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@bellsouth.net . 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. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings.

NEW YEARS DAY No. A0701-281 Jan. 1 Green River Gamelands 8:00 AM breakfast, 9:10 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

ALL DAY No. A0701-128 Jan. 7 Sam Knob Loop 8:00 AM Hike 9.8, Drive 80, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Paul Benson, 828-251-1909, pdbenson@charter.net  SB6K, P400 This scenic loop will be great in winter weather, hopefully with snow on the ground. We’ll start at NC 215 and follow the MST, with a side trip to Devil’s Courthouse, to FS 816. Then we’ll loop back and ascend Sam Knob (6040 ft.) with its 360-degree views, then follow the Flat Laurel Creek Trail to NC 215. There will be a wet stream crossing at the end unless it is frozen. Topos: Shining Rock & Sam Knob; also Nat’l. Geographic PRD map

ALL DAY No. A0701-001 Jan. 14 Case Camp – Seniard Ridge Loop 8:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Kathleen Hannigan, 828-230-4883, kathleen.hannigan@pgnmail.com  P400 This loop hike features a short steep climb up to the MST, some MST hiking, and 50-ft. frozen cascades along the closed BRP. After lunch with a great view of the surrounding mountains, we’ll hike through some beautiful woods on the Seniard Ridge trail. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station at 8:30 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also pg. 50 of MST Profiles book and Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY No. A0701-545  Jan. 21 Bent Creek #11 - Boundary Trail 8:30 AM Hike 8.5, Drive 25, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net  P400 From Bent Creek Gap we will follow the MST to the Bent Creek Boundary Trail, on to Ingles Field Gap, to Ledford Branch Road and down to Deer lake Lodge Trail and the Rice Pinnacle parking lot. Great winter views. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot, across from Biltmore Square Mall on NC 191 at 8:45 AM. Topos: Dunsmore Mtn.., Skyland; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map and Bent Creek Trail map

SATURDAY No. A0701-546 Jan. 27 Coontree – Pressley – Thrift Cove Ramble 8:30 AM* Hike 8-9, Drive 70, 1700 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Dave Wetmore, 828-884-7296, dwetmore@citcom.net  P400 This is a new CMC hike that starts by climbing to Coontree Gap, then down the Bennett Gap trail and up Pressley Cove Trail where we’ll take a short detour to visit a fine chimney. Next we’ll go down the Black Mtn. Trail for a short distance, then turn and descend on the Thrift Cove Trail. A nice low-elevation hike for a cold winter day. Short car shuttle. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Black Mtn. parking lot next to Pisgah Forest maintenance area at 9:00 AM. Topo: Pisgah Forest, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY No. A0701-255 Jan. 28 MST: NC 80 – Black Mtn. Campground 8:30 AM* Hike 8, Drive 90, 700 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Jim Reel, 828-738-0751, jimr57@yahoo.com  Expect good winter views as we hike south on the MST from Buck Creek Gap at NC 80 to Black Mtn. Campground, crossing a couple of times over the BRP. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at intersection of BRP and NC 80 at 9:20 AM. Car shuttle. *Topos: Old Fort and Celo; also PNF South Toe River, Mt. Mitchell & Big Ivy trail map.

ALL DAY No. A0701-424 Feb. 4 Hospital Rock to Pretty Place and Falls Creek 8:30 AM* (strenuous) Hike 9, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Michael Cornn, 828-685-3442, mcornn@aol.com  *Note later start time. This is a challenging hike in Jones Gap State Park in S.C. After hiking up the Hospital Rock Trail, we will enjoy a great view at lunchtime from Pretty Place. After lunch we will return via the Falls Creek Trail past beautiful Falls Creek waterfall. Short car shuttle. Additional meeting places: NE corner of Cracker Barrel parking lot at exit 53 of I-26 at 9:00 AM; also Jones Gap State Park parking lot at 9:15 AM. $2 fee for park entry. Topos: Cleveland, Standingstone Mtn.; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area map

ALL DAY No. A0701-479 Feb. 4 Kagel Mtn. 8:30 AM* (moderate) Hike 9, Drive 80, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Chip Miller, 828-654-9331, backpacker54nc@bellsouth.net  P400 *Note later start time. This loop hike will start from Cathey’s Creek Rd. and follow an overgrown forest road to the Art Loeb Trail, with lunch at the Butter Gap shelter. We’ll return via a no-name trail for variety. Nice winter views. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 9:00 AM. Topos: Rosman, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY No. A0701-418 Feb. 11 Newton Bald – Kanati Fork 8:00 AM Hike 11.5, Drive 120, 2800 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Tom Sanders 828-252-6327 tomary2@charter.net   900M This great winter hike near Cherokee climbs Newton Bald, continues on Thomas Divide and then descends on Kanati Fork Trail. When CMC did this hike a few years ago, we had the neat experience of beginning the hike on dry ground, then hiking up onto trails covered by up to a foot of snow and then descending back onto dry trails. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: back of Post Office parking lot on US 276 in Maggie Valley at 8:30 AM. Topo: Clingman’s Dome; also Nat’l. Geographic GSMNP map

ALL DAY No. A0701-541 Feb. 18 Brushy Ridge Trail to Henson Waterfall 8:00 AM Hike 5.2, Drive 150, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated C-A Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net  This new Linville Gorge hike was recently scouted by Don in one of his Linville Gorge explorations. It goes down into Linville Gorge, including Huckleberry Rock overlook, Henson Falls and a nice view of the Linville River. Second Meeting Place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at exit 64 of I-40 at 8:20 AM. Topo: Linville Falls; also PNF Linville Gorge Wilderness map

SATURDAY No. A0701-547 Feb. 24 MST west from Balsam Gap 8:30 AM* Hike 8-9, Drive 75, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Marianne Newman, 828-454-1036, marianneln@msn.com  Note later start time. Come to see the MST extension that CMC has been building for the last 5 years. We will hike the MST from Balsam Gap for about 4 miles, then retrace our steps back to our cars. *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at US 23/74 rest stop past Waynesville at 9:00 AM. Topo: Hazelwood

ALL DAY No. A0701-548 Feb. 25 AT: Sams Gap to Big Bald 8:00 AM Hike 13, Drive 55, 2600 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA Jay Bretz, 828-658-1220, williambretz1220@msn.com  This will be a challenging AT hike up to see spectacular views from the summit of Big Bald. With luck, we’ll see rime ice above Sams Gap and hike in snow at the higher elevations. Topo: Sams Gap

ALL DAY No. A0701-056 Mar. 4 Black Mountain Ramble 8:00 AM (strenuous) Hike 9.4, Drive 60, 2600 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Becky Smucker, 828-298-5013, bsmucker@charter.net  P400 This great winter hike starts at Turkey Pen parking area, then over Sharpy Mtn. and around Black Mtn., ending at the Pisgah Maintenance parking lot. A long uphill, but with good views from our lunch spot at Black Mtn. Second Meeting place: Intersection of NC 280 and Turkey Pen Rd. at 8:30 AM. Car shuttle. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geographic PRD map

ALL DAY. No. A0701-327 Mar. 4 Ridgecrest Ramble 9:00 AM (moderate) Hike 6-7, Drive 40, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886, ruthmthn@charter.net  A good winter hike, following the Rattlesnake, Rhododendron and Adventure Trails. This moderate hike in the Ridgecrest area offers a number of great scenic overlooks as it meanders along the ridgelines, and includes Rattlesnake, Copperhead and Lookout Mtns. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at exit 64 of I 40 at 9:20 AM. Topo: Montreat

BACKPACK No. A0701-549 Mar. 10 - 11 Winter Backpack in the Smokies: Big Creek Loop. Hike 16.5, Drive 110. 3200 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Chip Miller, 828-654-9331, backpacker54nc@bellsouth.net  This two-day, one-night backpack will start at the Big Creek trail head, for a 5.3 mile hike to backcountry campsite 37, with ascent of 1250 ft. Sunday we will ascend 1250 ft. on the Low Gap trail to reach the Appalachian Trail. From this junction we will hike to the Mt. Cammerer tower built back in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps. GREAT VIEWS!! (side trail, in & out). Back on the AT we will hike to the Chestnut Branch Trail and follow it back to the Big Creek Ranger Station. Sunday’s total miles will be 11.2 (5.4 headed downhill ). Limited to 8 participants experienced in winter backpacking. Space is limited, because backcountry campsite 37 is "Rationed"! Verify that you can attend before reserving a spot. For meeting place and time, call leader. Topos: Waterville, Hartford, also Nat'l Geo. GSMNP map.

ALL DAY No. A0701-550 Mar. 11 Paris Mtn. State Park 8:30 AM* Hike 9.9, Drive 130, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.org  *Note change to Daylight Savings time today. Located between Traveler’s Rest and Greenville, Paris Mountain State Park is one of the oldest protected areas in South Carolina. Originally, the lakes were the source of Greenville’s water supply. We will walk on well-maintained trails, enjoying good winter views, early spring flowers and warmer weather than in Asheville. Second meeting place: NE corner of Cracker Barrel parking lot at exit 53 of I-26 at 9:00 AM. Topo: Paris Mtn.

ALL DAY No. A0701-532 Mar. 18 Sassafras Mtn. 8:30 AM* Hike 9, Drive 140, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Lenny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, lsberns@worldnet.att.net  *Note later start time. This is a pleasant hike from US 178 up to the highest peak in South Carolina, following the Foothills Trail. Early spring flowers and possible winter views on top. Second meeting place: NE corner of Cracker Barrel parking lot at exit 53 of I-26 at 9:00 AM. Topo: Eastatoe Gap; also Guide to Foothills Trail, sections A4 to A2.

SATURDAY No. A0701-093 Mar. 24 Graybeard Mountain 8:00 AM* Hike 10-11, Drive 35, 2700 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Steve Pierce, 828-724-4999, stevepierce@charter.net  An exciting ridgetop manway along the middle mountain is our path to the summit. Return to Montreat via Walker Knob and Pot Cove Gap. There’ll be good views, a delightful hike and a good workout. Fairly strenuous, including a very steep first mile. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at parking lot adjacent to McDonalds at exit 64 of I 40 at 8:20 AM. Topo: Montreat; also Montreat Trails Map

ALL DAY No. A0701-551 Mar. 25 Fish Hatchery to Davidson Campground via Cat Gap 8:00 AM* Hike 10, Drive 72, 2050 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Joan Lemire, 828-231-9259, tjbindire@yahoo.com  P400 *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station at 8:40 AM. This will be a moderately-paced hike via Cat Gap and the Art Loeb Trail, with lunch atop Chestnut Knob. The trail is NOT all downhill thereafter. Car shuttle. Topos: Shining Rock, Pisgah Forest; also Natl. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY No. A0701-151 Apr. 1 Big East to Shining Rock via Old Butt 8:00 AM (strenuous) Hike 8.5, Drive 60, 3100 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA+ Les Love, 828-658-1489, lesrlove@charter.net  SB6K, P400 We will hike from the Big East parking lot up the steep Chestnut Ridge trail over Dog Loser and Old Butt knobs to lunch at Shining Rock (6040 ft.) with its exceptional views. We’ll return via a steep descent to the North Fork of Shining Creek. Wilderness area hike limited to ten people; please contact leader for reservations. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY No. A0702-567 April 1 DuPont Forest - Guion Farm P. L. #2  8:00 AM* (moderate) Hike 10.5 miles, Drive 70, 1850 ft ascent, Rated A-A Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@mchsi.com This moderate low elevation “double back in-and-out” hike starts ands ends at the Guion Farm Parking Lot in DuPont Forest. After a 1200 ft ascent and descent to enjoy the views from Stone Mountain, we will hike to scenic Wintergreen Falls on a flat trail and return to the cars. The hiking pace will be gentle. *Meeting Places: Self-organize carpools at Westgate at 8:00AM, and meet leader at Bi-Lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:30AM. Topo: Standingstone Mtn; also DuPont State Forest trail map, 6-7-05 revision