Some hikes may have a scout date listed, if the hike leader is open to others hiking the scout. If you want to go on the scout then call the hike leader.

WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-652 April 7
Devil Fork Gap to Rocky Fork Rd. *9:00 AM
Hike 7, Drive 80, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net
*Be prepared for possible wet stream crossings. This hike ventures into the new Rocky Fork Tract purchase of 10,000 acres near Flag Pond, TN. The first three miles of this hike is on the AT to Flint Gap Shelter and on to Flint Gap and the entry into the Rocky Fork Tract. This route is also the path of a surprise attack on an Indian Camp in the early 1800’s. Car shuttle. Topo: Flag Pond

WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-694 Apr. 14
Mackey Creek Trail *8:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 75, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Joanne Tulip, 828-299-3495, tulipinnc@aol.com and Tommie Boston, 828-686-5029, tambee2@aol.com
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leaders at Ingles parking lot off Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:20 AM. From the Curtis Creek Road we descend steeply to Mackey Creek on a rough non-maintained trail. Hiking poles are recommended. Water shoes are also recommended for the several creek crossings. From the creek we ascend steeply on the Connector Trail to Lead Mine Gap. A two mile descent on the Hickory Branch Trail takes us to our cars at Curtis Creek campground. Short car shuttle. Topo: Old Fort

WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-401 Apr. 21
Laurel Mountain, Slate Rock *8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 70, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Greg Goodman , 828-684-9703, greggoodman@bellsouth.net
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at the North Mills River Parking lot at 9:00 AM. We’ll take Laurel Mountain Ridge Trail to the Slate Rock Creek Trail to the old road and back to our cars. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also NatGeo map #780

WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-695 Apr. 28
3 Waterfalls in SC *8:00 AM
Hike 6, Drive 200, 500 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Jack Fitzgerald, 828-685-2897, suejackfitz@bellsouth.net
WC100 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Cracker Barrel, Exit 53 on I-26 at 8:30 AM. We will visit three (and maybe four) waterfalls in South Carolina, all on the Waterfall 100 Challenge: Rileymoore, Brasstown and Opossum. All are in-and-out hikes, 3 miles round trip max. A long drive and long day, but well worth it with waterfalls and spring flowers.

WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-216 May 5
Sams Gap to Devil Fork Gap 8:30 AM
Hike 8.5, Drive 90, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@gmail.com.
This section of the AT features magnificent wildflower displays and nice views into Tennessee from the ridge line, traversing a series of knobs along an unusual section of the TN-NC state line where Tennessee is east of NC and the southbound hiker is actually traveling north. Car Shuttle. Topo: Sams Gap

Scout Report:  Greg Goodman and I scouted this hike on Tuesday, April 20. Trail was in excellent condition. Hardest portion of this hike is the car shuttle. Trail-head and trail-end are 13 miles apart on winding but well paved mountain roads which required 22 minutes of driving each way. To prevent waiting 45 minutes for the cars in open space during possible spring showers we will take enough cars: 2 five- passanger vehicles for every set of 5 hikers. This will allow us to hike or ride every minute. All cars will get off at I-26 Exit 50 in TN and proceed to Devil Fork Gap. We will drop half the cars here. All hikers will proceed in remaining cars (packed 5 per car) with their packs and boots to Sams Gap. After the hike we will repeat the process in the cars left at Devil Fork Gap. I will have printed driving instructions with maps for all drivers. Request hikers to clear unneeded stuff from their cars before coming to Westgate. Note that this hike does not have a second meeting point.
Trilliums were in bloom near Devil’s Fork Gap. They may be past their prime during our hike. Many others such as Mayapple had a long ways to bloom. There were many ramps. Our two GPS measured distance around 9+ miles and ascent 1900 ft.   Ashok

WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-041 May 12
Sugar Cove Trail to Mackey Mountain *8:30 AM
Hike 11.5, Drive 87, 2900 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+
Barbara Morgan, 828-738-3395, bcmorg@hughes.net.
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Ingles parking lot off Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:50 AM. We’ll take the Sugar Cove Creek trail and turn onto the Mackey Mtn. Trail to Mackey Mtn and return the same way. Topo: Old Fort; also NatGeo Map #779

Scout Report: Here's the scoop on the hike I'll be leading Wednesday 5/12. Some folks will meet and carpool from Westgate, leaving there at 8:30. Please park a bit away from the shops (more toward the river) as they may still be repaving the lot and need closer spaces for customers. The group will then come to the Ingles parking lot in Black Mtn, arriving around 8:50. That's where I'll meet the group - usually over toward McDonald's side of the Ingles parking lot. We'll take as few cars as possible to the trailhead.

This is Mackey Mountain via Sugar Cove Trail, #41 in the database. It's a hard hike, but a really nice one. The first 2.5 miles are on an old forest service road that goes by Sugar Cove Creek up to meet Curtis Creek Road near the parkway. From there, we'll be on ridgeline with good views to both sides for the rest of the hike to Mackey Mountain, and returning the same way. The whole hike is 11.5 miles, with a cumulative elevation gain of 2900'. Bring plenty of water, especially if it's a hot day. Long pants are recommended due to poison ivy in the first portion of the trail.

The trail had significant winter storm damage this year. Jim Reel did a lot of work on the trail in preparation for his Mackey Mountain hike earler this year. Prior to the official scouting hike, I improved access from the trailhead at the end of Sugar Cove Creek Road to where the trail comes into Curtis Creek Road, but I knew that much more work was ahead. On April 28, six hikers (Charlie, Stu, Stan, Keiko, Lee, and Mary Beth) joined me to hike and work the section from Curtis Creek to Mackey Mountain. By the end of a hard day, there was a clear trail for us to use on May 12!

Hope you can come!   Barbara

WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-249 May 19
Buckeye Gap and Haywood Gap Trails Circuit 8:00 AM
Jim Ariail, 828-505-0443, jimariail@yahoo.com
Hike 9, Drive 85, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
P400 Cross the BRP then go right onto the MST, left onto Buckeye Gap Trail at unmarked junction. Descend on old logging RR grade to lunch spot at river, and then climb on Haywood Gap trail to MST and back to the starting point. Wilderness area, limit 10, so contact leader for reservation. Second meeting place: BRP cold Mtn. Overlook (M.P. 412) at 8:40 AM. Topo: Sam Knob

Scout Report: Stan Endlich, Greg Goodman, and I scouted the hike on April 29th. The hike, as described, is not the hike that I scouted and will lead. I will not include the bush whack. We proceeded to the intersection of the Buckeye Gap and Haywood Gap trails rather than bush whacking down the old railroad grade to the Haywood Gap trail. The trail is a typical wilderness trail in that it is in need of tread work. There are numerous blow downs that can be stepped or climbed over. We did a lot of loping to ensure easier passage. There are several stream crossings that we were able to rock hop across. The trail was washed out near one stream We looked back after sliding down a rock and saw an easier route. The climb up to the MST on the Haywood Gap trail is strenuous.   Jim

WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-113 May 26
Cold Mountain 8:00 AM
Janet Martin, 502 494 9309, jaykaymartin@msn.com
Hike 10.4, Drive 70, 3400 ft ascent, Rated A-AA
SB6K, P400 From the BSA Daniel Boone Camp, we will climb and climb past laurel and rhododendron to Deep Gap, and then continue to the top of the mountain for great views of the BRP and Mt. Hardy. Wilderness area, limit 10, so contact leader for reservation. Topos: Waynesville, Cruso; also NatGeo. map #780

Scout Report: As usual, the first mile of the Art Loeb Trail is muddy, rocky, and slippery with wet decaying leaves. After the first mile, the trail is a delight. The trail is rough in places, but that is part of its appeal. This trail remains much as it was ten years ago and merits being part of a wilderness area.  The laurel buds are just beginning to open. The hillsides were covered with white blooms: false Solomon's seal, foam flower, Clintonia lily, and white clusters off what appear to be maple seedlings.  Due to a thunderstorm, I retreated before reaching the gap. Another CMC member hiked to the summit last Sunday and found no significant blowdowns or obstructions. After the gap, the trail is usually somewhat overgrown, so consider wearing long pants and bringing poles for the downhill section. A spring is available for water about midway between the gap and the summit. If we are blessed with clear weather, Mt. Hardy will be visible from our lunch spot on a rocky outcrop near the summit.  This hike is challenging but provides a pleasant refuge from the hustle and bustle of daily routine. Should be fun! Janet

WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-104 June 2
Wolfe Ford and High Falls *9:00 AM
Hike 7.3, Drive 80, 900 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Laura Frisbie, 828-337-5845, laurafrisbie@charter.net
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 9:30 AM. From the gauging station on the South Mills River, we'll hike this mostly level trail to High Falls, then cross the footbridge at Wolfe Ford and loop back to the trailhead. One possibly wet stream crossing. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also NatGeo map #780

Scout Report: We scouted this hike on May26.  Most of the trails are in very good condition with little evidence of the recent bad weather caused downed trees.  We added about a mile to the hike by taking the South Mills Riover trail all the way to the junction with the unmarked trail to High Falls.  This route inolved a very gradual descent.  After hiking up the Squirell Gap trail we arrived at the start of the Rigby Cutoff trail.  Most of the first half of the trail was very hard to find - years of lack of maintenance has allowed Nature to reclaim the trail for her own purposes.  This was more like a bushwhack than a nice walk in the woods, like it used to be.  Because of that this hike will be modified to go to High Falls on the unnamed trail along the ridgeline and return on the South Mills River Trail.  The difficulty will be about the same.  The stream crossing has been modified to a boots on rock hop.  Laura will lead the hike.  Charlie

---------  Saturday June 5th is National Trails Day - see the American Hiking Society website.  -------------

           Help finish building the Mountains to Sea Trail near Waterrock Knob.

A National Trails Day event: We will start in Asheville at 9:00 AM and finish about 3:00 PM.  This is a chance to help our trail crews finish one of the CMC's greatest contributions to hiking in the Mountains of North Carolina.  Experience isn't necessary.  Call 828-658-1489 or email Les Love for details.

WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-008 June 9
Bee Tree Gap to Tanbark Tunnel *9:00 AM
Hike 6.2, Drive 30, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Joe Burchfield, 828-298-8413, Burchfield@niu.edu.
*Note that the only meeting place is the back parking lot of the Folk Art Center. A moderate hike on the MST over Lane Pinnacle. Good mountain views and, with luck, the rhododendrons will be in bloom. There are several steep but short ups and downs and a long descent. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle; also new MST Profiles, Pg. 58-59

WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-566 June 16
The Roans *8:30 AM
Hike 8 Drive 130, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Adrian Lotherington, 828-484-9132, jaloth@charter.net
SB6K *ONLY MEETING PLACE: Rose’s car park (opposite McDonalds), exit 19B off I-26 in Weaverville. This in-and-out hike features great views. From Carver’s Gap we go over Jane Bald and Round Bald to Grassy Ridge Bald. With luck we will hit the rhododendron bloom. If time allows we will drive to the gardens and walk ½ mile to see the view from Roan High Bluff (small fee).

WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-471 June 23
Cold Mtn. Overlook to Bridges Camp Gap to Big East 8:00 AM
Hike 9.7, Drive 55, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary.avl@gmail.com.
P400 Hike from Cold Mtn Overlook up to Green Knob (Penny Rock) and to Bridges Camp Gap on the MST, then down to US 276. Short car shuttle. Wilderness area, limit 10, so contact leader for reservation. Second meeting place: Cold Mtn. Overlook at 8:40 AM. Topo: Shining Rock

Wednesday June 23 - Scouting Hike
Glassmine Overlook to Stepps Gap
7 miles, 2000 feet ascent
We will scout the July 14 hike and do some light maintenance.  The scout will locate and use a rarely used unmarked trail up and around the back of Potato Knob.  We should have some great views.  Your contribution to the light maintenance is optional.  Call Charlie Ferguson for meeting time and place - 828-625-2677.

MONDAY June 28  - Scouting Maintenance Hike 51
White Oak Flats, Pounding Mill, Hickey Fork
Hike 8, Drive 85, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
This will be a scout of July 4ths hike. Our Monday maintenance crew will join us to clear downed trees and perform other maintenance on the trail.  We will probably form three groups to hike to different parts of the trail and do the clearing.  This is your chance to see our crews in action and contribute to maintaining one of our trails.  This trail has not been hiked by CMC in many years.   The work that you contribute is your choice - light to moderate.  Tools will be provided.  Please call Barth Brooker for meeting time and place - 828-299-0298.

WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-137 June 30
Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge Bald, Roan Mtn. *8:00 AM
Hike 11.9 Drive 130, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Tish Desjardins , 828-656-2191,desraylet@aol.com
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at McDonald’s in Burnsville at 8:40 AM. Hike from Carvers Gap north on AT to Grassy Ridge side trail, then return on the AT to Roan High Knob and Roan High Bluff, and return to trail head. 360 degree panoramic views and flowers. Topo: Carvers Gap