HIKE SCHEDULE

Second Quarter 2002

Wednesday Hikes

Next schedule, Kenneth & Carol Deal, 281-4530, KMCDeal@aol.com

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 from the first designated meeting place.

Hike Ratings

1st Letter- 2nd Letter-

Distance Elevation Gain

AA: Over 12 miles AA: over 2,000 ft.

A: 9‑12 miles A: 1,500-2000 ft.

B: 6‑9 miles B: 1,000‑1,500 ft,

C: under 6 miles C: under 1,000 ft.

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, CALL THE LEADER.

ALL DAY No. 7871 April 10

Moonshine Falls 8:15 A.M.

in Caesars Head
State Park

Drive 40, Hike 9, Rated B‑B

Ken Woodward, 697‑6025

We will hike on some of the little used trails in Caesars Head State Park to Moonshine Falls. The waterfall plunges 40 feet over a rock ledge concealing the remains of an abandoned moonshine still. First meeting place: Bi‑Lo in Pisgah Forest. Second meeting place: Raven Cliff Falls parking lot in Caesars Head State Park at 9:00 A.M. (Leader will be at second meeting place).

ALL DAY No. 7872 April 17

Pilot Mountain to 8:30 A.M.

Daniel Ridge Loop Trail

Drive 20, Hike 11, Rated A‑A

Elisabeth Feil, 684‑8719

We start this car shuttle hike at Gloucester Gap, climb approximately 2,000 feet to Pilot Rock, then walk over Sassafras, Knob and down Farlow Gap Trail and Daniel Ridge Trail to our cars near the old fish hatchery. Only meeting place: Ranger Station on U.S. 276.

ALL DAY No. 7873 April 24

2 in 1 Camera Hike 8:30 A.M.

Walnut Bottoms,
Big Creek

Drive 100, Hike 5‑10, Rated A‑B

Tommie Boston, 686‑5029

The Big Creek Trail follows a mountain stream through a beautiful forest to Walnut Bottoms. This time of year the wildflowers will be beautiful. Shutterbug group will take time for photo opportunities while regular hikers go all the way to Walnut Bottoms, First meeting place: Westgate. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at Exit 24 off I‑40 at 9:00.

ALL DAY No. 7874 May 1

MST Hike 8:00 A.M.

Mount Mitchell

Drive 60, Hike 11, Rated A‑AA

Ames Tryon, 669‑3805

Car Shuttle. This hike will begin at the Black Mountain Campground and ascend steeply to the summit of Mount Mitchell. Then we descend through the Camp Alice area to the Mount Mitchell road. Car shuttle. Total climb: 3700 feet. Strenuous. Only meeting place: Folk Art Center. Topos: Mt. Mitchell, Celo.

ALL DAY No. 7875 May 8

Stecoah Gap to 8:00 A.M.

Yellow Creek Gap

on the AT

Drive 170, Hike 7.6, Rated B-B

Jo Anderson, 693‑7081, and

Jack Fitzgerald, 685‑2897

A moderate hike on the southern portion of the AT, between Stecoah Gap and Yellow Creek Gap. Guaranteed to see lots of wildflowers, including the rare yellow trillium and yellow ladyslipper. There will be a car key switch. Only meeting place: Westgate.

ALL DAY No. 7876 May 15

Green Knob 8:30 A.M.

Drive 60, Hike 7, Rated B‑A

Tommie Boston, 686‑5029

Strenuous in/out for the 2,000 ft. ascent on the Lost Cove Ridge Trail from Black Mountain Campground to a 360 degree view from the tower at the Knob. Steep descent. Only meeting plate: Folk Art Center.

ALL DAY No, 7877 May 22

Grassy Cove Top, 8:30 A.M.

Tennent Mt. & Black Balsam

Knob from Graveyard Fields

Drive 16, Hike 9, Rated A‑A (just barely)

Brad & Bev Van Diver, 669‑2740

We’ll go up Graveyard Ridge on the MST, then north on horse trails to Ivestor Gap. The climbing begins there for those who choose to go up Grassy Cove Top. Others will continue along the Art Loeb Trail to climb Tennent Mt. for a panoramic lunch stop. We’ll regroup at lunch and continue down and back up to Black Balsam summit, then down to the shuttle cars. A moderate hike with three over 6000 open, wonderful summits. A GREAT TRIP. Meeting place: Wagon Road Overlook (also called Cold Mountain Overlook) where U.S. 276 crosses the Parkway.

ALL DAY May 29

No hike scheduled

ALL DAY No. 7878 June 5

MST Hike 8:30 A.M.

Big Ridge Overlook to Pisgah Inn

Drive 30, Hike 11, Rated A‑A

Ken & Carol Deal, 281‑4530

We will hike the MST from the Big Ridge Overlook, climb Little Pisgah Mountain and continue on to the Pisgah Inn. We will plan to eat lunch in the Pisgah Inn dining room so the lunch break will be longer than usual. After lunch we will return on the MST to the Big Ridge Overlook. Total climb: 2100 feet. First meeting place: Westgate Shopping Center. Second Meeting place: Big Ridge Overlook on the Parkway at Milepost 403.6 at 9:00 A.M. Topo: Dunsmore Mountain

ALL DAY No. 7879 June 12

AT Hike 8:30 A.M.

Street Gap to Bald

Mountain Shelter

Drive 70 Hike 10.6, Rated A‑AA

Curt Holladay, 628-9477

Hike from Street Gap up to Big Bald and enjoy panoramic view of NC and TN landscape. The Big Bald Summit is a rewarding experience, worth the effort. We will go on to Bald Mountain Shelter and at that point head back to the cars. Climb approximately 2500 ft. Meeting place: Westgate Shopping Center.

ALL DAY No. 7890 June 19

Grassy Ridge Bald/ 8:30 A.M.

Roan Highlands

Drive 120, Hike 7, Rated B‑C

Tom Marshall, 645‑7249

This in-and-out hike features good views and a superb lunch spot. From Carver’s Gap we go over Jane Bald and Round Bald to lunch spot on Grassy Ridge Bald. Then return to Carver’s Gap. If we have timed it right, the rhododendrons will be in bloom. Meeting place: McDonalds at the 25/70 Weaverville Exit.

ALL DAY No. 7881 June 26

MST‑Forest Service 9:00 A.M.

Road 316 Black Balsam

to Skinny Dip Falls
(Car Shuttle)

Drive 7, Hike 6‑7, Rated B‑B

Siro A. DelFavero, 277‑2546.

Starting at Black Balsam, we’ll hike to the lower falls at Graveyard Fields for lunch. Then we’ll go on to Skinny Dip Falls and end at the Looking Glass Rock Overlook. Only meeting place: Looking Glass Rock Overlook at Milepost 417.

ALL DAY July 3

No scheduled hike.