WEDNESDAY HIKES
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.
All-day hikes submitted by Ann Gleason 828-859-9387, gleason.ann@gmail.com . Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. Hikes will assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I-240, exit 3B UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in the hike listing. Please phone the hike leader if you are not sure of the meeting location.
WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-407 Oct 4 Dill Falls 8:00 AM* Hike 5, Drive 85, Rated C-C Larry Ballard, 828-891-4318, leballard@cytechcis.net *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 8:30 AM. We will hike to Dill Falls, a magnificent 70 ft. water fall, then hike up the west side of Tanasee Creek from the point where Charles Creek Rd crosses the creek. There will be two stream crossings that require wading.
WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-336 Oct 11 Mt. Cammerer from Big Creek 8:00 AM Hike 11.8, Drive 110, 3300 ft. Ascent, Rated A-AA Susanna Whitaker, 828-684-5948, susannwhit@earthlink.net 900M We will travel west on I-40 and take the Waterville Exit and continue a short distance to our trail head in the Big Creek area. This fantastic hike takes us up the AT which will take us to Mt. Cammerer, featuring the historic stone fire tower built according to the “Yosemite model” in the 1930’s: a CCC project. We will enjoy a lunch break on top and take in the expansive autumn views. The ascent is rather long, but the pace will be moderate. Return on same trails. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I-40 at 8:30 am. Topo: Waterville; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map
WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-539 Oct 18 Downhill to Pilot Mtn. 8:00 AM Hike 6, Drive 88, 2200 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA Dave Wetmore, 828-884-7297, dwetmore@citcom.net P400 Downhill to Pilot Mountain! We’ll take the Art Loeb Trail from the parkway through Farlow and Deep Gaps to the magnificent views from the summit of Pilot Mountain. Then uphill from Pilot Mountain. If the weather cooperates, it should be a lovely hike. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station at 8:35 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-540 Oct 25 MST: Buckeye Gap to FS 816 8:00 AM Hike 10, Drive 70. Rated A-A Jack Fitzgerald, 828-685-2897, suejackfitz@bellsouth.net P400 Beautiful walk in woods, around Mt. Hardy and Chestnut Bald. Views from Silvermine Bald area. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Cold Mountain overlook at 8:40 AM. Topo: Mt. Hardy; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-089 Nov. 1 Max Patch 8:00 AM Hike 11, Drive 100, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Adrian Lotherington, 828-350 8065, jaloth@bellsouth.net A late fall hike that may be our last opportunity to scale this beautiful section of the AT before Jack Frost descends! We will begin and end at Max Patch, one of WNC's most stunning views. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Lemon Gap.
WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-438 Nov 8 Rich Mtn., Round Top Ridge Trail, Lover’s Leap 8:00 AM Hike 9.5, Drive 70, Rated A-B Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net From Tanyard Gap we will go north on the AT to the beautiful Rich Mountain views, then descend to Hot Springs via Round Top Ridge Trail, and culminate the day with a short climb to Lover's Leap, finishing on the AT in Hot Springs.
WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-408 Nov 15 Wolf Ford Loop Hike 8:00 AM* Hike 9, Drive 80, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703 P400 *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station at 8:30 AM. Start at the gauging station and hike south Mills River trail to Wolf Ford, Squirrel Gap, Horse Cove and to FS 5018, then along Funnel top Ridge left onto Soapstone Ridge and back to cars. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-406 Nov 22 Pink Beds to Clawhammer Mtn 8:30 AM Hike 8, Drive 86, 2300 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA Charlie Ferguson, 828-398-0213,.ccf108@gmail.com P400 The trailhead is at the Pink Beds parking lot (FS477). Climb on the Club Gap trail to Club Gap. Then take the Black Mt. Trail along Rich Mtn., climbing through Buckhorm Gap and along the ridge to the overlook at Clawhammer which has great views. That will be our lunch stop. Then return the way we came. We will take our time while climbing. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station at 9:00 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-519 Nov 29 Raven Cliff Falls, Cathedral Rock, Dismal Trail Loop 8:00 AM Hike 9, Drive 95 2300 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387, gleason.ann@gmail.com Hike to 412 ft. Raven Cliff falls in Caesar’s Head State Park where we cross the suspension bridge and descend 120 ft. down “the Cathedral.” We Then cross Matthews Creek on a cable crossing and ascend steeply up the Dismal Trail to a large rock outcropping with a great view of the falls and then return to parking lot. Second meeting place: Bi-lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Additional meeting place: Raven Cliff parking lot on US 275 at 9:00 AM. Note there is a $2 fee per person for park entry. Topo: Table Rock: also Mountain Bridge Wilderness map
WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-471 Dec 6 Wagon Road Gap,MST to Big East Fork 8:00 AM Hike 9.5, Drive 85, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net Starting at Wagon Road Gap, we will follow the MST south to the connector to the Big East Fork Trail and follow that down to US 276. Short car shuttle. Wilderness area hike, limited to ten hikers—call leader for reservations. Second meeting place: Cold Mtn. overlook at 8:40 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map. "Wilderness area hike, limited to ten hikers--call leader for reservation"
WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-492 Dec 13 Cookie Hike in the Arboretum Area 9:10 AM* Hike 7-8, Drive 12, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Ken and Carol Deal, 828-281-4530, kmcdeal@aol.com Note later start time. Bring a few homemade goodies 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 Arboretum membership card 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 and Bent Creek Trail Map
WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-279 Dec 20 Montreat: RR trestle Grade to Pot Cove 9:00 AM* Hike 7, Drive 35, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Gerry McNabb,828-274-0057, gerrymcnabb@charter.net *Note later start time. An easy in and out hike to Pot Cove from the lookout Trail parking lot. Some internal loops for variety. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to Black Mtn McDonalds just south of I-40 exit 64 at 9:30 AM. Topo: Montreat
WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-286 Dec. 27 Sycamore Cove Trails 8:10 AM* Hike 7, Drive 70, Rated B-B Pat Elias, 828-687-1651, patelias@bellsouth.net P400 *Meet at Westgate at 8:10 AM to form carpools; meet hike leader at entrance to Davidson River Campground parking lot on US 276 at 8:45 AM. An easy hike (some uphill) in the Pisgah Forest along several trails: Thrift Cove, Grassy Road.