All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 828-692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net. Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at 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 contact the hike leader if you are not sure of the meeting location.

ALL DAY NO. A0704-548 Oct. 7
AT: Sams Gap to Big Bald 8:00 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 13, Drive 55, 2600 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA
Lenny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, lsberns@worldnet.att.net
This will be a challenging AT hike up to see spectacular views from the summit of Big Bald. If the weather is clear, we will be able to see into the Rocky Ford Tract that ATC is trying to buy to protect the AT viewshed. Topo: Sams Gap

ALL DAY NO. A0704-365 Oct. 7
Mt. Mitchell Ramble 9:00 AM*
(Moderate)
Hike 8, Drive 75, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net
SB6K *Note later start time. We’ll do a loop on several trails in the Mt. Mitchell area, including the Old Mt. Mitchell Trail, Camp Alice Road and the Commissary Ridge Trail. An optional side trip to Mt. Craig (6647 ft.) and Big Tom will be offered afterwards, where we can hike see the amazing rockwork being installed on the newly rebuilt trail. Second meeting place: Craven Gap on BRP at 9:15 AM Topos: Mt. Mitchell, Montreat; also PNF South Toe River, Mt. Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Maps

ALL DAY NO. A0704-580 Oct. 14
Maintenance Theme Hike 8:30 AM*
Hike 7.5, Drive 25, moderate ascent, Rated B-B
Barth Brooker, 828-299-0298, barthb@bellsouth.net
*Note later start time. Ever wonder how CMC maintains the trails that we hike on? This moderate hike will travel a typical trail and will point out what and how to maintain it. The hike will be from the new Blue Ridge Parkway Headquarters to Craven Gap. We will discuss the maintenance tools that are used to maintain trails and point out type of problems we encounter. We want a two way exchange of ideas to help maintenance determine what issues are most important to the hikers and we will discuss the things done on the trail to correct and prevent future problems. The hikers will be challenged to spot potential problems and to explain why certain things have been done to the trail in the way of maintenance. Since trail maintenance is more of an art than a science, we can expect some lively discussions. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 8:50 AM.

ALL DAY NO. A0704-581 Oct. 21
Balsam Mtn. – Pretty Hollow – Palmer Creek Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 15.6, Drive 110, 2700 ft. ascent, Rated AA+-AA+
Don Gardner, 828-754-4067, gardog3@bellsouth.net
900M This new CMC hike will cover some rarely-hiked and scenic trails. It will start at Pin Oak Gap and follow the Balsam Mtn., Mt. Sterling Ridge, Pretty Hollow and Palmer Creek trails. Second meeting place: Maggie Valley Post office at 8:30 AM. Topo: Luftee Knob; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map #229

SATURDAY NO. A0704-372 Oct. 27
Big Fork Ridge–Rough Fork loop 8:00 AM
Hike 9.3, Drive 95, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.com
900M History Hike. Cataloochee was one of the most successful communities in the Smokies. From the end of the Cataloochee Valley, we’ll hike up Big Fork Ridge Trail, then turn right onto Caldwell Fork Trail. We’ll pass by the record-size tulip poplar trees, then go downhill on Rough Fork Trail. About a mile from the end of the hike, we’ll stop at the Woody House, a well-appointed framed house. On the way out of the valley, we’ll stop at the Palmer Chapel Cemetery. For a fictional account of life before the park, read “Cataloochee” by Wayne Caldwell. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop, Exit 24 off I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Dellwood; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map #229

ALL DAY NO. A0704-246 Oct. 28
Around Coffee Pot Mtn. 9:00 AM*
Hike 7.5, Drive 50, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Les & Catherine Love, 828-658-1489, lesrlove@charter.net
P400 *Note later start time. We’ll circle Coffee Pot Mtn. by hiking up Trace Ridge Trail to Beaver Dam Gap on the BRP and returning on the Spencer Branch Trail, with a stop to see the Hendersonville Reservoir and dam. Second meeting place: North Mills River Recreation Area parking lot at 9:30 AM, but phone leader first. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

ALL DAY NO. A0704-563 Nov. 4
Palmetto Trail: Pointsett Passage and Blue Wall Preserve. 8:30 AM*
(strenuous)
Hike 10, Drive 100, 1200 ft. or 2400 ascent, Rated A-B or A-AA
Charlie Ferguson, 828-333-5165, ccf108@gmail.com / Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387, gleason.ann@gmail.com
Come hike the newly opened Poinsett Passage of the Palmetto Trail. This stretch climbs along the NC / SC border and NW ridge of the Greenville water shed. The trail travels up and down the ridge through wilderness that has been closed to the public for decades, then descends to the Vaughn’s Gap parking area behind Lake Lanier. Key swap hike. Second meeting place: Saluda Truck Stop, Texaco station at Exit 59 off I- 26 at 9:05 AM. Topo: Saluda

ALL DAY NO. A0704-279 Nov. 4
Montreat: RR trestle Grade to Pot Cove 8:30 AM*
Hike 7.5, Drive 35, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Janet Martin, 812-738-8154, jaykaymartin@msn.com
*Note later start time. The hike starts southward toward Lookout Mountain, but veers north to hike along the west side of the ridge to Sourwood Gap, and then switches to the east side of the ridge through Long Gap to Pot Cove Gap, the site of an old quarry. By alternating sections of the Old Trestle Road, which was used by the Mt. Mitchell Railroad for logging and later for passengers, and the Old Toll Road to Mt. Mitchell, the hike will circumnavigate both Thunder Knob and Brushy Mtn. With the leaves off the trees, we'll catch some views unseen during the summer months. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to Black Mtn. McDonalds just south of I-40 Exit 64 at 8:50 AM. Topo: Montreat; also Montreat Trail Map

ALL DAY NO. A0704-590 Nov. 11
Linville Gorge, Conley Cove to Babel Tower 8:00 AM
Hike 7, Drive 130, 2200 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA
Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net
Strenuous hike! We’ll first descend 1100 ft. in less than a mile from Conley Cove trailhead, then hike upstream along the Linville Gorge in the depths of the gorge. One of the great streams of WNC. Then out of the gorge via the Babel Tower trail after a stop at Babel Tower. Short car shuttle. This is a wilderness hike - limit of 10 hikers - call leader for reservation.  Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s off I-40 at Exit 64 at 8:20 AM. Topos: Ashford, Linville Falls; also Linville Gorge Wilderness map

ALL DAY NO. A0704-409 Nov. 18
Jones Gap/El Lieutenant Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 10.3, Drive 95, 2200 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Carroll Koepplinger, 828-667-0723, carrollkoepp@bellsouth.net
Starting at Jones Gap State Park (NOTE: $2 entry fee per person), we will hike up the Jones Gap Trail along the Middle Saluda River, then the Bill Kimball Trail up through the boulders and forest, climbing over the granite face of El Lieutenant. We’ll continue on the Kimball trail, walk a short portion of US 276 to our return loop on the Tom Miller and Jones Gap Trails. *Additional meeting places: NE corner of parking lot at Cracker Barrel at Exit 53 of I-26 at 8:30 AM; also Jones Gap State Park parking lot at 9:00 AM. Topos: Cleveland, Table Rock; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness map

ALL DAY NO. A0704-582 Nov. 25
Gauging Station – Pink Beds loop 8:30 AM*
Hike 9, Drive 85, 900 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Stu English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
P400 This will be a pleasant loop from the gauging station, covering parts of the S. Mills River, Buckhorn Gap, Black Mtn., Barnett Branch and Pink Beds Loop trails. *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station at 9:05 AM. Topos: Shining Rock; Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

ALL DAY NO. A0704-441 Dec. 2
AT: Up and Down Snowbird 8:00 AM*
(strenuous)
Hike 10.6, Drive 100, 2700 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Marianne Newman, 828-454-1036, marianneln@msn.com
Starting at I-40, hike a pretty stretch of the AT near the southern end of the sections maintained by CMC. If weather conditions are right, we’ll see a beautiful display of rime ice on our way to the great views from the summit of 4263-ft. Snowbird Mtn. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I-40 at 8:30 AM Topo: Waterville; also PNF Harmon Den Trail Map

ALL DAY NO. A0704-583 Dec. 2
Cedar Rock and Kagle Mtns. from Cathey’s Creek Rd. 8:00 AM*
(moderate)
Hike 7, Drive 80, 1700 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Dave Wetmore, 828-884-7296, dwetmore@citcom.net
P400 This new hike takes the shortest way to the summit of Cedar Rock Mtn. and its magnificent views. We'll take trails to the summit and then go through the woods down the south ridge to the ALT. We’ll stay in the woods on the ridgeline and climb to the summit of Kagle Mtn. and then down to an old road and back to Cathey’s Creek Rd.

Although not particularly dangerous, there will be some scrambling over bare rock. The slopes are gradual and no climbing skills are needed, just a tolerance for heights. The cross-country part is largely gentle slopes through open country. Note: If it is icy or wet we'll take an alternate hike *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at the Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

ALL DAY NO. A0704-584 Dec. 9
Butter Gap Loop 8:00 AM*
Hike 9, Drive 75, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Tom Bindrim & Joan Lemire, 828-273-3880
P400 One of Tom's favorites for near 30 years, we'll use parts of the Cat Gap Loop, ALT, and all of the Butter Gap trail through the beautiful Grogan Creek watershed to Picklesheimer Fields. Moderately paced, lots of stops, long lunch, expect late return. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leaders at Pisgah Fish Hatchery at 8:45 AM. Topos: Shining Rock, Rosman; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

ALL DAY NO. A0704-339 Dec. 16
AT: Garenflo Gap to Hot Springs & Potluck Supper 9:00 AM*
Hike 7.5, Drive 90, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Tish Desjardins, 828-656-2191, desraylet@aol.com
*Note later start time, and that after the hike there will be a potluck supper in a nearby Clubhouse. Hikers are requested to contribute food for the supper. Food will be taken to a refrigerator before the hike. Please phone the leader to coordinate what food to bring. This AT sequence hike offers nice variety, with a beautiful hardwood forest, Deer Park shelter and moderate climbs and descents. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: Parking lot on US 25 at intersection with NC 208 at 9:40 AM. Topos: Lemon Gap, Spring Creek, Hot Springs

ALL DAY NO. A0704-128 Dec. 23
Sam Knob Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 9.8, Drive 90, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Paul Benson, 828-251-1909, pdbenson@charter.net
SB6K, P400 This scenic loop will be great in winter weather, hopefully with snow on the ground. We’ll start at NC 215 and follow the MST, with a side trip to Devil’s Courthouse, to FS 816. Then we’ll loop back and ascend Sam Knob (6040 ft.) with its 360-degree views, then follow the Flat Laurel Creek Trail to NC 215. There will be a wet stream crossing at the end unless it is frozen. Topos: Shining Rock & Sam Knob; also Nat’l. Geographic PRD map #780

HIKE CANCELLED – NO LEADER AVAILABLE Dec. 30

NEW YEARS DAY NO. A0801-281 Jan. 1
Green River Gamelands 8:00 AM breakfast, 9:15 AM hike*
Hike 6.5 or 8, Drive 70, 1300 or 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com
*Meet at Westgate at 7:30 AM to form carpools and meet leader at times above at the NE corner of the Cracker Barrel parking lot in Hendersonville (exit 53 on I 26). After breakfast, we’ll do a pleasant loop on a series of trails around the Green River Gamelands. We’ll hike down to and along the Green River, with a late lunch at the big rocks on the Green River, and then hike up and out on the Pulliam Creek trail. Short car shuttle. Topo: Cliffield Mtn.; also Map of the Green River Gamelands Trails