CMC Bi-Weekly Hike News
05/25/05
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Looking Ahead....
All Day Saturday & Sunday
SATURDAY No. A0502-447 May 28 MST: Mt. Pisgah to Beaverdam Overlook 9:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 45, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Ray Sanow 828-231-7669 raysray@charter.net P400 Note later start time. This moderate hike will start with a round trip up and down Mt. Pisgah, and will then follow the MST northbound to Beaverdam Overlook. Expect good views along the route. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: BRP French Broad overlook at 9:10 AM. Topos: Cruso, Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map & MST Profiles, pg. 53-55
ALL DAY No. A0502-190 May 29 MST: Mt. Mitchell to Balsam Gap 8:00 AM Hike 9.7, Drive 70, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Janet Martin 812-738-8154 jaykaymartin@msn.com SB6K This is one of the really great sections of the MST, and includes two SB6K peaks. The first part of the hike features exceptional views south from the Black Mtns., while the second part showcases the trail-building and rock-work achievements of the CMC. See spectacular scenery from our lunch spot on bare rocks. Topos: Mt. Mitchell, Montreat; also PNF South Toe River, Mt. Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Map
MEMORIAL DAY JOINT HIKE WITH SMOKY MOUNTAINS HIKING CLUB ALL DAY No. A0502-113 May 30 Cold Mountain from Camp Daniel Boone 8:00 AM Hike 10.4, Drive 70, 2800 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+ CMC Contact: Lenny & Danny Bernstein 828-236-0192 danny@hikertohiker.org P400, SB6K This is your chance to climb the mountain immortalized by Charles Frazier. From the Scout Camp we will ascend to the summit of this 6030 ft. peak. Strenuous, so you must be in good shape. Wilderness area, limited to ten hikers, so phone leader for reservations. Topos: Waynesville, Cruso; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
ALL DAY No. A0502-181 June 5 Black Balsam, Tennent Mtn. & Grassy Cove Top to Graveyard Fields 8:00 AM (strenuous) Hike 9, Drive 65, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated A-B Joe Cirvello 828-627-1797 cirvello25@bellsouth.net SB6K, P400 This is one of my favorite hikes because we are hiking over a long stretch of balds with spectacular 360 degree views. From FS 816, we’ll hike over 6214 ft. Black Balsam and 6040 ft. Tennent Mtn. to Ivestor Gap, with an optional side trip up 6040 ft. Grassy Cove Top. We’ll then follow an old road south to the Graveyard Ridge Trail and follow it back to our cars. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Cold Mtn. overlook at BRP M.P. 412 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Sam Knob, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
ALL DAY No. A0502-448 June 5 Ellicott Rock 8:00 AM* (moderate) Hike 7.5, Drive 150, 1750 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Dave Wetmore 828-884-7296 dwetmore@citcom.net A long drive, but a unique and historic place: three states come together; their junction marked with inscriptions almost 200 years old. Well-maintained trails with gentle grades. There is a refreshing ford of the Chattooga River at the middle of the hike. Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at the Bi-Lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topos: Highlands, Tamassee, Cashiers; also Nat’l. Geographic Nantahala & Cullasaja Gorges 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. H0502-022 May 29 MST: Bent Creek Gap to Chestnut Cove 1:00 PM Hike 5.4, Drive 60, 400 ft. ascent, Rated C-C Paula Robbins 828-281-3253 (before 9 PM) paularww@bellsouth.net P400 A pleasant in-and-out hike on a mostly level section of the MST, at a good time to see the mountain laurels in bloom. Map: MST Profiles, Pg. 55-56
HALF-DAY No. H0502-343 June 5 Mount Mitchell Loop via Commissary Ridge 1:30 PM Hike 5, Drive 70, Rated B-B Jane and Lew Blodgett 828-274-7863 This moderate hike goes from the Ranger Station to the summit and returns via the Camp Alice Road. Sweeping views to the east on a clear day. Only meeting place: Folk Art Center lower parking lot.
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.
All Day Wednesday
WEDNESDAY No. W0502-458 May 25 Moonshine Cave Falls-The Dismal Trail 8:00 AM* Hike 9, Drive 95, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Ellie Thrush 828-697-9743 treehouse@highstream.net An in and out hike on Raven Cliff Falls Trail to the Dismal and on to an interesting waterfall. Mostly level with some rolling ups and downs. Only climb is the Dismal Trail. (NOTE: $2 fee per person for park entry Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Raven Cliff Falls parking lot on US 276 at 9 AM. Topo: Table Rock; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness map.
WEDNESDAY No. W0502-216 June 1 AT: Sams Gap to Devils Fork Gap 8:30 AM Hike 8.2, Drive 90, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated Moderate Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886 ruthmtn@aol.com Note later start time. This section of the AT features nice views into Tenn. From the ridge line, traversing a series of knobs along an unusual section of the NC-TN state line where TN is east of NC and the south bound hiker is actually traveling North. Topo: Sams Gap
WEDNESDAY No. W0502-459 June 8 MST: NC 128 to Greybeard overlook 8:00 AM Hike 5 or 8.9, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387 cowbonetail@yahoo.com . We head up into old growth Balsam and Spruce forests just south of Mt Mitchell. This is a scenic hike with dramatic views and several rocky climbs. Naturalist Taylor Barnhill will be coming along to enlighten anyone interested along the way. Hikers wishing a shorter trek can stop after 5 miles at Balsam Gap, if desired. Car shuttle. Optional post-hike drive to the view and lodge at Mt Mitchell. Second meeting place: Craven Gap on BRP at 8:20 AM. Topo: Mt. Mitchell, Montreat; also MST Profiles, pg. 66-69
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.
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Looking Back......
All Day Saturday & Sunday
ALL DAY No. A0502-100 May 15 Cheoah Bald via Bartram Trail 7:30 AM Hike 12-13, Drive 140, 3100 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA+ Linda Beja 828-293-3849 lrbeja@earthlink.net Note early start time. This strenuous hike will climb up and out of the Nantahala Gorge, offering a unique approach to the open summit of Cheoah Bald, one of the great scenic peaks south of the Smokies. Our return will be via the AT to NOC. Second meeting place: NOC, across new bridge at 9:00 AM. Topo: Hewitt; also Nat’l. Geographic Nantahala & Cullasaja Gorges map
Post Hike Report: Eight dauntless hikers set out for Cheoah Bald in the morning, in a steady rain. In spite of the 3,500’ – 5 mile climb to a summit with views only of rain clouds, and a quick wet lunch, spirits remained high. The highlight of the trip had to be the many wildflowers in bloom. On the way down the sun came out, and it’s hard to express how good that felt. After 7.5 hours and 13.5 miles all 8 hikers emerged unscathed , after flirting with depression, hypothermia, coronary arrest, and bone shattering falls on rain slick rocks and roots. I would put this down to a character building hike, and as proof that even the toughest hike is better than doing almost anything else, especially when you’re with good CMC buddies. Paul
ALL DAY No. A0502-214 May 22 Standing Indian Circuit 7:30 AM Hike 10, Drive 150, 2300 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Bill Ross 828-271-7992 wrossmath@cs.com Note earlier starting time. The Standing Indian area in the Nantahala National Forest is known for its beautiful forest, rushing streams and excellent vistas. We’ll hike up the Kimsey Creek Trail to the AT, and the AT to our lunch spot, Standing Indian. At 5498 ft., it is the highest mountain on the AT south of the Great Smoky Mountains, with outstanding views. We’ll return on the Ridge Trail. Second meeting place: Rest Stop beyond Waynesville on US 23/74 at 8:00 AM. Topo: Rainbow Springs
Post Hike Report: With Becky Smucker filling in as leader for Bill Ross who had to perform in a concert, a group of ten made the longish drive to Standing Indian near the Georgia line past Franklin. The day was mostly cloudy but pleasant, so while we didn’t get drop dead views from the top as we had hoped, we had a wonderful day. This hike has a really nice blend of lush creek and high ridge, with a great variety of flora. We had a solid core of young athletic blood in the group who kept the pace up and gave the rest of us some new and interesting people to get to know. Since the traditional ice cream stop on Wallace Gap Rd. has been closed, we made do on the way home with Dairy Queen in Franklin and arrived back at Westgate around 5:30. Thanks to all for a fun day!
Half Day Sunday
HALF DAY No. H0502-452 May 15 Dupont Forest: Fawn Lake P.L. #4 12:30 PM* Hike 6, Drive 94, Rated B-C Becky Elston 828-749-1886 belston@cytechusa.com Note early start time. A pleasant loop with break at the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls. Weather and conditions permitting, we can walk behind the falls. Meet at 12:30 PM at Westgate to form carpools, and meet leader at Hooker Falls Parking Area at 1:30 PM.
HALF DAY No. H0502-384 May 22 Black Balsam Road to Looking Glass Overlook 12:30 PM Hike 5.3, Drive 65, 1300-ft. ascent, Rated C-B Ruth Hartzler 828-251-0886 ruthmtn@aol.com P400 Note early start time. Hike from Black Balsam Road (FS816) via Graveyard Fields and Skinny Dip Falls to Looking Glass Overlook. Short car shuttle. Second Meeting Place: BRP Cold Mountain Overlook at 1:15 PM. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map.
Post Hike Report: Like many hikes this Spring, we were the benefactors of really great weather and another spectacular section of the MST. We left two cars at the Looking Glass Overlook. Then seventeen hikers piled into four cars for the ride to the trailhead at the intersection of FS816 and the MST. The group was several yards down the trail, when one last hiker joined us, for a total of eighteen. At the higher elevations, we enjoyed great views of distant mountains. Closer mountains were dotted with snowy white service berry and wild cherry trees. Blankets of Bluets were as blue as the sky. As we descended, we traversed several wooden bridges over small streams. Painted trilliums flanked the trail. Then, the yellow-green of newly leafed-out birches contrasted with dark green grass and dark brown tree trunks. Near the end of the hike, we considered jumping into the pool at Skinny Dip Falls, but decided to wait for a warmer day. -- Ruth
All Day Wednesday
WEDNESDAY No. W0502-456 May 11 AT: Stecoah Gap to Yellow Creek Gap 8:00 AM Hike 7.6, Drive 170, 1700 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Jack Fitzgerald, 828-685-2897 suejackfitz@bellsouth.net A moderate hike on the southern portion of the AT, between Stecoah Gap and Yellow Creek Gap. Guaranteed to see lots of wildflowers, including the rare yellow trillium and yellow ladyslipper. There will be a car key switch. Topos: Hewitt, Fontana Dam
Post Hike Report: Two groups of hikers started at Stecoah Gap and Yellow Creek Gap for a 7.6 mile moderate walk along the AT near Fontana. Unfortunately, the annual showing of yellow lady's slippers had not bloomed. We did however, see hillsides of trillium, moccasin flowers, violets, and a few blossoms that survived the late snow in April. The weather was pleasant after an early fog burned off and the hikers finished in just under five hours. Tommie Boston
WEDNESDAY No. W0502-457 May 18 AT: Brown Gap to Max Patch and return 8:15 AM Hike 7, Drive 100, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Ken & Carol Deal 828-281-4530 KMCDeal@aol.com Note later start time. An in and out hike on the AT, with a steep uphill for the first mile, then leveling off into moderate ups and downs, with a final climb to the top of Max Patch for lunch. If we’re lucky, it will be clear for the beautiful views. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop, exit 24, off I-40 at 9:00 AM. Topo: Lemon Gap
HikingNews....
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FONTANA WEEKEND 2005
Two years ago, 50 CMCers' spent a relaxing September weekend at Fontana Village, NC, hiking nearby trails in the Smokies and enjoying a boat trip and tour of an abandoned town and the old Eagle Creek copper mine. We plan to schedule a similar trip this year. So set aside the weekend of Sept. 30 – Oct. 2 to join us. Additional information will be posted in the future in the E-Newsletter and in Let’s Go as plans develop. Please contact Bruce Bente at bbente@cytechusa.com for any questions or suggestions that you have about this trip.