Newcomers are welcome, but non-members MUST call the leader before the hike to determine the requirements. Half-day hikes submitted by Lucy Prim, lucette32@mchsi.com, 828-693-6580. Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All hikes assemble at the east end of the Westgate Shopping Center parking lot near CVS (Exit 3B off I-240) UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings. Please phone the hike leader if you are not sure of the meeting location.

HALF-DAY No. H0801-344 April 6
Pulliam Creek in the Green River Game Lands 12:30 PM*
Hike 6.5, Drive 60, 1000 ft ascent., Rated B-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Becky Elston, 828-749-1886, belston@cytechusa.com
*Note early start time. Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form carpools and meet hike leader at NW corner of parking lot of Cracker Barrel off Exit 53 of I-26 at 1:00 PM. This pretty in-and-out hike goes along Pulliam Creek for part of the way, and our break might include viewing kayakers on the Green River and seeing trillium and other early spring wildflowers. Join leader for dinner at Cracker Barrel after the hike.

HALF-DAY No. H0802-171 Apr. 13
Cat Gap Loop *1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 40, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Lucy Prim, 828-693-6580, lucette32@mchsi.com
P400 *Meet at Westgate at 1:30 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at Fish Hatchery parking lot at 2:10 PM. This is a moderate loop hike on the Cat Gap Loop Trail.

HALF-DAY No. H0802-511 Apr. 20
Florence Nature Preserve 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 40, 600 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net
Tour the 600+-acre Florence Nature Preserve near the Lake Lure area. This is an easy loop hike through lady slippers and other spring flowers. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to Nita’s Grocery in Gerton, near the preserve, at 2:00 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0802-153 Apr. 27
Caney Bottom/Cove Creek *12:45 PM
Hike 5, Drive 75, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Pat Elias, 828-687-1651, patelias@bellsouth.net
P400 *Note early start time. Meet at Westgate at 12:45 PM to form carpools, and meet hike leader at the Pisgah Ranger Station off US 276 at 1:30 PM. A pleasant walk through the woods, with streams, waterfalls, and bridge crossings.

HALF-DAY NO. H0802-049 May 4
Big Creek in the Smokies *12:30 PM
Hike 6, Drive 110, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, rerikkers@aol.com
900M *Note early start time. Big Creek, a spectacular mountain stream in the Smokies, offers hikers and walkers an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the wild beauty of this part of the park. The comfortable roadbed meanders along rushing rapids, a waterfall, huge boulders, and deep swimming holes. A beautiful forest and wildflower environment makes for a special experience. An easy in-and-out hike. Bring your camera! Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop, off I-40at Exit 24 at 1:00 PM, but call leader first. Topo: Luftee Knob, Cove Creek Gap; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP Map #229

HALF-DAY NO. H0802-602 May 11
North Carolina Arboretum 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 15, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253, paulaww@bellsouth.net
A loop hike through the Arboretum, featuring native azaleas in bloom as well as other spring wild flowers. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot across from Biltmore Square Mall at 1:45 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0802-603 May 18
Big Ivy 1:00 PM
Hike 5.5, Drive 55, 700 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
This loop in the Big Ivy Creek headwaters area of the Pisgah National Forest begins 4.4 miles up FS74 at the Perkins Road Trail. We will hike up to the Laurel Gap Trail, turn right and walk to the Bear Pen Trail which will take us back down to FS74. We'll walk just under a mile to return to our cars. Expect to see late spring wildflowers along the way. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot off I-26 in Weaverville at 1:15 PM.

HALF DAY NO. H0802-043 May 25
Frying Pan Tower *1:30 PM
Hike 4, Drive 50, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Rusty Breeding, 828-692-0359, bree_lw@planetusa.net
P400 *Meet at Westgate at 1:30 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at north end of parking area of Pisgah Inn at 2:00 PM. This is an easy in-and-out hike through a spectacular display of wild flowers to good views from the tower.

HALF-DAY NO. H0802-054 June 1
John Rock via the Old Horse Cove Trail *1:30 PM
Hike 4, Drive 72, Rated C-B, 1295 ft. ascent
Nonmembers, call leader, Laura Stallard, 828-697-1579
P400 *Meet at Westgateat 1:30 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at the Fish Hatchery in Pisgah National Forest on FS 475B off US 276 at 2:05 PM. This moderate in-and-out hike begins at the Fish Hatchery at the opposite end of the parking lot from the Wildlife Visitor Center onto the Horse Cove side of Cat Gap Trail (orange blaze). The John Rock Trail starts at a right hand junction off Cat Gap Trail.

HALF-DAY No. H0802-465 June 8
Sam Knob Loop 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 70, Rated C-B, 1200 ft. ascent
Nonmembers, call leader, Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net
P400 From the parking lot at the end of FS816 off the Blue Ridge Parkway, we will take the Sam Knob Trail up Sam Knob to Flat Laurel Creek, then through a spruce forest to return. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mountain Overlook at M.P. 412 at 2:10 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0802-146 June 15
Skinny Dip Falls *12:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 65, Rated C-B, 1300 ft. ascent
Nonmembers, call leader, Gerry McNabb, 828-274-0057, gerrymcnabb@charter.net
(Cell phone on day of hike only 828-279-3214)
P400 *Note early start time. On this in-and-out hike we will start at Looking Glass Rock Overlook, take the Mountains-to-Sea Trail past Skinny Dip Falls, then turn around, have our break at Skinny Dip Falls and then retrace our steps to the Overlook parking lot. Bring your bathing suit if you have nerves of steel! Second meeting place: BRP Looking Glass Rock Overlook at M.P. 417 at 1:15 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0802-453 June 22
Max Patch Ramble *12:30 PM
Nonmembers, call leader, Gail Lamb, 828-350-0450, galmb46@aol.com
Hike 5.5, Drive 104, Rated B-C
*Note early start time. Awesome panoramic views and summer wildflowers make this moderate hike a favorite. We will go up Max Patch, then the Buckeye Ridge Trail to the Appalachian Trail. This will take us north through meadows, woods and across a small stream. We will break at the AT shelter and return on AT. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop off I-40 at exit 24 at 1:00 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0802-380 June 29
Big Creek Trail in Pisgah Ranger District * 1:00 PM
Nonmembers, call leader, Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703
Hike 5, Drive 50, Rated C-C
*Note early start time. Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at parking area just before the North Mills River Recreation Area at 1:30 PM. 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; then we will retrace our steps.

HALF-DAY NO. H0803-463 July 6
Big Ridge Overlook to Elk Pasture Gap *1:00 PM
Hike 4.4, Drive 50, 600 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Barry Fletcher, 828-299-4776, Hmflet@aol.com
P400 *Note early start time. We will do a moderate hike from the Big Ridge Overlook to Elk Pasture Gap and return on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. If we're lucky we will see lots of Turk's Cap Lilies in bloom at that time near the Mills River Valley Overlook. Second meeting place: BRP French Broad River overlook at M.P. 393 at 1:10 PM.

National Trails Day Saturday Half Day Hike:

SATURDAY HALF-DAY NO. H0802-557 June 7
Little Cataloochee Church 9:00 AM
(easy hike)
Hike 5 miles, Drive 100, Rated C-C
New hikers please contact leader: Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
900M *Note later start time. Hike to the Little Cataloochee Church and cemetery on a good jeep road, with a short diversion to the Hannah Cemetery. Residents in this vibrant Little Cataloochee community had to leave when the area became the Great Smoky Mountains Nat’l. Park. After the hike, those who wish can drive to the Big Cataloochee valley and see the church, school and other structures. Second meeting place: Pilot truck stop at Exit 24 off I-40 at 9:30 AM. Topo: Cove Creek Gap; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map #229