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 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. Please phone the hike leader if you are not sure of the meeting location.

Important Note:  Parking at Westgate has changed.  We can no longer park in the south or middle of the lot (as we have been).  Park in the far north line of parking spaces past Earth Fare.  See directions above for a map.

HIKE CANCELLED -- No Hike Leader Available July 4

HALF-DAY NO. H1003-062 July 11
Daniel Ridge Loop Trail *12:15 PM
Hike 4, Drive 70, 800 ft ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Lucy Prim, 828-693-6580, 32lucette@gmail.com
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Fish Hatchery off FS 475 at 1:00 PM. This moderate loop hike has lots to “C”: Creeks, Chasms, and a Cool Cascade finale.

HALF-DAY NO. H1003-349 July 18
Buck Spring Trail *12:30 PM
Hike 6.2, Drive 50, Rated B-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Jane Laping, 828-277-7342, janelaping@sbcglobal.net
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet hike leader at Pisgah Inn parking lot near convenience store at 1:15 PM. This pleasant downhill hike starts at the Pisgah Inn and ends at US 276. Car shuttle. MST Profiles book, pg. 40-41

HALF-DAY NO. H1003-702 July 25
DuPont Forest: Buck Forest P.L.#1 *12:30 PM
Hike 5.6, Drive 94, 680 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@att.net
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 1:05 PM. We’ll see spectacular High Falls, three lakes and the site of an old DuPont film manufacturing plant where once 1000 people worked. The leader, a local DuPont retiree, will explain the exclusive use of these recreational facilities for employees and customers and the uncertain times during real estate development efforts after the demise of manufacturing, which continued until DuPont State Forest was established to delight hikers and nature lovers. Topo: Standingstone Mountain; also DuPont State Forest Map, rev. 3/20/08

HALF DAY NO. H1003-043 Aug. 1
Frying Pan Tower *12:30 PM
Hike 4, Drive 50, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Bobbi Powers, 828-667-5419, bobbipowers@live.com
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Pisgah Inn parking lot near convenience store at 1:05 PM. This is an easy in-and-out hike through a spectacular display of wild flowers to good views from the tower. MST Profiles book, pg. 40.

HALF-DAY No. H1003-465 Aug. 8
Flat Laurel Creek, Little Sam Knob, MST Loop 12:30 PM
Hike 6, Drive 80, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
P400 Beginning at Sam Knob parking lot, hike Flat Laurel Creek Trail to Little Sam Knob Trail and enjoy views of Sam Knob and early blueberries. Turn up Sam Knob Trail with views of Little Sam and Mt. Hardy. Then head north on Mountains-to-Sea Trail, with great views into Pisgah Natl. Forest, to FS 816 and our cars. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at 1:10 PM. MST Profiles book, pg. 34

HALF-DAY NO. H1003-168 Aug. 15  (Note: hike number and route has changed from the schedule in the Let's Go newsletter)
Pink Beds Loop                12:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 80, 200 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Tom Crook, 828-670-7251, tmc3017@gmail.com
P400 A 5 mile hike on the Pink Beds Loop Trail with a possible stop on the CMC built boardwalk over the pond that the beavers made.  After the loop we may visit  the Cradle of Forestry. We will visit a logging machine, a logging locomotive and logging history placards before returning to the cars. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station at 1:10 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H1003-464 Aug. 22
Balsam Gap to Greybeard Overlook *1:00 PM
Hike 4, Drive 44, 900 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Chris Allen, 828-645-0357, chrispallen@me.com
*Note: Only meeting place: Folk Art Center back parking lot. Great views and blueberries will reward hikers on this portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Car shuttle.

HALF-DAY NO. H1003-437 Aug. 29
Pilot Cove Loop *12:30 PM
Hike 3.5, Drive 80, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Lee Belknap, 828-698-9394, rivergypsy@sprintmail.com
P400 Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at North Mills River Rec. Area parking lot at 1:05 PM. This (shortened version of CMC Hike #437) is a moderate hike up to the top of the cliffs on Fork Ridge, which provides beautiful views of Pilot Cove, Pilot Rock, Pink Beds, and beyond.

HALF-DAY NO. H1003-222 Sept. 5
Montreat Loop #3 *1:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 40, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, rerikkers@aol.com
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Ingles parking lot off I-40 at Exit 64 at 1:20 PM. We will ascend by the Graybeard Trail to the Old Trestle Road at Pot Cove Gap, then follow a recently cleared and opened section of the Old Trestle Road (not on most Montreat trail maps yet) to Graybeard Falls. We will return to Pot Cove Gap by a short steep section of the Graybeard Trail, and then retrace our path to the parking area. There are ten dry-foot stream crossings on rocks and/or logs.

HALF-DAY No. H1003-533 Sept. 12
MST: Pisgah Ledges Section *12:30 PM
Hike 5.2, Drive 70, 1540 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Tom Joyce, 828-885-2152, tominbrevard@webtv.net
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at BRP Cold Mountain Overlook at 1:20 PM. Car shuttle. This will be a pleasant ramble along the MST from Bridges Camp Gap to Pigeon Gap and the Cold Mountain Overlook. Highlight of the hike will be a fairly steep ascent to 5056 ft Green Knob, one of the best viewpoints on the MST. Car shuttle. MST Profiles book, pg. 38-39

HALF-DAY NO. H1003-172 Sept. 19
John Rock Loop 12:30 PM
Hike 5.7, Drive 72, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary.avl@gmail.com
P400 This moderate loop hike, with good views from the top, starts at the Fish Hatchery parking lot. Second meeting place: Fish Hatchery parking lot, off FS 475, at 1:15 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H1003-403 Sept. 26
DuPont Forest – Reasonover Trail *12:15 PM
Hike 6, Drive 90, Rated B-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Becky Elston, 828-749-1886, belston@tds.net
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Hooker Falls Parking lot in DuPont Forest at 1:00 PM. This pleasant loop hike in DuPont Forest includes the Fawn Lake, Corn Mills Shoals, Bridal Veil Falls, Lake Julian and Reasonover Creek Trails, and features views of small waterfalls.