All Day Wednesday Hikes
4th Quarter 2005
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, or if the weather for the day of the hike is questionable, CONTACT THE LEADER.
CHALLENGE PROGRAMS:
SB6K For hiking all 40 peaks above 6000’. For information, contact Dave Wetmore dwetmore@citcom.net .
P400 For hiking every trail in Pisgah Ranger District. For information, contact Dave Wetmore dwetmore@citcom.net.
900M For hiking every trail in GSMNP. For information, contact John Gallemore kelarco@aol.com .
Wednesday hikes submitted by Paula McNabb, 828-274-0057, gcmcnabb@charter.net . Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I-240 exit 3B UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
WEDNESDAY No. W0504-488 Oct. 5 Gabes Mt. Trail 8:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 150, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Jack Fitzgerald, 685-2897, suejackfitz@bellsouth.net 900M Hike from Cosby Campground in GSMNP to Hen Wallow Falls, then through Old Growth forest to primitive camp site for lunch along pretty stream flowing over moss covered rock. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 of I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topos: Hartford, Luftee Knob; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map
WEDNESDAY No. W0504-068 Oct. 12 Big Butt from BRP 8:30 AM Hike 8, Drive 55, 1700 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886, ruthmtn@aol.com We will take the Big Butt trail from Balsam Gap on the BRP, following the ridge crest to Big Butt (Yeates Knob), a short bushwhack at just under 6000 ft., and return via the same route. We will stop at Point Misery for lunch and colorful fall views of the Black Mtns. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 8:50 AM. Topos: Montreat, Mt. Mitchell; also South Toe River PNF map
WEDNESDAY No. W0504-489 Oct. 19 Bad Fork - Trace Ridge Loop 8:00 AM* Hike 8, Drive 45, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Pat Elias and Kathy Giddings: Pat, 828-687-1651, patelias@bellsouth.net ; Kathie Giddings: 828-696-9808, kmgiddings@highstream.net P400 Starting at the Trace Ridge parking area, we will hike along an unmarked trail that follows a stream to the Bad Fork Trail. This trail takes us to the BRP on a steep 800 ft. ascent, then over Ferrin Knob on the MST to the Beaver Dam Overlook. We will lunch, enjoying the beautiful views, then proceed down the Trace Ridge Trail to the parking area. *Meet at Westgate to form carpools and meet leaders at N. Mills River Recreation parking lot at 8:30 AM. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
WEDNESDAY No. W0504-490 Oct. 26 MST: Craven Gap to Folk Art Center 10:00 AM* Hike 5.4, Drive 10, 500 ft. ascent, Rated C-C Gerald McNabb, 828-274-0057, gcmcnabb@charter.net *Note later start time. An easy downhill hike through the forest in fall color season. Lunch on a rock outcrop overlooking the parkway. If you want a longer hike, skip the car shuttle and walk back to Craven Gap on your own.*Only meeting place: lower parking lot of Folk Art Center* Topos: Oteen, Craggy Pinnacle; also MST Profiles, pg. 61-62
WEDNESDAY No. W0504-477 Nov. 2 THEME HIKE: Geology of the Grandfather Mountain Window 8:10 AM* (Rescheduled from Aug 31) Hike 6, Drive 155, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Brad Van Diver 828-669-2740 (participants must call), bravandi@cs.com . The Grandfather Mt. Window is a gigantic erosional hole through stacked thrust fault sheets where the underlying rocks aged 1.0 to 1.1 billion years are exposed. This hike will take us up along the crest of GM to the summit at Calloway Peak with several stops to observe geologic features. En route, we will pass through, around and over a Disneyland of huge talus blocks, with ladders placed at strategic spots. Views are outstanding. Entrance fees are as follows: age 60+ $12 , Age 13-59 $14. We will also be able to visit the nature Museum, Wildlife Habitats, and other attractions lower on the mountain. Come join the fun. *Meeting places: meet at Westgate at 8:10 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at parking lot adjacent to McDonalds at Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Grandfather Mtn.; also Grandfather Mtn. Trail Map and Backcountry Guide
WEDNESDAY No. W0504-371 Nov. 9 Gaging Station to Wolf Ford, Squirrel Gap and back to car. 8:15 AM Hike 9, Drive 50, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Greg Goodman, 828- 684-9703 P400 Loop hike. Trailhead: Gaging Station Note: Some creek crossings. Second meeting place: Boyleston Baptist Church on NC 280 at 8:45 AM. Topo: Pisgah Forest
WEDNESDAY No. W0504-287 Nov. 16 Greybeard from Montreat 8:10 AM* Hike 10, Drive 40, 2800 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Ames Tryon, 828-669-3805, tryonaf@charter.net This will be a gate-to-gate hike in Montreat. We will begin at the Montreat gate on the Rainbow Trail, connect with the East Ridge Trail and ascend to Greybeard. Return on the West Ridge and Stomping Knob Trails and return to the gate. *Meet at Westgate at 8:10 AM to form carpools,and meet leader at parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at exit 64 of I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Montreat
WEDNESDAY Nov. 23 HIKE CANCELLED BECAUSE NO HIKE LEADER IS AVAILABLE.
WEDNESDAY No. W0504-491 Nov. 30 Christmount Watershed hike 8:40 AM* Hike 7, Drive 40, 1750 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Tommie Boston, 828-686-5029, Tambee@aol.com Strenuous hike! This new CMC hike will explore part of the Swannanoa & Miami Mtns. on the grounds of Christmount Christian Assembly, and will include some challenging climbs. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:40 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at exit 64 of I-40 at 9:00 AM. Topo: Black Mtn.
WEDNESDAY No. W0504-492 Dec. 7 Cookie Hike in the Arboretum Area 9:00 AM* Hike 7-8, Drive 12, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Ken &Carol Deal, 828-281-4530, KMCDeal@aol.com Note later start time. CMC’s traditional cookie hike transplanted to a new spot. Bring a few homemade goodies along to share. We will hike on trails constructed by the CMC in the Arboretum, and cover some trails in the Lake Powhatan area also. Bring your membership card for the Arboretum if you have one. There is a $6 parking fee otherwise. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot across from Biltmore Square at 9:15 AM. Topo: Asheville; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
WEDNESDAY No. W0504-493 Dec. 14 Pine Mt. Loop II 9:00 AM* Hike 9, Drive 20, 1850 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116 bbente@cytechusa.com P400 Note later start time. Last April we visited the absolutely beautiful Pine Mt. (the one with the BRP tunnel) from the Mills River Side. Today we’ll do it from the Bent Creek side. Some off–trail. Topos: Enka, Dunsmore Mt.; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
WEDNESDAY No. W0504-417 Dec. 21 LongBranch, Art Loeb, Butter Gap Trails 8:00 AM Hike 12, Drive 72, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Tom Sanders, 828- 252-6327, tomary@charter.net P400 On this diversified hike we will begin at the fish hatchery, visit the McCall family cemetery, and follow the Art Loeb south to Butter Gap and return. Addnl. meeting places: Pisgah Ranger Station at 8:40 AM or Fish Hatchery at 8:50 AM Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
WEDNESDAY Dec. 28 HIKE CANCELLED BECAUSE NO HIKE LEADER IS AVAILABLE.