HALF-DAY SUNDAY 2nd QUARTER 2007 HIKE SCHEDULE

Hike Ratings - First Letter: Distance, Second Letter: Elevation Gain.

Newcomers are welcome, but nonmembers MUST call the hike leader before the hike to determine the requirements. Half-day hikes submitted by Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253, paularww@bellsouth.net . Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center (Exit 3B off I-240) UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings.
HALF-DAY NO. H0702-046 Apr. 1
Bent Creek Ramble 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 20, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net
This loop hike will pass by Lake Powhatan and ascend to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail via the Sherman Stambaugh Trail. We will then descend on the Sleepy Gap Trail and wander along the Explorer and Pine Tree Trails.

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-556 Apr. 8
Beaver Dam Overlook to Mills River Overlook 1:15 PM*
Hike 5.6, Drive 40, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Pat Elias, 828-687-1651 or patelias@bellsouth.net
An easy, pleasant in/out hike along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, where we will see some rock work from the original Shut-In Trail and perhaps some early spring blooms. Meet at Westgate at 1:15 PM to form carpools and meet hike leader at Beaverdam Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 1:40 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-380 Apr. 15
Big Creek Trail 1:00 PM
Nonmembers, call leader, Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703
Hike 5, Drive 50, Rated C-C
From the Trace Ridge Trailhead, we will walk along a gravel road next to the North Fork of the Mills River to the Hendersonville Reservoir. After crossing a log bridge we will hike along the Big Creek Trail to a meadow where, with luck, we will see showy orchis and other spring wildflowers in bloom. Then we will retrace our steps. Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM to form carpools and meet hike leader at parking area just before the North Mills River Recreation Area at 1:20 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-490 Apr. 22
Craven Gap to the Folk Art Center 1:30 PM
Nonmembers, call leaders, Ken and Carol Deal, 828-281-4530, cnkdeal@charter.net
Hike 5.4, Drive 11, Rated C-C
We will leave a few cars at the Folk Art Center and drive to the trailhead at Craven Gap to begin the hike. Spring wildflowers should be in bloom on this portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Second meeting place Folk Art Center Lower Parking Lot at 1:50 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-300 Apr. 29
MST: Craven Gap to Bull Gap 1:00 PM
Nonmembers, call leader, Jean Gard, 828-777-1814, jeangard@charter.net
Hike 5, Drive 11, Rated C-C
An easy in-and-out hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Spring wildflowers should be in bloom, so bring your cameras. Second meeting place Folk Art Center Lower Parking Lot at 1:20 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-101 May 6
Lower Big Laurel Creek 1:00 PM
Nonmembers, call leader, Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, rerikkers@aol.com
Hike 6, Drive 50, Rated B-C
Note earlier start time. This in-and out hike near Hot Springs follows a beautiful rushing stream past a profusion of spring wildflowers to the historic logging camp at Runion. Over 250 vascular plants have been identified along this former railroad track.

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-170 May 13
Butter Gap Trail to Picklesheimer Fields 1:00 PM
Nonmembers, call leader, Gerry McNabb, 828-274-0057, gerrymcnabb@charter.net
Hike 5, Drive 40, Rated C-B, 1000-ft elevation gain
From the Fish Hatchery parking lot, we will follow the Cat Gap Trail .9 miles to its junction with the Butter Gap Trail for this in-and-out hike along Grogan Creek. Second meeting place: Fish Hatchery Parking Lot off US 276.

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-464 May 20
Greybeard Overlook to Balsam Gap 1:00 PM
Hike 7, Drive 44, Rated B-C
Marlene Santa Maria, 828-299-9095, marlena98@hotmail.com
An in-and-out hike on this portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, with 400 feet ascending and 700 descending, will provide great views midway. Many spring wild flowers likely. Note early start time. Only meeting place: Folk Art Center lower parking lot.

HALF-DAY No. H0702-349 May 27
Buck Spring Trail 1:00 PM
Hike 6.2, Drive 50, Rated B-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253, paularww@bellsouth.net
This pleasant down-hill hike starts at the Pisgah Inn and ends at Rt. 276, with a car spot. Call the leader if you wish to join her for dinner at the Pisgah Inn after the hike. Second meeting place: Pisgah Inn parking lot near convenience store at 1:30 PM.

National Trails Day
Celebrate National Trails Day by hiking in the Little Cataloochee Valley. Kevin Fitzgerald, Deputy Superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, will be hiking with us. Choose from an easy half-day hike or a challenging climb. Both hikes are listed with the all day Sunday and Saturday hikes.

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-525 June 3
Dupont Forest: Corn Mill Shoals P.L. #2 12:30 PM
Hike 4 miles, Drive 94, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Becky Elston, 828-749-1886, belston@cytechusa.com
A pleasant hike over several trails up and over the granite slabs of Cedar Mountain with a break at the top of Bridal Veil Falls. Note early start time. Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form carpools, and meet hike leader at Hooker Falls Parking Lot at 1:15 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0702-465 June 10
Sam Knob Loop 1:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 70, Rated C-B, 1200 ft. ascent
Nonmembers, call leader, Joe Burchfield, 828-298-8413 , burchfield@niu.edu
SB6K, P400 Note early start time. From the parking lot at the end of Forest Service Road 816 off the Blue Ridge Parkway, we will take the Sam Knob Trail to the Flat Laurel Creek Trail, with a side trip up 6040-ft. Sam Knob, then through a spruce forest to return. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. overlook at 1:35 PM

HALF-DAY No. H0702-453 June 17
Max Patch Ramble 1:30 PM
Nonmembers, call leader, Gail Lamb, 828-350-0450, galmb46@aol.com
Hike 5.5, Drive 104, Rated B-C
Awesome panoramic views and late spring wildflowers make this moderate hike a favorite. We will go up Max Patch to the Appalachian Trail and north through meadows, woods and across a small stream. We’ll then loop back on a side trail.

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-292 June 24
North Slope Trail 1:00 PM
Nonmembers, call leader, Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@mchsi.com
Hike 6, Drive 62, Elevation gain 500, Rated B-C
We will go along the Exercise Trail at the Ranger Station, cross US 276 to the Davidson River Campground, and walk along the river passing the historic English Chapel and the English family cemetery, to the North Slope Loop Trail and return to the cars through the campground. *Note early start time. Meet at 1:00 PM at Westgate to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station parking lot on US 276 at 1:30 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0703-511 July 1
Florence Nature Preserve 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 40, Rated C-C, 600 ft. ascent
Nonmembers, call leader, Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net
Tour the 600+-acre Florence Nature Preserve in the Lake Lure area. This is an easy loop hike.