Half Day Sunday Hikes

HIKE SCHEDULE
2nd Quarter 2003

Hike Ratings
First Letter Second Letter
Distance Elevation Gain
AA: Over 12 miles AA: Over 2,000 ft.
A: 9-12 miles A: 1,500-2,000 ft.
B: 6-9 miles B: 1,000-1,500 ft.
C: Under 6 miles C: Under 1,000 ft.

Also in the hike descriptions, the terms easy, moderate or strenuous reflect the overall trail conditions, the physical challenge and other factors influencing hike difficulty. If you have questions, CONTACT THE LEADER.

Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near Commercial Credit Corp. building UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

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 #8043 APR 13
Hickory Branch Trail Noon
Hike 3, Drive 45, Rated CC
Diane Hankins, 298-2870 (before 9 PM)
Note the early start time. Leisurely paced hike in the Curtis Creek area near Old Fort. We'll identify wildflowers & have snack break near the falls. Suitable for anyone over 10 years old (those under 18 MUST be accompanied by adult.) ONLY meeting place is Oteen Ingles parking lot at the post office flagpole.

HALF DAY #8044 APR 20
Seven Knobs & Seven Gaps 1:00 PM
Hike 6.5, Drive 12, Rated BC
Paula Robbins 281-3253 (before 9 PM)
paularww@bellsouth.net
Note early start time. Moderate up-and-down hike along a ridge above the Bent Creek Gap Road. Last year on this date, we identified 24 different wildflowers in bloom along the trail. Car spotting will be necessary for a short distance, from Laurel Branch Road to the Ferrin Knob Tunnel of the Blue Ridge Parkway. ONLY meeting place is Ingles parking lot on Brevard Road.

HALF DAY #8045 APR 27
Tanbark Tunnel to Craven Gap 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 40, Rated CC
Elisabeth Feil - 684-8719 hofeil@brinet.com
From Tanbark Tunnel we climb to Rattlesnake Lodge. Then easy hike back to Craven Gap (with a few short climbs). Early wildflowers should be out. Car Shuttle. 2nd meeting place: Craven Gap, BRP milepost 377.4.

HALF DAY #8046 May 4
Christmount Ramble 1:30 PM
Hike 4, Drive 6, Rated CC
Tommie Boston - 686-5029
tambee2@aol.com
This hike will cover a number of trails at Christmount Assembly. Good views atop Glade Mt. ONLY meeting place McDonalds at Exit 64 off I-40 East. (Black Mtn)

HALF DAY #8047 MAY 11
Pilot Mtn from Gloucester Gap 1:30 PM
Hike 6, Drive 100, Rated CA
Joe Cirvello - 627-1797 joec@brinet.com
A favorite hike, especially at this time of the year. It is a loop trip. We'll climb 2 strenuous miles to the top for outstanding views. Return trip down to Deep Gap though breathtaking display of Pink Shell Azaleas & then back to our cars via Forest Service Road #3 229.

HALF DAY #8048 MAY 18
Daniel Ridge Loop 1:30 PM
Hike 4.5, Drive 65, Rated CC
Siri Perry - 681-0560 sirip@bellsouth.net
This is an easy to moderate hike in the Pisgah Forest. We should see some beautiful spring flowers as well as the spectacular Daniel Ridge Falls. Bring your wildflower books as I am still learning all the names! Second meeting place Pisgah Ranger Station 2:15 PM.

HALF DAY #8049 MAY 25
Balsam Gap to Pt Misery 1:00 PM
Hike 6, Drive 70, Rated BB
Jorge Munoz - 658-0606
jmunoz@buncombe.main.nc.us
Note early start time. This in & out hike begins at Balsam Gap (milepost 359.7) on
BRP & follows the ridge crest to Point Misery with superb views of Mt. Mitchell & the Blacks. 2nd meeting place at Craven Gap at 1:15 pm.

HALF DAY #8050 JUN 1  No. A0303-182
Green River Cove 1:30 PM
Hike 4.5, Drive 50, Rated CB
Neal Andreae - 698-2546
nandreae@gowebway.com
In and out along the Green River-maybe we'll see some kayakers. Plus an intro to other trails in the Green River Gamelands. Only meeting place: Cracker Barrel at exit 22 on I 26 (NE corner of parking lot)

HALF DAY #8051 JUN 8  No. A0303-168
Pink Beds Loop 1:30 PM
Hike 6, Drive 72, Rated CC
Barry & Heather Fletcher - 299-4776
hmflet@aol.com
From Pink Beds parking area, we will make a pleasant loop past meandering streams & wildlife clearings near the birthplace of forestry in America. Flowers should be great! 2nd meet place at Pink Beds Parking lot.

HALF DAY #8052 JUN 15
John Rock 1:00 PM
Hike 5.5, Drive 85, Rated CB
Gerry McNabb - 274-0057
gcmcnabb@charter.net
Note early start time. A colorful loop hike from the Fish Hatchery . Counter clockwise on the Cat Gap trail to John Rock. Returning via the Cat Gap/John Rock connectors. 2nd meeting place at Pisgah Ranger Station at 1:45

HALF DAY #8053 JUN 22
Greybeard to Bee Tree Gap 1:00 PM
Hike 4, Drive 30, Rated CC
Ruth Hartzler - 251-0886 ruthmtn@aol.com
Note early start time. This car shuttle hike will start North of Craggy Gardens. We'll hike through the rhododendrons to Bee Tree Gap. ONLY meeting place will be the Fork Art Center lower parking lot.

HALF DAY #8054 JUN 29
Bent Creek Loop 1:00 PM
Hike 4-5, Drive 12, Rated CC
Eugene Jaroslaw - 255-9925
Note early start time. A nice hike, low elevation and close to Asheville. We'll travel the Discovery trail, Chestnut Gap, Sleepy Gap Trail & MTS loop. ONLY meeting place at Ingles at Biltmore Square Mall.

HALF DAY #8055 JUL 6
Moore Cove Figure Eight 2:00 PM
Hike 6, Drive 10, Rated BB
Bruce Bente - 692-0116
bbente@cytechusa.com
Note later start time. A nice double loop trail following 2 old USFS paths that are not on the map. A couple of short steep sections & two creek crossings. Should be a good view of Looking Glass Rock. ONLY meeting place: Ranger Station, Rt. 276 Pisgah National Forest.