
Only Meeting Place: Food Lion - 35 Westridge Market Pl. Candler. 900M Contact the leader by email for reservation. This is a two-part **shuttle** hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From the top of Clingmans Dome Road, we will hike to Andrews Bald and back, one of two maintained balds in the park. Next, we will climb up to the top of Clingmans Dome at the western end of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. We will then walk the 3.6 miles where the MST and A.T. are coincident. Andrews Bald is #20 of the 100 Favorite Trails. NOTE: A parking pass for each vehicle is required in the GSMNP. For more information: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm.

hike report: Four strong, enthusiastiac hikers went up to Clingmans Dome in the Smokies. We were "on top of old Smoky." First we walked out to Andrews Bald and admired the beautiful stepwork. Then we went up to Clingmans Dome to see where the MST and the A.T. meet. This is the western end of the MST. Should there not be a monument here, as there is on the eastern end of the MST at Jockey's Ridge State Park? We hiked down from Clingmans Dome until the MST diverts right to Clingmans Dome Road. A great day in spite of a lot of rain in the afternoon.

scout report: The hike starts at over 6,000 ft. So it's the coolest we're going to be in this area. The hike to Andrew's Bald is always a little damp since it is tree-covered. But the beautiful bald at this end is wild, expansive and worthe the walk. Not too many people in the morning. The hike up to Clingmans Dome is crowded, of course, but short. And then, we find the start of the MST, where there will be almost no one. If you always to know where the Western end of the MST is, come on the hike.

Saturday No. A2403-368      Jul 13, 2024
Bradley Creek and Riverside Stream Crossings 8:00 AM
Hike 9.0, Drive 70, 1056 ft. ascent, Rated B-B, p400
Kristen Friedman, 203-253-0813, Kristenwho62@yahoo.com
First Meeting Place: Tanger Outlets parking lot behind Waffle House off Exit 33 of I-26.
Second Meeting Place: Ingles on NC 191/280 N end of parking lot in front of Pardee Urgent Care (Mills River) at 8:15 AM
Form carpools and meet leader at second meeting place. Contact the leader by email for reservation. Come and enjoy the water on a warm summer day. We will begin at Yellow Gap Rd. There are about 25 wet stream crossings, but the terrain is almost level and you will enjoy the beauty of the streams and the diverse flora nearby. Plan to hike in shoes/boots that you don’t mind getting soaked and use two hiking poles. Bring a towel, dry shoes, and clothes for after the hike. **Note: this hike has been modified from the original description. It is now a lollipop loop and will no longer have a shuttle. Read leader's scout report below for details.**
Topo(s): Pisgah Forest

scout report: Hike route slightly changed, meeting spots remain the same: there will no longer be a car shuttle. I scouted this as a lollipop loop from Yellow Gap Road, where some friends and I started on the Bradley Creek Trail, to Squirrel Gap Trail, to Laurel Creek Trail, and back onto Bradley Creek Trail. This 9 mile hike had some parts of the trail are overgrown with dog hobble. There are 26 creek crossings and ~1050 ft. elevation gain. We defined a stream crossing as those where there was no choice but to walk in water (this time of year it is over-the-ankles). Each crossing is different, a few had a slight current, many had rocky terrain where foot placement required some testing, one was very slippery, and all were fun and cooling (if hiking all day with wet feet and feeling your footing across wide creeks does not bother you). You’ll do best with hiking pole(s) or stick and wear old boots or shoes that have good tread.

Sunday No. A2403-406      Jul 14, 2024
Club Gap to Clawhammer Mountain 8:00 AM
Hike 7.5, Drive 75, 2300 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA, p400
Kelly O'Rourke, 434-249-5176, kellyleann@comcast.net
First Meeting Place: Tanger Outlets parking lot behind Waffle House off Exit 33 of I-26.
Second Meeting Place: Pisgah Forest Walmart parking (back of center aisles close to Taco Bell) at 8:30 AM
Form carpools and meet leader at the second meeting place. Contact the leader by email for reservation. We will climb from the small parking area along FS 477 near Pink Beds to Club Gap. Then we take the Black Mountain Trail, climbing through Buckhorn Gap and along the ridge to the overlook at Clawhammer Mountain for lunch and 180-degree views. This hike is #66 of the 100 Favorite Trails.
Topo(s): Pisgah Forest,Shining Rock

hike report: There were 3 of us for the hike today. Emilia, Henry’s niece joined us today and we enjoyed hearing about her upcoming graduate school in NY. The weather was not as hot as it has been, and we got a little cloud cover and a few drops of rail. We had a little excitement when we saw a rattlesnake that would not get off the trail. Some bikers were waiting for it to move so they could go by, but the snake was not having it. We had to go off trail to get around it. On the way back we saw a huge broad neck root borer beetle that looked like she was laying eggs. We went further than we did on the scout hike so probably hiked close to the 9 miles that Henry had on one of his trackers

scout report: Thank you to Beverly, Cheow, and Kristin for scouting this hike with me. The hike goes steadily up hill in the beginning, but then up/down the rest of the way. We went past the Clawhammer mtn. top but decided not to walk all the way to the top of Black Mtn. so walked back to the lunch spot to sit in the trail. There is no view, but we had a wide spot in the trail to sit. Lots of bikers but luckily no close calls, ha! The trail is rocky, and we do walk past shelter off the trail. The gate blocked off the road, so we started with ~ .3 mile to the trailhead with our total milage at 8.7. We will walk to Black Mtn. if the group wants which will add ~ 1.5 miles. I estimate that to be ~ 10 miles. There is some poison ivy like usual, but the trails were clear.

Sunday No. A2403-847      Jul 21, 2024
Pinnacle Park to the Pinnacle 8:30 AM
Hike 8.0, Drive 90, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated B-A,
Thomas Butler, 361-484-3381, butler.tom3381@gmail.com
First Meeting Place: Home Depot off Exit 44 of I-40.
Second Meeting Place: Haywood County Rest Area 19500 Great Smoky Mtn. Expy. (US 23/74) Waynesville NC at 9:00 AM - but contact leader first.
Form carpools and meet leader at the second meeting place. Contact the leader by email for reservation. This hike is from the Fisher Creek Recreation Area near Sylva. We will ascend and descend on the West Fork and Pinnacle Trails to see the great view from the Pinnacle. This hike is #15 of the 100 Favorite Trails Challenge.
Topo(s): Sylva North

Saturday No. A2403-531      Jul 27, 2024
Pisgah Inn to Beaver Dam Gap Overlook 8:30 AM
Hike 7.9, Drive 50, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B, at-mst, p400
Brenda Worley, 828-684-8656, cell 828-606-7297, bjdworley@gmail.com
First Meeting Place: Tanger Outlets parking lot behind Waffle House off Exit 33 of I-26.
Second Meeting Place: BRP Beaver Dam Overlook at MM 401.7 at 9:00 AM - but contact leader first.
Contact the leader by email for reservation. Enjoy the mountain views as we hike east along the MST from the Pisgah Inn. After Little Pisgah Mountain, it’s downhill almost all the way to the Beaver Dam Gap Overlook. We will look for the Turk’s cap lilies near the big funny tree. Seven-mile car shuttle.
Topo(s): Dunsmore Mt

scout report: Thanks, Sallye, Adrianne and Susan for scouting this beautiful hike with me. According to Sallye, we saw over 30 different wildflowers. We won't see many wildflowers on 7/27, but some Turk's Caps and Black Cohosh may still be blooming. The trail was in great shape, with a lot of downhill and some uphill when we climb Little Pisgah Mountain and Fork Mountain. My GPS clocked in at 7.39 miles, 740' ascent and 2060' descent.

Sunday No. A2403-794      Jul 28, 2024
MST: Cowee Access to Haywood Gap 8:30 AM
Hike 8.5, Drive 90, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B, at-mst
Kathy Cornn/Kyle, 828-458-1282, katherinenkyle@gmail.com and Michael Cornn, 828-458-1281, mwcornn@gmail.com
Only Meeting Place: Home Depot off Exit 44 of I-40. Contact the leaders by email for reservation. We will start at the spectacular Cowee Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway and hike steeply downhill on a little-used manway through a beautiful spruce forest approximately 1/2-mile to the MST. Once on the MST we will walk east approximately 8 miles to the Parkway crossing at Haywood Gap. This hike can be considered as moderate since much of the distance is easy walking on an old roadbed. Almost all of this hike is above 5,000 ft., so it should feel great on a hot July day. Car shuttle.
Topo(s): Sam Knob

Sunday No. A2403-175      Aug 04, 2024
Waterrock Knob, Yellow Face, Blackrock Mountain 8:00 AM
Hike 6.0, Drive 80, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated C-AA, sb6k
Henry Kassell, 845-656-5528, hkassell@gmail.com
Only Meeting Place: Home Depot off Exit 44 of I-40. Contact the leader by email for reservation. This scenic hike offers two SB6K peaks and outstanding views. We will start near Waterrock Knob, cross over the parkway and hike a rough trail along the ridge line to Yellowface and on to Blackrock Mountain for lunch, then return the same way. Don't be fooled - this hike is more challenging than the distance implies. Rock scrambling and technical hiking are required. Steep drop offs along the trail will get your attention.
Topo(s): Addie

Saturday No. A2403-974      Aug 10, 2024
Bernard Mountain Trail 10:00 AM
Hike 6.2, Drive 25, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-C,
Lee Silver, 828-668-7147, cell 828-442-6549, mhsrunning@yahoo.com
Only Meeting Place: Ingles off Exit 64 of I-40 (Black Mountain). Contact hike leader via email for reservation. This new trail opened in June 2023. It offers a great new outdoor experience in an area already renowned for its trails. We will start from the Point Lookout Greenway near the Old Fort Picnic Area, hiking up to Bernard Mountain, then returning. We will see rocky features and all-season views while hiking through forests.

Sunday No. A2403-273      Aug 11, 2024
Boogerman Trail 8:30 AM
Hike 8.0, Drive 72, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B,
Kay Haskell, 610-613-4858, HaskellKM@Gmail.com
First Meeting Place: Home Depot off Exit 44 of I-40.
Second Meeting Place: Exxon station off Exit 20 of I-40 at 9:00 AM - but contact leader first.
900M Contact the leader by email for reservation. 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. Several bridges are out of commission, so be prepared for some cool, wet stream crossings on what will probably be a hot summer day! There won't be time to change shoes while hiking so wear water or hiking shoes you don't mind getting wet. Poles will be helpful. This hike is #34 of the 100 Favorite Trails. NOTE: A parking pass for each vehicle is required in the GSMNP. For more information: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm.
Topo(s): Cove Creek Gap

Sunday No. A2403-652      Aug 18, 2024
A.T. - Devil Fork Gap to Rocky Fork State Park 8:30 AM
Hike 7.5, Drive 80, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated B-B, at-mst
John Beaudet, 423-483-0306, bodaciousat@gmail.com
First Meeting Place: 160 Zillicoa St. (USFS parking lot) off Exit 25 of I-26.
Second Meeting Place: Rocky Fork State Park parking area at 9:15 AM - but contact leader first.
Form carpools and meet leader at second meeting place. Contact the leader by email for reservation. Come enjoy another variation of hiking in Rocky Fork State Park. We'll shuttle to the Devil Fork Gap trailhead and hike the first three miles on the A.T. to Flint Mountain Shelter, on to Flint Gap and down into Rocky Fork State Park. We'll then add some more interest by going up Blockstand, where we may see snakes sunning on the rocks, then back down to Flint Creek to join the Rocky Fork Trail and return to our cars. This hike fills the requirement for #45 of the 100 Favorite Trails Challenge. 5-mile car shuttle.
Topo(s): Flag Pond

Saturday No. A2403-584      Aug 24, 2024
Butter Gap - Cat Gap Loop 8:30 AM
Hike 11.0, Drive 90, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA, p400
Les Love, 828-230-1861, lesrlove55@gmail.com and Catherine/Mrs Les Love, 828-658-1489, catmlove2@gmail.com
First Meeting Place: Tanger Outlets parking lot behind Waffle House off Exit 33 of I-26.
Second Meeting Place: Pisgah Forest Walmart parking (back of center aisles close to Taco Bell) at 9:00 AM - but contact leader first.
Contact the leaders by email for reservation. Come out and explore the newly rehabbed Butter Gap Trail with an additional 2-mile section built by professional trail builders. We'll follow the Butter Gap Trail through the beautiful Grogan Creek watershed and Picklesheimer Fields, hike the new section, part of the Art Loeb Trail, and down the Cat Gap Trail. A great late-summer hike with streams, waterfalls and views. This hike is #59 of the 100 Favorite Trails Challenge.
Topo(s): Rosman

Sunday No. A2403-119      Aug 25, 2024
Charlies Bunion from Newfound Gap 8:00 AM
Hike 8.0, Drive 135, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA, sb6k
Donna Lanning, 828-606-7956, dblanning@bellsouth.net
First Meeting Place: Home Depot off Exit 44 of I-40.
Second Meeting Place: Maggie Valley Post Office at 8:30 AM - but contact leader first.
900M Contact the leader by email for reservation. Limit of 10 hikers. This scenic in-and-out hike will follow the A.T. from Newfound Gap to a spectacular lunch spot at Charlies Bunion. After lunch we may do an optional side trip to Mt. Kephart and the Jumpoff. This hike is #27 of the 100 Favorite Trails. NOTE: A parking pass for each vehicle is required in the GSMNP. For more information: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm.
Topo(s): Clingmans Dome

Sunday No. A2403-516      Sep 01, 2024
Lakeshore Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 9.5, Drive 145, 1430 ft. ascent, Rated A-B,
Karen Lachow, 703-395-5879, heyk127@hotmail.com
First Meeting Place: Home Depot off Exit 44 of I-40.
Second Meeting Place: Haywood County Rest Area 19500 Great Smoky Mtn. Expy. (US 23/74) Waynesville NC at 8:30 AM - but contact leader first.
900M Contact the leader by email for reservation. This hike in the GSMNP will start at the tunnel at the end of Lakeshore Drive and hike Lakeshore, White Oak Branch and Forney Creek Trails. These lovely trails gently roll up and down rather than being really hard for long periods. Along the way we'll talk about the history of the infamous Road to Nowhere, settlement and logging along Forney Creek and the development of Lake Fontana. This hike is #19 of the 100 Favorite Trails. NOTE: A parking pass for each vehicle is required in the GSMNP. For more information: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm.
Topo(s): Noland Creek

Sunday No. A2403-89      Sep 08, 2024
Lemon Gap to Max Patch 8:30 AM
Hike 11.0, Drive 100, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated A-A, at-mst
Judy Magura, 828-606-1490, quilter290@gmail.com and Jim Magura, 828-606-3989, jqs290@gmail.com
First Meeting Place: Home Depot off Exit 44 of I-40.
Second Meeting Place: Pilot Truck Stop off Exit 24 of I-40 at 9:00 AM - but contact leader first.
Contact the leaders via email for reservation. On this classic hike we’ll see the Roaring Fork Shelter, built by CMC, as we travel along a beautiful section of the A.T. We will begin at Lemon Gap, have lunch on top of Max Patch with its scenic 360-degree views, then return to our cars at Lemon Gap. This hike is #40 of the 100 Favorite Trails.
Topo(s): Hot Springs

scout report: Me (Jim), Judy and Sharon scouted this hike on a cool Spring day. This hike is one of our personal favorite hikes. Weather was perfect for the scout and we met a number of thru hikers on their way North. On our return early in the afternoon, we also caught up and passed a small group of "new hikers" loaded down with "new equipment" on their way to Hot Springs for the night. We all agreed they will be tired as they had quite a ways to go. It had been a number of years since we last hiked this trail from Lemon Gap and we were pleasantly suprised at the additional growth of the old rhododendrum tunnels as we approached Max Patch. We of course had lunch on the bald and took in the views under full sun. The trail meanders up from the gap where we parked our car, but the ascent is gradual and not too tiring. There is a short steep section near the end as we approached Max Patch. The trail is in great condiiton. We will have lunch on the bald.

Saturday No. A2403-578      Sep 14, 2024
Flat Laurel Creek, Little Sam, MST Loop 9:30 AM
Hike 7.0, Drive 80, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-C, at-mst
Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, cell 860-798-9905, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
First Meeting Place: Home Depot off Exit 44 of I-40.
Second Meeting Place: Gravel parking lot on NC 215 1/4 mile north of BRP at 10:30 AM - but contact leader first.
Contact the leader by email for reservation. Limit of 15 hikers. This is a pleasant loop trail with views of Sam Knob, Fork Ridge and Flat Laurel Creek. We'll be hiking in a counterclockwise direction, up the MST with a side trip to Devils Courthouse for lunch, down the Little Sam Trail to Flat Laurel Creek and then a gentle return on the Flat Laurel Creek Trail. We'll end with a short walk along NC 215 to our cars.
Topo(s): Sam Knob

Sunday No. A2403-246      Sep 15, 2024
Coffee Pot Mtn. Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 8.4, Drive 50, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B, p400
Lorraine Bernhardt, 828-699-8857, lsbernhardt50@gmail.com
First Meeting Place: Tanger Outlets parking lot behind Waffle House off Exit 33 of I-26.
Second Meeting Place: Ingles on NC 191/280 N end of parking lot in front of Pardee Urgent Care (Mills River) at 8:15 AM
Form carpools and meet leader at the second meeting place. No reservation needed. On this moderate hike, we'll circle Coffee Pot Mtn. by hiking Trace Ridge Trail to Beaver Dam Gap on the BRP and returning on the Spencer Branch and Fletcher Creek Trails, with a stop to look at the Hendersonville reservoir and dam. This hike is #73 of the 100 Favorite Trails. Remember to check Breaking News for changes or cancellation.
Topo(s): Dunsmore Mt

Sunday No. A2403-985      Sep 22, 2024
MST to Green Knob and Fork Ridge Meadow 8:30 AM
Hike 6.8, Drive 70, 1542 ft. ascent, Rated B-A, Wilderness hike, limited to ten hikers, contact leader for reservation.
Thomas Butler, 361-484-3381, butler.tom3381@gmail.com
Only Meeting Place: Home Depot off Exit 44 of I-40. Contact the leader by email for reservation. This trail is in the Middle Prong Wilderness Area. We will hike from Rough Butt Bald Overlook to the MST to Green Knob and return to the unnamed trail to Fork Ridge Meadow which takes you back to the MST and return to our cars. We will not do Mt Hardy on the way up. From Green Knob we will have a spectacular view of the Flat Laurel Creek valley and Sam Knob. The scenic Fork Ridge Meadow is filled with blooming goldenrod in September-October

Saturday No. A2403-932      Sep 28, 2024
Oconoluftee, Mingus Creek and Cemeteries in GSMNP 8:00 AM
Hike 7.2, Drive 98, 800 ft. ascent, Rated B-C,
Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, cell 828-567-9443, bbente@bellsouth.net
Only Meeting Place: Home Depot off Exit 44 of I-40. 900M Contact the leader by email for reservation. Starting at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in GSMNP, we will walk through the Mountain Farm Museum and continue along the Oconaluftee River. We will take time to view exhibitions and displays to learn about Appalachian farming practices and Cherokee legend and culture. Driving a short distance to the parking lot of Mingus Mill, we will hike a portion of the Mingus Creek Trail (CMC hike #896) and take a side trail to visit both Mingus and African-American cemeteries. Both hikes are in and out. This hike is a combination of 100 Favorite Trails #16 and #17. NOTE: A parking pass for each vehicle is required in the GSMNP. For more information: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm.

Sunday No. A2403-986      Sep 29, 2024
Little Cataloochee, Long Bunk Trail, Correll Branch 8:00 AM
Hike 9.0, Drive 90, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B,
Mike Knies, 828-253-6114, knies06@att.net
First Meeting Place: Home Depot off Exit 44 of I-40.
Second Meeting Place: Pilot Truck Stop off Exit 24 of I-40 at 8:30 AM - but contact leader first.
900M Contact the leader by email for reservation. A pleasant new hike in the extremely remote part of Little Cataloochee on the Long Bunk Trail (900M). We will return off-trail through open forest to the Little Cataloochee Trail along the Correll Branch. We will visit numerous ruins of former settlers' homes, including the Hannah Cabin, and a few cemeteries. If the group is interested, we can add a mile to visit the former community of Ola. NOTE: A parking pass for each vehicle is required in the GSMNP. For more information: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm.