WEDNESDAY NO. W1004-469 Oct. 6
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center to Bull Gap Road *8:30 AM
Hike 8.7, 1650 ft. ascent, Drive 45, Rated B-A
Jim Ariail, 828-505-0443,cell: 828-778-8355, jimariail@yahoo.com
*Only meeting place: the lower parking lot of the Folk Art Center. This hike starts at the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center featuring great views on the MST to Lane Pinnacle and the historic Rattlesnake Lodge site. Topo: Montreat

WEDNESDAY Relaxed MST hike - Oct. 6
Folk Arts Center to Craven Gap 10:00
Hike 5.5 miles, about 800 ft climb, Rated C-C
Barth Brooker, 828-299-0298, barthb@bellsouth.net
Close to Asheville.  Meet at the Folk Art Center, lower parking lot.

WEDNESDAY NO. W1004-554 Oct. 13
Bent Creek Experimental Forest 8:30 AM  (note: the tour by a Forest Service staff person is postponed and this hike is substituted)
Hike 8, 1400 ft. ascent, Drive 20, Rated B-B
Lenny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, lsberns@att.net
A variation of hike 554 - loop on Bent Creek trails, including Small Creek and a connector from Lake Powhatan to the MST. North on MST to Hard Times Rd. and return through the Arboretum.  Topo: Asheville, Skyland

Scout Report: Lenny and I scouted his Bent Creek on a glorious autumn day.  Fall flowers were still blooming - white and purple asters, golden rod, gentians, even a few turtle heads.  The sourwoods are starting to turn red and will be even better next week.  The climb on the MST will be taken at a compassionate pace.  Then the hike is mostly down or level, ending through the arboretum.  Danny

WEDNESDAY NO. W1004-267 Oct. 13
Horsepasture River 8:00 AM
Hike 7, 1500 ft. ascent, Drive 105, Rated B-B
Jack Fitzgerald, 828-685-2897, suejackfitz@bellsouth.net
WC100 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet the leader at Pisgah Bi-Lo at 8:35 AM. Hike to four waterfalls on the Horsepasture River: Stairway, Rainbow, Turtleback, and Drift. This is as good as it gets, all top rated waterfalls and all entirely different. Relatively new access thru Gorges State Park. Topo: Reid

Wednesday Relaxed MST hike - Oct.13
Craven Gap to Tanbark Tunnel via Rattlesnake 10:00
Hike 4.6 miles, about 600 ft climb, Rated C-C
Barth Brooker, 828-299-0298, barthb@bellsouth.net
First meeting place Folk Arts Center Lower Parking lot.
Second meeting place Craven Gap at 10:15.

WEDNESDAY NO. W1004-584 Oct 20
Butter Gap Loop 8:30 AM
Hike 9, 2000 ft. ascent, Drive 75, Rated B-A
Stan Endlich, 215-290-8299, sjemiata@gmail.com
P400 The hike leaves from the fish hatchery via Cat Gap loop to the Art Loeb Trail to the Butter Gap Shelter and returns via Butter Gap trail back to the Pisgah Fish Hatchery. Second meeting place: Fish Hatchery at 9:10 AM. Topos: Rosman, Shining Rock; also NatGeo map #780

Scout Report: Jim Ariail and I scouted the hike on October 7, 2010. After crossing a bridge next to the Fish Hatchery we turned west and proceeded onto the Cap Gap Loop trail. This trail is well groomed with a moderate slope. We proceeded onto the Butter Gap Trail, which has a steeper slope. This trail parallels Grogan Creek where we observed three waterfalls. We arrived at a junction with five interconnecting trails that connects to the Art Loeb Trail. After passing a shelter on the Art Loeb Trail we proceeded across a creek and started to climb. We encountered a note on a tree indicating there were bees along the trail although we did not see any bees. We climbed further and reached a campsite near the east rocky incline (picture) of Cedar Rock Mountain. After leaving the campsite the trail is level for a while and then climbs to the junction of Cat Gap Loop. We proceeded north on the Cat Gap Loop Trail, which descends past the trail to John Rock then crosses a log bridge and proceeds along a stream and winds back to the Fish Hatchery along the Davidson River.  Stan
                                    

Wednesday Relaxed MST hike - Oct. 20
Bee Tree Gap to Tanbark Tunnel 10:00
Hike 6.0 miles, about 1100 ft climb, Rated B-A
Barth Brooker, 828-299-0298, barthb@bellsouth.net
First meeting place Folk Arts Center Lower Parking lot.
Second meeting place Craven Gap at 10:15.
No way around climb except by car. We will take it slow.

WEDNESDAY NO. W1004-250 Oct 27
Douglas Falls-Locust Ridge Circuit 8:00 AM
Hike 9, 2200 ft. ascent, Drive 60, Rated A-A
Mary Beth Gwynn, 828-545-6487, mbgcmc@gmail.com
SB6K Take trail to Douglas Falls, then continue through hemlock forest to MST. Left on MST to Greybeard Overlook on BRP (good lunch stop with great view). A 1 mile round trip side hike to Craggy Dome can be done during lunch stop. Go north on MST through blueberry fields to Locust Ridge, then bushwhack down ridge to car. Topos: Montreat and Craggy Pinnacle

Scout Report:  Bruce Bente, who knew where we were going, Barbara Morgan, Brenda Worley, Jon Sackson and I scouted this hike Saturday Oct.16th. We left Westgate at 8:30 and hit the trail at 9:45 am. We were back at Bruce’s car (this is a short 1 mile car shuttle) just after 4 pm. The scenic drive to the trailhead is part of the beauty of this beautiful hike. That, and a 360 degree view of the fall mountains. We took a post lunch break just to take it all in. NOTES to prospective hikers: We have an early start, 8 am, at Westgate. We will take a full hour at lunch to accomodate any who want to bag Craggy Dome as part of the SB6K challenge. There is a 2 mile bushwhack at the end of the hike that follows the nose of Locust Ridge. It’s not a difficult bushwhack and there is often a ghost of a trail. Nevertheless, if you are bushwhack-averse, this may not be the hike for you. Long pants and sleeves advised. Mary Beth Gwynn
   

WEDNESDAY NO. W1004-367 Nov. 3
Art Loeb, Grassy Ridge to Bridges Camp Gap *8:30 AM
Hike 8.5, 1650 ft. ascent, Drive 65, Rated B-A
Laura Frisbie, 828-337-5845, laurafrisbie@charter.net
P400, SB6K, WC100 *First meeting place at Ingles across from Biltmore Square Mall on NC 191.. Hike ALT to Black Balsam (6214 ft.) and Tennent Mtn. (6040 ft.), then descend to Ivestor Gap and hike down Grassy Cove Ridge to Big East Fork of Pigeon River. Two stream crossings, one or both of which will be wet, then up Bridges Camp Trail to MST and Bridges Camp Gap. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at 9:00 AM. Car shuttle. Wilderness area hike, limit ten, so contact hike leader for reservation. Car Shuttle. Topo: Shining Rock; Nat Geo map #780

Scout Report: 10/09/10    There were four of us scouting the hike and each would swear to that it was the absolutely most beautiful day ever in history on the Parkway.  Color was just coming out, not a cloud in the sky, perfect temperatures, and magical morning views of clouds nestled far below us amidst the peaks.  We hit the trail at 9:10 and arrived back on the Parkway at 2:50.  That included two nice breaks at water crossings worthy of being in calendar photos.   Next time  more breaks~! 

Wednesday Relaxed MST hike - Nov. 3
Greybeard Overlook to Bee Tree Gap 10:00
Hike 4.2 miles, about 730 ft climb, Rated C-C
Barth Brooker, 828-299-0298, barthb@bellsouth.net
First meeting place Folk Arts Center Lower Parking lot.
Second meeting place Craven Gap at 10:15.
Trekking poles useful for walking on rocks.

WEDNESDAY NO. W1004-213 Nov 10
Pinnacle, Rocky Knob and Graybeard from BRP *8:30 AM
Hike 6, 2000 ft. ascent, Drive 65, Rated B-A
Lee Silver, 828 668-7147 (cell: 828 442-6549), mhsrunning@yahoo.com
*First meeting place: back parking lot of Folk Art Center. Great views and side trip to Walker’s Knob a possible addition. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 8:45 AM. Topos: Mt Mitchell and Montreat

Scouting report for hike #213
With the help of Barbara Morgan and Steve Pierce we have pieced together the hike scheduled for Wed Nov 10. We parked at a pull off close to MM 355 on the BRP. This is just north of the turn off to Mt Mitchell.
The hike starts with a short walk to the Old Mitchell Toll Road going through a gate on the south side of the Parkway. Almost immediately you leave the toll road bearing right to hit the ridge trail. The trail is not blazed or maintained but appears to be well used and clear. It is a short, moderately steep climb to the top of Pinnacle (30 minutes with a steady climb). At the peak you have an amazing 360 view and can sit down on the peak and be in 3 counties (Yancey, Buncombe and McDowell). A short backtrack of several hundred yards connects you to the once “unscouted manway”. It took a lot of time and climbing around on two separate trips to locate this trail. It has been flagged, is steep at times and would rate somewhere between a manway and a bushwhack. It is not long however, before it connects back with the unblazed ridge trail. I see this as a much better option than climbing back down to the toll road and climbing back up to Rocky Knob (which Barb and I did on the first scout).
From this point on the ridge trail is not as heavily travelled as the section to Pinnacle. There are blow downs that make it hard to follow at times. However, it stays on the ridge line and it is manageable. As the leaves continue to come down, you have some wonderful views while hiking. This trail largely follows the Buncombe/McDowell county line and the water shed signs help you keeping on track. After about 1.5 miles a climb of 200-300 feet delivers you to the top of Rocky Knob. Yet again, you have an amazing 360 view. I hope to have a snack here on hike day.
From the top of Rocky Knob we found we had to descend some before reconnecting with the ridge trail. It is a little more that a mile to the top of Greybeard. The last part of this is a rather steep 400 yard climb to the top. Again……great 360 views. I hope to have lunch here. We will discuss a trip to Walker’s Knob. It would take 1- 1.5 hours to go there and back and there may not be time to do it with the time change…….we will see.
To return, I plan to back track along the ridge trail until comes close to the Toll Road (at about the mid point between Pinnacle and Rocky Knob). We will finish the hike on the Toll road, returning to the Parkway ( a little less that 2 miles on the Toll Road).
I am not sure of the total distance, since the scouts involved different routes and several misses. I am guesstimating 7-8 miles without the Walker Knob side trip.
Steve and I covered over 11 miles last week but this included a foray to the Walker Knob cut off and the discovery that the Montreat Graybeard trail has been relocated. We had several maps of the trail, and it did not go where they said it would. That resulted in a back track of nearly a mile and a return trip completely on the Toll Road that measured more than 4 miles.
The weather reports look good for Wednesday. We should have a good day for hiking and a great chance of having good visibility.
Many thanks to Barbara and Steve for their help on two separate scouts. I never would have found it all without their map reading and hiking skills. We all thoroughly enjoyed the area. It should be a great hike.

WEDNESDAY NO. W1004-008 Nov 17
Bee Tree Gap to Ox Creek Rd 8:30 AM
Hike 7.9, 1500 ft. ascent, Drive 30, Rated B-B
Joe Burchfield, 828-298-8413, Burchfield@niu.edu
A moderate hike on the MST over Lane Pinnacle and past the Rattlesnake Lodge site. There are several steep but short ups and downs and a long descent. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 8:45 AM. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle; also new MST Profiles, Pg. 58-59

WEDNESDAY NO. W1004-627 Nov 17
Montreat Ridges and Greybeard *8:30 AM
Hike 9.5, 3200 ft, ascent, Drive 30, Rated A-AA
Stan Endlich, 215-290-8299 , sjemiata@gmail.com
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Ingles parking lot off Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:50 AM. From Big Piney parking area on Greybeard, ascend to the East Ridge Trail via Rocky Head and follow old Trestle Rd to Greybeard and descend to Montreat via the West Ridge and Big Piney Trail. Great views! Topo: Montreat; also Montreat Trail Map

Scout Report:  Vicki Roome and I scouted the Montreat Ridges and Graybeard Mountain Hike on Saturday, October 23, 2010. The hike starts in the Montreat Campground at the Rocky Head Trail. This is a strenuous trail that climbs steeply (about 1,160 feet in 0.75 miles) to the summit of Rocky Head Mountain, which has a nice view of the valley. The trail intersects with the East Ridge Trail, which descends to the Old Trestle Road. We caught our breath while hiking the Old Trestle Road, which intersects with the Graybeard Trail. We continued on the Trestle Switchbacks that moderately ascends to Graybeard Falls and again intersects the Graybeard Trail. We proceeded to the Walker’s Knob Shelter and then to Walker’s Knob for lunch. The view of the Montreat Valley from Walker’s Knob is spectacular. After lunch we hiked back to the shelter and ascended up the Graybeard Trail, a moderate climb of 660 feet in 0.75 mile, to Graybeard Mountain. Views from Graybeard Mountain, which is the highest point in Montreat, include the Craggies and Mount Mitchell. We backtracked down the Graybeard Trail to the West Ridge Trail. The West Ridge Trail, which descends about 1,000 feet over 2 miles, is very rugged, rocky and strenuous. We observed the North Fork Reservoir to the west as we proceeded along the ridgeline. We proceeded down the Big Piney Ridge Trail, which drops about 1,200 feet over a distance of about 1.3 miles. We stopped at Rattlesnake Rock to get magnificent view of the Town of Black Mountain. The hike totals about 9.5 miles with a total ascent of about 3,200 feet. Expect steep climbs, rough terrain and intermediate ups and downs. Even though we tried to maintain a moderate pace it took us 8 hours to complete the scout hike. It is suggested you bring enough water and snacks to keep hydrated and maintain adequate energy level. Stan and Vicki
  

Wednesday Relaxed MST hike - Nov. 17
Greybeard Overlook To Balsam Gap 10:00
Hike 3.7 miles, 800 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Barth Brooker, 828-299-0298, barthb@bellsouth.net
First meeting place Folk Arts Center Lower Parking lot.
Second meeting place Craven Gap at 10:15.
We may take a little in and out side trip on Big Butt Trail.
If we do it will not add more than 2 miles.

WEDNESDAY NO. W1004-295 Nov 24
Pump Gap Loop 9:00AM
Hike 7, 1500 ft ascent, Drive 80, Rated B-B
Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@comporium.net
From Silvermine parking area, we will ascend to the AT, go to Lover’s Leap and return down to French Broad River, Hot Springs and our cars. Topo: Hot Springs, also NatGeo map #782

No Wednesday Relaxed MST hike today - Happy Thanksgiving

WEDNESDAY NO. W1004-310 Dec. 1
Jones Gap Trail: Pinnacle- Rim of the Gap. *8:30 AM
Hike 8.5, Drive 95, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Jeff McGurk, cell: 864-921-6469, jbsbestfan@hotmail.com
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Jones Gap parking lot at 9:45 AM. .At Jones Gap State Park in SC, we will go up the Pinnacle Pass trail over Little Pinnacle Mountain and take in two of the best views in the Jones Gap/Caesars Head parks. The way up includes some scrambling over boulders. We will have lunch at the second overlook. Then after back-tracking about a mile we will take a connector trail and return via the Rim of the Gap Trail. NOTE: There is a $2 charge per person at the park. Topo: Standingstone Mtn; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area trail map

Scout Report:  This hike is really a nice hike. After a brief stroll from the parking lot, past the visitor center, and a short distance up the Jones Gap trail beside the Saluda River, we turn onto the Rim of the Gap Trail and the Pinnacle Pass Trail shortly thereafter. Hopefully we are warmed up because the next 2 miles or so is uphill hiking with a little scrambling. We arrive at the first of our lookouts just across the valley from Pretty Place. After a brief rest we will continue to our lunch spot and second lookout about halfway down the Pinnacle Pass Trail. This spot is like a small "Table Rock". We will backtrack a bit and return via the Rim of the Gap Trail which has always been a bit eroded like a dried up creek bed. Other than some minor footing issues coming down, this hike is pretty easy once we get to the first lookout. The trail was in good condition when I scouted the hike on October 10, 2010, but I understand that a significant storm hit the area several weeks later. I look forward to having a great group for the hike. Don't forget the $2.00 per person park fee. I have attached a picture from lookout 1 and lookout 2 in order.  Jeff
 

Wednesday Relaxed MST hike - Dec. 1
Relaxed Hikes are planned for each Wednesday. They will be 4 to 6 miles with an elevation gain kept under 1000 ft as much as possible. Their location and meeting place will be dependent on the weather. If you are interested email Barth Brooker and you will be put on an email distribution providing up to date hiking information. barthb@bellsouth.net

WEDNESDAY NO. W1004-492 Dec. 8
Cookie Hike, Bent Creek Ramble *8:30 AM
Hike 7, Drive 10, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Ken and Carol Deal, 828-281-4530, cnkdeal@charter.net
P400 *Only meeting place: Ingles parking lot on NC 191 across from Biltmore Square Mall. Moderate loop hike in the Bent Creek area. We will start from the parking area for Cold Knob Road (479H off Bent Creek Road beyond Lake Powhatan). Using a variety of short sections of trails, we will hike up to the MST, follow it past Sleepy Gap, and descend by the Stambaugh Trail to the Lake Powhatan picnic area for lunch and a cookie feast. Bring cookies to share. The afternoon walk back to the cars is approximately 2 miles. Topo: Asheville; also NatGeo map #780 and Bent Creek Trail Map.

ALTERNATE HIKE
WEDNESDAY NO. W1004-i Dec. 8
Cookie Hike, shorter version *10:00 AM
Hike 4, Drive 10, Rated C-C
Sherman Stambaugh, 828-254-1736
*Only meeting place: Ingles parking lot on NC 191 across from Biltmore Square Mall. We will start on the Lake Powhatan Connector and hike to the picnic area to meet the other group for lunch and to share cookies. After lunch we will return to the cars.

Wednesday Relaxed MST hike - Dec. 8
Relaxed Hikes are planned for each Wednesday. They will be 4 to 6 miles with an elevation gain kept under 1000 ft as much as possible. Their location and meeting place will be dependent on the weather. If you are interested email Barth Brooker and you will be put on an email distribution providing up to date hiking information. barthb@bellsouth.net

WEDNESDAY No. A1004-422 Dec. 15
Big Laurel - Pump Gap 9:00 AM
Hike 7, Drive 70, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Charlie Ferguson, 828-625-2677, ccf108@gmail.com
Starting at Hurricane, we'll hike the Big Laurel Creek trail down to the French Broad River, then up Pump Branch to Pump Gap, and the AT past Lover’s Leap before ending in Hot Springs. Medium pace, not slow. Nice scenery along the creeks and river. Possible stop at the hot tubs & supper after. Reservation required for hot tubs - call leader and bring your swimsuit if interested. Second Meeting Place: Big Laurel trailhead at 9:45 AM. Car shuttle. Topo: Hot Springs; also NatGeo. map #782

Scout Report: (note: The ascent for this hike was mis-stated as 2400 feet which would make it a difficult hike.  It's 1200 feet which makes for a much more moderate hike).  Four of us scouted this hike on Saturday the 11th.  It was a little cloudy but the sun came out periodically.  There was a tiny amount of snow left in shady places.  This is a very nice hike along the Big Laurel Creek, with many pretty views of the stream, cascades and big and little pools..  The short steep ascent up to the Pump Gap trail was free from major obstacles which was nice considering that this is an un-maintained trail.  The ascent and walk along the Lover's Leap ridgeline has a number of nice views through the trees and at several outcroppings. This hike helps one to appriciate why the river is call the French Broad.  There are a few days of snow predicted for the area before Wednesday so expect that the trail will be snow covered and possibly slippery - bring boot attachments to help manage.  Pay attention to the CMC home page and the breaking news box - if the hike has to be canceled due to dangerous road conditions that is where it will be announced.
   

Wednesday Relaxed MST hike - Dec. 15
Relaxed Hikes are planned for each Wednesday. They will be 4 to 6 miles with an elevation gain kept under 1000 ft as much as possible. Their location and meeting place will be dependent on the weather. If you are interested email Barth Brooker and you will be put on an email distribution providing up to date hiking information. barthb@bellsouth.net

WEDNESDAY NO. A1004-209 Dec 22
Buckwheat Knob – Coontree Loop 9:00 AM
Hike 8, 1900 ft. ascent, Drive 70, Rated B-A
Barbara Morgan, 828-738-3395 (cell 828-460-7066), bcmorg@hughes.net
P400 From the trailhead at Coontree Picnic area, we’ll climb along beautiful Coontree Creek through open forest up to Bennett Gap and on to Buckwheat Knob for lunch, then return via the other segment of the Coontree loop. A moderate woodland hike with exceptional views from the ridgeline. Second meeting place: Coontree Picnic area at 9:40 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also NatGeo. map #780

Scout Report: Debra Palmer helped me scout this hike on December 2. It's a great hike for winter views, leaving from Coontree Picnic Area just below the turnoff to the fish hatchery in Pisgah Forest. Coontree Loop essentially serves as the means to get to the ridgeline trail out to Buckwheat Knob, and there are great views off both sides of the ridge, including John's Rock and Looking Glass Rock. The trail was in excellent condition. The club hike will be on Wednesday, Dec 22 and if it's cold and windy that day, wear extra protection since we'll be on the ridgeline for the majority of the day. Hiking time will be about 6 hours, depending on the speed of the group.

   

Wednesday Relaxed MST hike - Dec. 22
Relaxed Hikes are planned for each Wednesday. They will be 4 to 6 miles with an elevation gain kept under 1000 ft as much as possible. Their location and meeting place will be dependent on the weather. If you are interested email Barth Brooker and you will be put on an email distribution providing up to date hiking information. barthb@bellsouth.net

WEDNESDAY NO. W1004-268 Dec 29 --------- HIKE CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW
Hospital Rock to Pretty Place and Rainbow Falls *8:30 AM
Hike 8, 2000 ft. ascent, Drive 95, Rated B-A
Ann Gleason , 828-859-9387 (cell: 252-412-8132), gleason.ann @gmail.com
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Cracker Barrel parking lot (near road) at 9:00 AM. This strenuous loop hike in Jones Gap State Park takes us up to Hospital Rock and on up to the great view (and favorite wedding site) at Pretty Place for lunch. Then hike down rocky, steep trail to Rainbow Falls. Note: $2 charge per person in Jones Gap State Park. Topo: Standingstone Mtn.; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area trail map

Scout Report:  (2009) The first leg of the loop, up Hospital Rock, was very steep and rocky which made the 2000 foot elevation gain in the first four miles feel more like 3000. The views from the trail trail were great. The view from Pretty Place was also great and made a nice lunch spot. It was breezy and cold but we were able to find some relief in the shelter. The trail down to Rainbow Falls is also very steep and ropes were provided on 3 different sections of the trail. I chose to slide down on my rear but Charlie used the ropes. The falls is about 10 stories high and spectacular. The trail from the falls back to the car was easy especially compared to the rest of the hike. Brenda Worley 

...It is a VERY spectacular hike...it is also a very physically demanding one...And I am worried about who will show up for it as I don't want anyone who isn't steady and in great shape. The initial 2000 foot climb is often a rock scramble and the down hill by the falls is not for the faint hearted... The good thing is that it is on the sunny side of the canyon and the ice was not in the dangerous areas. the biggest danger was the heaved and then melted trail in the many steep downhill areas and cliff-cut sections..  Ann   It's recommended that hikers have ice cleates or yaktraks or something like that along on winter hikes after snow or freezing rain.  Bruce

Wednesday Relaxed MST hike - Dec. 29
Relaxed Hikes are planned for each Wednesday. They will be 4 to 6 miles with an elevation gain kept under 1000 ft as much as possible. Their location and meeting place will be dependent on the weather. If you are interested email Barth Brooker and you will be put on an email distribution providing up to date hiking information. barthb@bellsouth.net