E-newsletter Hike news

Hike 9, Drive 80, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated B-ABecky Smucker, 828-298-5013, bsmucker@charter.net

Starting at Jones Gap St. Park (NOTE: $2 entry fee per person), we will hike a scenic loop route with great leaf colors. We’ll ascend on the Rim of the Gap trail. On top, we’ll take the #21 trail to Pinnacle Pass trail, then down with a stop at a spectacular overlook of the valley far below. Second meeting place: Left side of Ingles parking lot at 8:40 AM (I-26 to exit 53, right on Upward Rd. 1 mile to Ingles at US 176); also Jones Gap St. Park parking lot at 9:00 AM. Topos: Cleveland, Table Rock; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness map

Map-Reading Course Nov. 5

Based on the interest expressed when we first had this course last spring, we have decided to offer it again. Attendees must bring a compass and a copy of the Dunsmore Mtn. topo map. The map can be bought at a good outdoors store or a Foirest Service office. There will be a short informal class, followed by a practical exercise. Please contact Dave Wetmore for information on the meeting time and to register. You must register before the course. No walk-ins please. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.

ALL DAY No. A0504-480 Nov. 6 Buck Spring to Davidson River via Alternate MST 8:00 AM

(strenuous)Hike 12.2, Drive 60, 3100 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA+Don Walton, 828-654-990, donwalton@bellsouth.net

P400 This strenuous will start at the Buck Springs parking area on US 276 and cover the entire AMST down to US 276 near the maintenance yard. It will feature great views from Clawhammer and Black Mtn.. Car shuttle. Topos: Shining Rock, Cruso, Dunsmore Mtn., Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PNF map and MST Profiles, pg. 76 - 79

ALL DAY No. A0504-068 Nov. 6 Big Butt from BRP 8:30 AM

(moderate)Hike 8, Drive 55, 1700 ft. ascent, Rated B-ARuth Hartzler, 828-251-0886, ruthmtn@aol.com

Note later start time. We will take the Big Butt trail from Balsam Gap on the BRP, following the ridge crest to Big Butt (Yeates Knob), a short bushwhack at just under 6000 ft., and return via the same route. We will stop at Point Misery for lunch and late fall views of the Black Mtns. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 8:50 AM. Topos: Montreat, Mt. Mitchell; also South Toe River PNF map

HALF-DAY No. H0504-068 Oct. 30Balsam Gap to Point Misery 1:00 PMHike 6, Drive 70, Rated B-BJorge Munoz, 828-658-0606, jmunoz@buncombe.main.nc.us Note early start time. This in-and-out hike begins at Balsam Gap (Milepost 359.7) on the Blue Ridge Parkway and follows the ridge crest to Point Misery, with superb views of Mt. Mitchell and the Blacks. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 1:20 PM.

Hike 3.8, Drive 30, Rated C-CRenate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, rerikkers@aol.com A moderate in-and-out hike over the top of Ferrin Knob on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

MST: Craven Gap to Folk Art Center 10:00 AM* Hike 5.4, Drive 10, 500 ft. ascent, Rated C-C Gerald McNabb, 828-274-0057, gcmcnabb@charter.net *Note later start time. An easy downhill hike through the forest in fall color season. Lunch on a rock outcrop overlooking the parkway. If you want a longer hike, skip the car shuttle and walk back to Craven Gap on your own.*Only meeting place: lower parking lot of Folk Art Center* Topos: Oteen, Craggy Pinnacle; also MST Profiles, pg. 61-62

THEME HIKE: Geology of the Grandfather Mountain Window 8:10 AM* (Rescheduled from Aug 31) Hike 6, Drive 155, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Brad Van Diver 828-669-2740 (participants must call), bravandi@cs.com . The Grandfather Mt. Window is a gigantic erosional hole through stacked thrust fault sheets where the underlying rocks aged 1.0 to 1.1 billion years are exposed. This hike will take us up along the crest of GM to the summit at Calloway Peak with several stops to observe geologic features. En route, we will pass through, around and over a Disneyland of huge talus blocks, with ladders placed at strategic spots. Views are outstanding. Entrance fees are as follows: age 60+ $12 , Age 13-59 $14. We will also be able to visit the nature Museum, Wildlife Habitats, and other attractions lower on the mountain. Come join the fun. *Meeting places: meet at Westgate at 8:10 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at parking lot adjacent to McDonalds at Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Grandfather Mtn.; also Grandfather Mtn. Trail Map and Backcountry Guide

WEDNESDAY No. W0504-371 Nov. 9 Gaging Station to Wolf Ford, Squirrel Gap and back to car. 8:15 AM Hike 9, Drive 50, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Greg Goodman, 828- 684-9703 P400 Loop hike. Trailhead: Gaging Station Note: Some creek crossings. Second meeting place: Boyleston Baptist Church on NC 280 at 8:45 AM. Topo: Pisgah Forest

I spent all day with two other CMC hikers exploring alternative trails for the annual Panthertown Prowl, and concluded that we could not improve on the route that was used in the past. So this year we will again begin and end at the West entrance for the fantastic views of Panthertown valley, then hike to Upper Warden's Falls, Schoolhouse Falls , and then lunch on top of Little Green with great views. After lunch, we'll hike down and through the valley, up to the summit of Big Green, down along Panthertown Creek, past Granny Burrell Falls and back up to Salt Rock Gap for our farewell views of the valley.

One of the nicest things about starting from the West Entrance to Panthertown is that almost immediately you are rewarded with a spectacular view looking down into the valley and across to Big Green and Little Green mountains from an elevation of about 4000 feet. There were 16 hikers including one who had come from Florida, and after enjoying the view we hiked down into the valley along Panthertown Creek. At Schoolhouse Falls, a beauty on Greenland Creek, some of us had fun going behind the falls. We then went to the top of Little Green Mtn. (4080 ft.) where we had a leisurely lunch while soaking up lovely views of the valley below. The weather was clear and sunny with temp. about 70 degrees, a perfect Fall day but unfortunately without the Fall color. After lunch we hiked down the other side of Little Green and along the valley floor to the the trailhead leading to the top of Big Green. Three of the group who did not wish to go up Big Green were led by Bruce Bente to explore a new falls he had just learned of from a group of hikers we had encountered. After enjoying more nice views from Big Green, I enlisted the eyes of the group in helping me spot the little trail which leads down the other side to Panthertown Creek. . We then paid our dues with the climb back up to the cars where we met up with the other group at about 5:15. Fourteen of us stopped at the Twin Dragons restaurant in Pisgah Forest and proceeded to stuff ourselves at the mammoth Chinese buffet. Joe Cirvello

Charlies Bunion – Kephart Prong 8:00 AM

900M An outstanding rock outcrop along the AT and stunning views are the highlights of the trip. From Newfound Gap, we’ll hike 4 miles to our lunch spot at the Bunion, then along Dry Sluice Gasp, Grassy Branch and Kephart Prong Trails down to US 441. Note that this hike has 2800 ft. of descent . Car shuttle. Second meeting place: Quality Inn in Maggie Valley, US 19 SIDE, at 8:40 AM Topos: Clingman’s Dome, Mt. Guyot, Smokemont; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map.

hike report by Bruce Bente
Charlies Bunion - Kephart Prong hike
10-23-05

Seven people enjoyed a perfect hiking day in clear sunny weather with great views. We were surprised to find frost on the ground as we drove through Maggie Valley, but it was frost-free after leaving Maggie Valley. After dropping one car at the Kephart Prong trailhead, we drove up to the zoo at Newfound Gap, passing many cars and photographers at overlooks along the way. As usual, the number of hikers on the AT dropped quickly after the first 1/4 mile. We passed a number of Smoky Mtns. Hiking Club trail maintainers hard at work on the AT on the way to our lunch stop at Charlies Bunion.

Elisabeth Feil led the first part of the hike along the AT to Charlies Bunion and then hiked back to Newfound Gap. Bruce led the hike for the long 2800' downhill hike on the Dry Sluice and Kephart Trails. We enjoyed a stop at the newly rebuilt Kephart Prong shelter, which has been rebuilt by Smoky Mtns. Hiking Club to the new standards, with a long roof extension in the front, long seating benches and counter tops, translucent panels for part of the roof for a bright appearance inside the shelter, and a sleeping shelf with built-in access ladder.

After finishing the hike and retrieving the car parked at Newfound Gap, we finished off the day with an enjoyable supper at Snappy's in Maggie Valley.

All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com . Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I-240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

Note early start time. This moderate hike will feature good views and a variety of trees and late wild flowers in bloom. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: Folk Art Center lower parking lot at 1:20 PM.

Note early start time. We will walk up on old U.S. 70, now blocked off from traffic, to Swannanoa Gap, where we will enjoy a view of the valley, the railroad and tunnel. This hike is the CMC contribution to the WNC “Together We Read” program; this year’s book is The Road by John Ehle, about building the railroad up to Swannanoa Gap. (See www.togetherweread.org.) Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at exit 64 of I-40 at 12:50 PM. Topos: Old Fort, Black Mountain.

This hike was advertised in several places because of its connection with the Together we Read program.
So it was not surprising that 30 people showed up, including several people new to CMC.
Dr. Dan Pierce, a history professor at UNCA, came on the hike and talked the history of the railroad into WNC and its effect. On the way up Old U.S. 70, we stopped several times while he showed us the many bends that the railroad had to made to get up to Swannanoa Gap. Dan is a wonderful speaker as well as a leading historian of the area.
I am leading an all-day version of the same hike next Saturday, but somehow I do not expect as many people to show up. Danny Bernstein

Half Day hikes submitted by Paula Robbins 828-687-1651 paularww@bellsouth.net. Leaders: Mail please mail your sign-up sheets. Meet at Westgate unless otherwise noted.

WEDNESDAY No. W0504-068 Oct. 12
Big Butt from BRP 8:30 AM Hike 8, Drive 55, 1700 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886, ruthmtn@aol.com
We will take the Big Butt trail from Balsam Gap on the BRP, following the ridge crest to Big Butt (Yeates Knob), a short bushwhack at just under 6000 ft., and return via the same route. We will stop at Point Misery for lunch and colorful fall views of the Black Mtns. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 8:50 AM. Topos: Montreat, Mt. Mitchell; also South Toe River PNF map

Twenty-two hikers, including three new hikers, gathered at the Balsam Gap parking area on the Parkway. The leader has enjoyed spectacular fall color in the past on this hike. But, on this day, the group started hiking in a cloud. A budding artist and student of color theory, the leader pointed out that there are numerous shades of gray. Although the gray fog didn’t qualify as “fall color”, asters were still blooming and leaves crunched underfoot, accompanying pleasant conversation. By the time we reached the rock overlook, the clouds were beginning to part. Several hikers remained at the overlook, hoping to catch the developing views. Most of the group continued to Big Butt, catching a few snatches of views on the ridge. The groups joined back at the overlook for lunch. The clouds partly lifted, offering views of the valley rimmed by clouds on the Mt. Mitchell ridgeline. When a few hikers briefly lost the trail on the way back, Tommie efficiently rounded them up. As we approached the Parkway, the clouds lifted and we enjoyed a sun-drenched ending to an excellent hike. – Ruth

A post hike note: CMC members have traditionally referred to the rock overlook as “Point Misery.” Several hikers used their GPS’ to confirm that Point Misery is south of the rock overlook.

WEDNESDAY No. W0504-489 Oct. 19 Bad Fork - Trace Ridge Loop 8:00 AM* Hike 8, Drive 45, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Pat Elias and Kathy Giddings: Pat, 828-687-1651, patelias@bellsouth.net ; Kathie Giddings: 828-696-9808, kmgiddings@highstream.net P400 Starting at the Trace Ridge parking area, we will hike along an unmarked trail that follows a stream to the Bad Fork Trail. This trail takes us to the BRP on a steep 800 ft. ascent, then over Ferrin Knob on the MST to the Beaver Dam Overlook. We will lunch, enjoying the beautiful views, then proceed down the Trace Ridge Trail to the parking area. *Meet at Westgate to form carpools and meet leaders at N. Mills River Recreation parking lot at 8:30 AM. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

Fifteen hikers, including leaders, assembled at the North Mills Recreation Area for the short ride to the Trace Ridge trailhead parking lot.
After a short walk along a gravel road, we entered a trail the hike leaders discovered on their scout that lead us to the trailhead for the climb up Bad Fork. The climb lead us to Bent Creek Gap, under the BRP, and then another healthy climb (I say "Healthy Climb" because while the hike was described as a 1200 ft. ascent, I have since heard two others figures: one was 1700 feet and one was 1850 feet. To me, it was more like 1850 feet), up and over Ferrin Knob, and down to the BRP, near Beaver Dam Gap, where we congregated for lunch. From the BRP, we descended along Trace Ridge. After an initial rocky trail, it leveled off to a lovely wooded trail. Several months ago, when we first scouted this trail, it was a beautiful canopy of pink rhododendrons. We had a beautiful day, with an enthusiastic, friendly group of hikers. The hike leaders were rewarded at the end of the hike with a thoughtful treat of hot, sweet tea that one of the hikers had in a thermos in her car. It was a pleasant treat after an exceptionally pleasant hike. Kathie and Pat

Wednesday Hikes are submitted by Paula McNabb, 828- 274-0057 gcmcnabb@charter.net and Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387, cowbonetail@yahoo.com . 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.

SATURDAY No. A0504-278 Oct. 29 Kitsuma Peak 9:00 AM

ALL DAY No. A0504-310 Oct. 30 Jones Gap: Rim of the Gap loop 8:00 AM

Map-Reading Course Nov. 5

ALL DAY No. A0504-480 Nov. 6 Buck Spring to Davidson River via Alternate MST 8:00 AM

ALL DAY No. A0504-068 Nov. 6 Big Butt from BRP 8:30 AM

Charlies Bunion – Kephart Prong 8:00 AM