HALF-DAY SUNDAY 3rd QUARTER 2007 HIKE SCHEDULE

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

Newcomers are welcome, but non-members must call the 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 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. H0703-511 July 1
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 new 600+-acre Florence Nature Preserve near the Lake Lure area. This is an easy loop hike with a moderate climb.

HALF-DAY NO. H0703-064 July 8
Big Creek Trail 1:00 PM*
Nonmembers, call leader, Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703
Hike 6, Drive 50, Rated C-C
P400 From the Trace Ridge Trailhead, we will do an in-and-out hike 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 for a short time, then go along the Fletcher Field and Middle Fork Trails to a Forest Road. There will be several stream crossings. *Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM (note early start time) to form carpools, and meet hike leader at parking area just before the North Mills River Recreation Area at 1:30 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0703-168 July 15
Pink Beds 1:00 PM
Hike 4.2, Drive 80, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Laura Stallard, 828-697-1579
P400 This is an easy loop hike with little elevation change, off US 276, not far from the Cradle of Forestry. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station at 1:35 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0703-068 July 22
Balsam Gap to Point Misery 12.30 PM*
Hike 4.6, Drive 55, Rated B-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Gerry McNabb, 828-274-0057, gerrymcnabb@charter.net
*Note early start time. This in-and-out hike begins at Balsam Gap (milepost 359.7) on the Blue Ridge Parkway and follows the ridge crest north to Point Misery, with superb views of Mt. Mitchell and the Blacks. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 12:50 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0703-043 July 29
Frying Pan Tower 1:30 PM*
Hike 4, Drive 50, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Lucy Prim, 828-693-6580, lucette32@mchsi.com
P400 This is an easy in-and-out hike through a spectacular display of wild flowers to good views from the tower. *Meet at Westgate at 1:30 PM to form carpools, and meet hike leader at north end of parking area of Pisgah Inn at 2:00 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0703-347 Aug. 5
Twin Falls Loop 12:30 PM*
Hike 6, Drive 75, 1000-ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
P400 A moderate hike in the Pisgah National Forest, starting on the Buckhorn Gap Trail, taking the Twin Falls Bypass to view two nice waterfalls and completing the loop on a Forest Service road and the Clawhammer Cove Trail. *Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM (note early start time) to form carpools, and meet hike leader at the Pisgah Ranger Station at 1:10 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0703-002 Aug. 12
MST: NC 128 to Balsam Gap 12:30 PM*
Hike 5, Drive 60, 1500 ft. ascent, rated C-A
Nonmembers, call leader, Jim Reel, 828-738-0751, jimr57@yahoo.com
SB6K This beautiful and scenic portion of the MST features great views, rocky climbs, and hiking through a dark spruce forest as we climb Blackstock Knob (6320 ft.). Although only 5 miles long and on an established trail, this hike ascends a total of 1500 ft. and hikers must be capable of this amount of climbing. The hiking pace will be moderate. *Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM (note early start time) to form carpools, and meet hike leader at Balsam Gap parking area at BRP M.P. 360 at 1:15 PM. Topo: Montreat; also MST Profiles, pg. 67-69

HALF-DAY No. H0703-573 Aug. 19
Devil’s Courthouse from NC 215 1:00 PM*
Hike 6, Drive 75, 700-ft ascent, Rated B-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@mchsi.com
P400 We will hike east from the parking area off NC 215 through patches of mountain laurel and a dense pine cluster on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail connector crossing over the Blue Ridge Parkway tunnel to Devil's Courthouse, where we will pause for a snack to enjoy 360º mountain views before returning. *Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM (note early start time) to form carpools, and meet hike leader at the Cold Mountain Overlook at 1:35 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0703-112 Aug. 26
Black Balsam Loop 1:00 PM*
Hike 6, Drive 80, Rated B-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
P400 *Note early start time. From FS 816 off the Blue Ridge Parkway, the hike will follow the Mountains-to Sea-Trail 1.5 miles to the intersection with the Graveyard Ridge Trail, which will take us to Ivestor Gap. The loop hike will return to the starting point via the Art Loeb Trail over Tennent Mountain and Black Balsam Knob. Bring your blueberry containers and expect to enjoy beautiful views. Second meeting place: north end of Pisgah Inn Parking lot at 1:30 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0703-464 Sept. 2
Balsam Gap to Greybeard Overlook 1:00 PM*
Hike 4, Drive 44, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, rerikkers@aol.com
Great views and blueberries will reward hikers on this portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Car shuttle *Note early start time and only meeting place: Folk Art Center lower parking lot.

HALF-DAY No. H0703-295 Sept. 9
Pump Gap Loop 1:00 PM*
Hike 5, Drive 80, 1000-ft, ascent, Rated B-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Charlie Ferguson, 828-398-0215, ccf108@gmail.com
*Note early start time. From the Silvermine Trail Head near Hot Springs, there is a steady climb through a hardwood forest to the ridge top, where we will visit an old cemetery, cross the Appalachian Trail and return on the Pump Gap Trail.

HALF-DAY No. H0703-403 Sept. 16
DuPont Forest – Reasonover Trail 12:15 PM*
Hike 6, Drive 80, Rated B-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Becky Elston, 828-749-1886, belston@cytechusa.com
This pleasant loop hike in the DuPont Forest includes the Fawn Lake, Corn Mills Shoals, Bridal Veil Falls, Lake Julian and Reasonover Creek Trails and features views of small waterfalls.*Meet at Westgate at 12:15 PM (note early start time) to form car pools, and meet leader at Hooker Falls Parking lot in DuPont Forest at 1:00 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0703-153 Sept. 23
Caney Bottom/Cove Creek 1:00 PM*
Hike 5, Drive 75, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Pat Elias, 828-687-1651, patelias@bellsouth.net
P400 A pleasant walk through the woods, with streams, waterfalls, and bridge crossings. *Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM (note early start time) to form carpools and meet hike leader at the Fish Hatchery in the Pisgah National Forest on FS 475B off US 276 (toward the back of the parking lot) at 1:45 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0703-318 Sept. 30
Big Ridge Overlook to Beaver Dam Overlook 1:30 PM
Hike 4.4, Drive 35, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253, paularww@bellsouth.net
This in-and-out hike along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail near milepost 403 of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a good one for beginners. It will feature some fall wildflowers and good views. Second meeting place French Broad Overlook of the Blue Ridge Parkway off NC 191 at 1:45 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0704-035 Oct. 7
Looking Glass Rock 1:00 PM*
Hike 6, Drive 70, Rated B-B, 1,800 ft. ascent
Nonmembers, call leader, Rusty Breeding, 828-692-0359, bree_lw@planetusa.net
P400 A moderately difficult well-graded trail leads to the top of this mountain with beautiful views along the way. In-and-out hike. *Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM (note early start time) to form carpools, and meet hike leader at the Pisgah Ranger Station on at 1:30 PM.