Newcomers are welcome, but non-members MUST call the leader before the hike to determine the requirements. Half-day hikes submitted by Lucy Prim, lucette32@mchsi.com, 828-693-6580. Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All hikes assemble at the east end of the Westgate Shopping Center parking lot near CVS (Exit 3B off I-240) UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings. Please phone the hike leader if you are not sure of the meeting location.

HALF-DAY NO. H0902-316 Apr. 5
Carl Sandburg Park *1:00 PM
Hike 4, Drive 50, 700 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Laura Stallard, 828-697-1579
*Note early start time. Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM to form carpools and meet hike leader at parking lot of Carl Sandburg Park at 1:40 PM. Traverse the same trails that poet/biographer Carl Sandburg enjoyed by climbing Big Glassy Mountain behind his farmhouse.

HALF-DAY NO. H0902-602 Apr. 12
North Carolina Arboretum *1:30 PM
Hike 4, Drive 15, 300 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253, paularww@bellsouth.net
*Meet at Westgate at 1:30 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at Ingles parking lot on NC 191 across from Biltmore Square Mall at 1:45 PM to carpool with those who have an Arboretum membership. This easy 4-mile wildflower hike will be led by an experienced Arboretum guide. Those who wish a longer hike can easily add extra loops from the 10 miles of Arboretum trails.

HALF-DAY NO. H0902-064 Apr. 19
Fletcher Creek via Spencer Branch Trail *1:00 PM
Hike 6, Drive 50, Rated B-C
Nonmembers, please call leader, Jim Ariail, 828-505-0433, jimariail@yahoo.com
P400 *Note early start time. From the Trace Ridge Trailhead, we will hike in a moderate loop along the Big Creek Trail, past the Hendersonville Reservoir, and along the Spencer Branch, Middle Fork and Fletcher Creek Trails. There will be a few stream crossings.

HALF-DAY NO. H0902-347 Apr. 26
Twin Falls *12:30 PM
Hike 6, Drive 80, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Chris Allen, 828-645-0357, chrispallen@mac.com
P400 *Note early start time. Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station at 1:05 PM. This is 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 with its large but abandoned beaver dam. Bring your camera!

SCOUT REPORT -- Twin Falls, CC #347 - Bonnie and I scouted this hike on Easter Sunday, a beautifully warm and sunny day. For most of the hike, we follow either the Avery Creek or Henry Branch streams, both of which are beautiful, babbling brooks with a number of small falls and rapids. Water levels are good with recent rains, so the streams all the way up to and including the Twin Falls are nice and full.

This is prime season for newly emerging wildflowers and ferns, so it is a great hike for photographers! Numerous stream crossings are managed on narrow (one - three logs wide) log bridges with supporting hand rails. The bridges are secure, but showing signs of wear and tear. Sure footedness and confidence walking across such bridges is advised; but most CMC hikers could manage these with aplomb. After leaving Twin Falls we return via a steeper trail up to the top of the ridge, connecting with a logging road, and then back down to the cars via a narrow stream-side trail through denser woods including many areas with rhododendron.

We liked the hike so much, we came back on Saturday the 18th and got more photos of the ferns, wake robin trillium, and other interesting wildflowers. The blooming was even better that day, and will likely be great on the 26th. We will allow time for avid Spring photographers to capture shots of any outstanding wildflower specimens. A couple of photos are included here and on the updated hike page as an enticement! Hope to see you on the hike...

HALF-DAY NO. H0902-452 May 3
DuPont Forest: Fawn Lake P.L. #4 *12:30 PM
Hike 6, Drive 94, Rated B-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Becky Elston, 828-749-1886 belston@cytechusa.com
*Note early start time. Meet at 12:30 PM at Westgate to form carpools, and meet leader at Hooker Falls Parking Area at 1:30 PM A pleasant loop with a break at the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls. Weather and conditions permitting, we can walk behind the falls.

HALF-DAY NO. H0902-034 May 10
MST: NC 215 to FS 816 *12:30 PM
Hike 5.5 miles, Drive 85, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Lee Belknap, 828-698-9394, rivergypsy@sprintmail.com
*Note early start time. Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form carpools and meet leader at BRP Cold Mountain Overlook (M.P. 412) at 1:10 PM. This hike will introduce many hikers to a choice section of the MST, including Devils Courthouse and 2 peaks over 6000 ft (6040' Chestnut Bald and 6214' Black Balsam Knob) reached by short side excursions. Car Shuttle.

HALF-DAY NO. H0902-640 May 17
Walker's Knob above Montreat *12:10 PM
Hike 5, Drive 40, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated C-A
Non-members, call leader, Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, rerikkers@aol.com
*Note early start time. Meet at Westgate at 12:10 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at Ingles parking lot adjacent to McDonald's in Black Mountain off Exit 64 of I-40 at 12:30 PM. Popular with Montreaters for generations, the hike to Walker's Knob is moderately difficult and very rewarding. Using the Greybeard Trail, we have a steady climb to reach Walker's Knob, a rock outcropping with spectacular views of Swannanoa River Valley and Mountains beyond. Not suggested for beginning hikers.

HALF-DAY NO. H0902-043 May 24
Frying Pan Tower *12:30 PM
Hike 4, Drive 50, 400 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Bobbi Powers, 828-667-5419, bobbip@netzero.net
P400, LTC *Note early start time. Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at north end of parking area of Pisgah Inn at 1:00 PM.
This is an easy in and out hike through a spectacular display of wild flowers to good views from the tower.

HALF-DAY NO. H0902-641 May 31
MST: Mt. Pisgah Parking – Stony Bald *1:30 PM
Hike 5.5, Drive 20, 800 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net
P400 *Only meeting place: BRP French Broad Overlook at M.P. 393.8. This pleasant hike along the MST features open forests, good views and maybe some late-blooming wildflowers. Hike along part of the original Shut-in trail built by the Vanderbilts. Car shuttle. Topos: Cruso, Dunsmore Mtn ; also MST Profiles, pg. 53-54

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY HIKE: HALF-DAY NO. H0902-049 June 7
Big Creek in the Smokies *12:30 PM
Hike 6, Drive 110, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Bonnie Allen 828-645-0357, bonnie@allencats.com
900M *Note early start time. Big Creek, a spectacular mountain stream in the Smokies, offers hikers and walkers an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the wild beauty of this part of the park. The comfortable roadbed meanders along rushing rapids, a waterfall, huge boulders, and deep swimming holes. A beautiful forest and wildflower environment makes for a special experience. An easy in-and-out hike. Bring your bathing suit and camera! Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop, off I-40at Exit 24 at 1:00 PM, but call leader first. Topo: Luftee Knob, Cove Creek Gap; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP Map #229   See the American Hiking Society site for other Trails Day events.

HALF-DAY No. H0902-465 June 14
Sam Knob Loop *12:30 PM
Hike 5.6, Drive 80, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Gerry McNabb, 828-274-0057, gerrymcnabb@charter.net
Theme Hike, P400 *Note early start time. Climb to the top of Sams Knob with its 360 degree view, then along the Flat Laurel Trail through a spruce forest and back on the MST to FS 816. Your hike leader and master photographer, Gerry McNabb, will be taking pictures and giving tips along the way. Topo: Sams Knob. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mountain Overlook (M.P. 412) at 1:10 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0902-403 June 21
DuPont Forest – Reasonover Trail *12:15 PM
Hike 6, Drive 80, Rated B-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Lucy Prim, 828-693-6580, 32lucette@gmail.com
*Note early start time. Meet at Westgate at 12:15 PM to form car pools, and meet leader at Hooker Falls Parking lot in DuPont Forest at 1:00 PM. This pleasant loop hike in the DuPont Forest includes the Fawn Lake, Corn Mills Shoals, Bridal Veil Falls, Lake Julian and Reasonover Creek Trails and features views of small waterfalls.*

HALF-DAY No. H0902-453 June 28
Max Patch Ramble *12:30 PM
Hike 5.5, Drive 104, 800 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Gail Lamb, 828-350-0450, galmb46@aol.com
*Note early start time. Awesome panoramic views and summer wildflowers make this moderate hike a favorite. We will go up Max Patch, then the Buckeye Ridge Trail to the Appalachian Trail. This will take us north through meadows, woods and across a small stream. We will break at the AT shelter and return on the AT. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop off I-40 at exit 24 at 1:00 PM.