Half-Day SUNDAY Hikes
Second Quarter 2004
Hike Ratings
First Letter Second Letter
Distance Cumulative
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.
P400: Indicates that this hike qualifies for the P400 award.
SB6K: Indicates that this hike qualifies for the SB6K award.
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.
The meeting place for each hike will be
designated by the hike leader and will appear in the hike description. Driving mileage will be listed, round trip, from the first designated meeting place.
Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I 240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
Half-day hikes submitted by Pat Elias,
828-687-1651, peliasy@aol.com and Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253, paularww@bellsouth.net. Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I-240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
HALF-DAY No. H0402-325 Apr. 4
Tanyard Gap to Rich Mountain 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 72, Rated C-B
Jorge Munoz, 828-658-0606,
After a good and easy climb on the Appalachian Trail, we will be rewarded with an outstanding view of the Hot Springs area from the fire tower. Side benefits: spring flowers showing off all over, besides good company.
HALF-DAY No. H0402-344 Apr. 11
Pulliam Creek in the Green
River Gamelands 1:00 PM
Hike 6.5, Drive 10, 900 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Becky Elston, 828-749-1886, abbybail@tds.net
Note early start time. A pretty in-and-out hike, partially along Pulliam Creek. After we cross the creek, we will see views of the Green River and the famous "Narrows". We will stop at a great spot on the Green River for a snack. Hopefully, entertainment will be provided by some kayakers. ONLY MEETING PLACE IS CRACKER BARREL AT EXIT 53 (OLD EXIT 22) off I-26.
HALF-DAY No. H0402-345 Apr. 18
Seven Gaps and Seven Knobs 1:00 PM
Hike 6.5, Drive 25, lots of ups and downs, Rated B-C
Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253 (before 9 PM), paularww@bellsouth.net
P400 Note early start time. Hike begins at Bent Creek Gap near the Parkway. The first mile is on the MST; the last mile is on Laurel Branch Road off the Bent Creek Gap Road. Last year on this hike we spotted about two dozen wildflowers in bloom. Short car shuttle. ONLY MEETING PLACE IS INGLES PARKING LOT ON NC 191 ACROSS FROM THE BILTMORE SQUARE MALL.
HALF-DAY No. H0402-101 Apr. 25
Lower Big Laurel Creek
Wildflower Stroll Noon
Hike 6, Drive 60, 200 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Diane Hankins, 828-298-2870 (before 9 PM)
Note early start time. Leisurely paced in-and-out hike along Lower Big Laurel Creek to the site of Runion, an early 1900s settlement. Suitable for anyone over 10 years of age (those under 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult). We’ll take time to identify the flowers we see. Long pants suggested (poison ivy sprouts early).
HALF-DAY No. H0402-003 May 2
Balsam Gap to Glassmine Overlook 1:30 PM
Hike 4, Drive 44, 600 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Pat Elias, 868-687-1651, peliasy@aol.com
There are some interesting plant communities on this portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in the Craggy Gardens area, with excellent views at the top. Car shuttle. ONLY MEETING PLACE IS THE FOLK ART CENTER, LOWER PARKING LOT, BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY.
HALF-DAY No. H0402-346 May 9
MST: Folk Art Center to
Haw Creek Overlook 1:30 PM
Hike 5, 500 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Barry and Heather Fletcher, 828-299-4776, hrmflet@aol.com
This pleasant in-and-out trek is on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. ONLY MEETING PLACE IS THE FOLK ART CENTER, LOWER PARKING LOT, BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY.
HALF-DAY No. H0402-068 May 16
Little Butt from Balsam Gap 1:00 PM
Hike 7, Drive 70, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Elisabeth Feil, 828-684-8719 hofeil@brinet.com
Note early start time. This moderate in-and-out hike will be at over-5000-foot elevation starting at BRP M.P. 359.8. There are three climbs: to Point Misery and Little Butt (steep) on the way out and up Point Misery again on the return. Spring flowers in this northern hardwood/spruce forest should be at their peak. Excellent views of the Black Mountain Range.
HALF-DAY No. H0402-062 May 23
Daniel Ridge Loop 1:30 PM
Hike 4.5, Drive 8, Rated C-C
Doyle Horne, 828-654-0339; doylejhorne@bellsouth.net
P400 On this moderate hike in the Pisgah Forest, we should see some spring flowers as well as the spectacular Daniel Ridge Falls. ONLY MEETING PLACE IS THE PISGAH RANGER STATION, US 276.
HALF-DAY No. H0402-347 May 30
Twin Falls 1:00 PM
Hike 6, Drive 80, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Les Love, 828-658-1489, LesRLove@aol.com
P400 Note early start time. A moderate hike in the Pisgah National Forest, starting on the Buckhorn Gap Trail, taking the Twin Falls Bypass to view two nice waterfalls, and completing a loop on a Forest Service road and the Clawhammer Cove Trail. SECOND MEETING PLACE IS PISGAH RANGER STATION AT 1:45 PM.
HALF-DAY No. H0402-319 June 6
Holmes Educational Forest 1:30 PM
Hike 6, Drive 20, 500 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Doris Thibodeau, 828-274-9637, dorthib@aol.com
A good late spring hike with "talking trees" and a Forest Demonstration Trail explaining good forestry practices. (This hike was originally scheduled for February, but because of weather, the hike was canceled.) ONLY MEETING PLACE IS BI-LO (SIDE PARKING LOT NEAR PIZZA HUT) AT US 64 AND 276, PISGAH FOREST.
HALF-DAY No. H0402-348 June 13
Penny Rock or Leader’s Choice 1:30 PM
Hike 6, Drive 40, Rated B-B
Boyd Brasington, 828-254-8675, boydb@buncombe.main.nc.us
P400 We will walk the Mountains-to-Sea Trail from Pigeon Gap (Milepost 412.5) to Cherry Cove Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Second meeting place is Cold Mountain Overlook (M.P. 412) where Highway 276 crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway. ONLY MEETING PLACE IS INGLES PARKING LOT ON NC 191 ACROSS FROM BILTMORE SQUARE MALL.
HALF-DAY No. H0402-349 June 20
Buck Spring Trail Noon
Hike 6.2, Drive 50, Rated B-C
Pat Elias, 828-687-1651, peliasy@aol.com
P400 Note early start time. This hike will involve a car shuttle to a pleasant downhill hike, beginning behind the Pisgah Inn and ending at US 276. ONLY MEETING PLACE IS INGLES PARKING LOT ON NC 191 ACROSS FROM BILTMORE SQUARE MALL.
HALF-DAY No. H0402-070 June 27
Mt. Mitchell Loop 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 60, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Gerry McNabb, 828-274-0057,
We will hike from the ranger station to the summit, returning via the Camp Alice Road to the ranger station. Ample bathrooms. Cellphone (828-231-8274) will be on after noon. ONLY MEETING PLACE IS THE FOLK ART CENTER, LOWER PARKING LOT, BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY.
HALF-DAY No. H0402-350 July 4
DuPont State Forest Guion
Farm P.L. #1 1:30 PM
Hike 4-5, Drive 70+, Rated CC.
Anita and Richard Walkey, 828-681-2967, Walkey@juno.com
A leisurely paced walk down old logging roads through some beautiful forest. We'll stop at an old cemetery, and if we have time we'll take a side trail down to a beautiful waterfall. SECOND MEETING PLACE IS INGLES ON US 176 & HIGHLAND LAKE ROAD IN HENDERSONVILLE AT 2:15 PM.