Deer hunting season (rifle) lasts through December 11 - wear blaze orange while hiking on Saturdays.

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 the FAR REAR (NORTH END) of Westgate Shopping Center near Exit 3B off I-240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings.  Note: Start times are departure times from the meeting place(s), not arrival times, so arrive about 10 minutes early for organizing carpools.

New Directions to Westgate (Call leader for directions to other meeting places)

Scout Dates: If the hike leader is open to others hiking the scout, hikes might have a scout date listed.   If you want to go on the scout then call the hike leader.

SUNDAY NO. A1004-708 Oct. 3
Maddron Bald (Bernard Elias Favorite Hike series #6) *8:30 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 12, 3500 ft. ascent, Drive 150, Rated A-AA+
Ted Snyder, 864-638-3686, tedsnyderjr@bellsouth.net
900M *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at I-40 Tennessee Visitor Center (just past M.P. 447) at 9:30 AM. Spectacular old growth forest, tumbling cascades, fall colors and beguiling vistas add up to a memorable climb of a north wall of the Smokies. Six wet stream crossings. Return via Snake Den Trail. Car shuttle. Topos: Luftee Knob, Mt. Guyot, Jones Cove; also NatGeo map #317

SUNDAY NO. A1004-181 Oct. 3
Black Balsam & Tennent Mtn. to Graveyard Fields *9:00 AM
(moderate)
Hike 7.5, 1100 ft. ascent, Drive 75, Rated B-B
Cindy and Scott McJunkin, 828-213-9701 (cell: 828-712-9646), mcjive@aol.com
SB6K, P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at 9:40 AM. This scenic hike traverses 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, then follow the Graveyard Ridge Trail back to our cars. Car shuttle. Topos: Sam Knob, Shining Rock; also NatGeo. map #780

SUNDAY NO. A1004-033 Oct. 10
Ramsey Cascades (Bernard Elias Favorite Hike series #7) 8:00 AM
(moderate)
Hike 8, 2000 ft. ascent, Drive 160, Rated B-AA
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.com
900M This is one of the classic hikes in the Smokies. We will pass through a grove of old-growth tulip poplars on our way to sixty-foot high Ramsey Cascades, located in a rich forested glen. The drive and effort to reach this trail are a small price to pay for the reward. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at Exit 24 off I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Mt. Guyot; also NatGeo. map #317

SATURDAY No. A1004-578 Oct. 16
Flat Laurel Creek, Little Sam Knob, MST Loop *10:00 AM
Hike 7.5, 1000 ft. ascent, Drive 80, Rated B-B
Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
P400 This is a pleasant loop trail with views of Sam Knob, Fork Ridge and Flat Laurel Creek. We’ll begin on the Flat Laurel Creek Trail, which ascends gradually until we are hiking next to the creek, where we will stop for lunch. Little Sam Knob Trail, with views of Little Sam Knob and Sam Knob, connects to the MST. A one-mile side trip to Devils Courthouse will offer good views before we return on the MST to our cars. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at 10:40 AM.

SUNDAY NO. A1004-669 Oct. 17
NC 215 to Buckeye Gap and Fork Ridge 8:00 AM
Hike 10.5, 1500 ft. ascent, Drive 80, Rated A-B
Paul Dickens, 828-476-0010, psdicken@charter.net
P400 We’ll hike the MST up to and out Fork Ridge to beyond Green Knob for great views from overlooks along the way. We’ll see an unnamed waterfall that is said to be the highest waterfall in the eastern US, and then backtrack on Fork Ridge and follow the MST to Buckeye Gap. Wilderness area limited to ten hikers – call leader for reservation. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at 8:40 AM. Topo: Sam Knob; also NatGeo map #780

SUNDAY NO. A1004-165 Oct. 24
Mt. Le Conte via Boulevard, Alum Cave Trails 8:00 AM
Hike 13, 2600 ft. ascent, Drive 150, Rated AA-AA
Lisa Hart, 828-450-6986, tiw.south@gmail.com
SB6K, 900M This classic and exciting hike features great views from the AT, Boulevard Trail, our lunch spot at Cliff Tops on 6593 ft. Mt. Le Conte, and the spectacular Alum Cave Trail. In addition, you can check out the Le Conte Lodge cabins, and see many interesting old photos in the common room of the Lodge. Plan on a long day and an optional stop for supper on the way home. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: Rear of Post Office parking lot in Maggie Valley at 8:30 AM, but call leader first. Topos: Clingman’s Dome, Mt. Le Conte; also NatGeo map #317

SATURDAY No. A1004-427 Oct. 30
Soapstone Ridge 8:30 AM
Hike 10, 1200 ft. ascent, Drive 90, Rated A-B
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary.avl@gmail.com
P400 We will begin at the gauging station and follow a mild bushwhack up Soapstone Ridge to the Black Mountain Trail which we’ll follow to our lunch spot at Buckhorn Gap Shelter. We’ll then take the Buckhorn Gap trail down to the S. Mills River trail and back to our cars. Second Meeting Place: Pisgah Ranger Station at 9:05 AM. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Shining Rock; also NatGeo. map #780

SUNDAY NO. A1004-709 Oct. 31
Hawksbill & Tablerock Mtns. 8:30 AM
(Bernard Elias Favorite Hikes series #8)
Hike 5, 2060 ft. ascent, Drive 140, Rated C-AA
Ted Snyder, 864-638-3686, tedsnyderjr@bellsouth.net
This Linville Gorge hike will consist of two steep and strenuous ascents and descents (caution!), with spectacular views from exposed rock pinnacles. We will first climb Hawksbill on the Hawksbill Trail, then descend to our cars and drive to the Spence Ridge trailhead, where we will do a loop hike up and down Tablerock Mountain on the Spence Ridge and Little Tablerock trails and the MST. Wilderness area, limit 10, so contact leader for reservation. Second meeting place, if needed: Ingles parking lot off Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:50 AM. Topo: Linville Falls; also NatGeo map #779

SUNDAY NO. A1004-710 Nov. 7
Celo Knob from Cattail Creek *7:00 AM EST
(strenuous)
Hike 9, 2100 ft. ascent, Drive 90, Rated A-AA
Jake Blood, 828-678-0755, thebloods@hotmail.com and
John Whitehouse, 828-682-3217, johnwhitehouse@verizon.net
SB6K * Note change to EST today. Meet at Westgate at 7:00 AM EST (8:00 AM EDT) to form carpools, and meet leaders at the Cattail Community Center on Cattail Creek Rd. 2.2 miles from NC 197 at 8:00 AM EST. This new CMC in-and-out hike begins and ends at the cabin of one of the hike leaders on the west side of the Black Mtn. range. It first ascends from 4200 to 5700 ft. on an old logging railroad right-of-way. Lunch at the abandoned Isom mica mine with spectacular views of the Blacks and the upper Cane River valley. The hike continues up a locally known trail, “Grace’s Ladder”, to the top of Celo Knob at 6327 feet. Return to the cabin for drinks and supper (limited to 14 hikers--RSVP by e-mail to johnwhitehouse@verizon.net.) Topo: Mt. Mitchell; also NatGeo map #779

SUNDAY NO. A1004-711 Nov. 7
Asheville MST East *9:00 AM EST
(moderate)
Hike 8.3, 1200 ft. ascent, Drive 15, Rated B-B
Marianne Newman, 828-257-2136, marianneln@att.net
This pleasant hike along the MST around the eastern end of Asheville will start at the Folk Art Center and end at US 25. Car shuttle. *Note change to EST today. Only meeting place: back parking lot of the Folk Art Center. Topos: Asheville, Oteen; also MST Trail Profiles, pg. 50 - 53

SATURDAY NO. A1004-712 Nov. 13
Purchase Knob– Gooseberry Knob 10:00 AM
Hike 7.5, 1500 ft. ascent, Drive 80, Rated B-B
Bruce Bente 828-692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net. (leader change)
900M This new CMC hike will begin below Purchase Knob, climb up past the Ferguson Cabin Trail to the Cataloochee Divide Trail, then follow the ridgeline to Gooseberry Knob. Our return will go past the GSMNP Science Center.  Visit a historic cabin and enjoy spectacular views. Topo: Dellwood; also NatGeo map #317

Scout Report: This hike was scouted on 10/29. Great hike with spectacular views on a clear day. Trails are all in good condition. Due to the upper road being gated and closed when the hike is done, we will hike the gravel road for 1.2 miles, and the distance will be too much to hike to Hemphill Bald. The hike will turn around at Gooseberry Knob overlook, which has chairs and an overlook platform on which to relax and enjoy the great views of the mountains and valleys.

SUNDAY NO. A1004-671 Nov. 14
Raven Cliff Falls – Naturaland Trust *8:00 AM
Hike 10-11, 2000 ft. ascent, Drive 100, Rated A-AA
Jeff McGurk, cell: 864-921-6469, jbsbestfan@hotmail.com
*Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, stop at Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:35 AM to meet more hikers, and meet leader at Raven Cliff Falls trailhead at 9:00 AM. This new hike in Caesar’s Head State Park will go from US 276 to Raven Cliff Falls, then double back and follow the Naturaland Trust trails back to US 276 near the Visitors Center. There will be a cable crossing of Matthews Creek. Short car shuttle. Topos: Table Rock, Cleveland; also Mtn. Bridge Wilderness Area map

Scout Report: I scouted the hike for 11/14/10 solo on October 31, 2010 under great conditions. As everyone knows the first 3.3-4.0 miles of this hike is a lollipop. Then comes the descent down from the swinging bridge where I encountered significant erosion and many downed trees. Having gone down this route from the falls about 10 times, I can definitely say this particular trip provided the poorest footing I have encountered. I was shocked at the high water level at Matthews Creek, but was able to easily rock hop just downstream of the cable to save time. (The water at the top of the falls was also very high covering about 1/2 of the picnic rock with water.) The next several miles along Matthews Creek was again very easy but full of downed trees. The last 2.5-3.0 miles contains some significant uphills but all of distances less than .3 of a mile at a time. It also contains more up/downs and scrambling than I had remembered, with poor footing in many places and more downed trees. Throughout the hike I encountered about 12 downed tress, of which only 3 were any real problem. Looking forward to a fun hike.  Jeff

SUNDAY NO. A1004-051 Nov. 21
Hickey Fork / Whiteoaks Flats / Pounding Mill *9:00 AM
(moderate)
Hike 8, 1900 ft. ascent, Drive 85, Rated B-A
Tish Desjardins, 828-380-1452, desraylet@aol.com
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at US25/NC208 intersection at 9:45 AM. After the hike there will be a potluck supper in the nearby Bear River Community Lodge. 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. We are scheduling this hike for the third time this year in the hopes that the “third time’s the charm”. .Starting at the splendid new footbridge over Hickey Fork, we’ll do a nice loop hike using three different trails and finishing on the newly and heavily rebuilt Hickey Fork Rd. Topos: White Rock, Greystone; also NatGeo map #782

SATURDAY NO. A1004-479 Nov. 27
Kagle Mtn. *8:30 AM
Hike 9, 1100 ft. ascent, Drive 80, Rated B-B
Charlie Ferguson, 828-625-2677 (cell: 828-778-2431), ccf108@gmail.com
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:05 AM. This loop hike will start from Cathey’s Creek Rd. and follow an overgrown forest road to the Art Loeb Trail, with lunch at the Butter Gap shelter. We’ll return via a no-name trail for variety. Nice views. Topos: Rosman, Shining Rock; also NatGeo map #780

Scout Report:  Jeanie and I scouted this hike on Wednesday the 17th a beautiful day for a hike.  The first four miles of the hike are on the overgrown forest road.  That road used to be open to Forest Service and handicapped hunter vehicles, which had a tendency to keep the road from becoming completely overgrown.  Last winter there were a lot of small trees and tree tops that fell onto the road so that vehicles can no longer drive on the road.  Fortunately there have been enough hikers walking on it to keep a path open.  There are only 3 or 4 places where we will have to step off the road a little to go around a fallen tree. It's still a great hike.  The little used trail down the creek on the west side of Kagle mountain is still very nice with only a few minor obstacles. Long pants are necessary.  Charlie

SUNDAY No. A1004-373 Nov. 28
Yellow Mountain *8:00 AM
Hike 10, 2900 ft. ascent, Drive 125, Rated A-AA
Brent Martin, 828-587-9453 (cell: 828-371-0347), brent_martin@tws.org
*Hikers must contact leader beforehand to register. Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Franklin Bi-Lo at 9:30 AM. Get off US 441 bypass at US 64 Exit and go towards Franklin—Bi-Lo is on left side. We’ll hike in the Cowee Mtns on a heavily forested high altitude trail that ascends four peaks going in and three on the way back. Views from the Yellow Mtn. observation tower are great – a fine lunch spot. Strenuous but rewarding. A stop will be made at the rest area beyond Waynesville at 8:30 AM. Topos: Highlands, Glenville; also NatGeo map #785

SUNDAY NO. A1004-352 Dec. 5
Jones Gap Trail & Coldspring Loop 8:00 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 11, 1950 ft. ascent, Drive 80, Rated A-A
Carroll Koepplinger, 828-667-0723, carrollkoepp@bellsouth.net
We’ll hike up the Jones Gap and Tom Miller Trails past two waterfalls to US 276, then loop back via the Coldspring Trail. Several creek crossings which are usually dry unless there has been recent heavy rain. Second meeting place: Exit 53 of I 26, north end of Cracker Barrel parking lot, next to Upward Rd.) Topos: Standingstone Mtn., Cleveland, Table Rock; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness and Recreation Area Trail Map

SUNDAY NO. A1004-545 Dec. 5
Bent Creek #11 – Boundary Trail *8:30 AM
(moderate)
Hike 8.3, 1100 ft. ascent, Drive 25, Rated B-B
Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
P400 *The only meeting place is Ingles parking lot across from Biltmore Sq. Mall. From Bent Creek Gap we will follow the MST to the Bent Creek Boundary Trail, on to Ingles Field Gap, to Ledford Branch Rd and down to Deer Lake Lodge Trail and the Rice Pinnacle parking lot. Great winter views. Car shuttle. Topos: Dunsmore Mt., Skyland; also NatGeo. map #780 and Bent Creek Trail map.

SATURDAY NO. A1004-679 Dec. 11
Elk Pasture Gap - Mt. Pisgah via MST 10:00 AM
Hike 7, 2200 ft. ascent, Drive 45, Rated B-AA
Paul Dickens, 828-476-0010, psdicken@charter.net
P400 We will hike the MST from the NC 151 / BRP junction to Buck Springs Gap, then up to the summit of Mt. Pisgah. Great views from Mt. Pisgah and from Little Pisgah Mountain if clear weather. Our return will be on the Blue Ridge Parkway if closed. Pack for wind and cold. Trip is dependent on weather and ability to reach the top of NC 151 by car. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also NatGeo map #780

SUNDAY NO. A1004-418 Dec. 12
Newton Bald – Kanati Fork 8:00 AM
Hike 11.5, 3600 ft. ascent, Drive 120, Rated A-AA
Mike Knies, 828-628-6712, knies06@att.net
900M This great cold weather hike near Cherokee ascends Kanati Fork Trail, continues on Thomas Divide and then descends on the Newton Bald Trail. Nice scenery and a good workout. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: back of Post Office parking lot on US 276 in Maggie Valley at 8:30 AM, but call leader first. Topo: Clingman’s Dome; also NatGeo. map #317

Scout Report: Hiking enthusiasts!  It looks like snow in the Smoggies on Sunday.  Some of you have indicated an interest in the hike and I have no clue how many members at large may show up.  Personally, I find hiking in light snow (and no wind) fun.  It is also neat when there is a light covering as you can see all the animal tracks.  We will decide what to do Sunday morning based on who shows up and with a primary interest on safety!  My current thought is unless we know that the snow is heavy that we will in any event drive to Smokemont and get a report on the current conditions from the rangers.  We can then decide to do the scheduled hike or something lower.  I will check with NPS to get a better forecast as well.  Mike

SUNDAY No. A1004-444 Dec. 19
Avery Creek Loop *8:00 AM
Hike 10, 1700 ft. ascent, Drive 80, Rated A-A
Michael and Kathy Cornn, cell: 828-458-1281 or 828-458-1282, mcornn@aol.com
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 8:35 AM. A nice hike featuring waterfalls, beaver dams, and winter scenery. We’ll first climb to Buckhorn Gap via Twin Falls, then follow the Black Mtn. Trail to Club Gap, with our return downhill on the Avery Creek Trail.. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Shining Rock; also NatGeo. map #780

SUNDAY No. A1004-589 Dec. 26
Shut-in Trail & Lake Powhatan loop 8:30 AM
Hike 9.6, 1600 ft. ascent, Drive 15, Rated A-A
Bob Hysko, cell: 828-243-3630, rhysko@yahoo.com
P400 This loop follows the MST west, then descends Sleepy Gap Trail, skirts Lake Powhatan and finishes with three miles on the Bent Creek Trail with a dirt road connecting parts of the trail. Second meeting place: BRP French Broad Overlook at 8:45 AM. Topos: Asheville, Dunsmore Mtn., also NatGeo. map #780 and Bent Creek Trail Map