HIKE SCHEDULE First Quarter 2004
Wednesday Hikes
Hike Ratings First Letter Second Letter Distance Cumulative 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.
P400: Indicates that this hike qualifies for the P400 award. SB6K: Indicates that this hike qualifies for the SB6K award. Also in the hike descriptions, the terms easy, moderate or strenuous reflect the overall trail conditions, the physical challenge and other factors influencing hike difficulty. If you have questions, CONTACT THE LEADER.
Submitted by Ken & Carol Deal, 281-4530 or KMCDeal@aol.com . Next schedule: Paula McNabb, 274-0057, gcmcnabb@charter.net .
The meeting place for each hike will be designated by the hike leader and will appear in the hike description. Driving mileage will be listed, round trip, from the first designated meeting place.
ALL DAY No. W0401-303 January 7 MST: Craven Gap to U.S. 74-A 8:00 AM Hike 8.6, Drive 75, 640 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Howard McDonald, 828-693-8258 hamcdonald@cytechcis.net This car shuttle hike on the MST starts at Craven Gap, goes down past the Folk Art Center and on to U.S. 74-A. Moderate. Ascend 640 ft., descend 1650 ft. First meeting place: Ingles, US 25-N, Hendersonville. Second meeting place: 8:45 AM, Folk Art Center, lower lot.
ALL DAY No. W0401-304 January 14 AT Hike: Garenflo Gap 8:30 AM to Hot Springs Hike 6+, drive 90, 900 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Curt Holladay, 828-628-9477 caholady@bellsouth.net We will hike from Garenflo Gap northbound on the AT through gentle terrain and open forest, crossing minor ridges and draws, reaching the approximate halfway point at Deer Park Mountain Shelter. We will ascend Canebrake Ridge and up and over Deer Park Mountain down to the parking area of the old Jesuit Hostel. Cumulative climb in elevation is estimated to be 900 feet. Should have some views from the ridges. A car shuttle is required. Meeting place: Westgate Shopping Center.
ALL DAY No. W0401-305 January 21 Dupont Forest North Loop 7:30 AM Hike 10, Drive 80, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated A-B Rusty Breeding, 828-692-0359 bree@planetusa.net Dupont Forest North Loop from L. Imaging to Stone Mtn. Highlights: Grassy Falls, Thomas Cemetery, Wintergreen Falls, Stone Mountain and old firing range. First meeting place: Westgate. Hikers self-organize there. Meet leader at Second meeting place: Bi-Lo, Pisgah Forest, 8:15 AM.
ALL DAY No. W0401-306 January 21 ALTERNATE HIKE: Penny Rock or Leader's Choice 9:00 AM Hike 6-7, Drive 47, Rated B-B Boyd Brasington, 828-254-8675 boydb@buncombe.main.nc.us A nearby hike may be substituted for Penny Rock. Contact leader for more information. Leader will set a moderate pace. Car shuttle. Meeting Place: Ingles, across from Biltmore Square Mall.
ALL DAY No. W0401-??? January 21 ALTERNATE HIKE Hot Springs Area Ramble 9:00 AM Hike 6, Drive 70, Rated B-B Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327 mel&tgs@main.nc.us A mixture of Appalachian Trail, Pump Gap Loop, and woods roads. A relaxed stroll through the woods with good views. Meeting place: Westgate.
ALL DAY No. W0401-170 January 28 Cedar Rock Scramble 9:00 AM Hike 10, Drive 0, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Brad and Bev Van Diver, 828-669-2740 Bravandi@cs.com P400 A lovely winter hike, first skirting the eastern side of John Rock to Cat Gap, then following the Art Loeb trail through Sandy Gap, where we'll scramble to the top of Cedar Rock (4056 ft.) for lunch with a view. Back down to the trail, we'll continue to Butter Gap and return via Grogan Creek and Picklesimer Fields. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat'l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District Map. Meeting place: Fish Hatchery.
ALL DAY No. W0401-307 January 28 ALTERNATE HIKE MST:, Asheville Area 9:30 AM Hike 6, Drive 1, 400 ft ascent, Rated B-C Nancy Walter, 828-251-1309, seynan@bellsouth.net An in and out stroll through the winter woods, starting from the Blue Ridge Parkway bridge over Highway 25, and going south along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Meeting place: Harris Teeter parking lot on US 25, north of the BRP entrance.
ALL DAY No. W0401-308 February 4 MST:, Ox Creek to Rich Knob 9:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 26, 1850 ft .ascent, Rated B-A Elisabeth Feil, 828-684-8719 Starting at Ox Creek Road (near Bull Gap Overlook on the BRP, MP 375.6), and climbing to Rich Knob via Rattlesnake Lodge. This is an easy-to-moderate in-and-out hike, with a total climb of about 1850 ft. Meeting place: Westgate Shopping Center.
ALL DAY No. W0401-309 February 11 Pounding Mill Trail 8:30 AM Hike 8, Drive 3, Rated B-C Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703 P400 This hike takes the South Mills River Trail to the Pounding Mill Trail and on to Squirrel Gap Trail. We'll continue on to Pea Gap and then return on the South Mills River Trail. Moderate. Meeting place: Boyleston Baptist Church on Route 280. Map: Nat'l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District
ALL DAY No. W0401-310 February 18 Jones Gap State Park 9:00 AM Hike 7, Drive 10, Rated B-B Jo Anderson, 828-693-7081 Hike up the Rim of the Gap Trail, with views of the Gap as we ascend. On top, a loop up onto the ridge, and then down the #8 connector to the river, weather permitting. There is a $2 fee at the park. Topo: Table Rock. First meeting place: Cracker Barrel parking lot, Exit 22, I-26 at 8:40 AM. Second meeting place: Jones Gap State Park.
ALL DAY No. W0401-311 February 25 Panthertown Valley #2 8:30 AM Hike 7-8, Drive 52, Rated B-B D. R. Kulp, 828-692-0783 A charming, moderate hike through a special area, and to waterfalls rarely seen. Probable beginning at west gate of park, but exact trail route and waterfalls visited dependent upon weather conditions and water level. Limited to 20. Call leader for more information. Only meeting place: Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo.
ALL DAY No. W0401-312 March 3 MST:, US 25 to 9:30 AM Parkway Headquarters Hike 6, Drive 5, 500 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Siro A. Del Favero, 828-277-2546 An easy, early spring hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. It begins at the bridge over US 25 on the Blue Ridge Parkway and ends at the Parkway Headquarters. A short car shuttle. Meeting place: Harris Teeter parking lot on US 25, Hendersonville Rd., north of BRP entrance.
ALL DAY No. W0401-280 March 10 Art Loeb Trail/ 8:45 AM North Slope Loop Hike 8, Drive 34, Rated B-B Fred Chaffee, 828-692-8937 P400 After an absence of four years, we'll again do an old favorite, a moderate trek from the Davidson River swinging bridge up the Art Loeb Trail to Joel Branch forest road and over the Shut-In Ridge to Neil Gap, then down the connector to the North Slope loop trail back to the campground. First meeting place: Ingle's Mkt., Rt. 25 North, Hendersonville. Second meeting place: Ranger Station, Rt. 276, at 9:30 AM. Map: Nat'l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District
ALL DAY No. W0401-254 March 17 Green Knob via Snooks Nose 8:30 AM Hike 11, Drive 65, 3400 ft. ascent Rated A-AA+ Joanne Tulip, 828-299-3495 tulipinnc@aol.com This is a strenuous trip from Curtis Creek that 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. Topo: Old Fort. Meeting Place: McDonald's, Exit 64, Hwy. 40, Black Mountain.
ALL DAY No. W0401-313 March 17 ALTERNATE HIKE Hot Springs Area Ramble 9:00 AM Hike 6, Drive 70, Rated B-B Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327 mel&tgs@main.nc.us A mixture of Appalachian Trail, Pump Gap Loop, and woods roads. A relaxed stroll through the woods with good views. Meeting place: Westgate.
ALL DAY No. W0401-??? March 17 ALTERNATE HIKE: Penny Rock or Leader's Choice 9:00 AM Hike 6-7, Drive 47, Rated B-B Boyd Brasington, 828-254-8675 boydb@buncombe.main.nc.us A nearby hike may be substituted for Penny Rock. Contact leader for more information. Leader will set a moderate pace. Car shuttle. Meeting Place: Ingles, across from Biltmore Square Mall.
ALL DAY No. W0401-049 March 24 Big Creek 9:00 AM Hike 10, Drive 65, Rated A-B Joe Cirvello, 828-627-1797 joec@brinet.com 900M The Big Creek Trail is described as "one of the most beautiful and interesting walks in the GSMNP." The water rushing around the many huge boulders strewn all along Big Creek make it beautiful in any season, and the early spring flowers should make it spectacular. We will pass the Rock House, Midnight Hole and Mouse Creek Falls, crossing a couple of bridges enroute to Walnut Bottoms. Topo: Waterville. Meeting place: The Pilot Truck Stop at Exit 24 off I-40.
ALL DAY No. W0401-314 March 31 MST:, Double Top Overlook 8:00 AM To Balsam Gap (US 74) Hike 10, Drive 60, Rated A-C Jack Fitzgerald, 828-685-2897 suejackfitz@bellsouth.net We will hike on a section of the Mountains to Sea Trail, which has been newly renovated by the CMC Asheville Maintenance Crew. The hike is downhill all the way. Car shuttle. Meeting place: Westgate.
ALL DAY No. W0401-315 April 7 Black Mountain Bushwhack 8:30 AM Hike 8, Drive 1, Rated B-A Larry Ballard, 828-891-4318 Eileen McGill, 828-891-4409 dolphins@ioa.com P400 Starting on Yellow Gap Trail, we hike up FS 5051, then bushwhack up Black Mountain, on to Rich Gap, down to FS 5055, and back to Yellow Gap Road. Topo: Dunsmore Mountain; also Nat'l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map. Meeting Place: North Mills River picnic area.