Half-Day Sunday Hikes
Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I 240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings.
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. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings.
HALF-DAY No. H0404-383 Oct. 3
Dupont State Forest –
Fawn Lake P.L. #2 11:30 AM
Hike 6, Drive 25, Rated B-C
Becky Elston, 828-749-1886 abbybail@tds.net
Note early start time. We will hike the Reasonover Trail loop. CAUTION: There is one stream crossing requiring boots off, a towel and appropriate footwear, if desired. Hikers to form carpools at Westgate and meet hike leader at Cracker Barrel off exit 53 of I 26, NW corner of parking lot, at 12:30 PM.
HALF-DAY No. H0404-319 Oct. 10
Holmes Educational Forest 1:00 PM
Hike 6, Drive 55, 500 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Toni and Don Bellm, 828-687-1004 dgbamb@charter.net
This is a pleasant loop hike with "talking trees" and a Forest Demonstration Trail explaining good forestry practices. Hikers to form carpools at Westgate and meet the hike leaders at Bi-Lo (side parking lot near Pizza Hut) at US 64 and 276, Pisgah Forest, at 1:30 PM.
HALF DAY No. H0404-295 Oct. 17
Pump Gap Loop 1:00 PM
Hike 5.5, Drive 80, Rated A-B
Jorge Munoz, 828-658-0606
Note early start time. From Silvermine trailhead in Hot Springs we will have a good climb to the ridge. We will visit an old mountain cemetery, cross the AT and return on Pump Gap Trail. There is beautiful vegetation and scenery to enjoy beside good company.
HALF DAY No. H0404-094 Oct. 24
Vineyard Gap Loop 1:00 PM
Hike 6, Drive 55, Rated B-C
Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886 ruthmtn@aol.com
P400 Note early starting time. A loop hike from the Turkey Pen parking area following the Forge Mountain Ridge to Vineyard Gap, then along the bank of the South Mills River with several views of the river, and ending with a short, steep climb. Hoping for fall color. Second meeting place at Turkey Pen parking lot at 1:30 PM.
HALF-DAY No. H0404-344 Oct. 31
Pulliam Creek in the Green 12:30 PM
River Gamelands
Hike 6.5, Drive 40, 900’ 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. Hikers to form carpools at Westgate and meet hike leader at 1:00 PM on the NW corner at Cracker Barrel, Exit 53 (old exit 22 off I-26). Hikers are welcome to join leader after hike for dinner at Cracker Barrel.
HALF DAY No. H0404-280 Nov. 7
North Slope-Art Loeb Loop 1:00 PM
Hike 6, Drive 55, Rated B-C
Neal Andreae, 698-2546 NAndreae@gowebway.com
P400 Note earlier start time. Begin and end at Davidson River Camp Ground. We will hike counter-clockwise along the river, then follow Shut-in Ridge and Neil Gap. Hikers to form car pools at Westgate at 1:00 PM and meet hike leader at the Davidson River Campground, Route 276 in Pisgah Forest National Forest at 1:45 PM
HALF DAY No. H0404-391 Nov. 14
North Mills River Area 12:45 PM
Hike 4-6, Drive 50, Rated B-B
Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703
P400 A hike in the North Mills River area (or leader’s choice) along the old lumber road toward Fletcher Field Trail. Hikers to form carpools at Westgate and meet hike leader at the North Mills River Picnic Area at 1:30 PM.
HALF-DAY No. H0404-325 Nov. 21
Rich Mtn. from Tanyard Gap 12:30 PM
Hike 5.4, Drive 72, Rated C-A
Elisabeth Feil 828-684-8719 hofeil@brinet.com
Note earlier start time. This in-and-out hike on the AT near Hot Springs rewards us for our 1600-ft. climb with a superb view from the fire tower.
HALF-DAY No. H0404-286 Nov. 28
Thrift Cove, Grassy Road,
Sycamore Cove Trails 1:00 PM
Hike 6, Drive 70, Rated C-C
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327 Mel&tgs@main.nc.us
P400 This is a brisk and diversified post-Thanksgiving stretch on several trails near the Pisgah Visitors Center. There are several variations on this, depending on how we feel. Lots of woods, some views. We start up and finish going down. Map: Nat’l Geographic Pisgah Ranger District
HALF-DAY No. H0404-392 Dec. 5
Christmount 1:30 PM
Hike 4-5 miles, Drive 4, Rated C-B
Tommie Boston 828-686-5029 (Cell phone for leader after 12:45 PM is 828-273-2638) Tambee2@aol.com
This hike has two strenuous up-hill climbs, but a nice winter view atop Glade Mountain. Hikers to form carpools at Westgate at 12:45 and meet hike leader at 1:30 PM at McDonald’s in Black Mountain, Exit 64 off I-40 East.
HALF DAY No. H0404-102 Dec. 12
Coontree Loop 1:30 PM
Hike 3.7, Drive 70, Rated C-C
Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253 paularww@bellsouth.net
P400 After a fairly steep up-hill climb, we will hike along a ridge on the Bennett Gap Trail, with some good views at this time of year. The down-hill portion goes along the side of a pretty creek. Second meeting place: Pisgah Forest Ranger Station off Route 276 at 1:45 PM.
HALF DAY No. H0404-299 Dec. 19
Christmas Party Hike Noon
Hike 4-5, Drive 50, Rated C-C
Diane Hankins, 828-298-2870 (before 9 PM)
Note early start time. A leisurely paced annual hike. Bring a little gift (wrapped, please) and receive one too. Where we go will depend on the weather. Only meeting place: Ingles Parking lot across from Biltmore Square Mall on NC 191 off I-26. Suitable for anyone over 10 years of age. (Those under 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult.)
HALF DAY No. H0404-035 Dec. 26
Looking Glass Rock 12:30 PM
Hike 6.2, Drive 70, 1700 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Rusty Breeding, 692-0359 bree@planetusa.net
P400 Note early start time. A moderately difficult well-graded trail leads to the top of this interesting mountain. There are excellent viewpoints along the way. Hikers to form carpools at Westgate and meet hike leader at Pisgah Ranger Station new parking lot on US 276 at 1:15 PM.
HALF-DAY No. H0404-393 Jan. 2
Turkey Pen Ramble 1:30 PM
Hike 6, Drive55, Rated C-C
Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com
P400 This is a moderate hike starting at the Turkey Pen parking lot, close to Asheville. We will cross the S. Mills River
suspension bridge, then do a loop hike through Pea Gap and incorporating parts of different trails. Second meeting place: Turkey Pen parking lot at 2:00 PM.