hike report:
I was joined by 8 other hikers for a great day in the Smokies. We got lucky and were not impacted by Hurricane Ian. We stopped by the cemetery and checked out the marked and unmarked gravestones. We had beautiful cool weather for the tough climb up Richland Mountain. We took a much-needed break at the top of the climb, before continuing on. The rest of the hike was more relaxed. We hiked to Chasteen Creek falls, which were flowing well due to recent rain. We took a lunch break there and I showed the group how to create blurred waterfall photos. We then continued back to the campground. Before heading out, the group visited the historic Lufty church, which we found very well maintained.scout report:
Glen Kime joined me for scouting the Smokemont Loop. We parked in the campground and hiked the loop in a clockwise direction. We chose to do the hike in a clockwise direction in order to get the majority of the climbing done early. Near the beginning of the hike, we stopped at the Bradley Cemetery, which was covered in yellow flowers. Most of the graves are unmarked, but we found a few marked ones from the 1920’s. From there it was a relentless uphill climb, which ended after 2.3 miles. We took a number of breaks to catch our breath. After that, the remainder of the hike is much easier, and the trail becomes wider. Before the Chasteen Creek Trail, there is a very long log bridge crossing. We turned off the loop to the Chasteen Creek Trail to visit the waterfall, where we will stop to enjoy lunch. We returned to the campground and walked along the campground road back to our car. We logged the hike as 8.2 miles, with 1,622’ elevation gain, which we did in 4 hours.scout report:
hike report:
Six Hikers showed up for this 10.6-mile hike. It climbed about 2000' in the first 5 miles over an improved trail. It was graded and shaped for mountain biking. We saw many riders over the course of the day. We lunched on the trail before the summit, missing the fine views. The second half of the hike was more up and down, breaking up the remaining 1000' of climb.hike report:
Nine hikers enjoyed a moderate hike from Pisgah Inn to Beaver Dam Overlook in beautiful sunny fall weather. The leaf colors were bright and everyone was in a good mood. Every overlook that we walked through was full of leaf-peepers also enjoying the day and the scenery. A great day to be outdoors!hike report:
Becky's hike was led by Bruce Bente because Becky was out of town. The hike route was changed to a one-way hike from Bee Tree Gap to Rattlesnake Lodge and then down to the BRP. We had five hikers, including three guests. Danny enjoyed explaining features along the trail to the guests and they appreciated it, especially around the Rattlesnake Lodge site. Cloudy weather in the 60s, but the leaf colors were still bright along the hike. BRP traffic was heavy , and we saw more hikers on the trail than expected.scout report:
The last week of September was a gorgeous time to scout this hike with a friend. There are several spectacular 180+ degree views along this ridge, and the leaves were just starting to change color, so views east and south were great. Falling leaves will really open things up, so be ready with the sunscreen. The trail is in pretty good shape, and the mileage isn't long, but it's rough terrain (some stretchers and hand holds for those of us who don't have long legs), so we should all get a good workout. See you there! Beckyhike report:
What a beautiful day for a hike in Florence Nature Preserve. We followed the route dictated by the Favorite 100 Hikes (#76) and clocked 6.2 total miles.Many many leaves had already fallen on the trail, so when we weren't accompanied by the sound of the stream nearby we heard the sound of feet scuffling through the dried leaves. We encountered other hikers with their well behaved dogs also enjoying the warm fall day. This is definitely a favorite place to hike as there is always the possibility of choosing different trails in the preserve. And it is close to town so a good option when entertaining out of town visitors. We welcomed a newcomer to CMC and hopes she will join other hikes in the future.scout report:
DuPont Forest never disappoints. My son, visiting AVL, helped me scout this hike. Bridal Veil Falls, where the movie "The Last of the Mohicans" was filmed, runs slow or rapid depending on the available water and rain. On this hike we concentrate on lakes and will see four of the five lakes. Lake Alford is my personal favorite - shown here. But, it is the small, picturesque details that hikers will also notice.hike report:
DuPont Forest was quiet today because of the threat of rain. Eight hikers discovered some less popular trails on the way to Bridal Falls. A good, solid group which jelled together right away, stayed together and talked the whole time. Thanks, all, for coming to my favorite place.scout report:
We scouted this hike on Wednesday, 10/19 with Marie (thanks for joining us!). It was a beautiful, sunny, 28-degree crisp morning when we started. This is a great hike; I think now one of my favorites. It covers three different trails, with some lovely gentle areas of hiking and some more rugged challenging sections. The views are spectacular, especially from Tennant Mountain and Black Balsam Knob. Although we missed peak colors, there were still some lovely color washes along the way! We started the hike at 9:30 am and finished up at 2:30pm – my Gaia track showed 6.5 miles. This included a couple of trail breaks and a lunch stop at Ivestor Gap. Remember this is a high elevation hike, so lots of layers will be needed! Also, we ran into a group of hunters, so a reminder that it’s hunting season – so please wear orange. A couple of other things to take note of. Although the hike is rated B-B, this is not a beginner’s hike. There are several areas where there is significant elevation gain and a number of sections on the trails that include loose rock. Hiking boots or shoes are suggested over trail runners and hiking poles are really helpful. There are 2 meeting locations. 1. Asheville Outlets (leave the outlets at 8:00 am) 2. BRP – the Cold Mountain Overlook at mile marker 412 (leave at 8:45 am) Please let us know which meeting location we will find you, and/or let us know if you prefer to meet at the trailhead (9:00 am), although keep in mind that parking will be limited. Please also note if you need to use the restroom before we head out on the hike, plan to make a stop at the Pisgah Inn convenience store restrooms, or the restrooms at the Graveyard Ridge Trailhead. Please make sure to allow time for these stops so that you will be at the trailead and ready to go at 9:00 am. We are looking forward to hiking with you all! Karen and Ken.hike report:
Black Balsam Loop via Graveyard Ridge Trail hike. The weather report indicated 70% chance of rain, but we decided to do the hike anyway and were pleased that the weather turned around and we had a lovely day. We were happy to have Tennent Mountain and Black Balsam views at the end of the hike as the fog had moved out by then!scout report:
A lovely hike in mild Fall weather Tuesday over to the Science Center. We walked around the property, saw a group from Silsa/Asheville High studying the Salamander program conducted there & historic Ferguson cabin.The folks at Swag are gracious and I’m excited to dine with 11 others this Sunday.hike report:
We were a lucky dozen for a lovely pre Thanksgiving buffet (delicious) and a 4+ mile hike and walk about after dining. Unusually warm in upper 60s and partly cloudy skies were our conditions. It was a talkative group that seemed to enjoy each other’s company . Good food, folk & forest!!hike report:
Hike cancelled due to heavy rains the day before.scout report:
Scouted this hike on Nov. 8. which was an unseasonably warm day (mid 70’s) With all the leaves down, the Laurel Creek is visible for almost all the hike which makes the fall season another time to enjoy this relatively gentle hike. The sunlight hitting the rapids, fly fishers casting out in the deep waterholes, all the various stream sounds, dense groves of rhododendrons—this is a special hike to take the time to enjoy vistas. There is still a very rocky section which requires close attention to foot placement, and the parking lot can be crowded. Stopping for photographs and lunch, I walked a very leisurely pace and completed the hike in four and half hours.hike report:
You know, in my scout report I made a comment that indicated I was glad it was going to chilly. I was thinking maybe mid 40s. When I got to the trailhead it was 32 degrees, when I got back to the car it was 33. It was very cold and breezy but manageable at the beginning. I was glad to see most of the rock steps were dry. However, the higher we climbed, the colder it got of course. We started seeing rime ice on the trees, on the leaves and rododendron, a magical setting to hike in. Arriving at Bearwallow, the bald was covered in rime ice as were the trees surrounding it and it was very windy, no views, it was foggy, probably freezing fog. We all got cold(er) quickly even though we had lunch back down the trail out of the wind. The wind chill was probably in the teens up there. So, after a quick lunch we headed back down at a faster pace to get to a lower elevation which definitely helped and the sun finally came out for which we were grateful. We were looking forward to heated seats, steering wheels and heaters as well as getting out of the wind. It was an exceptional day, enjoyed by six very hardy hikers.scout report:
I live near Bearwallow Mountain so I’m often up there hiking those trails. There will be more views on the trails because the leaves are mostly down and of course at the open pastures and balds. Little Bearwallow falls, about a mile in from 74 can be a trickle or more if we’ve had rain. Remember to bring a hat, shade is becoming hard to find, also, it’s supposed to be chilly, yay! The Wildcat Rock trail is mostly a climb so we’ll be ready for lunch when we arrive at Bearwallow. On the way up, hikers can climb a short trail and rocks for a pretty view from Wildcat Rock. Note: You do not have to sign up for my hikes. Hope to see you Sunday. Donnahike report:
We had to remind ourselves that this was still Fall, despite the 20 degree temps with wind chill. It warmed into balmy 30s with occasional sun to grace us with short periods of solar warmth. The good news is the bikers were few and far between and the long range views just awesome. On our descent, we cautiously advanced through leaves, sometimes creeping up close to our knees. We did some slipping but made it through unscathed. By the time we got to the reservoir, it was more sunny and pleasant. Two new CMC members hiked the the first time today and we were glad to welcome them.scout report:
I scouted this hike on a cool, crisp day with fall colors still prevalent in the higher elevations. Once I got up to the Trace Ridge/Spencer Branch intersection, I saw ribbons and signs…..oh no, there was a bike race going on! I continued up to the parkway and had an early lunch then down to Spencer Branch where the fun began dodging the many bikers racing down hill. Good opportunity to practice reflexive jumping to edge of the trail. I had nice breaks with no bikers but kept on high alert throughout the hike. During the last mile I hiked with a gentleman from Spartanburg and encouraged him to join a future CMC hike. I would recommend poles due to an abundance of slippery leaves and some minor wet crossings. It is a lovely hike and we will probably have more long range views in a month.scout report:
this is a very pleasant hike that begins along the Nantahala River, with a wide and mostly level path on the Park Creek Trail. A shorter loop is more popular, and once you pass the connector for the short loop the Park Creek trail becomes a single track that after a few miles is increasingly less well maintained, mostly with small downed brush. There is a gradual ascent to Park Gap which is at a crossing of a service road with a parking area. Here you pick up the Park Ridge Trail, continue to ascend for a bit and then begin the descent back to the car. Lots of leaves on the trail throughout, but they only cause a problem in one steeper descent section in the last 1/3 of the hike. There are multiple stream crossings and some mud hole crossings, none of which are very difficult to pass.hike report:
Great weather for a late fall hike. At 9.5 miles and 1400 ft of ascent it presented us with a good workout. The trail could definitely benefit from some maintenance, but all our obstacles were passable. With the wet leaves there were some slips, but nothing serious. We saw an abandoned small bus just off the Park Creek trail near where it intersects with Park Ridge, and walked to it for our lunch spot.hike report:
We had 8 hikers on a rainy morning, with a heavy cloud hanging over the Caesar's Head SP Visitor Center. We took our time and did the Devil's Kitchen loop and by the time we started our hike the rain had stopped. As the day progressed the sun came out and we had great views from the bridge over the waterfall. Our second stop was the viewing platform and by then it was a beautifully sunny day and the benches there provided an excellent mid-afternoon resting point. The views were great all day since the leaves were all down and 2 of our hikers were on their first CMC hike. They, along with the rest of us, really enjoyed the leisurely day. Leshike report:
Sixteen people hiked Ferrin Knob via Spencer Branch and Bad Fork from the Trace Ridge parking area. It was the biggest group for us since the pandemic. The weather was cloudy and somewhat mild. The stream crossings were a little higher than when we scouted it, but everyone made it across without getting soaked. Two took off shoes for the first crossing and waded instead of trying to rock hop. We had lunch at the top of Ferrin Knob and then finished the hike down Devils Fork back to the cars. There were fewer mountain bikers on the trail than when we scouted it. The mileage and elevation were more than originally described. This has been adjusted. The hike was about 11 miles - GPS counts did not agree with those having the technology, and the elevation gain was about 2,055.scout report:
We scouted this hike earlier in the fall when there were wildflowers blooming and mushrooms were abundant. We ran into Pam Crawford and Paul Benson while scouting the hike. They hiked with us for a bit. At the beginning of the hike there are some rocks hops. At the end of the hike we discovered that the trail used in the past has disappeared. We will have to walk on the road at the end of the hike. Mountain bike riders do use part of this trail - before the parkway. Other highlights: parkway, old reservoir.hike report:
The hike was canceled due to rain.scout report:
I scouted this hike on Oct. 29 with friends Karen and Ken. (The Trombatore Trail portion of this hike is currently a substitute for Favorite Hike #77 High Windy which is on private land and difficult to obtain permission to hike.) The day was cloudy and chilly to start. We first hiked the Trombatore Trail which was a colorful hike through the woods up to a pasture. The autumn leaves will all be gone when I lead this hike in mid-December. The trail has lots of ups and downs. It is easy to follow and has great signage to direct hikers away from private property . Unfortunately we had no views from the pasture because the fog had rolled in. We walked to the far edge of the pasture to see the beginning of Strawberry Gap Trail which is Conserving Carolina's newest trail. The pasture is a great place to enjoy an early lunch, especially if the weather is sunny. After lunch we retraced our steps back to the parking area, and after a brief rest we continued on to the Bearwallow Mountain Trail. This trail is a continuous climb of 1 mile up to the summit where on a clear day there are fantastic views. There are also cows, a fire tower, cell phone tower, and other equipment. We will enjoy a snack break here before walking back to the trailhead along a gravel road.hike report:
Five intrepid hikers, including one new member, joined me on this clear, cold and windy day. At the start the temperature was 26 degrees, and gradually warmed up to 35 by the finish. We braved the wind in our faces for the beginning downhill portion of Trombatore. We warmed up on the uphill portions, and enjoyed the trail to ourselves except for one woman hiking with her dog. What beautiful views we enjoyed today! After an abbreviated snack/lunch break in the pasture (due to the wind), we headed back to the trailhead. Two of our group elected not to continue on for the Bearwallow part of the hike. So after a short rest our group started up Bearwallow Trail to the pasture on Bearwallow Mountain. The wind continued, and we saw several spots where icicles were hanging off rocks which was quite beautiful. We elected to detour around an especially icy section, and enjoyed more scenic views at the top. On the far side of the pasture we escaped the wind and had another snack break. Alas, there were no cows! The wind was back for the descent on the gravel road.scout report:
After a week of rain, Mary S. and I took advantage of a sunny day to scout this hike on Monday, 12/12. We arrived at the trailhead at 9:45am and even knowing it is a small parking lot, were surprised to get the last spot. Obviously other people were eager to get outside too. Even so, we saw few people and no bikes on the trail all day. The hike begins with a somewhat steep, rutted section for about 1/4 mile, but the rest of the trails are in good condition despite it being a popular mountain biking area. The initial climb, 1200 ft. over 3.5 miles, to our lunch and turnaround spot on the Bracken Mountain Trail benefits from many switchbacks. The trails are heavily lined by rhododendrons and mountain laurel with sections of pines giving off a fresh scent. We returned on the Brushy Creek Trail where we stopped often to observe various fungus, ferns, lichen and mosses. You definitely don’t need wildflowers to appreciate what grows in the forest. The hike is 8.5 miles with a 1454 ft. total ascent and we finished in about 5 hours.hike report:
Eight brave hikers joined me on this very cold Christmas day. It was 17 degrees when we arrived at the trailhead at 9:40am and not surprised there were no other cars. I considered shortening the hike but two people needed it for the FH100 challenge; I was hoping not to disappoint. We began hiking up the Bracken Mountain Trail, keeping a good pace and warming up as we climbed thanks to the sun and no wind. The leaves of the rhododendron trees that line this trail were curled shut so tightly it was almost painful to see. After stopping for a short snack at the forest boundary, we started back down. We turned in on Mackey Ridge Trail to the Brushy Creek Trail, hiking the short distance to the shelter where we stopped for lunch. Continuing on, we wound our way on the serpentine trail, stopping briefly to observe needle ice, waterfalls and point of interest signs. We didn’t see any other people until we were almost done. By then the day had warmed up, reaching the mid-30’s at 2:45pm. A great, good humored group that was happy to get outside after the frigid temperatures over the last few days.