HIKE SCHEDULE
First Quarter 2003
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.
All Day Saturday-Sunday Hikes
Tom Sanders with assistance of Bruce Bente, 692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com.
Driving distance is round-trip from
ALL DAY No.A0301-202 Jan. 19
Dupont
Hike 8, Drive 60, Rated B-B
Rusty Breeding 692-0359, bree@ioa.com
Note later starting time. A moderate hike, close to home and at low elevation
for our coldest month. It will cover trails not covered in other recent CMC
hikes and will include
SATURDAY No.A0301-131
Jan. 25
Slate Rock Creek Trails
Hike 8, Drive 80, Rated B-B
Carroll Koepplinger 667-0723,
carrollkoepp@cs.com
Note later starting time. From Yellow Gap, we'll follow the Laurel Mtn. trail
up to Sassafras Gap, and then bushwack down to the beautiful Slate Rock Creek
trail, and back to Yellow Gap Rd. Topo:
ALL DAY No.A0301-221
Jan. 26
Newton Bald via Mingus Creek
And Thomas Divide Trails
Hike 11, Drive 130, Rated A-A
Tom Sanders 252-6327, mel&tgs@main.nc.us
Acquaint yourself with some of the best trails in the Smokies. From Ela (near
ALL DAY No.A0301-001 (Strenuous) Feb. 2
Case Camp –
Seniard Ridge Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 80, Rated A-B
Bruce Bente 692-0116
bbente@cytechusa.com
A short steep climb, some Mountains-to-Sea scenery, some beautiful woods and
cascades. See Looking Glass Rock lean over. Topo: Shining Rock
ALL DAY No.A0301-222 (moderate) Feb. 2
Montreat Ramble
Hike 7-8, Drive 28, Rated B-B
Marlene Santamaria 299-9095
Note later starting time. This will be a moderate loop hike starting in
Montreat and going up Lookout Mtn. along the ridge line to Pot Cove Gap and
down on the Graybear Trail. This close-to-home hike promises a good workout and
good views. Second meeting place at McDonald’s in
ALL DAY No.A0301-223
Feb. 9
Mountains-to-Sea Trail: Folk
Art Center to Ox Creek Rd. 8:00 AM
Hike 7.5, Drive 20, Rated B-C
Lewis and Jane Blodgett 274-7863
An easy, enjoyable hike on a choice part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in the
vicinity of Asheville. Diversified woods and periodic good views. Though
generally uphill, this is not strenuous. Second meeting place:
ALL DAY No.A0301-224
Feb. 16
Table Rock-Pinnacle Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 9.5, Drive 120, Rated A-B
Hank Czubek 864-292-6212
hankczubek@charter.net
This is a great hike with views and a good workout because of the elevation
gain of 2000 ft. We will start from the parking lot at
SATURDAY No.A0301-225 Feb. 22
Bent Creek: Stradley Mtn.-
Ingles Field Loop
Hike 6, Drive 20, Rated B-B
Bill Ross 299-7637, wrossmath@cs.com
Note later starting time. This moderate hike will begin in Bent Creek near
ALL DAY No.A0301-226
Feb. 23
Chasteen Creek – Hughes Ridge
Hike 13, Drive 120, Rated AA-AA
Larry Modlin 251-5092
lmodlin@warren-wilson.edu
Note earlier starting time. This loop hike starts in the Smokemont Campground
of GSMNP, and goes up along scenic Chasteen Creek. The last time that CMC did
this hike, we enjoyed hiking up into the snow and back down again. Although the
mileage is long, the park trails are well graded. Topo: Smokemont
ALL DAY No.A0301-097 (strenuous) March 2
Long Branch, Art Loeb,
Butter Gap Trails Loop 8:00 AM
Drive 60, Hike 12, Rated A-A
John Pawcio 299-8126
jpawcio@tycovalves.com
Highlights of this trip, which begins and ends at the Pisgah Forest Fish
Hatchery, are the McCall family cemetery and views from Rich Mountain, Chestnut
Mountain, and the Art Loeb Trail. Second Meeting Place: Pisgah Ranger Station
on Rt. 276 at 8:40 AM. Topo: Shining Rock
ALL DAY No.A0301-227
(moderate) March 2
Crabtree Bald
Hike 7, Drive 70, Rated B-AA
Lee Finger 651-9517
It is said that every “40 over 6000” peak can be seen from 5320 ft. Crabtree
Bald. We will start counting as we climb on a gravel road and through open
pastures to the summit. Count on an evenly graded 2350’ climb to our lunch spot
on the summit. Second meeting place at Pilot Truck Stop, Exit 24 of I-40 at
9:10 AM. Topo: Fines Creek
ALL DAY No.A0301-228
March 9
Fork Ridge: Sunburst
Campground to Mt. Hardy 8:00 AM
Drive 95, Hike 6, Rated B-AA
dwetmore@citcom.net
We’ll start at Sunburst Campground on NC 215. After an initial very steep mile
the climb slackens at Green Knob with spectacular views of Sam Knob, Shining
Rock, and other peaks. Then on to the summit of
ALL DAY No.A0301-229
March 16
Mountains-to-Sea Sequence
Hike: NC 151 to Chestnut
Cove Overlook 8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 40, Rated A-B
Lenny and Danny Bernstein 236-0192, lsberns@worldnet.att.net
Continuing our West to East traverse of the MST, we’ll hike 10 mostly downhill
miles over sections maintained by the CMC, including a section maintained by
your leaders. Topo: Dunsmore Mountain
ALL DAY No.A0301-127
March 23
Mt. Sterling via
Little Cataloochee Trail 8:00 AM
Hike 13.7, Drive 100, Rated AA-AA
Joe Cirvello 627-1797, joec@brinet.com
This new hike for the CMC will climb 3500 ft., and will take the Little
Cataloochee Trail past the old Little Cataloochee Church and the site of an old
mountain community, then ascend to Mt. Sterling via the Pretty Hollow and Mt.
Sterling Ridge Trails. Enjoy the great views from the
SATURDAY No.A0301-040
March 29
Mountains-to-Sea (Woodlawn)
Hike 5-6, Drive 80, Rated B-C
Diane Hankins 298-2870 (before
Note later starting time. Leisurely paced hike from Woodlawn picnic area near
ALL DAY No.A0301-163 March 30
Linville Falls and Gorge 8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 100, Rated A-AA
Don Walton 298-5084, grovedew@aol.com
We’ll descend to look at Linville Falls and then access the rocky, up-and-down
trail along the Linville River in the depths of the gorge. One of the great
streams of WNC. Then out of the Gorge via the Pinch-In Trail, 2000 ft. up in 1
mile. Strenuous. Map: Linville Gorge Wilderness, and Topos: Ashford and
Linville Falls
ALL DAY No.A0301-230
(strenuous) April 6
Wilson Creek 8:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 150, Rated B-A
Les Love 658-1489, lesrlove@aol.com
A beautiful hike in the Wilson Creek area, with many early wildflowers. Start
by Mortimer, go via
ALL DAY No.A0301-231
(moderate ) April 6
Cane Creek Gap to Pt. Misery 9:00 AM
Hike 7.4, Drive 50, Rated BB
Barbara Passmore, 828-667-8604, bpsss354@aol.com
This hike begins with a
steep ascent but then rises gradually to our lunch spot, where hikers will
enjoy one of the best perspectives on the entire Black Mountain Range. Return
by the same route. Topo:
Half-Day Hikes
Half Day hikes submitted by Elisabeth Feil, 684-8719. For the next schedule,
please call Anita and Richard Walkey, 681-2967, with suggestions. Leaders: Mail
sign-up sheets to this quarter's scheduler. Meet at Westgate unless otherwise
noted.
Half Day No. 8017 Jan. 12
Craven Gap to
Folk Art Center 1:30 PM
Hike 5.4, drive 14, ratedC-C
Jorge Munoz, 658-0606
jmunoz@buncombe.main.nc.us
A pleasant winter hike with good views from Haw Creek Overlook. Car shuttle.
Only meeting place Folk Art Center.
Half Day No. 8018 Jan. 19
Blue Wall Passage of the
Palmetto Trail 11:30 AM
Hike 4, drive 120, rated C-AA
Mary Swain, 828-863-2125
Note early start time. Mary has found a new hike in the easternmost portion of
the Blue Ridge Escarpment in South Carolina. It's a strenuous climb, but Mary
promised to take it slowly so we can enjoy the beautiful views. Leader will
meet group at second meeting place: Ingles at Landrum Exit (I-26, Exit 1 in SC)
at 12:30 PM.
Half Day No. 8019 Jan. 26
Chambers Mountain 1:30 PM
Hike 5, drive 50, rated C-B
Pete Steurer, 891-9802
msteurer@asheville.cc.nc.us
The group will hike up a jeep road to the tower on this prominent peak near
Clyde, with sweeping views of Haywood County and the Great Smokies. On a clear
day some of the best views in Western North Carolina.
Half Day No. 8020 Feb. 2
Sycamore Cove 1:30 PM
Hike 5, drive 70, rated C-B
Heinz and Elisabeth Feil, 684-8719
hofeil@brinet.com
This used to be Dottie Burton's hike. The trail starts near the Ranger Station,
leads up a ridge and then back down through the beautiful cove. Second meeting
place: Pisgah Ranger Station at 2:15 PM.
Half Day No. 8021 Feb. 9
East Fork, Pigeon River 12:30 PM
Hike 5-6, drive 90, rated C-C
Richard and Anita Walkey, 681-2967
walkey@juno.com
Note early start time. An in-and-out walk along one of Western NC's most
beautiful rushing streams, perhaps ringed with ice and snow. We'll see how far
we get within the ime limits, but hopefully to a large rock in the middle of
the river. Second meeting place: Big East Fork parking area on US 276 north of
the Blue Ridge Parkway, at 2:30 PM.
Half Day No. 8022 Feb. 16
Sams Gap to Streets Gap 12:30 PM
Hike 5.2, drive 65, rated C-B
Heinz and Elisabeth Feil, 684-8719
hofeil@brinet.com
Note earlier start time. Let's try again after the rain-out in the fall. With a
bit of luck we will have a pleasant walk on the A.T. with excellent views from
an old pasture just above Streets Gap. Moderate. Car shuttle.
Half Day No. 8023 Feb. 23
Swannanoa River Ramble Noon
Hike 4-5, drive 20, rated C-C
Diane Hankins, 298-2870 (before 9 p.m.)
Note the early start time. Leisurely paced hike at Warren Wilson Collge
includes the River Trail and Dam Pasture Trail through the woods to an old dam
site. Suitable for anyone over 10 years old (those under 18 MUST be accompanied
by adult.) Only meeting place is Oteen Ingles parking lot at the post office
flag pole.
Half Day Hike No. 8024 March 2
Sam's Gap to
Hogback Ridge Shelter 1:30 PM
Hike 4.5, drive 65, rated C-B
Neal Andreae, 698-2546
nandreae@gowebway.com
This is a retry of another washed-out hike. We'll walk in and out on the
Appalachian Trail. Maybe a little snow will make the woods sparkle. Moderate.
Half Day Hike No. 8025 March 9
Daniel Ridge Loop 1:30 PM
Hike 4, drive 70, rated C-C
Laura and Ned Stallard, 697-1579
This pleasant, moderate hike follows the Davidson River for about half a mile.
Then, after an easy climb over the ridge, we’ll go down to spectacular
waterfalls with a 90 foot drop. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station at
about 2:15 PM.
Half Day No. 8026 March 16
Douglas Falls Trail 1:00 PM
Hike 4-5, drive 60, rated C-B
Howard Mc Donald, 693-8258
hamcdonald@cytechcis.net
Note the early starting time. This in-and-out hike goes first to spectacular
Douglas Falls and maybe under the falls. Then uphill to cascades as far as we
want to go. Moderate. Topo: Montreat, Craggy Pinnacle.
Half Day Hike No. 8027 March 23
Raven Cliff Falls 1:30 PM
Hike 5, drive about 40, rated C-C.
Rusty Breeding, 692-0359
bree@ioa.com
Views toward South Carolina and maybe early spring flowers. Destination:
Overlook of Raven Cliff Falls. All uphill on return trip. First meeting place:
BiLo shopping center in Pisgah Forest (US 64, US 276, and NC 280), at 1:30 PM.
Second Meeting place: Raven Cliffs parking lot on US 276, just south of the
NC/SC state line.
Half Day Hike No. 8028 March 30
Carl Sandburg/Big Glassy 1:30 PM
Hike 4, drive 45, rated C-C
Boyd Brasington, 254-8675
We will hike to the lookout atop Big Glassy and maybe come back down by the
goat pens. Meet at Westgate Shopping Center.
Half Day Hike No. 8029 April 6
Slate Rock Creek—Pilot Cove 1:30 PM
Hike 6, drive 60, rated B-C
Bruce Bente, 692-0116,
bbente@cytechusa,com
This is a moderate hike up beautiful Slate Rock Creek trail, returning via
Pilot Cove loop trail. We should see some early wildflowers in bloom. Short car
shuttle. Second meeting place: Mills River Recreation Area parking lot at 2:10
PM.