HALF-DAY No. H0603-064                                                                                                July 2

Fletcher Creek via Spencer Branch Trail                                                                   1:00 PM*

Hike 6, Drive 6, Rated B-C

Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703

*Note early start time. Meet at 1:00 PM at Westgate to form carpools, and meet leader at pull-out just before Mills River Recreation Area at 1:30 PM. From the Trace Ridge Trailhead, we will hike in a moderate loop along the Big Creek Trail, past the Hendersonville Reservoir, and along the Spencer Branch, Middle Fork and Fletcher Creek Trails. There will be a few stream crossings.

 

HALF-DAY No.H0603-043                                                                                                     July 9

Frying Pan Tower                                                                                                                1:30 PM

Hike 4, Drive 45, Rated C-C

Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253, paularww@bellsouth.net

This easy in-and-out hike features a spectacular display of summer wildflowers and a 360° view from the tower. Call the leader if you wish to join her for dinner reservations at the Pisgah Inn after the hike.  Second meeting place Pisgah Inn parking lot near the convenience store at 2:00 PM.

 

HALF-DAY No.  H0603-525                                                                                                   July 16

DuPont Forest: Cascade Lake P. L. #2                                                                         1:00 PM*

Hike 4, Drive 94, Rated C-B

Becky Elston, 828-749-1886, belston@cytechusa.com

A pleasant loop with a break at the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls. Weather and conditions permitting we can walk behind the falls. *Note early start time. Meet at 1:00 PM at Westgate to form carpools, and meet leader at Hooker Falls Parking Area at 1:45 PM.

 

HALF-DAY No. H0603-068                                                                                                 July 23

Balsam Gap to Point Misery                                                                                         12:30 PM*

Hike 6, Drive 60, Rated B-B

Jorge Munoz, 828-658-0606, jmunoz@buncombe.main.nc.us

*Note early start time. This in-and-out hike begins at Balsam Gap (milepost 359.7) on the Blue Ridge Parkway and follows the ridge crest to Point Misery, with superb views of Mt. Mitchell and the Blacks. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 12:50 PM.

 

HALF-DAY No.  H0603-101                                                                                              July 30

Lower Big Laurel Creek                                                                                                 1:00 PM*

Hike 6, Drive 60, Rated B-C

Karen Bartlett, 828-645-0291, kbart@buncombe.main.nc.us

*Note early start time. This is an easy in-and-out hike on a rocky trail along a beautiful white water stream near Hot Springs to the site of an old logging camp at Runion. Over 250 species of vascular plants have been identified along this trail, including five endangered species.

 

HALF-DAY No.  H0603-465                                                                                               August  6

Sam Knob Loop                                                                                                                12:30 PM*

Hike 5, Drive 75, Rated C-C

Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net

*Note early start time. Newcomers who have not hiked with CMC before are welcome, but are required to phone the leader before the hike to determine hike requirements. Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form car pools and meet leader at Cold Mountain Overlook on BRP at 1:00 PM. We will take Sam Knob Trail, with side trip up Sam Knob, then left onto Flat Laurel Creek Tr.; right to off-trail up through spruce forest to MST; left to FS 816 and back to the parking lot.

 

HALF-DAY No.  H0603-057                                                                                              August 13

Blue Ridge Pinnacle                                                                                                         1:00 PM*

Hike 4, Drive 25, Rated C-C

Barbara Rathbone-Shoaf, 828-667-8684, barbararathboneshoaf@gmail.com

*Note early start time. Newcomers who have not hiked with CMC before are welcome, but are required to phone the leader before the hike to determine hike requirements.  This in-and-out hike starts on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Mt. Mitchell, with great views on top. Second meeting place Folk Art Center Lower Parking Lot at 1:20 PM. Hikers who are not familiar with how to get to second meeting place should phone leader for directions.

 

HALF-DAY No.  H0603-297                                                                                              August 20

Sam’s Gap South                                                                                                               1:00 PM*

Hike 5, Drive 60, Rated C-B

Gail Lamb, 828-350-0450, galmb46@aol.com

*Note early start time. Newcomers who have not hiked with CMC before are welcome, but are required to phone the leader before the hike to determine hike requirements. A moderate in-and-out hike from Sam’s Gap to the Hogback Ridge Shelter and return along the Appalachian Trail off the new portion of I-26.

 

HALF-DAY No.  H0603-112                                                                                              August 27

Black Balsam Knob, Tennant Mtn., via Art Loeb, Shining Rock Ledge                1:00 PM*

Newcomers who have not hiked with CMC before are welcome, but are required to phone the leader before the hike to determine hike requirements.

Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary@charter.net

Hike 5, Drive 80, Rated C-B

*Note early start time. This moderate loop hike features beautiful views of the mountains and perhaps blueberries. Second meeting place at Cold Mountain Overlook on BRP at 1:40 PM. Hikers who are not familiar with how to get to second meeting place should phone leader for directions.

 

HALF-DAY No.  H0603-247                                                                                                Sept. 3

Ivestor Gap Blueberry Hike                                                                                          12:30 PM*

Newcomers who have not hiked with CMC before are welcome, but are required to phone the leader before the hike to determine hike requirements.

Rusty Breeding, 828-692-0359, bree@planetusa.net

Hike 7, Drive 70, Rated B-B, 1,400-ft ascent

*Note early start time. Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form car pools and meet leader at Cold Mountain Overlook on BRP at 1:00 PM. Hikers who are not familiar with how to get to second meeting place should phone leader for directions.Hike 3 miles on an old railroad grade to Ivestor Gap. The hills beyond the gap are famous for blueberry picking.

 

HALF-DAY No.  H0603-349                                                                                              Sept. 10

Buck Spring Trail                                                                                                            1:00 PM*

Newcomers who have not hiked with CMC before are welcome, but are required to phone the leader before the hike to determine hike requirements.

Hike 6.2, Drive 50, Rated B-C

Jean Gard, 828-777-1814, jeangard@charter.net

This pleasant down-hill hike starts at the Pisgah Inn and ends at Rt. 276, with a car spot. Call the leader if you wish to join her for dinner reservations at the Pisgah Inn after the hike. Second meeting place: Pisgah Inn parking lot near convenience store at 1:30 PM. Hikers who are not familiar with how to get to second meeting place should phone leader for directions.

 

HALF-DAY No. H0603-222 Sept. 17

Montreat Loop #3 1:00 PM*

Hike 5, Drive 40, Elevation change 1200 ft.

Rated C-B

Joe Burchfield, 828-298-8413 (Note corrected phone number!) burchfield@niu.edu

*Note early start time. We will ascend by the Graybeard Trail to the Old Trestle Road at Pot Cove Gap. We will then follow a newly cleared and opened section of the Old Trestle Road (not yet on most Montreat trail maps) to Graybeard Falls. We will return to Pot Cove Gap by a short steep section of the Graybeard Trail and then retrace our path to the parking area. There are nine dry-foot stream crossings on rocks and/or logs. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald's off I-40 at exit 64 at 1:20 PM.

 

HALF-DAY No.  H0603-222                                                                                              Sept. 17

Montreat Loop #3                                                                                                              1:00 PM*

Newcomers who have not hiked with CMC before are welcome, but are required to phone the leader before the hike to determine hike requirements.

Hike 5, Drive 40, Elevation change 1,200 ft., Rated C-B

Joe Burchfield, 828-298-8413, burchfield@niu.edu

*Note early start time. We will ascend by the Graybeard Trail to the Old Trestle Road at Pot Cove Gap. We will then follow a newly cleared and opened section of the Old Trestle Road (not yet on most Montreat trail maps) to Graybeard Falls. We will return to Pot Cove Gap by a short steep section of the Graybeard Trail and then retrace our path to the parking area. There are nine dry-foot stream crossings on rocks and/or logs. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald's off I-40 at exit 64 at 1:20 PM.

 

HALF-DAY No.  H0603-524                                                                                                  Sept. 24

Bent Creek Gap to Hard Times Road & BRP                                                                1:30 PM

Newcomers who have not hiked with CMC before are welcome, but are required to phone the leader before the hike to determine hike requirements. Hike 6.6, Drive 25, 1,000-ft elevation, Rated B-B

Pat Elias, 828-687-1651, patelias@bellsouth.net

This is a pleasant woods walk on the old Shut-In Trail portion of the MST. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: French Broad Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 1:45 PM. Hikers who are not familiar with how to get to second meeting place should phone leader for directions.

 

HALF-DAY No.  H0603-318                                                                                                  Oct. 1

East Fork Pigeon River                                                                                                    1:00 PM

Newcomers who have not hiked with CMC before are welcome, but are required to phone the leader before the hike to determine hike requirements.

Hike 5, Drive 74, Rated C-C

Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, Rerikkers@aol.com

*Note early start time. This in-and-out hike goes along a beautiful stream.