Looking Ahead

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

ALL DAY No.0701-541 Feb. 18 Brushy Ridge Trail to Henson Waterfall 8:00 AM
Hike 5.2, Drive 150, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated C-A Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net
This new Linville Gorge hike was recently scouted by Don in one of his Linville Gorge explorations. It goes down into Linville Gorge, including Huckleberry Rock overlook, Henson Falls and a nice view of the Linville River. Second Meeting Place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at exit 64 of I-40 at 8:20 AM. Topo: Linville Falls; also PNF Linville Gorge Wilderness map

SATURDAY No. 0701-547 Feb. 24 MST west from Balsam Gap 8:30 AM*
Hike 8-9, Drive 75, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Marianne Newman, 828-454-1036, marianneln@msn.com
  Note later start time. Come to see the MST extension that CMC has been building for the last 5 years. We will hike the MST from Balsam Gap for about 4 miles, then retrace our steps back to our cars. *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at US 23/74 rest stop past Waynesville at 9:00 AM. Topo: Hazelwood

ALL DAY No. 0701-548 Feb. 25 AT: Sams Gap to Big Bald 8:00 AM
Hike 13, Drive 55, 2600 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA Jay Bretz, 828-658-1220, williambretz1220@msn.com
  This will be a challenging AT hike up to see spectacular views from the summit of Big Bald. With luck, we’ll see rime ice above Sams Gap and hike in snow at the higher elevations. Topo: Sams Gap

Half Day Sunday

Half-Day No. H0701-153 Feb. 18 Caney Bottom-Cove Creek Loop 12:30 PM*
This hike is different from the planned hikebecause the Avery Creek road is under construction and closed until sometime in March.
Hike 6, Drive 80, 1000 ascent, Rated B-B
Non-members call Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
P400 *Note Early Start Time We will park at the entrance to the Cove Creek group camp ground, follow Caney Bottom Trail (with a side trip to Jackson Falls), then Cove Creek Trail, stopping at beautiful Cove Creek Falls. Then we will follow Cove Creek Trail back to Caney Bottom trail and back to our cars. Two of the Pisgah Ranger District's hidden treasures.
*Meet at Westgate at 12:30PM to form carpools and meet hike leader at the Pisgah Ranger Station at 1:10 PM.

HALF DAY NO. H0701- 552 Feb. 25 Dupont Forest: Lake Imaging P.L. #2 12:30 PM*
Hike 5, Drive 94, 1200 ft ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Rusty Breeding, 828-692-0359, bree_lw@planetusa.net
*Note early start time. From the Lake Imaging parking lot, we will climb the newly re-opened Jim Branch Trail, and on a combination of other trails, we will visit Lake Dense, High Falls and Triple Falls, ending at the Hooker Falls parking lot. Short car shuttle. *Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form carpools, and meet hike leader at parking lot of Bi-Lo at intersection of US 276 and NC 280 in Pisgah Forest at 1:00 PM.

All Day Wednesday

WEDNESDAY No. W0701-554 Feb. 14 Bent Creek Loop #12: MST - Arboretum 8:30 AM Hike 8.5, Drive 22, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Sherman Stambaugh, 828-254-1736 P400 This hike is a loop on some of the Bent Creek area trails, including Small Creek and a connector trail from the Lake Powhatan area to the MST. We'll then hike north on the MST to Hard Times Road and return to the cars through the Arboretum. Second meeting place: Ingles across from Biltmore Square Mall on NC 191 at 8:45 AM. Topo: Dunsmore Mt.; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map and Bent Creek Trail map

WEDNESDAY No. W0701-327 Feb. 21 Ridgecrest Ramble 9:00 AM Hike 6-7, Drive 40, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886, ruthmthn@charter.net  A good winter hike, following the Rattlesnake, Rhododendron and Adventure Trails. This moderate hike in the Ridgecrest area offers a number of great scenic overlooks as it meanders along the ridgelines, and includes Rattlesnake, Copperhead and Lookout Mtns. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at exit 64 of I-40 at 9:20 AM. Topo: Montreat

WEDNESDAY No. W 0701-308 Feb. 28 Ox Creek - Rich Knob 8:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 20, 1850 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net . From Ox Creek Rd. climb to Rich Knob on the MST via Rattlesnake Lodge. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle

Looking Back......

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

ALL DAY No.0701-424 Feb. 4 Hospital Rock to Pretty Place and Falls Creek 8:30 AM* (strenuous) Hike 9, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Michael Cornn, 828-685-3442, mcornn@aol.com  *Note later start time. This is a challenging hike in Jones Gap State Park in S.C. After hiking up the Hospital Rock Trail, we will enjoy a great view at lunchtime from Pretty Place. After lunch we will return via the Falls Creek Trail past beautiful Falls Creek waterfall. Short car shuttle. Additional meeting places: NE corner of Cracker Barrel parking lot at exit 53 of I-26 at 9:00 AM; also Jones Gap State Park parking lot at 9:15 AM. $2 fee for park entry. Topos: Cleveland, Standingstone Mtn.; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area map

On a cold morning, 11 hikers began to go up to Hospital Rock for their first drink break. It warmed up so jackets and gloves came off. From there it was more hard uphill to the ridge line above Jones Gap State Park. When we got to the top, the cold air was moving in, so jackets, hats and gloves were back on. It was an easy dirt road to our lunch spot at Pretty Place. It is a private chapel, that during the warmer months has weddings. It has a great view of the Jones Gap Valley and even of Paris Mountain and downtown Greenville in the distance. There were electrical outlets there but no one brought a TV for the Super Bowl so we decided to continue the hike. It was backtracking a mile to the trail down to a great waterfall, called Falls Creek Waterfall. The trail crosses the stream at the base of waterfall, with a cable to help hikers. We got to feel the mist of waterfall hitting us, but no one got their boots wet. From there it's just a few more small hills and one more stream to cross before reaching the cars. It is a strenuous hike but with great views as a reward. Michael Cornn

ALL DAY No. A0701-479 Feb. 4 Kagel Mtn. 8:30 AM* (moderate) Hike 9, Drive 80, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Chip Miller, 828-654-9331, backpacker54nc@bellsouth.net  P400 *Note later start time. This loop hike will start from Cathey’s Creek Rd. and follow an overgrown forest road to the Art Loeb Trail, with lunch at the Butter Gap shelter. We’ll return via a no-name trail for variety. Nice winter views. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 9:00 AM. Topos: Rosman, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

No report!

ALL DAY No. 0701-418 Feb. 11 Newton Bald – Kanati Fork 8:00 AM Hike 11.5, Drive 120, 2800 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Tom Sanders 828-252-6327 tomary2@charter.net   900M This great winter hike near Cherokee climbs Newton Bald, continues on Thomas Divide and then descends on Kanati Fork Trail. When CMC did this hike a few years ago, we had the neat experience of beginning the hike on dry ground, then hiking up onto trails covered by up to a foot of snow and then descending back onto dry trails. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: back of Post Office parking lot on US 276 in Maggie Valley at 8:30 AM. Topo: Clingman’s Dome; also Nat’l. Geographic GSMNP map

Photographs by Bruce Bente (That's why he's not in the picture!)

Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY NO. H0701-316 Feb. 4 Carl Sandburg Park1:00 PM*
Hike 4, Drive 65, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Lucy Prim, lucette32@mchsi.com, 828-693-6580
*Note early start time. Traverse the same trails that poet/biographer Carl Sandburg enjoyed by climbing Big Grassy Mountain behind his farmhouse. *Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at parking lot of Carl Sandburg Park at 1:30 PM.

We set out at 1:25 Sunday afternoon, February 4, while a few fluffy snowflakes swirrled around us and the cold wind swept through the pines. It really was cold! We started our hike, first passing the mostly frozen pond, and then up the hill we went, the six of us, pausing for a little rest at the little reservoir and then continuing on up to the top of Big Glassy Mountain. We sat up on the rock for a while, chatting and enjoying the scenery spread out before us. Then we returned down the mountain, going by the goat barn on the way. We got back to the parking lot and everybody headed for home. It was a delightful hike. Lucy.

HALF-DAY NO. H0701-064 Feb. 11 Fletcher Creek 1:00 PM*
Hike 6, Drive 48, Rated B-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703
P400 *Note early start time. From the Hendersonville Reservoir, we will hike for a brief time on the Big Creek Trail, then take a loop using Spencer Branch, Middle Fork and Fletcher Creek Trails. The hike includes a few stream crossings.*Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM to form carpools, and meet hike leader at parking area just before the North Mills River Recreation Area at 1:30 PM.

Wednesday

WEDNESDAY No. 0701-310 Jan. 31 Jones Gap State Park 8:15 AM* Hike 8.5, Drive 94, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Jo Anderson, 828-693-7081, jobob@mchsi.com  Starting at Jones Gap State Park (NOTE: $2 fee per person for park entry), we will hike up the Rim of the Gap Trail with views of the Gap as we ascend. On top, a loop up on to the ridge, then down the Ishi Trail (#8) if doable. It is short, but steep. If it’s wet or icy we’ll go back down Rim of the Gap. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:15 AM to form car pools, and meet leader at Jones Gap State Park parking lot at 9:00 AM. Topos: Cleveland, Table Rock; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area map

Photographs by Ted Connors

Jo was unable to lead this hike so Charlie Ferguson led with the guidance of Bruce Bente.  Two hikers were at Westgate (I guess that 16 degrees scared a few). and 6 were at the trailhead in Jones Gap State Park.  It was about 20 degrees and a little windy at the start and everyone was bundled up pretty well.  We were anxious to get going so we could warm up on the 1,700 foot climb to the top of the ridge.  The trail was clear of ice/snow and it was in good condition.  As we climbed the wind went away.  The hike along the ridge line was partly in the sun so we were able to shed a layer or so of clothing.  The trail junctions were well marked.

We stopped for lunch on the Pinnacle Pass trail along a quiet sunny section of the trail.  There were big thick piles of dry leaves which we sat in while we ate.  It was quite pleasant for such a cold day.  After lunch we hiked to the junction of Pinnacle Pass and the connector back to the Rim of the Gap trail.  A recent scouting hike had discovered that our original way back, the Ishi trail, was dangerous due to slippery rocks.  We decided to stay higher and take Pinnacle Pass all the way along the ridge line back to our starting spot.  This started out as a good choice.  We stopped at an overlook that gave great views of the mountain to the north, on the other side of the Middle Saluda River.  We could see across to where next Sunday's hike would be.  The overlook was on the top of a rock cliff that fell away very steeply.  There were chains to the sides to help keep people on the trail.  Stuart noticed that there was a faster way down than the one that we had planned.  He thought about doing it but he had not packed his parachute.  So we all headed down on the usual trail.  This turned out to be quite a challenge.  The trail was quite steep and slippery in places for about half the way down.  Then it got worse.  There were numerous places where thick and slippery ice had filled the trail.  Some of those we were able to step around carefully.  Other places were more difficult.  One place in particular had a very narrow (as in 8 inches) trail running across a steep rock face. The "trail" and the rock face were covered in ice.  For safety's sake we did a short but uncomfortable bushwhack down around the bottom of the rock face, which was also slippery due to an accumulation of wet leaves.  It was slow going but we had plenty of time.

Shortly after this diversion we noticed that we could see the entrance road to the park and there seemed to be a clear way down to it through the trees - so we took it.  It was a bit steep and slippery at the top but everyone made it.  We walked on the road 600 feet back to our cars.  We wondered whether Ishi would have been worse than what we decided to do.  I'm sure some wondered whether the hike leader tends to attract difficult hikes, even when none were planned.  Well, everyone performed "above and beyond the call of duty". Charlie

WEDNESDAY No. W0701-439 Feb. 7 Pounding Mill Trail 8:00 AM Hike 8-9, Drive 55, 950 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Greg Goodman, (828) 684-9703 P400 This hike takes the South Mills River Trail to the Pounding Mill Trail and on to Squirrel Gap Trail. Continue onto Pea Gap and then return on the South Mills River Trail. Second meeting place: Boyleston Baptist Church on NC 280 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also, Na’l. Geo. PRD map

All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net . Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I-240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

Half Day hikes submitted by Paula Robbins 828-687-1651 paularww@bellsouth.net.

Wednesday Hikes are submitted by Charlie Ferguson, 828-398-0213 ccferguson@email.com and Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387, gleason.ann@gmail.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.
Leaders: Mail please mail your sign-up sheets. Meet at Westgate unless otherwise noted.