ALL DAY SATURDAY AND 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.

All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 828-692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com  . Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I-240 exit 3B UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

ALL DAY.  NO. A0603-475 July 2 Hump Mountain from Yellow Mtn. Gap 8:30 AM* Hike 9, Drive 130, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA Amy Treverton, 828-298-1882, athikerbabe@yahoo.com  *Note later start time. We will hike from Roaring Creek Road to Yellow Mountain Gap at which point we join the AT, along an open ridge to Little Hump Mt and on to Hump Mt where will have lunch on a grassy bald at 5587 ft. We return to Yellow Mt Gap and take the Overmountain Victory Loop back to the cars. The fabulous vistas and meadows full of flowers make the drive and moderately strenuous hike very much worth while. Topos: Carver's Gap, White Rocks Mtn.

ALL DAY   NO. A0603-526  July 9 Down the Incline 8:30 AM* Hike 7-8, Drive 80, 1350 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Tom Bindrim & Joan Lemire, 828-273-3880 P400 Some off-trail; historic; wilderness area, limit 10, so call leader for reservation. Are you inclined? *Note later start time. Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at second meeting place (phone leader for location.). Topo: Sam Knob; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY   NO. A0603-237  July 16 Plott Balsams 7:30 AM* Hike 9, Drive 90, 3400 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA+ Dave Wetmore, 828-884-7297, dwetmore@citcom.net  SB6K Note earlier starting time. Here is your chance to climb all four of the 6000-footers in the Plott Balsams, and see spectacular views of the Smokies and nearby mountains. From Waterrock Knob (6292 ft.), we will follow a very rough, steep trail over Browning Knob to Lyn Lowry (6240 ft.) and Plott Balsam (6088 ft.). Then we will hike back to our starting point and then to the top of Yellow Face (6032 ft.). The hike is strenuous due to the rough trail and climbing over fallen spruce trees on steep slopes. Wear long sleeve shirts and pants. Topos: Hazelwood, Sylva North

ALL DAY  NO. A0603-124  July 23 Clingman’s Dome and Mt. Collins 8:00 AM Hike 9, Drive 150, 2500 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA Lenny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, lsberns@worldnet.att.net  SB6K, 900M Two SB6K peaks! This beautiful hike was rained out in the last quarter, so we’re trying again, with a revised routing. We will hike the AT from Newfound Gap, over Mt. Collins (6188 ft.) to Clingman’s Dome (6643 ft.), enjoy the views. Second meeting place: Maggie Valley Post Office at 8:30 AM, but call leader first. Topo: Clingman’s Dome

SATURDAY   NO. A0603-242  July 29 Sam Knob – Devils Courthouse Loop 8:30 AM* Hike 9, Drive 75, ascend 800 ft., Rated A-B Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net  SB6K, P400 *Note later starting time. This hike in the cool high elevations is perfect for a hot summer day. From FS 816 we will ascend Sam Knob (6040 ft.) with its 360 degree views, then hike though high meadows on the Flat Laurel and Little Sam Trails and the MST via Devils Courthouse (with its great views). We then return via the MST across FS 816 and up to the summit of Black Balsam (6214 ft.), then down a short, steep manway to our cars. Second meeting place: Cold Mtn. overlook on BRP at 9:00 AM. Topo: Sam Knob; also Nat’l. Geographic PRD map

ALL DAY   NO. A0603-494  July 30 Buck Spring Gap to Rich Gap to Little Pisgah Ridge 8:00 AM Hike 10.6, Drive 65, 3200 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+ Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net  P400 This new CMC hike will start at the Buck Spring Gap overlook and go toward Yellow Gap on the Laurel Mtn. Trail. At Rich Gap take an old trail down to the Big Creek trail. Go up this trail and continue up on the Little Pisgah Ridge Trail to the BRP, and walk along the BRP and on an old trail to our cars.

ALL DAY   NO. A0603-241  Aug. 6 Mt. Kephart via Sweat Heifer Creek Trail 8:00 AM (strenuous) Hike 12.8, Drive 140, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Michael Cornn, 828-685-3442, mcornn@aol.com  SB6K, 900M This hike is designed to visit two of the best scenic overlooks in the Smokies, Jumpoff and Charlies Bunion and to climb Mt. Kephart (6217 ft.). From Newfound Gap, we will hike on the AT to Mt. Kephart and the Jumpoff, and from there to Charlies Bunion. After lunch, we will return via the AT, and then down the Sweat Heifer Creek (rarely hiked by CMC) and Kephart Prong Trails. Topos: Clingmans Dome, Mt. Leconte, Mt. Guyot, Smokemont; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

ALL DAY   NO. A0603-199  Aug. 6 Black Mtn. Campground to Green Knob 8:30 AM* (moderate) Hike 7, Drive 85, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA Janet Martin, 812-738-8154, jaykaymartin@msn.com  *Note later start time. Enjoy the beautiful woods as we climb Lost Cove Ridge on the Green Knob Trail from the Black Mtn. Campground to fantastic views and a first-class lunch spot atop Green Knob. After lunch it’s all downhill. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 8:50 AM. Topo: Old Fort; also USFS South Toe River, Mt. Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Map

ALL DAY   NO. A0603-368 Aug. 13 Bradley Creek & Riverside Stream Crossings 8:00 AM Hike 9, Drive 70, 500 ft. ascent, Rated A-C Tom Sanders 828-252-6327 tomary@charter.net  P400 Everyone had a lot of fun on this hike two years ago. There are about 25 stream crossings, but the terrain is almost level and you will enjoy the beauty of the streams and the diverse flora nearby. It is advisable to hike in tennis shoes and bring two hiking poles. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: NC 280 at Turkey Pen Rd. at 8:30 AM. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geographic PRD map

ALL DAY   NO. A0603-044  Aug. 20 Lost Cove 8:00 AM Hike 7, Drive 150, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Les Love, 828-658-1489, lesrlove@charter.net  Everyone enjoyed this hike in the Wilson Creek area last year, so we’re offering it again. It features spectacular waterfalls and the best swimming anywhere. Bring your bathing suit. Be prepared for several wet-foot stream crossings. Optional supper at Little Siena. Second meeting place: parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s off I-40 at exit 64 at 8:20 AM. Topo: Grandfather Mtn.; also USFS Wilson Creek map

SATURDAY   NO. A0603-357  Aug. 26 Pisgah Ridge Loop 8:30 AM* Hike 7.5, Drive 70, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Janet Onan, 828-698-3237, janonan@bellsouth.net  P400 Note later start time. We’ll do a scenic circle of the entire Graveyard Fields area, using the Pisgah Ridge Trail and MST to lunch at a beautiful overlook. Then we’ll follow the Graveyard Ridge Trail, with a side trip to one of the Yellowstone Falls. Possible blueberry sightings. *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at BRP Cold Mtn. overlook (M.P. 412) at 9:10 AM. Topos: Shining Rock, Sam Knob; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map and USFS Shining Rock & Middle Prong Wilderness map

ALL DAY   NO. A0603-267  Aug. 27 Horsepasture River 8:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 105, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Kathleen Hannigan, 828-230-4883, kathleen.hannigan@pgnmail.com  See the waterfalls – Drift, Turtleback, Rainbow and Stairway, ending at Windy, the finale downstream near Lake Jocassee, if the weather is not rainy. Second meeting place: Bi-lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topo: Reid; Also Sierra Club guide to Jocassee Gorges.

ALL DAY   NO. A0603-373  Sept. 3 Yellow Mountain 8:00 AM (strenuous) Hike 9.4, Drive 125, 2900 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+ Carroll Koepplinger, 828-667-0723, carrollkoepp@bellsouth.net  We’ll hike in the Cowee Mtns on a heavily forested high altitude trail that ascends four peaks going in and three on the way back. Views from the Yellow Mtn. observation tower are great – a fine lunch spot. Strenuous but rewarding. Second meeting place: rest area beyond Waynesville at 8:30 AM. Topos: Highlands, Glenville

ALL DAY   NO. A0603-049  Sept. 3 Walnut Bottom 8:00 AM (moderate) Hike 11.6, Drive 110, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-B Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@mchsi.com  900M Follow the sight and sound of a spectacular mountain stream through a beautiful forest to Walnut Bottom. Features to be seen on this hike on a wide roadbed are the Midnight Hole, Mouse Creek Falls and several rapids. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop, I-40 at Exit 24 at 8:30 AM, but call leader first. Topos: Luftee Knob, Cove Creek Gap; also Nat'l. Geo .GSMNP Map

ALL DAY  NO. A0603-465  Sept. 10 Sam Knob Natural History Hike 9:00 AM* Hike 5, Drive 70, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated C-B Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886, ruthmtn@charter.net  & Ben Prater, SABP P400, SB6K *Note later start time. This is a joint natural history hike with the Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project. During the hike, Ecologist Ben Prater will stop frequently to describe natural features of the landscape. The hike starts at one of the highest trailheads in Western North Carolina. At 5800 ft., you’ll be hiking through a high-elevation environment more typical to southern Canada than the Southeast. We will pass through a large meadow before ascending Sam Knob (6040 ft.), a spectacular two-peaked mountain rising above the waters of Flat Laurel Creek and the surrounding meadows. While there is no true timberline in these mountains, “balds” like this have a hard time re-establishing themselves once cleared by fire or man. There is a grassy, shrubby saddle between the two knobs, and a large outcropping of white quartz juts from a meadow beside the trail. After Sam Knob, we will continue through meadows and hike back to our cars via the Flat Laurel Trail. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. overlook at 9:40 AM. Topo: Sam Knob; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY   NO. A0603-367  Sept. 17 Art Loeb, Grassy Cove Ridge to Bridges Camp Gap 8:00 AM Hike 9, Drive 65, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated A-B Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net  P400, SB6K Beginning with a climb up a short, steep manway to Black Balsam (6214 ft.) then follow the ridgeline to Tennent Mtn (6040 ft.) and Ivestor Gap. Then we’ll hike down Grassy Cove Ridge to the Big East Fork of the Pigeon River. Two wet stream crossings. From there we’ll hike to Skinny Dip Falls, and then end at Bridges Camp Gap. Short car shuttle required at end. This is a Wilderness area hike limited to ten people. Please contact hike leader to reserve your place. Second meeting place: Cold Mtn. overlook on BRP at 8:30 A.M. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geographic PRD map

ALL DAY   NO. A0603-091  Sept. 24 Black Mountains Circuit 8:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 65, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Becky Smucker, 828-298-5013, bsmucker@charter.net  SB6K Beginning at Mt. Mitchell parking lot, we proceed south along the Old Mitchell Trail via a short bushwhack to Mt. Hallback (6320 ft.), then to 6571 ft. Mt. Gibbes We will return on the Commissary and Old Mt. Mitchell Trails and climb the tower on 6684 ft. Mt. Mitchell if it is still there. Second meeting place: Craven Gap ay 8:20 AM. Topos: Mt. Mitchell, Montreat

SATURDAY   NO. A0603-527  Sept. 30 Chattooga River & Ellicott Rock 8:00 AM Hike 8.5, Drive 140, 950 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.org  Hike along the Chattooga River, a Wild and Scenic River. A long drive, but a unique and historic place: three states come together; their junction marked with inscriptions almost 200 years old. Well-maintained trails with gentle grades. This hike is the CMC contribution to the WNC "Together We Read" program, which, this year, is reading "Saints at the River", by Ron Rash, about a girl who drowned in the Chattooga River and the conflict between the parents who attempt to recover the body and the environmentalists who want to keep the river wild. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM Topo: Tamassee; also Nat'l. Geographic Nantahala & Cullasaja Gorges map

ALL DAY   NO. A0603-528  Oct. 1 AT: Carmen – Allen Gap 8:00 AM (strenuous) Hike 13.5, Drive 95, 3300 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA+ Charlie Ferguson, 828-398-0213, ccferguson111@charter.net  and Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com  A strenuous hike with great payback. This AT hike features great views from the Firescald Knob relo, Blackstock Cliff and White Rock Cliffs, and the Camp Creek Bald fire tower. The Fork Ridge Trail will be used to access the AT from the Carmen area. Key swap. Topos: Greystone, Davy Crockett Lake, Hot Springs; also Nat’l. Geo. French Broad & Nolichucky Rivers map

ALL DAY   NO. A0603-249  Oct. 1 Haywood Gap / Buckeye Gap 8:30 AM* (moderate) Hike 9, Drive 80, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Larry Modlin, 828-230-9282, lmodlin@warren-wilson.edu  P400 *Note later start time. Follow MST, then scenic Haywood Gap Stream down on rough trail through the Middle Prong Wilderness to junction with Buckeye Gap Trail. Climb up onto ridge to more open forest, then follow old logging RR grade up. Wilderness area hike, limited to ten hikers—call leader for reservations. Second meeting place:BRP Cold Mtn. overlook at 9:00 AM. Topo: Sam Knob

Nantahala Hiking and Rafting Weekend Oct. 6 - 8 We will stay at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser in the Nantahala Gorge. Challenging and moderate hikes are scheduled. In addition, you can raft and bike. This is also a perfect family weekend. All the information will be posted on the e-News including the planned hikes and reduced room rates. If you want the details mailed to you, send me a self-addressed stamped envelope to Danny Bernstein 488 Kimberly Ave. Asheville, NC 28804. danny@hikertohiker.org