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ALL DAY No. A0502-354 June 12 Hump Mtn. from Elk Park 7:30 AM Hike 8, Drive 140, 3200 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA+ Bob Byrd 828-299-7681 bbyrd@charter.net Note early start time. Come and enjoy this beautiful hike to one of the jewels of the AT, Hump Mtn. See the fantastic 360 degree views from the summit and Gray’s lilies which should be in bloom. The hike will continue to Little Hump Mtn., but hikers wishing a shorter hike may remain on the first summit and wait for the leader’s return. Topos: Elk Park, White Rocks Mtn., Carvers Gap

ALL DAY No. A0502-165 June 19 Mt. Le Conte via Boulevard, Alum Cave Trails 8:00 AM Hike 13, Drive 150, 2600 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA Don Gardner 828-754-4067 gardog3@charter.net SB6K, 900M This hike features 6593 ft. Mt. Leconte and great views from the AT, Boulevard Trail, our lunch spot on the summit, and the Alum Cave Trail. Topos: Clingman’s Dome, Mt. Le Conte

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. H0502-008 June 12 Bee Tree Gap Road to Rattlesnake Lodge 1:30 PM Hike 5.7, Drive 35, Rated B-B Don Walton 828-654-9904 donwalton@bellsouth.net This moderate hike will feature good views and a variety of trees and wild flowers in bloom. Car spot. Second meeting place: Folk Art Center Lower Parking Lot at 1:45 PM.

HALF DAY No. H0502-453 June 19 Max Patch Ramble 1:30 PM Hike 4, Drive 75, Rated C-C Gail Lamb 828-275-4500 gllamb@bellsouth.net Awesome panoramic views and summer wildflowers make this moderate hike a favorite. We will go up Max Patch to the AT and north through meadows, woods and past a small stream. Then we will loop back on a side trail.

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. 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

WEDNESDAYNo. W0502-460 June 15 Pilot Mt to Courthouse Falls 8:00 AM* Hike 8, Drive 60, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Larry Ballard, 828-891-4318 leballard@cytechcis.net P400 This in-and-out hike begins with a short bushwhack below Pilot Mt. and follows FS 140A through interesting forest to FS 140 and on to Courthouse Falls. This route affords a different view of Devils Courthouse. There is one easy stream crossing (Kiesse Creek). Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topos: Shining Rock, Sams Knob; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map

WEDNESDAY No. W0502-008 June 22 MST: Bee Tree Gap to Tanbark Tunnel 9:00 AM* Hike 6, Drive 40, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Brad Van Diver 828-669-2740 bravand@cs.com Note later start time. We descend through wildflowers from Bee Tree Gap to Potato Field Gap, then climb steeply to Lane Pinnacle. From there we follow the up-and-down ridge over Wolfden Knob and stop for lunch on Rich Knob. Finally, we have a long graceful descent to the tunnel past the historic ruins of Rattlesnake Lodge. *Only meeting place: Back parking lot at Folk Art Center. Map: MST Profiles, pg. 63-65

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. 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

Post Hike Report: Eleven hikers including me drove up to Mt. Pisgah and since it was raining and there were a couple of new hikers, I decided to not go up to the peak. There wasn't any thunder or lightning but there also wouldn't be any views and I didn't want to have anyone slip on the rocks. Jorge showed us to the Buck Springs Lodge site and we all read the info there and then proceeded down the very over grown trail to Beaverdam Overlook. We probably only did six miles total but that was OK with all cause our feet were soaked right from the start. The grasses were thigh high and there just wasn't anyway around getting soaked. Eventually it stopped raining and we stopped at one of the overlooks and ate our lunches sitting on a curb there. A few views were starting to poke thru the clouds at this time. We still had a good time and we were all grateful that it wasn't cold out. Will be doing this hike again on a Wed. in July.

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

Post Hike Report: Six dancers (conga, ballroom, tango) plus a good natured fellow negotiated the rock croppings with nary a misstep. We were treated to ideal weather--no rain, no burning sun, no bugs, with mild temperatures and an occasional refreshing breeze. Everyone finished this hike with a smile and a sincere appreciation for the outstanding trail construction over the rock sections. The entire ten miles (almost) was very, very well maintained with evidence of significant recent labor by grading, reseeding, and hacking of rhododendron. P.S. We were too early for the Yellow Clintonia; it should be blooming in about 10-14 days. The snowy blooms of viburnum were at their peak dancing above our heads.

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

Post Hike Report: Our annual joint hike with the Smoky Mountain Hiking club was a great success. Almost a year ago, Doris Gove of the SMHC suggested that their club wanted to climb Cold Mountain. Lenny and I agreed to lead it. We had 19 hikers from five states: NC, SC, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. Because of the wilderness rules, we broke up the group into two with two leaders. Then at the trailhead, I read them a short section from the novel Cold Mountain, about Inman (the main character) thinking that Cold Mountain was the "highest mountain in the world". The first group went up and about ten minutes later, the second group went up. A dog followed us the whole way up. It had a lot more energy than us, darting back and forth up and down the trail. The wilderness rule is that the two groups should never meet. At the break, I told my group a little about my research about Inman and Ada and the real Cold Mountain area. At the top, Lenny and I switched groups so that on the way down, I filled in the second group about Cold Mountain. The last few people coming down the trail identified a rare flower, a one-flowered cancer root, a parasitic flower without chlorophyll. On the way back, I took the group to the Inman Chapel and cemetery to finish off their Cold Mountain experience. Danny Bernstein danny@hikertohiker.org

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

Post Hike Report: A total of 7 people participated in this hike. For most of us there was plenty of fog on the drive to Westgate, but along the BRP it was clear and the temperature was perfect for hiking. We began on the Art Loeb Trail where it crosses FR816 and ended at Graveyard Fields, with cars at both ends. We hiked to the summit of Black Balsam and enjoyed great views, despite the haze in the distance, and then continued down the other side of the knob and up to the top of Tennent where we decided to have lunch a little early to continue enjoying the panorama. However, once we sat down and began munching, we quickly discovered that each of us was surrounded by approximately one million tiny gnats. And these were a special breed of gnats. They landed on any exposed skin and stuck there, so that soon our faces, necks, etc. were covered with these little beasts. They were also sticking to people's clothing, and their shirts and hats looked like they had been showered with pepper .......this resulted in a very abbreviated lunch. While we frantically gathered up our gear to get out of there, we discovered that the black patches of sand on the ground all around us were not black patches of sand but were actually thick masses of the minute creatures that were covering our skin and clothing. It was actually an amazing phenomenon which none of us had ever witnessed before. We quickly proceeded down to Ivestor gap, each of us carrying our load of these bugs, which were nearly impossible to brush off. No one opted for the summit of the 3rd. peak over 6000 ft., so we began the trek back to Graveyard Fields. However, a highlight of this part of the hike was that there were pools of water on the trail, and many of these were covered with thick masses of you-know-what. We've all been annoyed by gnats before, but this was a unique experience for all of us. And when we arrived at our cars, they too were covered with this sticky "flying black pepper".......which did not blow off when the cars were in motion. It was still a good hike, since the critters did not seem to bite, but everyone was eager to throw their buggy clothes in the washer, and their buggy bodies in the shower........Joe

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

Post Hike Report: Eight of us had a very pleasant day hike crossing three states. The ford of the Chatooga at the bottom was a good one in that nobody got totally wet. However there were complaints from the less-tall hikers that the water was cold. We spent about an hour swimming, watching the river go by, and exploring the Ellicott and Commissioner’s Rocks. Paul (Riverman) Benson discovered a 1996 benchmark on a rock in the middle of the stream. This may locate the exact junction of NC, SC, and GA. A gradual ascent brought us back to the trailhead, and we closed the trip with ice cream at Dolly’s in Pisgah Forest. Linda Beja not only swept the trip, but showed some of us two old gold mines. There is talk of another trip into the area, with picks and shovels. Dave

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

Post Hike Report: On Sunday, May 31, 18 hikers enjoyed a pleasant in-and-out hike along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail from the Bent Creek Gap Road to the Chestnut Cove Overlook. Mountain laurel were in bloom.

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.

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.

Post Hike Report: A hardy band of four hikers conquered the ups & downs of The Dismal Trail as part of the hike to view Moonshine Cave Falls. Twas a gorgeous day and we enjoyed seeing a pretty little waterfall spilling over a huge rock outcrop. In the distant past the cave truly was a hideaway for Moonshiners with remnants of their equipment left behind. The walls are blackened by heavy smoke from the fires used in brewing White Lightening. This is a shady & cool Spring hike of about nine miles which follows Matthews Creek at the lower elevation. The climb out is a real challenge with a total gain of 2500 feet overall.

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

Post Hike Report: There is a core of really dedicated Wednesday hikers that braved rain, wind and cool temperatures to hike on the AT. We modified the route somewhat. Six hikers hiked from Sams Gap almost to Rice Gap and returned, stopping at Hogback Shelter for a dry (sort of) lunch. We saw 25 different flowers, and had a good, if soggy, time. -- Ruth

The National Park Service has just signed an agreement with the International Mountain Bicyling Association to allow mountain biking in the National Park, on a case by case basis. For the first time, National Park Service leaders in Washington, D.C., have formally recognized mountain biking as a positive activity, compatible with the values of our National Park system.

In the Smokies, the argument is that bikes are more environmentally friendly to the trails than horses. See http://www.smokymountainnews.com/issues/06_05/06_01_05/out_bikes_parks.html Maybe so. But what about the riders? My personal experience is that horse riders are very considerate of hikers. I have never seen horses galloping down a Smokies trail.

I just returned from a meeting hosted by the Blue Ridge Parkway to discuss the final segment of the NC Mountains to Sea Trail. In attendance were Lisa Slobodzian (GRSM NC District Ranger), George Minnigh, Don Walton (representing the Carolina Mountain Club), Bambi Teague (Blue Ridge Parkway Res. Mgt. Spc.), Larry Hultquist (Blue Ridge Parkway Trails Coord.), Alan Dehart (and another gentlemen whose name I did not get) from the Friends of the Mountain to Sea Trail, Dwayne Stutzman, and me. Dick Ketelle offered to join us by phone, but that was not possible.

In question was the MST route between Wolf Laurel Gap (where the road to Balsam Mtn. Campground turns off the BLRI) and Cherokee. The meeting was called because the Cherokee Tribe indicated they did not want the MST to cross the Res., the route originally envisioned.

That left about nine alternatives, including following the A.T. from Clingmans Dome to Tricorner Knob.

The general consensus at the end of the meeting was that there are two preferred alternatives: 1. Follow an old fire road from Wolf Laurel Gap west to Big Witch Gap then build new trail within the BLRI right-of-way to US441; 2. Follow the old fire road from Wolf Laurel Gap west to Big Witch Gap then follow a gravel road down to Big Cove Road, then Big Cove Road to US441. Don Walton

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.

Charlotte National Trails Day Event “Hiking For Health In The Carolinas” June 4, 2005

American Hiking Society Ambassador, Bill Gupton, hosted a very successful event on National Trails Day in Charlotte, NC at Jesse Brown’s Outdoors, a local outdoor retail store. The event was promoted with a radio interview on the WBT Carolina Outdoors weekly radio show and prominent display of NTD posters and banners.

Bill partnered with the Park and Recreation department to provide local Greenway maps and maps of county parks, fitness centers, nature centers and other facilities that offer walking and hiking activities on the local level. Working with the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Nurses group and the Fit City Challenge organization, event participants received Fit City Challenge water bottles and information on the benefits of walking and hiking from two registered nurses that are avid hikers.

All of the 42 participants received a National Trails Day “Day Hike Check List” bookmark developed by Bill for the event. In addition to the usual things to bring, the list stresses a Leave No Trace philosophy as well as supporting your local and national hiking organizations.

Information and membership materials for the Carolina Mountain Club, Foothills Trail Conference, and Mountain To The Sea groups were displayed. The use of the “Long Distance Trails of the Southeast” map from the Southern Appalachians Initiative helped to show the working relationship and scope of area hiking opportunities. American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacations and NTD materials were displayed and discussed. Gift packages were developed form the NTD Organizers Kit materials and donated items from Jesse Brown’s producing some highly sought out items. These were made available to anyone joining the American Hiking Society. The results, 7 new AHS members!

Bill Bartee, owner of Jesse Brown’s, expressed his satisfaction with the event. “We were very pleased to work with Bill and the American Hiking Society in supporting National Trails Day. Our customers and our employees gained some valuable information and you can count on us supporting this event for many years to come”.

One final program success, Jesse Brown’s Outdoors is joining the American Hiking Society as a corporate member. Make that 8 new members!