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.

Jones Gap State Park, Rim of the Gap hike report

Fifteen happy hikers turned out at Jones Gap State Park for yet another perfect fall day hike. The morning was clear and brisk, but as most of the early part of the hike was uphill, we were soon peeled down to short sleeves. By 11:00 we had reached the first ridge, and enough leaves had fallen that we started seeing nice views.
We took a late lunch at 1:00 at a really wonderful overlook on the Pinnacle Pass Trail, from which we looked north across Jones Gap to a 180 degree view of the south-facing escarpment along the NC-SC border. While there was not nearly as much color as usual for this time of year, we enjoyed bright red sourwoods and black gum here and there, and some lovely golden hues. On the way back down our billy goat skills were tested on the rocky north side, and we learned about male chocolate (ask Carol Green). We were glad to have Ken and Lynn Corbett along from the Greenville group to share with us their extensive knowledge of that Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. Back at the cars, everyone was in such a fine mood that we nearly decided to turn around and go for another hike. Thanks to all for a fun day! Becky Smucker

Map-Reading Course                                                                                                               Nov. 5

Tom Bindrim and Dave Wetmore, 828-884-7296, dwetmore@citcom.net

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

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.

Half Day Sunday

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.

 HALF-DAY No. H0504-023                                                               Nov. 6Bent Creek Gap to Beaver Dam Overlook                                   1:30 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.

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.

All Day Wednesday

WEDNESDAY   No. W0504-490 Oct. 26

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

MST south from Craven Gap to Folk Art Center, Hike 490

The weather was clear and the temperature 39° when we met at the Folk Art Center parking area.  Ten of us drove in two cars to Craven Gap, parked and started hiking.  Serious winds the previous day had downed some 5 trees across the trail, we discovered.  Fortunately they were easy stepovers and all were reported later to Maintenance.  Fall color was not very far along, but we enjoyed the walk anyway and reached what some call Lunch Rock by noon.  We found it too windy and in the shade, to boot,  so walked back up to the trail and found ourselves some place to sit in the sun.  About two miles from the start, we walked straight instead of taking the sharp turn up the steps to the right.  The trail was clearly marked but some of us felt a double blaze in advance of the turn would be appropriate.  We soon realized we were off trail because the road bed conditions deteriorated and only lost about 10 minutes.  We returned to the cars at 2 p.m.  -- Gerry McNabb

WEDNESDAY   No. W0504-477  Nov. 2

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 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.