Looking Ahead

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

BACKPACK No. A0702-559 Apr. 28 - 29
Spring backpack in the Smokies: Maddron Bald & Hen Wallow Falls
Hike 17.9, Drive 126, 3300 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA+
Chip Miller, 828-654-9331, backpacker54nc@bellsouth.net
900M This 2 day, one night backpack will start at the Snake Den Ridge Trail for a hike to backcountry campsite #29.(We will camp at this "rationed" site.). Many books regarding the GSMNP list this hike as "THE BEST" backpacking loop in the park! Old growth forest, balds, waterfalls, virgin woods and spring wildflowers. Trees along the way are: Yellow Poplar, Buckeye, Beech, Fraser Magnolia and Silverbell. Also pass huge American chestnut stumps. Trails are: Snake Den Ridge, Maddron Bald and Gabes Mtn trail which leads back to Cosby Campground. Space is limited to 8 participants. For more info , meeting place and time, call leader. Topos: Hartford, Luftee Knob, Mt. Guyot, Jones Covealso Nat'l Geo. GSMNP map

SATURDAY NO. A0702-459 Apr. 28
MST: NC 128 to Glassmine Overlook 9:00 AM*
Hike 6.4, Drive 80, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Dave Wetmore, 828-884-7296, dwetmore@citcom.net
*Note later start time. We will head up into the old growth Spruce–Balsam forests south of Mt. Mitchell and enjoy the amazing rock work on a trail built by CMC ten years ago. This scenic hike has dramatic views and some rocky climbs. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: Craven Gap on BRP at 9:15 AM Topos: Mt. Mitchell, Montreat; also MST Profiles, pg. 66-69 and PNF S. Toe River, Mt. Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail maps

ALL DAY NO. A0702-164 Apr. 29
Hawkbill Creek - Snowball Circuit 8:00 AM
Carroll Koepplinger, 828-667-0723. carrollkoepp@bellsouth.net
Hike 8-9, drive 50, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA
This exciting spring trip will bushwhack up Hawkbill Creek, then up to Hawkbill Rock and Little Snowball Mtn., the site of an old fire tower, and then down to the starting point. The wildflowers and ramps have been spectacular every time CMC has taken this hike. The hike will also feature panoramic views from Hawkbill Rock and little Snowball and enjoyable open-woods, off-trail hiking. A strenuous climb, but the pace will be moderate. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle

No Hike Scheduled May 6
No hike is scheduled because the Great Southeastern Hiking Festival is being held May 3-6 in Montreat, NC, with CMC as a co-host.

Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-300 Apr. 29
MST: Craven Gap to Bull Gap 1:00 PM
Nonmembers, call leader, Jean Gard, 828-777-1814, jeangard@charter.net
Hike 5, Drive 11, Rated C-C
An easy in-and-out hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Spring wildflowers should be in bloom, so bring your cameras. Second meeting place Folk Art Center Lower Parking Lot at 1:20 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-101 May 6
Lower Big Laurel Creek 1:00 PM*
Nonmembers, call leader, Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, rerikkers@aol.com
Hike 6, Drive 50, Rated B-C
*Note earlier start time. This in-and out hike near Hot Springs follows a beautiful rushing stream past a profusion of spring wildflowers to the historic logging camp at Runion. Over 250 vascular plants have been identified along this former railroad track.

All Day Wednesday

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-367 May 2
Art Loeb, Grassy Ridge to Bridges Camp Gap 8:00 AM*
Hike 9, Drive 65, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
SB6K, P400 Beginning with a climb up a short, steep manway to Black Balsam (6214 ft.) and Tennent Mtn (6040 ft.), we’ll descend to Ivestor Gap and then down Grassy Cove Ridge to the Big East Fork of the Pigeon River. . Short car shuttle required at end. This is a Wilderness area hike limited to ten people. Please contact hike leader to reserve your place. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet hike leader at Cold Mtn. overlook on BRP at 8:35 A.M. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-182 May 9
Green River Cove in the Green River Game Lands 8:45 AM*
Hike 7, Drive 80, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Rusty Breeding, 828-692-0359, bree_lw@yahoo.com
This nice in-and-out hike goes along the Green River. Our break lunch spot is on the river and maybe kayakers on the Green River will provide some entertainment. *Note later start time. Meet at Westgate at 8:45 AM to form carpools, and meet hike leader at Texaco station off Exit 59 of I-26 at 9:30 AM.

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-565 Apr. 25
Chattooga River 8:00 AM*
Hike 9, Drive 180, 600 ft. ascent, Rated A-C
Jack Fitzgerald, 828-685-2897, suejackfitz@bellsouth.net
Hike down to the Chattooga River from Walhalla Fish Hatchery Road on the Foothills trial. Visit Spoon Auger Falls, then hike two miles along the beautiful Chattooga River, with lunch spot at pretty white beach. Hike back up East Fork Creek to Fish Hatchery. Short car shuttle. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form car pools, and meet Leader at NE corner of Cracker Barrel parking lot at exit 53 of I-26 at 8:30 AM.

Looking Back......

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

ALL DAY NO. A0702-333 Apr. 15
Bearwallow Mtn. 8:30 AM*
Hike 9.2, Drive 30, 2700 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net
*Note later start time. This hike is an old CMC favorite. From Hickory Nut Gap on US 74-A, we will hike over Ferguson Peak, then through undulating, open meadows before reaching our lunch spot on the summit of Bearwallow Mtn. Extraordinary views down towards the Lake Lure area. Topo: Bat Cave

Well, it rained all the previous night, but the weather forecast the rain stopping between 6 and 7 am. And it did! So three Hendersonville residents drove to Westgate to meet the dozens of other hikers...which turned out to be one hiker.

We had a wild hike, with only an hour or so of light rain, but that was only part of the story. We started hiking at 55 degrees and ended at 41, with a wicked wind out of the north. Clouds continually blew past and then enveloped us, and our lunch spot on the summit of Bearwallow was inside an abandoned building watching the clouds scud by while imagining the great views that can usually be enjoyed outside. After lunch, it was out into the wind and back down the mountain. One hiker came prepared with a waterproof blanket big enough to be a tent, and disappeared inside it whenever we took a snack/water break. A good time was had by all and this is one hike we'll remember for a long time. -reported by Bruce Bente

ALL DAY NO. A0702-558 Apr. 22
Round Top Ridge Trail to Rich Mtn., AT to Hot Springs 8:00 AM
Hike 11.7, Drive 70, 3000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Paul Benson, 828-251-1909, pdbenson@charter.net From Hot Springs we climb to the lookout tower on the summit of Rich Mountain via the Round Top Ridge Trail, then descend on the AT through Tanyard Gap, Pump Gap and Lovers' Leap Ridge back to Hot Springs. An option to enjoy a relaxing post-hike soak in the natural hot spring waters is offered. If interested contact the leader by April 18 for reservations. Topo: Hot Springs

This was a beautiful day to be in beautiful woods with beautiful people! Fifteen hikers enjoyed spectacular spring weather (at last) for a tough but rewarding hike. This was mostly a ridgeline hike on nice trails with open hardwood forests and great views. Lunch was at the high point of the hike: the Rich Mountain lookout tower. Being there with the 360 degree views was a great reward after 2 hours of continual climbing. After lunch, we headed down the AT, and got the chance to meet several through-hikers. (Good Luck to”Three Time’s the Charm”!) Arriving back at the river we were ready to jump in and cool off but 12 of us headed to the hot springs instead to soak off our aches and pains. If you haven’t tried the hot springs after a 12 mile hike with 3,000 of elevation gain, you haven’t lived. As usual, what happened in the hot tubs stays there, but it was good clean fun. Join us next time to find out more. Nine of us ended the day on the patio at the Paddlers Pub enjoying the heavenly weather, even more heavenly foot massages and the excruciatingly slow service. One of group almost got engaged to the waitress, but some people would do anything for faster service. All in all a great day, and as I write this my feet are still tingling (thanks Jeanie!). Paul. Photos by Danny (left) and Ashok Kudva (right).

Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-380 Apr. 15
Big Creek Trail 1:00 PM*
Nonmembers, call leader, Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703
Hike 5, Drive 50, Rated C-C
From the Trace Ridge Trailhead, we will walk along a gravel road next to the North Fork of the Mills River to the Hendersonville Reservoir. After crossing a log bridge we will hike along the Big Creek Trail to a meadow where, with luck, we will see showy orchis and other spring wildflowers in bloom. Then we will retrace our steps. *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 1:20 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-490 Apr. 22
Craven Gap to the Folk Art Center 1:30 PM
Nonmembers, call leaders, Ken and Carol Deal, 828-281-4530, cnkdeal@charter.net
Hike 5.4, Drive 11, Rated C-C
We will leave a few cars at the Folk Art Center and drive to the trailhead at Craven Gap to begin the hike. Spring wildflowers should be in bloom on this portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Second meeting place Folk Art Center Lower Parking Lot at 1:50 PM.

It was a beautiful, sunny day for our Sunday afternoon from Craven Gap to Folk Art Center hike. 28 hikers left Craven Gap at 2:10. We spotted a variety of flowers, with larkspur and trillium being the most prevalent. Mid-hike, we stopped at the Haw Creek Overlook for a snack. After arriving at the Folk Art Center, volunteers took the drivers back to their cars. Ken & Carol

Wednesday

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-564 Apr. 11
Greybeard from Montreat 8:10 AM*
Hike 10, Drive 40, 2500 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Ames Tryon, 828-669-3805, tryonaf@charter.net
This new CMC hike will give a good workout with lots of views. We’ll ascend the Rocky Head Knob to the Old Trestle Road, and hike a newly-cleared trail past Graybeard Falls to connect to the Graybeard Trail to the summit of Graybeard. We’ll continue on the West Ridge Trail and descend on the Big Piney Ridge Trail to our cars. *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 NO. W0702-550 Apr. 18
Paris Mountain State Park 8:00 AM
Hike 9.9, Drive 130, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.org
Located between Traveler’s Rest and Greenville, Paris Mountain State Park is one of the oldest protected areas in South Carolina. Originally, the lakes were the source of Greenville’s water supply. We will walk on well-maintained trails, enjoying good views of Greenville, early spring flowers and historical artifacts. $2 a person entrance fee. Second meeting place: NE corner of Cracker Barrel parking lot at exit 53 of I-26 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Paris Mtn.

This was the first time I led a Wednesday hike. I was happy to see six other hikers who wanted to check out a new SC state park, new, that is, for CMC.. Paris Mountain State Park has some seriously hilly parts and some flat sections. On our hike, we passed Mountain Lake, with a stone turret, some McMansions just outside the part and an old firetower in ruin. We had lunch at North Lake, another artificial lake, which was the water supply for Greenville. Although bikes are allowed on the trail every day but Saturday, we didn't see any. Because the park has several parking lots, there are more people on the trails, doing short walks, than most places we hike. It's a good, cold weather hike location. Danny. Photos by Danny

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 ccf108@gmail.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.