Wednesday Hikes
Fourth Quarter 2004
Hike Ratings
First Letter Second Letter
Distance Elevation Gain
AA: Over 12 miles AA: Over 2,000 ft.
A: 9-12 miles A: 1,500-2,000 ft.
B: 6-9 miles B: 1,000-1,500 ft.
C: Under 6 miles C: Under 1,000 ft.
Also in the hike descriptions, the terms easy, moderate or strenuous reflect the overall trail conditions, the physical challenge and other factors influencing hike difficulty. If you have questions, CONTACT THE LEADER.
Wednesday hikes submitted by Ann Gleason 828-859-9387 cowbonetail@yahoo.com . Driving distance is round trip from meeting place. Hikes will assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near 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.
WEDNESDAY No. W0404-277 Oct. 6
Crabtree Bald 8:30 AM
Hike 7.4, Drive 65, 2355’ ascent, rated B-AA
Jay Bretz 828-658-1220 Williambretz1220@msn.com
This trail takes us through pasture and woods to the 5320’ summit of Crabtree Bald with views of all the 40 mountain peaks in WNC that are over 6000’. Fairly strenuous but gradual climb. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop on NC 209, exit 24 off I 40 at 9:00 AM.
WEDNESDAY No. W0404-403 Oct. 13
DuPont Forest: Reasonover
Creek Hike 8:30 AM
Hike 6, Drive 90, Rated B-B
Rusty Breeding 828-692-0359
Hikers to form carpools at Westgate and meet leader at Buck Forest Parking lot, Dupont Rd. at 9:30 AM. Phone for directions if necessary. A moderate loop hike in Dupont Forest which will include one boots-off creek crossing. Bring water footwear. We’ll see Fawn Lake, Corn Mills Shoals, Bridal Veil Falls, Lake Julian, and the Reasonover Creek Trail. Pretty photo ops. Topo: Standingstone Mtn.; also Dupont Forest trails map
WEDNESDAY No. W0404-404 Oct. 20
AT: Lemon Gap to
Garenflo Gap 8:30 AM
Hike 7.4, drive 125, 1720’ ascent, rated B-A
Curt Holladay, 828-692-9477 caholady@bellsouth.net
We will start the hike northbound on the AT at Lemon Gap and climb about 700’ up to the Walnut Mt. Shelter. The trail descends 600’ to Kale Gap through open forests and begins to ascend through Catpen Gap to the summit of Bluff Mt. (4686’). It is all downhill from Bluff Mt. to Garenflo Gap about three miles. Car shuttle.
WEDNESDAY No. W0404-405 Oct. 27
MST: Mills River Overlook
to Pisgah Inn, and return 8:30 AM
Hike 9.2, Drive 30, 2000 ft. ascent,
Rated A-A
Ken & Carol Deal 828-281-4530 KMCDeal@aol.com
P400 We will start at the Mills River Overlook and follow the MST across Little Pisgah, past the site of the old Buck Spring Lodge, to the Pisgah Inn. We plan to eat lunch at the Pisgah Inn so lunch break will be longer than usual. There are 2 steep climbs, with switchbacks. We’ll retrace our steps back to the Mills River Overlook after lunch.
WEDNESDAY No. W0404-002 Nov. 3
MST: Balsam Gap to
Mt Mitchell Rd via
Blackstock Knob 8:30 AM
Hike 5, drive 55, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Elisabeth Feil, 828-684-8719 hofeil@brinet.com
Only meeting place: Folk Art Center, lower parking lot. This moderate car switch hike is one of the great trails our crews have created. It includes part of the old Mitchell Trail above 6000 ft. Total elevation gain is about 1200’. Let’s hope for good weather to enjoy the outstanding views.
ALL DAY No. W0404-406 Nov. 10
Pink Beds to Clawhammer
and Return 8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 86, 1600 ft ascent., Rated B-A
Ruth Hartzler 828-251-0886 ruthmtn@aol.com
P400 We will climb from the Pink Beds (FS 477) to Club Gap. Then we take the Black Mt. Trail, climbing through Buckhorn Gap and along the ridge to the overlook at Clawhammer Mt. for lunch and 180° views. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station at 9:00 AM.
WEDNESDAY No. W0404-270 Nov. 17
Cedar Rock Mtn.-
John Rock Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 80, Rated B-A
Tom Sanders 828-252-6327 mel&tgs@main.nc.us
P400 This trip features two of the spectacular rock summits in the Pisgah Forest, with great views from both. Starting at the Fish Hatchery we’ll have our major climb up to Cat Gap and then on to Cedar Rock for lunch. We’ll return via John Rock. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station on US 276 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Shining Rock.
WEDNESDAY No. W0404-407 Nov. 24
Dill Falls 8:30 AM
Hike 5 miles, Drive 27, Rated C-C
Larry Ballard 828-891-4318 leballard@cytechcis.net and
Eileen McGill 828-891-4409 dolphins@ioa.com
Hikers to form carpools at Westgate and meet leader at side parking area of the Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:00 AM. We will hike to Dill Falls, a magnificent 70’ water fall. We will hike up the west side of Tanasee Creek from the point where Charles Creek Rd crosses the creek. There will be two stream crossings that require wading.
WEDNESDAY No. W0404-377 Dec. 1
Bent Creek Ramble to
Sleepy Gap 9:00 AM
Hike 7-8, Drive 20, Rated B-C
Gerry McNabb, 274-0057
P400 An easy hike from the Bent Creek Rd parking area on several trails in the Lake Powhatan area. If trail conditions allow, we’ll climb the Stambaugh Trail to Sleepy Gap at the Parkway and return in a loop.
WEDNESDAY No. W0404-408 Dec. 8
South Mills River Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 30, rated A-C
Greg Goodman 828-684-9703
P400 Hikers to form carpools at Westgate and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station on US 276 at 8:30 AM. We take the South Mills River trail to Wolf Ford and on to Squirrel Gap and Horse Cove, then the trail to Funnel top Road and back to the cars.
WEDNESDAY No. W0404-409 Dec. 15
Jones Gap/El Lieutenant loop 8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 80, 1650 ft. ascent,
Rated A-AA
Ann Gleason 828-859-9387 cowbonetail@yahoo.com
Hikers to form carpools at Westgate and meet leader at the Cracker Barrel parking lot (north side) next to Upward Rd., at exit 53 of I 26, at 8:30 AM. Additional meeting place: Jones Gap St. Pk. At 9:00 AM. NOTE: $2 fee per person for park entry. Starting at Jones Gap State Park, 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. From there, we continue on the Kimball Trail, walk a very short portion of US 276 to our return loop on the Tom Miller and Jones Gap Trails. Topos: Cleveland, Table Rock; also trail map of Mountain Bridge Wilderness and Recreation Area.
WEDNESDAY No. W0404-410 Dec. 22
Young’s Ridge Trail 9:00 AM
Hike 4.5, Drive 50, rated C-B
Diane Hankins, 828-298-2870 (before 9 PM)
Only meeting place: Oteen Ingles (near VA hospital on Tunnel Rd.) parking lot at the post office flag pole. A leisurely paced up and back hike from Old Fort picnic area; possibly a short trip to Andrews Geyser after the hike. Suitable for anyone over 10 years old (those under 18 MUST be accompanied by adult).
WEDNESDAY No. W0404-402 Dec. 29
Tom & Joan’s Meadow
Phone leader for time
Hike 9-10, Drive 70, ascent 2100, Rated A-AA
Tom Bindrim & Joan Lemire 299-1572
P400 This will be a hike from Camp Daniel Boone up Fork Mtn. to a place very special to Tom & Joan. Wilderness area hike limited to ten people. Please contact leader to reserve your place. Wear blaze orange: Bear and Boar season. Topos: Sam Knob and Waynesville: also Nat’l Geographic map of Pisgah Ranger District.