HIKE SCHEDULE

Third Quarter 2002

Wednesday Hikes

Submitted by Ken & Carol Deal, 281-4530 or KMCDeal@aol.com. Next schedule: Paula McNabb, 274-0057 or 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 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. 7894 July 10

South Mills River 8:30 AM

Drive 3, Hike 8, Rated B-C

Greg Goodman, 684-9703

Rescheduling of February hike. Cold and snow kept many people away the first time. This hike takes the South Mills River Trail to the Pounding Mill Trail and goes on to the 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.

ALL DAY No. 7895 July 17

AT HIKE 7:30 AM

Camp Creek Bald to

Jerry Cabin Shelter

Drive 148, Hike about 10, Rated A-C

Howard McDonald, 693-8258

This in and out hike on the AT will go to Jerry Cabin Shelter on the regular AT. On the return, we will detour onto the ridgeline relocation, which is still under construction. Careful footing will be required in those areas. Views are great! First meeting place: old Ingles on Fleming Street, Hendersonville. Second meeting place: Westgate Shopping Center: 8:15 A.M. Moderate. Topo: Greystone.

ALL DAY No. 7896 July 17

ALTERNATE HIKE 9:30 AM

High Windy

Drive 4, Hike 6, Rated B-A

Bernard Elias, 274-0202

The hike is near Black Mountain to a major peak (4500 feet), site of former fire tower on property of Blue Ridge Assembly of YMCA. Climb 1700 feet, starting behind Robert E. Lee hall. Only meeting place: McDonalds, Exit 64 off I-40, Black Mountain.

ALL DAY No. 7897 July 24

Hemphill Bald 8:00 AM

from Polls Gap

Drive 90, Hike 9.5, Rated A-C

Tom Sanders, 252-6327

Beginning with a stroll through hardwood forests, the trail emerges onto open fields stretching along the Great Smokies boundary, with exceptional views into the Smokies and to the South. Lunch on Hemphill Bald and return. Meeting place: Westgate Shopping Center. Topos: Dellwood and Bunches Bald.

ALL DAY No. 7898 July 31

AT HIKE 9:30 AM

Sams Gap to Street Gap

Drive 60, Hike 5.2, Rated C-C

Jay Bretz, 658-1220

A pleasant and easy in and out hike through a wooded area on the AT. Especially for those hikers who want to complete all segments of the AT in our area, this hike fills in the gap in the northern half of the trail. Lunch at Street Gap, and then back to the cars. Only meeting place: Westgate.

ALL DAY No. 7899 August 7

AT HIKE 8:30 AM

Allen Gap to Camp Creek Bald

Drive 90, Hike 12.4, Rated AA-AA

Joe Cirvello, 627-1797

This in and out hike starts at Allen Gap and ascends steadily to Camp Creek Bald, passing Little Laurel Shelter. Lunch on Camp Creek Bald, with magnificent views, then return downhill to the cars after lunch. Strenuous. Estimated cumulative ascent, 2800 feet. Only meeting place: McDonald’s at the 25/70 Weaverville Exit.

ALL DAY No. 7900 August 7

ALTERNATE HIKE

Flat Laurel Creek Circuit 9:30 AM

Drive 20, Hike 5, Rated C-B

Boyd Brasington, 254-8675

On this hike we will rock hop across Flat Laurel Creek two times. Wear non-skid shoes. Short car shuttle. Only meeting place: Cold Mountain Overlook where Hwy. 276 crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway. Topo: Sam Knob

ALL DAY No. 7901 August 14

Horsepasture River/ 8:30 AM

Windy Falls

Drive 46, Hike 7, Rated B-B

Numa Carter, 697-5420

In the Jocassee Gorges region we hike to spectacular Windy Falls. Then we have lunch on the Horsepasture River on the way to the beautiful Rainbow Falls and Turtle Back Falls. Only meeting place: Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo. Topo: Jocassee Gorges.

ALL DAY No. 7902 August 21

Green River Ramble 9:00 AM

Drive 8, Hike 7-8, Rated B-B

Larry Ballard, 891-4318

Parking on Big Hungry Road, we’ll take Bishop Branch Trail to Bear Branch Trail. Then on to Pulliam Creek Trail to Green River Cove Trail, and on to the Green River Rapids. Lovely hike, nice views of Green River. Return to Big Hungry Road by way of Green River Cove Trail and Pulliam Creek Trail. Only meeting place: Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Exit 22 off of I-26, Hendersonville.

ALL DAY No. 7903 August 28

Blueberry Hike 8:30 AM

Drive 20, Hike 6, Rated B-C

Fred Chaffee, 692-8937

Our traditional yearly hike to the picking fields of Grassy Cove Top in the Shining Rock Wilderness. Limit 10 hikers. Call for reservations. Meet at Pisgah Ranger Station for carpooling to Big Sam parking area. Topos: Big Sam, Shining Rock.

ALL DAY No. 7904 August 28

Blueberry Hike 10:15 AM

Don Stubbs, 274-8753

A second hike will leave for the picking grounds from Big Sam parking lot, meeting at 10:15. The leader will meet the hikers at Big Sam parking lot. Call Don Stubbs for reservations for this hike.

ALL DAY No. 7905 September 4

Hump Mountain 8:30 AM

Drive 130, Hike 8, Rated B-A

Tom Marshall, 645-7249

We’ll hike from Roaring Creek Road to Yellow Mountain Gap, and then along an open ridge on the AT to Hump Mountain, a grassy bald at 5,587 ft. Great views of the Highlands. Only meeting place: McDonalds at the 25/70 Weaverville Exit. Topos: Carver’s Gap, White Rocks Mountain, TN.

ALL DAY No. 7906 September 11

MST HIKE 8:00 AM

Mt. Mitchell to Balsam Gap

Drive 40, Hike 9.7, Rated A-B

Brad and Bev Van Diver, 669-2740

Car shuttle. One of the most beautiful and accessible hikes in the southern mountains begins with the DESCENT of NC’s (and the East’s) highest peak. We’ll cross the Mt. Mitchell road, then climb up to a very scenic grassy shoulder beneath the Potato Knob cliff for lunch. From there, we follow the spectacular “rockwork” trail built over a period of three years by 10-15 CMC members and dedicated in 1997. Arriving at the summit ridge, we continue southward over 6320 ft. Blackstock Knob, and then down to our cars at Balsam Gap. A great trip of moderate difficulty. Only meeting place: Folk Art Center.

ALL DAY No. 7907 September 18

Panthertown Valley 8:30 AM

Drive 52, Hike 7-8, Rated B-B

D.R. Kulp, 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. 7908 September 25

AT HIKE 8:30 AM

Spivey Gap to Bald

Mountain Shelter

Drive 90, Hike 11, Rated A-AA

Curt Holladay, 628-9477

Hike from Spivey Gap (US 19W-AT intersection) south on AT up High Rocks and down to Whistling Gap. The trail takes us up Little Bald and over a stretch of flat terrain to Bald Mountain Shelter. The cumulative climb out and back is 2800 feet. It is through open woods for the most part, with the opportunity for some views. Meeting place: Westgate Shopping Center.

ALL DAY No. 7909 September 25

ALTERNATE HIKE, MST HIKE 9:00 AM

Bee Tree Gap to

Tanbark Tunnel

Drive 30, Hike 5.7, Rated C-C

Doris White, 645-9854

Starting at Bee Tree Gap, we will follow the Mountains to Sea Trail over Lane Pinnacle and Rich Knob to Tanbark Tunnel. Some steep ups and downs. Will be moderately paced. Car shuttle. Only meeting place: Lower parking lot of Folk Art Center.

ALL DAY No. 7910 October 2

Daniel Ridge Loop 9:00 AM

Drive 14, Hike 6.5, Rated B-C

Bob Campbell, 890-0848

Daniel Ridge Loop Trail in Pisgah Forest, with one waterfall. Only meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station on Rt. 276. Topo: Shining Rock.