E-newsletter Hike news

HALF DAY No. A0503-467 Oct. 2
Dupont Forest: Cascade Lake P.L. #1 12:30 PM* Hike 5+ miles, Drive 75, Rated C-C Rusty Breeding, 828-692-0359, bree@planetusa.net
Note early start time. Hike begins at 1:30 PM at the Cascade Lake Road parking lot. One boots-off creek crossing; bring water shoes. Highlights: Bridal Veil Falls from the top and Big Rock overlook.
*Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at side parking lot of Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 1:00 PM.

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

ALL DAY NO. No. A0503-474 Sept. 18 Porter Creek to Brushy Mtn. 7:30 AM* Hike 11.8, Drive 160, 2500 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Danny Bernstein 828-236-0192 danny@hikertohiker.org 900M *Note earlier start time. The first mile of the hike is on the Porter Creek Trail, in the Greenbrier section of the Smokies where we will see a cemetery and a SMHC cabin, used until 1981. Then we veer west to start the climb on the Brushy Mountain Trail to Brushy Mountain. The trail, rocky in spots, goes through old growth hemlock forest. At the top, we can see Mt. LeConte and Gatlinburg below. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I-40 at 8:00 AM. Topo: Mt. Le Conte; also Nat’l. Geographic GSMNP map

Eight hikers got up extra early to drive to the Greenbriar section of the Smokies. The first mile was on the jeep road on the Porter Creek Trail. We visited a cemetery, still well tended. Then we took the Brushy Mountain Trail which was an unrelenting up and up and up. We reached Trillium Gap for an early lunch and then walked up to the open top of Brushy Mountain. And what a reward! We could see Charlie's Bunyon, Mount Le Conte and on the other side, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. We were the only group at the top.
Going down was a breeze, not very hard on the knees. At the intersection of the two trails, we visited the SMHC cabin, a barn and springhouse. These structures brought back childhood memories from people who grew up on farms. We were back at the cars at about 4:30 and most of us gathered for an early dinner in Gatlinburg.

SATURDAY No. A0503-314 Sept. 24 MST: Double Top to Balsam Gap 8:00 AM* Hike 10, Drive 90, 500 ft. ascent, Rated A-C Marianne Newman, 828-454-1036, marianneln@msn.com Have you ever wanted to hike that long MST ridge down to Balsam Gap? Here is your chance in the downhill direction, enjoying the views along the way. Car shuttle. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at rest stop beyond Waynesville on US 23/74 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Hazelwood

ALL DAY No. A0503-074 Sept. 25 Tanawha Trail 8:00 AM Hike 13.3, Drive 150, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated AA-B Don Gardner, 828-754-4067, gardog3@charter.net A fragile and ancient ecosystem, rhododendron and laurel tunnels, hardwood coves, boulder fields and great views make this a special trip. Optional supper stop at Little Siena. Second meeting place: parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at exit 64 of I-40 at 8:20 AM. Topo: Grandfather Mtn.

Seven hikers drove to the trailend location at Beacon Heights to meet the leader and one other hiker; we did a car shuttle to the trailhead at Price Park in clouds and dense fog. This weather persisted all day, with occasional rain. We had a great hike even without the scenery, over a varied trail that starts with hiking through open meadows, and later climbs over rocky terrain with amazing trail rockwork that reminds the hiker of the CMC rock work around Potato Knob. It was frustrating to be on overlooks with nothing to see but fog. Three hikers stayed at the Linn Cove Overlook at the 12 mile point, while the other 6 finished the hike at 13.5 miles. The Asheville group finished off the day by enjoying a good meal at Spear's Restaurant in Linville Falls.

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 No. A0503-064 Sept. 18 Fletcher Creek via Spencer Branch Trail 1:00 PM* Hike 6, Drive 6, Rated B-C Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703 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. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at pull-out just before North Mills River Recreation Area at 1:30 PM.

HALF DAY No. A0503-035 Sept. 25 Looking Glass Rock 1:00 PM* Hike 6.2, Drive 60, Rated B-B, Elevation gain 1,669 Jane and Lew Blodgett, 828-274-7863 P400 *Note early start time. A moderately difficult well-graded trail leads to the top of this mountain with beautiful views along the way. In-and-out hike. Second meeting place: Ranger Station on US 276 at 1:30 PM.

Half Day hikes submitted by Paula Robbins 828-687-1651 paularww@bellsouth.net and Pat Elias 828-281-3253 patelias@bellsouth.net . Leaders: Mail please mail your sign-up sheets. Meet at Westgate unless otherwise noted.

WEDNESDAY. No. W0503-247 Sept. 14 Ivestor Gap Blueberry Hike 8:30 AM Drive 75, hike 6, rated B-C Ken and Carol Deal KMCDeal@aol.com or 281-4530 for reservations. . P400 Our traditional hike to the picking fields of Grassy Cove Top in the Shining Rock Wilderness. Limit 10 hikers. Call for reservation. *Meeting Places: Meet at Westgate at 8:30AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Cold Mtn. overlook, BRP M.P. 412, at 9:15AM.

Although we told the hikers ahead of the hike that we didn't expect to find many blueberries this late in the season, our full quota of hikers headed out to pick blueberries on Wednesday. We walked out the road to Ivestor Gap and then scattered over the hillside for several hours of picking. Everyone found some blueberries, with a few experts getting quite a lot. It was a lovely sunny day to be out.

WEDNESDAY. No. W0503-II Sept. 21 The AT across Firescald Ridge. This hike will include 3 miles of trail that took five years to construct, along with some beautiful views. We will go out on the Firescald relo and return to our cars via the old AT. Note: The trail goes along an extremely rocky ridgeline, and the hike will take longer than the distance suggests. Leader: Dave Wetmore, 828-884-7296, dwetmore@citcom.net. Meet at Westgate, 8:30 am. 5.8 miles, 1460 feet elevation gain. Driving distance: 96 miles. If there is any possibility of lightning, we will do a different hike, one selected by the group.

WEDNESDAY. No. W0503-040 Sept. 28 MST in Marion 8:30 AM Hike 4.8, Drive 60, 1500 ft. Ascent, Rated C-B Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net We will spot cars, then hike along the MST from Woodlawn Picnic area down to the North Fork of the Catawba River, where we will see the now completed footbridge, the longest on the MST. We will go out on the Forest Service Rd. to Creek Road. Second meeting place: parking lot adjacent to McDonald's at exit 64 of I-40 at 8:50 AM.

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.

CMC FONTANA 2005 HIKING WEEKEND

Rev. 4 rev. 9-24-05

In response to popular demand, CMC has scheduled a weekend hiking trip to the Lake Fontana area over the weekend of October 1-2, 2005 .

We will stay in Fontana Village or nearby campgrounds on Friday and/or Saturday nights, and will hike nearby trails on Saturday and Sunday, including some in the Great Smoky Mtns. Natl. Park. As of 9/20, 30 people have made reservations to attend.

Details of the trip are:

Lodging:

Make your reservations directly with Fontana Village (1-800-849-2258), and ask for the CMC discounted rate.

Fontana Village offers a range of accommodations. They have quoted the following rates for CMC attendees:

•hostel-type beds: (bare bed frames, no mattress, with kitchen) (approx. $15/night)

• Camp Cabins : 2BR, 1BA, with kitchen (without bed linens or kitchen utensils) ($43/night/cottage)

•Dogwood Cottage: 2BR, 1BA with kitchen (with bed linens and kitchen utensils) ($58/night/cottage)

•Renovated Dogwood Cottage: 2BR, 1BA with kitchen (with bed linens and kitchen utensils) ($68/night/cottage)

•Laurel Cottage: 2BR, 1BA with kitchen, with bed linens, utensils, TV, air cond.) ($75/night/cottage)

Azalea Cottage: 2 or 3 BR, 2BA with kitchen, bed linens, utensils, TV/VCR, air cond. ($145/night/cottage for 3BR)

•Fontana Inn: 2 double beds ($68/night/room)

•Campground with hookup ($18/night/campsite)

•Campground w/o hookup ($13/night/campsite)

CMC will have use of the swimming pools and other Fontana Village facilities. Mountain bikes and horses are available for rental. Fontana Village has an indoor swimming pool, free for people staying at the Village. Bring your swim suit!

Please look at their website www.fontanavillage.com for more information.

Campgrounds are also available, as follows:

•Fontana Village Campground next to Little Tennessee River (see rate schedule above)

•Cable Cove Campground five miles north of Fontana Village (approx. $8 / night/campsite)

Check-in at Fontana Village :

We will have a CMC table set up in back of the Fontana Village registration counter.

This table will have sign-in sheets for each of the planned hikes (The hikes that people sign up for will be the ones hiked)

Please sign in and make your hike selections after you register.

Our central “ Information Center ” will be Bruce Bente’s cottage. The cabin number will be posted at the CMC table by the registration counter.

Meals:

Friday:

A number of people are going over earlier on Friday to do some early hiking and to explore the area. We will get together Friday for supper at the Fontana Village Inn restaurant. CMC invites anyone who will be at Fontana by 6 PM to join us. The meeting place will be the Inn fireplace at 6:00 PM .

Meals are available at the Fontana Village restaurant in the Lodge (breakfast $8.95; lunch $7.95, supper entree $14-21). New for 2005: The restaurant is under new management and has upgraded its menu. It also has a full liquor license to serve beer, wine and cocktails.

The Fontana Village restaurant will prepare box trail lunches for $7.95 (sandwich, chips, fruit, cookie, soda or water) with advance notice before 5PM of the previous day. If you want a box lunch, please contact the restaurant.

Saturday:

Breakfast Saturday and Sunday: opens at 7:30AM .

We will make supper reservations at the restaurant in the Lodge for 7:00 pm Saturday night, so CMCers can eat together and exchange stories about the day’s hikes. (See note above about Friday night supper.)

For a nice Sunday night supper on the way home, the historic Jarrett House in Dillsboro is recommended. Meals are served family-style and the food is good and plentiful. Take US 74 north to the US 23 South exit, go one mile, then turn left at the first traffic light and Jarrett House is immediately to your left.

Hiking:

NOTE: This list is preliminary only and will be revised as plans progress. Check at the CMC table on Friday to learn of any additional changes.

Saturday 10/1 strenuous hike Haw Creek, Tali Gap, Little Fork.

Leader: Dave Wetmore.

Come see the other copper mine, the one off Haw Creek. Many know of it, but few have ever been there. If time permits, we will return via the larger group of mines on Little Fork. Some moderate bushwhacking. Ferry trip across Fontana Lake .

Saturday 10/1 or Sunday 10/2 moderate hike AT from Yellow Creek Gap to Fontana

Leader: Bruce Bente.

7.5 mls, 800 ft. ascent, 2000 ft. descent. Climb Yellow Creek Mtn. and down the ridge towards Fontana Lake . Car shuttle.

Saturday 10/1 strenuous hike Shuckstack – Lost Cove – Lakeshore Trail loop 13 mls

Leader: Danny Bernstein

This hike goes 3.5 miles north on the AT from the trailhead just over Fontana Dam, to the magnificent view of Lake Fontana and the surrounding mountains from the summit of Shuckstack. After Shuckstack, descend on Lost Cove trail and return on the Lakeshore Trail where you can see the old cars that were left when the people had to move out in the 1940s.

Saturday 10/1 Easier hike Twentymile loop trail from Twentymile trailhead 6.5 mls.

Sunday 10/2 10 am at Marina , returning about 4 pm

Leader: Lance Holland

A well-known local historian will lead a boat excursion to the head of Hazel Creek and a hike around the abandoned townsite of Proctor and the Proctor Cemetery . Afterwards, the boat will travel to the head of Eagle Creek and will hike around the abandoned Ecoah Branch copper mine. Lance will give an informative narrative of the history of both locations. Cost is $10. This excursion was very popular when we did it in 2003. This year there will be a limit of 35 people on the trip (25 in the big boat and 10 on a second smaller boat if needed.)

In addition, Fontana Village has 20 miles of trails around the village for those who want to hike nearby on their own. A trail map will be available at the CMC table next to the registration counter.

Transportation:

The driving time to Fontana Village from Asheville is about 2 hours via I 40 - US 23/74 - US 19/74 - NC 28. It’s all 4-lane divided highway except the last 18 miles of NC 28.

Ferry service across Lake Fontana is available from the Marina , near Fontana Dam. The 20-minute ride across to the hike trailhead will cost about $10-15 per person (round trip), depending on the number of passengers and the time of return.

The Marina opens at 8:00 am , and the last scheduled pickup for return is 3:30pm . However, they will pick up as late as 5:30pm , for an extra charge of $40/boat for overtime.

Misc :

For anyone wishing to learn more about the Fontana area, you are invited to look at the following websites:

http://www.northshoreroad.info/

www.fontanavillage.com

www.worldisround.com/articles/9485

http://aam.wcu.edu/hogue/index.html

http://aam.wcu.edu/livingston

www.ncroads.com/nc200+/nc288.htm

http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/photo/austin_brooks/pages/ab639b.htm

www.appalachianhistory.com

www.trails.com/advancedfind.asp?keyword=fontana%20village&state=nc