HIKE SCHEDULE

2nd Quarter 2003

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.

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.

Wednesday Hikes

Submitted by Paula McNabb, 274-0057,

gcmcnabb@charter.net. 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, round trip, from the first designated meeting place.

ALL DAY #8030 April 2

Pisgah Ridge Loop 9:00 am

Hike 7.5, Drive 15, Rated B-B

Kathie Giddings, 696-9806

kmgiddings@juno.com

Starting at the Graveyard Fields parking lot, we will follow the Pisgah Ridge Trail to the MST, and lunch at a beautiful overlook, then proceed on the Graveyard Ridge Trail to the parking lot. The hike has nice views along the way. Meeting place: Cold Mountain Overlook at Wagon Gap parking area on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Hwy. 276. Topo: Sam Knob /Shining Rock.

ALL DAY #8031 April 9

Club Gap Trail/Bl. Mtn. Trail 8:30 AM

Hike 10.6, Drive 60, Rated A-A

Edgar Pistor, 692-2744, eprotsip@aol.com

We will pick up Club Gap Trail off Avery Creek Road (#477) and hike to Club Gap and then go back on Black Mountain Trail to parking lot at Pisgah work station. 10.6 according to Pisgah Trails illustrated topo map, (longer according to older sources). Car switch required. Meeting place: paved parking lot by Pisgah work station.

ALL DAY #8032 April 16

Turkey Pen Gap 9:30 AM

To Cantrell Creek Lodge

Hike 8, Drive 3, Rated B-C

Bob Campbell, 890-0848

From Turkey Pen Gap parking area we hike along the South Millls River to the former site of the Cantrell Creek Lodge, now located in the Cradle of Forestry area. Meeting place: Boylston Baptist Church on US 280. Topo: Pisgah Forest.

ALL DAY #8033 April 23

Walnut Bottoms/Big Creek 8:30 am

Hike 5-10, Drive 100, rated A-B

Tommie Boston, 686-5029

Tambee2@aol.com

The Big Creek Trail follows a mountain stream through a beautiful forest to Walnut Bottoms. This time of year the wildflowers will be beautiful. Bring your camera. First meeting place: Westgate. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I-40 at 9:00 AM.

ALL DAY #8034 April 30

AT Hike- Lemon Gap 8:30 AM

to Max Patch Road

Hike 6.2, Drive 70, rated B-C

Howard McDonald, 693-8258

hamcdonald@cytechcis.net

This car switch hike starts at Lemon Gap on the AT, going to the present Roaring Fork shelter site. Then, one or two of the proposed sites for the new shelter, and on over Max Patch to Max Patch Road. We will have time for exploration of the sites. Easy. First meeting place: Ingle’s, US 25 N. Hendersonville. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop, exit 24 off I-40 at 9:30 am. Topo: Lemon Gap.

ALL DAY #8035 May 7

3 Best Waterfalls in 8:30 AM

South Carolina

Hike 6, Drive 160(from Exit 22), Rated B,C

Jack Fitzgerald, 685-2897 suejack@brinet.com

Visit the three highest rated waterfalls in South Carolina on 3 in & out hikes. Best: Yellow Branch Falls. 3 miles, easy hike, beautiful setting & falls. Next best: Issaqueena Falls. 0.1 mile, great picnic lunch spot. Add a visit inside Stumphouse Tunnel. Final best: Lee Falls. 3 miles, several stream crossings, final 1/4 mile very strenuous rock hopping. Meeting Place: Cracker Barrel at Exit 22, I-26.

ALL DAY #8036 May 14

Bee Tree Gap to 8:30 AM

Glassmine Falls Overlook

Hike 6.4, Drive 70, Rated B–B

Elizabeth Feil, 684-8719 hofeil@brinet.com

We climb from Bee Tree Gap to the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center and continue on to Glassmine Falls Overlook via Greybeard Overlook. Great views and early wildflowers. Meeting place: lower parking lot of Folk Art Center.

ALL DAY #8037 May 21

Shut In (MST) and 9:00 am

Bent Creek Trails

Hike 7, drive 1, rated B-B

Siro A. Del Favoro 277-2546

Beginning at the Shut In Trail, via the Bent Creek Trail, we will connect with the Hard Times Road, and then loop around through the magnificent blooms of the Arboretum gardens, and then hike back to the overlook. Meeting place: French Broad Overlook on the Parkway.

ALL DAY #8038 May 28

King Creek Trail 9:00 AM

Hike 8, Drive 0, Rated B-B

Larry Ballard 891-4318

leballard@cytechcis.net

This is a moderate trail following King Creek. It will be done as an in-and -out hike. From the fish hatchery we will follow the Cat Gap loop trial (East) to Cat Gap. From Cat Gap we will descend to and cross FS 475C to King Creek trail. We will follow King creek about two miles and return. Meeting Place: Fish Hatchery

ALL DAY #8039 June 4

AT-Allen Gap to Tanyard Gap 8:30 AM

Hike 9, Drive 100, rated A-A

Curt Holladay, 628-9477

caholady@bellsouth.net

Fairly strenuous hike from Allen Gap to Tanyard Gap, with a 2100-foot cumulative elevation climb. Car switch required. Meeting place: Westgate.

ALL Day #8040 June 11

Grassy Ridge Bald/ 8:30 AM

Roan Highlands

Hike 7, Drive 120, 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 a 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 #8041 June 18

Over 6000 in Southern Blacks 8:00 AM

Hike 8, Drive 65, Rated B-A

Tom Sanders 252-6327

Here is your chance to climb 4 peaks over 6000 on a scenery-filled trip. Beginning at Mt. Mitchell Parking Lot, we will go south on the Old Mt. Mitchell Trail via Mt. Hallback (6,320 ft.) with a short bushwhack. We will then ascend Mt. Gibbes (6571 ft.) before returning via the Camp Alice Trail. After climbing Mt. Mitchell we will go north to 6647 ft. Mt. Craig. Meeting place: Mt. Mitchell parking lot. Topos: Mt. Mitchell, Montreat

ALL DAY #8042 June 25

Flat Laurel Creek Circuit 9:30 AM

Hike 6, Drive 20, Rated BB

Boyd Brasington (828) 254-8675

Note: Only meeting place is Cold Mt. Overlook where Hwy 276 crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway. We will rock hop across Flat Laurel Creek two times. Wear non-skid shoes. Short shuttle. Topo: Sam Knob.

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