Looking Ahead

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

ALL DAY No. A0504-275 Nov. 27
Rich Mtn., Roundtop Ridge, Pump Gap, AT 8:00 AM
Hike 11, Drive 70, 2300 ft. ascent, Rated AA-A

Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary@charter.net

From Tanyard Gap we will hike north on the AT to Rich Mtn. for good views, then down beautiful Roundtop Ridge, then up Pump Gap Trail to the AT and north to Tanyard Gap. Bordering on AA-AA with solid climbs up Rich Mtn. and Pump Gap trail. Topo: Hot Springs

ALL DAY No. A0504-409 Dec. 4
Jones Gap/El Lieutenant Loop 8:00 AM* (strenuous)

Hike 10, Drive 80, 1650 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA

Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387, cowbonetail@yahoo.com

Starting at Jones Gap St. Park (NOTE: $2 entry fee per person), we will hike up the Jones Gap Trail along the Middle Saluda River, then the Bill Kimball Trail up through the boulders and forest, climbing over the granite face of El Lieutenant. We’ll continue on the Kimball trail, walk a short portion of US 276 to our return loop on the Tom Miller and Jones Gap Trails. *Meet at Westgate to form carpools and meet leader at left side of Ingles parking lot (H’ville) 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

ALL DAY No. A0504-479 Dec. 4
Kagel Mtn. 8:30 AM* (moderate)

Hike 9, Drive 80, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B

Chip Miller, 828-654-9331, backpacker54nc@bellsouth.net

P400 *Note later start time. This new CMC loop hike will start from Cathey’s Creek Rd. and follow an overgrown forest road to the Art Loeb Trail, with lunch at the Butter Gap shelter. We’ll return via a no-name trail for variety. Nice winter views. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 9:00 AM Topos: Rosman, Shining Rock

Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY No. H0504-377 Nov. 27

Lake Powhatan to MST Connector 1:30 PM*

Hike 4.5, Drive 30, Rated C-C

Sherman Stambaugh, 828-254-1736

This moderate hike is on a well-graded trail, on the small creek trail to an unnamed connector trail to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Just what you need after Thanksgiving! *Second meeting place: Ingles Parking lot across from Biltmore Square Mall on NC 191 off I-26 at 1:40 PM.

HALF DAY No. H0504-486 Dec.. 4

Yellow Gap to Bradley Creek 1:00 PM*

Hike 4-5, Drive 56, Rated C-C

Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703

*Note early start time. Drive to Yellow Gap Parking area, then hike in-and-out along FS 5015 to Bradley Creek to view scenery and results of clear-cutting. *Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM to form carpools; meet leader at the North Mills River parking area at 1:30 PM.

All Day Wednesday

WEDNESDAY No. W0504-491 Nov. 30
Christmount Watershed hike 8:40 AM* Hike 7, Drive 40, 1750 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Tommie Boston, 828-686-5029, Tambee@aol.com Strenuous hike! This new CMC hike will explore part of the Swannanoa & Miami Mtns. on the grounds of Christmount Christian Assembly, and will include some challenging climbs. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:40 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at exit 64 of I-40 at 9:00 AM. Topo: Black Mtn.

WEDNESDAY No. W0504-492 Dec. 7
Cookie Hike in the Arboretum Area 9:00 AM* Hike 7-8, Drive 12, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Ken &Carol Deal, 828-281-4530, KMCDeal@aol.com Note later start time.
CMC’s traditional cookie hike transplanted to a new spot. Bring a few homemade goodies along to share. We will hike on trails constructed by the CMC in the Arboretum, and cover some trails in the Lake Powhatan area also. Bring your membership card for the Arboretum if you have one. There is a $6 parking fee otherwise. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot across from Biltmore Square at 9:15 AM. Topo: Asheville; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

Looking Back......

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

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

Hike Report for Buck Spring Trailhead to Hwy 276 via the Alternate MST.

There were six hardy hikers who braved one of the most beautiful autumn days I have ever witnessed in the Pisgah Ranger District. The trails were neatly groomed and maintained complements of Bill Newton’s crew and the section maintainers assigned to this area. The trees were in their finest color for what is probably the last leaf covered weekend. We had stopped at the Buckhorn Shelter for a nice break and had lunch at a gorgeous overlook that provided a great view of Looking Glass Rock. We returned to Asheville via the Blue Ridge Parkway among the throng of leaf lookers. Don Walton

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.

Thirteen hikers enjoyed perfect fall weather, clear views of Mount Mitchell and the Blacks, colorful vistas of the intervening valleys, and enjoyable converstion. Fortunatley, leaf color was late this year. So, we hit it perfectly. This was the kind of day that makes leading hikes, and hiking, especially rewarding. Ruth Hartzler

ALL DAY No. A0504-271 Nov. 13 Chestnutwood Mtn. 8:00 AM

Hike 7, Drive 40, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated B-A

Tom Bindrim & Joan Lemire, 828-273-3880

We’ll do our major climbing before lunch on this pleasant hike past streams, cascades, a glimpse of the Black Mtns., and a 25 year old timber harvest in the Grandfather District. Some bushwhacking on overgrown trails, and a short car shuttle. Topo: Old Fort

Hike report for 11-13-05 Chestnutwood Mtn. hike, Tom Bindrim, leader

14 hikers enjoyed a non-typical hike (lots of bushwhacking) to Chestnutwood Mtn. From the Curtis Creek campground near Old Fort, we did a steep 1200 ft. climb to the ridgeline, with good views of Green Knob and the nearby mountains, and glimpses of the two Blue Ridge Parkway landslides. From the ridgeline, we bushwhacked up to the summit of 3650 ft. Chestnutwood Mtn. for lunch. When we hiked through Lead Mine Gap, everyone was trying to guess why this name is applied to a gap in an area that does not contain any lead--does anyone have a good explanation for this?

After lunch, the hike down started with a bushwhack down to an old road, and then followed this heavily overgrown logging road back down to Paddy Branch Trail, and then to our cars. The Paddy Branch Trail was noteworthy for 17 blowdowns for us to climb over or under. Some tree colors were still visible (in mid-November!) and a few Closed Gentians were still blooming. Bruce Bente

ALL DAY No. A0504-276 Nov. 20 AT: Street Gap to Big Bald 8:00 AM

Hike 10, Drive 75, 2500 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA

Don Walton, 828-654-9904, don walton@bellsouth.net

Big Bald is one of the crown jewels of our section of the AT, with views of the Blacks, Smokies and other ranges in WNC and Tennessee. The first 0.6 miles climbs steeply to Street Gap on the AT, then follows the AT to Big Bald. Weather permitting, we plan to spend a long lunch on the summit, enjoying the view, so bring appropriate clothing. Topos: Sams Gap, Bald Creek

11/20, Streets Gap to Big Bald

 Eight hikers hiked from the North Carolina side to Big Bald. The gate is open now and you can go up the road and park by the barn or go all the way to Streets Gap. It was a beautifully cool day to hike up to the top. There were good views from the top and we could see the cold front approaching from the south. We quickly got cold sitting at the top and everyone wanted to start walking to get out of the wind and cold. The cold front came in on the way down and the temperature dropped noticeably. We arrived back at the cars at about 2pm and Asheville by about 2:30. We had an early day and hiked a brisk 8.6 miles. There was one new hiker with us today. Don Walton

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. H0504-023                                                               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.

I led this Sunday hike (Bent Creek Gap to Beaverdam Overlook) for 15 folks this afternoon. The "C-C" rating is definitely not a good idea for this hike - 3 of the group were beginning hikers and totally unable to handle the very steep ups and downs involved. One came in sandals and insisted that she had hiked all over Tibet with them. She failed miserably on this trail and we had to ask her and the two others to wait for us at the top of Ferrin Knob instead of trying to get down that very steep grade.
It's very difficult to figure out how to deal with "drop-ins" who just appear on the scene and then turn out to be unable to keep up with a normal pace of hiking. They suggested that the Club figure out some beginners hikes that involve less elevation change and are more on "the level" which, of course, around here is hard to find! Renate Rikkers

HALF-DAY No. H0504-058 Nov. 13 Looking Glass Rock 1:00 PM*

Hike 6, Drive 33, Rated B-B Barbara Passmore, 828-667-8684, bpsss354@netzero.com

*Note early start time. This in-and-out hike to the top of a granite monolith provides a good workout and beautiful views. *Second meeting place: Ranger Station on US 276 at 1:30 PM.

Sixteen hikers happily toiled to the top of Looking Glass Rock Sunday afternoon. Several already-fit hikers were experiencing their first CMC hike, and I felt privileged to be their leader. We paused at the heliport for a picture, and then we made the remaining push to the top. The view was painted in muted autumnal tones and was awash in mist and fog. During the return trip, a light rain began to fall, but it was not unpleasant. The rain enlarged the mist which surrounded and enhanced the green undergrowth with reviving moisture. Barbara Passmore

HALF-DAY No. H0504-316 Nov. 20 Carl Sandburg 1:00 PM*

Hike 4, Drive 50, Rated C-C Laura Stallard, 828-697-1579

*Note early start time. This loop hike begins at the parking lot of the Carl Sandburg Park in Flat Rock and follows the trail taken by the poet and Lincoln biographer to the top of Big Grassy Mountain. *Second meeting place: Sandburg Park parking lot at 1:30 PM.

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. W0504-477  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

Report on W0504-477 : Geology of the Grandfather Mountain Window, Nov 2
Eleven hikers met at the Black Mountain MacDonalds, and we picked up another hiker from Little Switzerland at the entrance to GM. The weather was perfect, with glove-wearing temperature and gusting wind. We had great fun on the GM ridge trail, wending our way among huge boulders and climbing the ladders. However, we encountered glare ice on the steep descent between MacRae and Attic Window Peaks that did not auger well for the climb farther up the ridge. So we backtracked to the lower junction with the Underwood trail, and then ascended that trail to the geologically important cobble conglomerate exposed there. This shortened the planned hike drastically, but we used the excess time to cross the mile high Swinging Bridge to Linville Peak. Scenery and visible geologic features from there were nothing less than spectacular, with muted orange-red fall colors. From there, some members visited the museum and wildlife habitats lower on the mountain. All told, it was a very pleasant trip. However, the next time, we'll do this in early fall or spring, when ice will not be a problem. Brad Van Diver

WEDNESDAY No. W0504-476 Nov. 9 South Mills River,Mullinax Tr. Laurel Creek Tr.

8:15 AM Hike 9, Drive 50, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Greg Goodman, 828- 684-9703
P400 Loop hike. S. Mills River to Mullinax Trail, to Laurel Branch Trail, then to Bradley Branch, then back by Pea Gap to cars. Note: Some creek crossings. Second meeting place:Boyleston Baptist Church on NC 280 at 8:45 AM. Topo: Pisgah Forest

hike report for Wednesday 11/9/05 Greg Goodman, leader
Wolfe Ford - Squirrel Gap hike

21 hikers enjoyed another day of perfect hiking weather today when we hiked the Wolfe Ford - Squirrel Gap hike. This is a different hike than written up in Let's Go, and started at the Gauging Station. We first hiked the S. Mills River Trail over two S. Mills River bridges, then up the Squirrel Gap trail to a nice lunch spot at Horse Cove Gap, in open forest and watching the leaves falling around us. After lunch we took the new Horse Cove Gap Trail (not on the 1996 Pisgah map) up to FS 5018, a gated and mildly overgrown FS road. We noticed that it was a 1000' climb up from the S. Mills River. We hiked back on the old road, then hiked down on a faint trail. The main excitement of the day was when one of our cars nearly hit a deer on US 276 near the Pink Beds. reported by Bruce Bente

WEDNESDAY No. W0504-287 Nov. 16 Greybeard from Montreat 8:10 AM* Hike 10, Drive 40, 2800 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Ames Tryon, 828-669-3805, tryonaf@charter.net
 This will be a gate-to-gate hike in Montreat. We will begin at the Montreat gate on the Rainbow Trail, connect with the East Ridge Trail and ascend to Greybeard. Return on the West Ridge and Stomping Knob Trails and return to the gate. *Meet at Westgate at 8:10 AM to form carpools,and meet leader at parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at exit 64 of I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Montreat

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.