Note: Start times are departure times from the meeting place(s), not arrival times, so arrive about 10 minutes early for organizing carpools.

Note to Half-Day hikers:  Barth Brooker, the CMC President, is leading a series of easier hikes on Wednesdays.  Some of these hikes may be appropriate for those that like a more relaxed hike.  See our Wednesday schedule for more information.

HALF-DAY NO. H1004-381 Oct. 3
Snowball Trail *12:30 PM
Hike 5.5, Drive 30, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Bobbi Powers, 828-667-5419, bobbipowers@live.com
*Only meeting place: back parking lot of Folk Art Center at 12:30 PM. This in-and-out hike has a steady climb (some hikers consider it to be steep) to High Rocks (Hawkbill Mtn.). Diverse and centennial trees to be admired all the way on the ridge. Stop for a snack at Snowball Mountain before return.

Scout Report:
- This hike will be 5 miles based on the turn-around point I have chosen. There is very little flat walking. There are many steep ups and downs,
            including a steep rock scramble over Hawkbill Rock.
-  There is one large, unavoidable yellow jacket nest within 1’ of the trail.
-  The trail is rather overgrown in places; long pants will be the wise choice.
-  This hike is not a good choice for those new to hiking.

HALF-DAY NO. H1004-706 Oct. 10
Big Bradley Falls - Little Bradley Falls 12:30 PM
Hike 3.5, Drive 60, 300ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Sawako Jager, 828-687-2547, Baiko70@aol.com
WC100 There are 6 wet creek crossings, so bring your water shoes, sandals, or old sneakers. The water level is expected to be above ankle to mid-calf high. We hike downstream along Cove Creek to an overlook to see Big Bradley Falls and back. This trip will not include going down to the base of the falls which is dangerous and is not required by the WC challenge. Then we cross the road to get to the trailhead and hike upstream about 3/4 mile to the picturesque Little Bradley Falls and back. Second meeting place: Cracker Barrel. Park near Upward Road. End of Cracker Barrel parking lot (NE Corner). I-26 exit 53, at 1 PM.

Scout Report: The hike is done as two in-and-out hikes from where the cars are parked.  There are 6 wet creek crossings instead of 4. Four of the crossings are about a foot deep, but 2 crossings are up to 2 feet deep. (Note: There are actually three treams to cross, but each one is done twice since these are in-and-out hikes.)  There are hazardous acorns on the trail to Big Bradley.  Poison ivy has mostly died down and is not a problem.  Going to the viewing area to the Big Bradley Falls involves some tricky scrambles with a short steep descent to a rocky overlook at the top of a high cliff--it is not fenced. But even if you are not comfortable going to this overlook, you can still see the waterfall from the trail.  The length of hike is short (3.5 miles) but it is not a stroll in the park so I will rate it as a moderate hike.  Both of the waterfalls had plenty of water and were beautiful today (10/1).

The leader would appreciate it if someone would volunteer to greet hikers at the Westgate, and then carpool to the second meeting place, Cracker Barrel at I-26, Exit 53. (Park at end of parking lot close to road).  Please let Sawako Jager know if you can. Baiko70@aol.com (H) (828)687-2547 or (C) (828)674-4067 and leave a message.

HALF-DAY NO. H1004-034 Oct. 17
NC 215 to FS 816 *12:00 PM
Hike 5.5 miles, Drive 85, 900 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Jane Laping, 828-277-7342 (cell: 828-772-0379), janelaping@sbcglobal.net
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Cold Mountain Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 12:40 PM. This hike will introduce many hikers to a choice section of the MST, including Devils Courthouse. Car Shuttle.

HALF-DAY NO. H1004-319 Oct. 24
Holmes State Forest *12:30 PM
Hike 5.2, Drive 75, 500 ft ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119 (cell: 828-674-1374), ashok.kudva@gmail.com
*Form carpools at Westgate and meet leader at Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 1:00 PM. Pleasant walk through Holmes State Forest The first 0.7 miles on Wildcat Rock Trail has a steep 450 ft climb. It is a well maintained trail with smooth switchbacks.

HALF DAY NO. H1004-349 Oct. 31
Pisgah Inn to US 276 12:30 PM
Hike 6.6 miles, Drive 50, 800 ft ascent, Rated B-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary.avl@gmail.com
Moderate downhill for 5 miles with views into Pink Beds area and then 800 foot ascent over 1.6 miles to US 276. Option afterwards of snacking at Pisgah Inn. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: parking area of Pisgah Inn, near convenience store, at 1:00 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H1004-035 Nov. 7
Looking Glass Rock *11:00 AM
Hike 6, Drive 70, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Nonmembers, call leader, Kathleen Hudson, 828-698-5208 (cell: 828-329-6939), mstish1325@gmail.com
P400 *Meet at Westgate at 11:00 AM to form car pools, and meet hike leader at the Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 11:35 AM. A moderately difficult well-graded trail leads to the top of this mountain with beautiful views along the way. In-and-out hike.

HALF-DAY  NO. H1004-054 Nov. 14    (due to a road closing this hike has been changed to the one described here).
John Rock via the Old Horse Cove Trail *12:30 PM
Hike 4, Drive 72, Rated C-B, 1295 ft. ascent
Nonmembers, call leader, Stan Endlich, 215-290-8299
P400 *Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form carpools; second meeting place at the Fish Hatchery in Pisgah National Forest on FS 475B off US 276 at 1:20 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 Trail of Cat Gap Trail (orange blaze). The John Rock Trail starts at a right hand junction off Cat Gap Trail. Great view of Looking Glass Rock and the Fish Hatchery.

Scout Report: Jim Ariail and I scouted this hike on November 2, 2010. The hike starts at the south end of the Fish Hatchery parking lot and goes up the Old Horse Cove Trail of the Cat Gap Trail to the John Rock Trail to John Rock. The Cat Gap Trail moderately climbs to the John Rock Trail which ascends slightly steeper to John Rock. The in-and-out hike is expected to take about 2 ½ to 3 hours to complete. There is a great view of the Fish Hatchery and Looking Glass Rock from John Rock (see picture).  Stan

HALF-DAY NO. H1004-295 Nov. 21
Lover's Leap/Pump Gap Loop 12:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 80, 1200 ft, ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
This loop begins on the AT with a climb up to Lover's Leap where we'll stop to enjoy the view. We'll stay on the AT until the intersection with the Pump Gap Trail, which will bring us back to our starting point. Second meeting place: Roses parking lot in Weaverville at 12:50 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H1004-707 Nov. 28
MST - Craven Gap to Haw Creek Overlook *12:30 PM
Hike 5.5, Drive 10, 700 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Jorge Munoz, 828-658-0606, jorgemunoz1927@hotmail.com
*Only meeting place: back parking lot of Folk Art Center. This is a delightful in-and-out hike along the MST from Craven Gap to Haw Creek Overlook where we shall enjoy beautiful views of the valley.

HALF-DAY NO. H1004-153 Dec. 5
Cove Creek/Caney Bottom Loop *11:00 AM
Hike 5, Drive 80, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Tom Joyce, 828-885-2152, tominbrevard@webtv.net
P400 *Meet at Westgate at 11:00 AM to form carpools, and meet hike leader at the Fish Hatchery off US 276 at 12:00 PM. This is a pleasant walk on a moderate grade through the woods, with streams, waterfalls, and a few large wildlife fields and a nice view of Looking Glass Rock.

HALF-DAY NO. H1004-638 Dec. 12
DuPont Forest Hooker Falls P.L. #4 - Cannon Creek to Rock Quarry *12:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 70, 500 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Becky Elston, 828-749-1886 (cell: 828-702-9508), belston@tds.net
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet hike leader at the Hooker Falls parking lot in DuPont at 12:45 PM. This in/out hike starts at Rich Mountain Road.

HALF-DAY No. H1004-429 Dec. 19
Hard Times Road to Rocky Cove Road to Bent Creek Road *1:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 20, 500 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Thomas Crook, 828-545-8545, tmc3017@gmail.com
*Only Meeting Place: Ingles parking lot across from Biltmore Square Mall on NC 191. From there we will carpool with drivers who have Arboretum member parking privileges. We will hike in the Bent Creek area from the Arboretum recreation parking lot in an easy loop including the Hard Times Road to Rocky Cove Rd to Bent Creek Road.

HALF-DAY No. H1004-499 Dec. 26  HIKE CANCELLED DUE TO PREDICTED WEATHER
French Broad River Greenway 1:00 PM
Hike 3.5, Drive 10, 200 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers call Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253, paularww@bellsouth.net
Get a little exercise and work off those holiday treats while viewing Asheville’s newest greenway. We will walk 3.5 miles from the Hominy Creek Park to the old French Broad River Park. Car shuttle.