HALF-DAY SUNDAY HIKES
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.
HALF-DAY No. H0603-318 Oct. 1
East Fork Pigeon River 1:00 PM*
Hike 5, Drive 74, Rated C-C
Nonmembers call leader, Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, Rerikkers@aol.com
P400 *Note early start time. This in-and-out hike goes along a beautiful stream.
HALF-DAY No. H0604-436 Oct. 8
Mt. Pisgah from the Pisgah Inn 1:00 PM*
Drive 44, Hike 4.5, Elevation gain 700 ft., Rated C-C
Nonmembers call leader, Laura Stallard, 828-697-1579
P400 *Note early start time. View autumn foliage from the top of Mt. Pisgah on this in-and-out hike. Second meeting place: Pisgah Inn parking lot at 1:30 PM.
HALF DAY No. H0604-381 Oct. 15
Snowball Trail 1:00 PM*
Drive 50, Hike 5.5, Rated B-B
Nonmembers call leader, Jorge Munoz, 828-658-0606, jmunoz@buncombe.main.nc.us
*Note early start time. This is a moderate in-and-out hike with a nice steady climb to High Rocks (Hawkbill Mtn.). Diverse and centennial trees to be admired all the way on the ridge. Stop for a snack at Snowball Mountain before return. Second meeting place: Craven Gap on Blue Ridge Parkway at 1:20 PM.
HALF DAY No. H0604-464 Oct. 22
Balsam Gap to Greybeard Overlook 1:00 PM*
Hike 3.5, Drive 44, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, Rerikkers@aol.com
*Note early start time. Although the distance on this portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is not long, this hike provides a good workout, with 400 feet ascending and 700 descending, with great views midway. Short car shuttle. *Only meeting place: Folk Art Center lower parking lot.
HALF-DAY No. H0604-062 Oct. 29
Daniel Ridge Loop Trail 1:00 PM*
Drive 70, Hike 4, 800 ft. Ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Pat Elias, 828-687-1651; patelias@bellsouth.net
P400 *Note early start time. After scrambling across the Davidson River on stones because of the washout of the bridge in Hurricane Ivan, the trail climbs gradually beside a lovely stream with small waterfalls. A larger waterfall is seen just before the end of the hike. *Note: If the river is flooded, a different hike will be chosen. Second meeting place: Fish Hatchery parking lot off FS475 at 1:45 PM.
HALF-DAY NO. H0604-533 Nov. 5
Looking Glass Overlook to Wagon Road Gap on the MST 1:00 PM*
Drive 70, Hike 5, 1500 ft. Ascent, Rated C-A
Nonmembers, call leader, Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886, ruthmtn@charter.net
P400 *Note early start time. This moderate one-way hike features great views from Green Knob. * Second meeting place: BRP Wagon Road parking area (M.P. 412) at 1:40PM. Short car shuttle.
HALF-DAY NO. H0604-434 Nov. 12
Laurel Mountain Trail 1:00 PM*
Hike 4-5 miles, Drive 40, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703
P400 *Note early start time This loop hike will start at FS 1206, go along a ridge trail toward Black Mountain and return via the Laurel Mountain Trail. There should be good views of the Mills River Valley.. *Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM to form carpools (call leader if not familiar with second meeting place); meet leader at the North Mills River parking area at 1:30 PM.
HALF-DAY No. H0604-522 Nov. 19
Hot Springs Loop 1:00 PM*
Nonmembers, call leader, Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net
Hike 3.6, Drive 90, 1000 ft/. Ascent, Rated C-B
*Note early start time. From the campground along the Vann Cliff Trail the loop ascends to nice views of Hot Springs and the French Broad River Valley, passes Spring Creek and then returns to the campground.
November 26: No hike leader available, have a Happy Thanksgiving!
HALF DAY No. H0604-344 Dec. 3
Pulliam Creek in the Green River Game Lands 12:30 PM*
Hike 6.5, Drive 60, 1000 ft. Ascent, Rated B-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Rusty Breeding, 828-692-0359, bree_lw@yahoo.com
*Note early start time. This pretty in-and-out hike goes along Pulliam Creek for part of the way. We may see kayakers on the Green River. Join leader for dinner at Cracker Barrel after the hike. *Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form carpools and meet hike leader at NW corner of parking lot of Cracker Barrel off Exit 53 of I-26 at 1:00 PM.
HALF-DAY No. H0604-102 Dec. 10
Coontree Loop 1:00 PM*
Hike 3.7, Drive 70, Elevation gain 1200 ft. Ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Gerry McNabb, 828-274-0057, gerrymcnabb@charter.net
P400 *Note early start time This hike is a loop along both sides of a lovely creek, with views along Coontree Mtn. ridge on top. Some steep areas. Second meeting place: Ranger Station on US 276 at 1:40 PM.
HALF DAY No. H0604-325 Dec. 17
Tanyard Gap to Rich Mountain 1:00 PM*
Hike 5, Drive 64, 1365 ft. Ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net
*Note early start time. After a gradual climb on the Appalachian Trail, we will be rewarded with an outstanding view of the Hot Springs area from the fire tower.
DEC. 24: NO HIKE LEADER AVAILABLE, HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!
HALF-DAY No. H0604-534 Dec. 31
Turkey Pen, Pounding Mill, Mullinax loop 1:30 PM*
Hike 5.5, Drive 55, 900 ft. Ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com
P400 *Meet at Westgate at 1:30 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at Turkey Pen parking lot at 2:00 PM (call leader if not familiar with second meeting place). This is a nice winter hike, low elevation and close to Asheville. We’ll cross the S. Mills River footbridge, then do a loop on the scenic Pounding Mill and Mullinax trails.
HALF-DAY No. H0701-320 Jan. 7
Warren Wilson College Ramble 1:30 PM
Hike 5.5, Drive 20, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leaders, Barry and Heather Fletcher, 828-299-4776, hmflet@aol.com
This pleasant in-and-out walk is along the Swannanoa River and through wooded land of the Warren Wilson College campus, on the River and Dam Pasture Trails.