All Day Saturday and Sunday Hike

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. A 0603-528 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. A 0603-249 Oct. 1 Haywood Gap / Buckeye Gap 8:30 AM* (moderate) Hike 9, Drive 80, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Larry Modlin, 828-251-5092, 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 is 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

ALL DAY No. A 0604-082 Oct. 15 The Blacks Beyond 6000 7:30 AM (strenuous) Hike 11.3, Drive 125, 3000 ft. (northbound) or 6000 ft. (southbound) ascent, Rated AA-AA+ Charlie Ferguson, 828-398-0213, ccf108@gmail.com (southbound) & Don Gardner 828-754-4067 gardog3@charter.net (northbound) SB6K Note earlier starting time. Key-swap hike. This is your chance to bag seven SB6K peaks on this very strenuous hike. The southbound initial climb is 3100 ft., and there’s much more climbing in the ups and downs between peaks. North-bounders get to go down the 3100 ft. The hike is great fun with incomparable views, but do not consider this unless you are in top shape. Bring extra water. Participants should phone a leader beforehand. Second meeting place: Phone leader. Topos: Celo, Mt. Mitchell; also PNF South Toe River, Mount Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Map

ALL DAY No. A 0604-265 Oct. 22 Panthertown Prowl #5 8:00 AM Hike 8-10, Drive 120, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Joe Cirvello, 828-252-2721, cirvello25@bellsouth.net This will be our annual exploration of beautiful Panthertown valley, and again is timed for the brightest leaf colors. Our route this year will be determined by a scouting trip and will be posted on the E-Newsletter at a later time. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM Topo: Big Ridge; also Nat’l. Geo. Nantahala & Cullasaja Gorges map

SATURDAY No. A 0604-422 Oct. 28 Big Laurel - Pump Gap 9:00 AM* Hike 7, Drive 70, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA Amy Treverton, 828-298-1882, athikerbabe@yahoo.com *Note later start time. 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 at the hot tubs in Hot Springs. Nice scenery along the creeks and river. Bring your swimsuit and plan on stopping at either the hot tubs and/or supper. Please contact Amy if you plan to use the hot tubs so she can make reservations. Car shuttle. Topo: Hot Springs; also Nat’l. Geo. French Broad & Nolichucky Rivers map

ALL DAY No. A 0604-217 Oct. 29 Sandy Mush Bald Ramble 8:00AM Hike 9.5, Drive 40, 3100 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+ Rob Resnick 828-255-8066 rob@reschiro.com. This will be a car shuttle hike. The group will hike up Long Branch Cove and traverse the ridge tops of the Newfound Mountains with their great views and lunch atop Sandy Mush Bald. Some cross-country hiking required, and be prepared to cross a few barbed-wire fences. Thanks to Long Branch Environmental Education Center for providing access and coordinating permission from contiguous landowners. If the weather is clear, the views do not get any better! Topos: Sandy Mush, Fines Creek

ALL DAY No. A 0604-406 Nov. 5 Pink Beds to Clawhammer and Return 8:30 AM* (strenuous) Hike 8, Drive 86, 2300 ft ascent, Rated B-AA Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net P400 *Note later start time We will climb from the Pink Beds (FS 477) to Club Gap. Then we take the Black Mt. Trail, climbing through Buckhorn Gap and along the ridge to the overlook at Clawhammer Mt. for lunch and 180 degree views. *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station at 9:00 AM. Topos: Shining Rock, Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY No. A 0604-526 Nov. 5 Down the Incline 8:40 AM* (moderate) Hike 8, Drive 80, 1350 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Tom Bindrim & Joan Lemire, 828-273-3880 P400 This hike is being repeated for those who missed it last time. Some off-trail; historic; wilderness area, limit 10, so call leader for reservation. Are you inclined? *Note later start time. Meet at Westgate at 8:40 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. A 0604-270 Nov. 12 Cedar Rock Mtn.- John Rock Loop 8:30 AM* Hike 8, Drive 80, Rated B-A Carroll Koepplinger, 828-667-0723, carrollkoepp@bellsouth.net P400 *Note later start time. This trip features two of the spectacular rock summits in the Pisgah Forest, with great views from both. Starting at the Fish Hatchery, we’ll have our major climb up to Cat Gap and then on to Cedar Rock for lunch. We’ll return via John Rock. Second meeting place: Pisgah Fish Hatchery at 9:10 AM. Topo: Shining Rock.

ALL DAY No. A 0604-535 Nov. 19 Indian Creek – Sunkota Ridge loop 7:30 AM* Hike 12, Drive 135, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Marianne Newman, 828-454-1036, marianneln@msn.com 900M *Note early start time. Form carpools at Westgate at 7:30 AM and meet leader at rest area on US23/74 beyond Waynesville at 8:00 AM. We’ll make a loop using Indian Creek and Martin’s Gap trails, then down Sunkota Ridge and Deep Creek Trails, admiring three waterfalls and lovely winter views (if the weather cooperates) of Noland and Thomas Divides. Since the hike is long and the daylight is short, a fairly brisk pace will prevail. Topos: Bryson City, Clingman’s Dome; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

BACKPACK No. A 0604-536 Nov. 24 - 26 Backpack in the Smokies: Newfound Gap – Davenport Gap Hike 31.3, Drive 250, 5500 ft. ascent, Rated AA+-AA+ Paul Benson, 828-251-1909, pdbenson@charter.net 900M This is a challenging three-day backpack. We will traverse the eastern half of Great Smoky Mountains National Park via the Appalachian Trail. The views should be outstanding from this high ridgeline. Expect winter conditions. Day 1: We will drop a vehicle at Davenport Gap and drive up to Newfound Gap where we will hike the AT 10.4 miles to the Pecks Corner shelter; Day 2: Continue on the AT 12.9 miles to the Cosby Knob shelter; Day 3: Continue on the AT 8 miles to Davenport Gap. Participants must be experienced in cold weather backpacking, be strong hikers and have a spirit of adventure. We will cross a remote area from which rescue is extremely difficult. Meeting place and time: Call leader. Space is limited to eight hikers so please verify that you can attend before reserving a spot. Topos: Clingman’s Dome, Mt. LeConte, Mt. Guyot, Luftee Knob, Hartford; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

SATURDAY No. A 0604-278 Nov. 25 Kitsuma Peak 9:00 AM* Hike 8, Drive 60, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net *Note later starting time. Our hike up Young’s Ridge offers great views of Greybeard, Green Knob and the Mt. Mitchell area. Also there’s a grandstand view of the Swannanoa valley from our lunch spot. Second meeting place: parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s in Black Mtn. (I-40 exit 64) at 9:20 AM. Topos: Old Fort, Black Mtn.

ALL DAYNo. A 0604-397 Nov. 26 Bad Fork – Chestnut Cove Overlook 8:30 AM* (moderate) Hike 9.5, Drive 5, 950 ft. ascent, Rated A-C Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net P400 Note later start time. This is an in-and-out hike, beginning at the Trace Ridge trailhead. We will hike up Bad Fork to the BRP (a steep 700 ft. ascent for the second mile). At Bent Creek Gap, we will follow the MST to the Chestnut Cove Overlook, enjoy a beautiful view during lunch, then return to the parking area. *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Trace Ridge parking lot at 9:00 AM. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map, and MST Profiles, pgs. 55-56

ALL DAY No. A 0604-537 Dec. 3 Pinnacle Pass – Rim of the Gap –Coggins Loop 8:00 AM* (strenuous) Hike 10, Drive 110, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Matt Sowles, 864-855-6861, sowleman@charter.net From the Caesar’s Head Visitor Center, we’ll do a loop hike in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. We’ll start with the Naturaland and Pinnacle Pass Trails, then cut over to the Rim of the Gap Trail and follow it to the Frank Coggins Trail back to our cars. If the weather is cold, there may be ice on the Rim of the Gap Trail. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Caesar’s Head Visitor Center parking lot at 9:00 AM. Make stop at Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM for additional hikers. Topos: Cleveland, Table Rock; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area Trail Map

ALL DAY No. A 0604-538 Dec. 3 Vineyard Gap – Forge Mtn. Loop 9:00 AM (moderate) Hike 7, Drive 55, 800 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886, ruthmtn@charter.net P400 Note later start time. This is a nice loop hike from the Turkey Pen parking area, a walk along the Forge Mtn. ridge, a pleasant stroll along the S. Mills River, ending with a short, steep climb up to the parking area. Second meeting place: Turkey Pen parking area at 9:30 AM. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY No. A 0604-394 Dec. 10 Cataloochee and Little Cataloochee 8:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 95, 2350 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA Dave Wetmore 828-884-7296 dwetmore@citcom.net 900M Walk the “Dug Road”, originally built in the 1850s. See an unrestored farm site, a restored log cabin, the old apple house, an old church and tourists looking for elk. The Dug Road is a mostly open easy 2.7 mile bushwhack on an abandoned trail. The rest of the trip is on maintained trails. Topo: Cove Creek Gap; also Nat’l. Geo. map of GSMNP

ALL DAY No. A 0604-254 Dec. 17 Green Knob via Snooks Nose 8:00 AM Hike 11, Drive 65, 3400 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+ Joanne Tulip, 828-299-3495, tulipinnc@aol.com This strenuous trip from Curtis Creek climbs up and over the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Green Knob fire tower. Great views along the way as well as at the lunch stop on the summit of Green Knob. We’ll return via the Newberry Creek Trail. May be challenging if there is snow at the higher elevations. Short car shuttle. Topo: Old Fort

CHRISTMAS EVE – NO HIKE SCHEDULED Dec. 24

MONDAY No. A 0604-487 Dec. 25 Bent Creek Loop #9 9:00 AM Hike 9, Drive 20, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Lenny & Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.org P400 Note later start time. Join us for a Christmas hike around Bent Creek, starting at the Hardtimes trailhead. A great close-in, cool weather hike suitable for everyone. Dinner at a casual Chinese restaurant for those interested. Topos: Dunsmore Mtn. , Skyland; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

HIKE CANCELLED – NO LEADER AVAILABLE Dec. 31

NEW YEARS DAY No. A 0701-281 Jan. 1 Green River Gamelands 8:00 AM breakfast, 9:00 AM hike* Hike 6.5 or 8, Drive 20 (from Hendersonville), 1300 or 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com *Meet at Westgate at 7:30 AM to form carpools and meet leader at times above at the Cracker Barrel in Hendersonville (exit 53 on I 26). After breakfast, we’ll do a pleasant loop on a series of trails around the Green River Gamelands. We’ll hike down to and along the Green River, with a late lunch at the big rocks on the Green River, and then hike up and out on the Pulliam Creek trail. Short car shuttle. Topo: Cliffield Mtn.; also Map of the Green River Gamelands Trails