Half Day hikes submitted by Elisabeth Feil, 684-8719. For the next schedule, please call Anita and Richard Walkey, 681-2967 with suggestions. Leaders: mail sign-up sheets to this quarter's scheduler. Meet at Westgate unless otherwise noted.

HALF DAY No. 7931 July 14
Mt. Pisgah from Pisgah Inn 1:30 PM
Hike 6, Drive 30, Rated C-C
Heinz & Elisabeth Feil, 684-8719
Hike starts at Pisgah Inn parking lot (close to convenience store) and follows MST for 1.3 miles to trailhead to Mt. Pisgah. From there we'll climb about 700 ft to the top for nearly 360-degree views. Back at the foot of the mountain, we take the lower route back to the Inn. Second meeting place: French Broad Overlook at BRP and 191.

HALF DAY No. 7932 July 21
Tanyard Gap to Hot Springs 1:00 PM
Hike 6, Drive ?, Rated C-C Jan Lounsbury, 689-5006
Note early starting time and location. This AT hike starts at the overpass over US 25/70 and leads, via Pump Gap, to Lovers Leap and Hot Springs. There are outstanding glimpses of Bluff and Rich Mountains and excellent views of the French Broad River and the Hot Springs valley. Only meeting place: Ingles on Marshall Bypass on US 25/70.

HALF DAY No. 7933 July 28
Grey Beard Overlook to Balsam Gap 1:00 PM
Hike 3.9, Drive 20, Rated C-C
Ruth Hartzler, 251-0886
Note earlier start time. An interesting car shuttle hike in the Craggy Section of the MST with great views of the Blacks. The trail runs through several different high elevation plant communities: northern hardwoods, grassy balds and heath balds. There is a relatively steep ascent near the end of the hike. Only meeting place: lower parking lot of Folk Art Center on Blue Ridge Pkwy.

HALF DAY No. 7934 Aug. 4
Mt. Mitchell Loop 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 60, Rated C-B
Gerry McNabb, 274-0057
Starting at Stepps Gap Ranger Station, we will go up Old Mt. Mitchell Trail and return via Camp Alice Trail. Only meeting place: Lower parking lot at Folk Art Center on Blue Ridge Parkway.

HALF DAY No. 7935 Aug.ll
Seniard Ridge - Wash Creek 1:30 PM
Hike 4, Drive 40, Rated B-B
Bernard Elias, 274-0202
Hike starts in the Mills River Recreation Area. The first 25 minutes are steep with a fairly strenuous climb to top of ridge. Then there will be wooded trails, open fields, and small streams. Second meeting place: North Mills River Recreation Area at 2:00 PM.

HALF DAY No. 7936 Aug. 18
Gage Bald Blueberry Hike 1:00 PM
Hike 5-6, Drive 90, Rated C-C
Bruce Bente, 692-9984
Note earlier start time.
This is a repeat of last year's popular blueberry and huckleberry picking hike. Cut off a milk container and loop it through your belt for carrying your berries. This in-and-out hike starts at the Bearpen Gap overlook on the Blue Ridge Pkwy, goes through Wet Camp Gap with its carpet of flowering Phlox, and on to Gage Bald for the berry picking.

HALF DAY No. 7937 Aug. 25
Buck Spring Trail 11:00 AM
Hike 6.2, Drive 50, Rated B-C
Diane Hankins, 298-2870 (before 9 p.m.) Note early start time.
Leisurely paced downhill car switch hike. Only meeting place is Ingles parking lot across from Biltmore Square Mall (unless other arrangements made with leader before Aug. 25.) Join us for supper at Pisgah Inn after the hike.

HALF DAY No. 7938 Sept. 1
Lane Pinnacle 1:00 PM
Hike 6, Drive 30, Rated B-C
Heinz & Elisabeth Feil, 684-8719
Note earlier start time. Hike starts at Bee Tree Gap and ends at Tanbark Tunnel. There are several short but steep ascents and a long, well graded descent. Good view points, intriguing rock formations, and different plant communities along the trail make this hike interesting. Moderate. Only meeting place: Lower parking lot at the Folk Art Center on Blue Ridge Parkway.

HALF DAY No. 7939 Sept. 8
Pump Gap Loop 1:30 PM
Hike 4, Drive 80, Rated C-B
Jorge Munoz, 658-0606
From Silvermine Trailhead in Hot Springs we have a good climb to the ridge and the AT, returning on Pump Gap Trail. There is beautiful vegetation and scenery to enjoy, besides good company. Moderate.

HALF DAY No. 7940 Sept.15
Sam's Gap to Hogback Ridge Shelter 1:30 PM
Hike 4.5, Drive 65, Rated C-B
Neal Andreae, 698-2546
We'll hike in and out on the Appalachian Trail. Fall flowers should be in full bloom at this time.

HALF DAY No. 7941 Sept. 22
Sams Gap - Streets Gap 1:30 PM
Hike 5.2, Drive 65, Rated CB
Jane & Lew Blodgett, 274-8763
Pleasant walk on the AT with excellent views from an old pasture just above Streets Gap. Moderate.

HALF DAY No. 7942 Sept. 29
Bent Creek Area Hike 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 6, Rated C-C
Paula Robbins, 281-3253 (before 9 PM)
Meet in the parking lot in front of the Ingles on Route 191 across from the Biltmore Square Mall for a pleasant loop hike starting at a camp site off the Bent Creek Gap Road and using part of the Explorer Loop and the Chestnut Cove, Mountains-to-the-Sea, and Sleepy Gap Trails.

HALF DAY No. 7943 Oct. 6
Black Balsam Gap to 1:30 PM
Skinny Dip Bridge
Hike 5, Drive 75, Rated C-B
Anita & Richard Walkey, 671 -2967
A car shuttle to get to a nice walk on the backside of Graveyard Fields area. Spectacular mountain views. Moderate. Second meeting place: Cold Mtn. Overlook at BRP and Hwy 276 at 2:10 PM.