Looking Ahead

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

ALL DAY NO. A0702-560 May 13
Groundhog Creek, AT, Rube Rock Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 100, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
A beautiful loop hike, rich in wildflowers. Located in the Harmon Den area of Pisgah Nat’l. Forest, we’ll hike up to and along the AT to Brown Gap, then descend and hike along the old railroad grade back to our cars. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop offr I-40 at exit 24 at 8:30AM. Topo: Waterville

SATURDAY NO. A0702-257 May 19
Hemphill Bald – Rough Fork Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 13.7, Drive 96, 3200 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA+
Charlie Ferguson, 828-398-0213, ccf108@gmail.com
900M If this is a clear day, we will experience some of the most spectacular views in WNC. We will hike to Hemphill Bald for lunch, then down Caldwell Fork Trail and back up Rough Fork Trail, passing enormous old-growth tulip trees along the way. A strenuous hike, but the trails are well-graded. Second meeting place: Rear of Post Office parking lot on US 19 in Maggie Valley at 8:30 AM, but phone leader first. Topos: Bunches Bald, Dellwood; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

ALL DAY NO. A0702-265 May 20
Panthertown Prowl #5 8:00 AM
Hike 8-10, Drive 120, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Joe Cirvello, 828-252-2721, cirvello25@bellsouth.net
Rescheduled from last fall due to inclement weather, you now have an opportunity to see this beautiful area, located near Cashiers, in spring. This moderate loop hike has everything: waterfalls; granite domes with impressive cliffs; high-altitude bogs; a lovely valley floor; great views from the tops of Little Green and Big Green Mountains; and the probability of wildflowers. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:40 AM. Topo: Big Ridge

Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-170 May 13
Butter Gap Trail to Picklesheimer Fields 1:00 PM
Nonmembers, call leader, Gerry McNabb, 828-274-0057, gerrymcnabb@charter.net
Hike 5, Drive 40, Rated C-B, 1000-ft elevation gain
From the Fish Hatchery parking lot, we will follow the Cat Gap Trail .9 miles to its junction with the Butter Gap Trail for this in-and-out hike along Grogan Creek. Second meeting place: Fish Hatchery Parking Lot off US 276.

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-464 May 20
Greybeard Overlook to Balsam Gap 1:00 PM*
Hike 7, Drive 44, Rated B-C
Marlene Santa Maria, 828-299-9095, marlena98@hotmail.com
An in-and-out hike on this portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, with 400 feet ascending and 700 descending, will provide great views midway. Many spring wild flowers likely. *Note early start time. Only meeting place: Folk Art Center lower parking lot.

All Day Wednesday

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. W0702-216 May 16
AT: Sams Gap to Devil Fork Gap 8:30 AM
Ruth Hartzler 828-251-0886, ruthmtn@charter.net
Hike 8.5, Drive 90, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
This section of the AT features magnificent wildflower displays and nice views into Tennessee from the ridge line, traversing a series of knobs along an unusual section of the TN-NC state line where Tennessee is east of N.C. and the southbound hiker is actually traveling north. Car shuttle. Topo: Sams Gap

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-491 May 23
Miami Mtns Watershed Hike 8:40 AM*
Hike 6, Drive 40, 1750 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Tommy Boston, 828-686-5029 (cell after 8 AM, 279-8410), Tambee2@aol.com.
Strenuous hike! This is the second time the club will hike the Miami Mtns watershed from Ridgecrest Boys Camp to Christmount Christian Assembly. Some steep uphills and good views of the Craggys. *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.

Looking Back......

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

Six hikers had a great time hiking a 18.7 mile loop in the GSMNP weekend of 4/28. Up Snake Den Ridge Trail and over to Maddron Bald Trail, down to campsite 29 for the night. Next day we hiked the Albright Grove Loop to look at the old growth forest. We continued to Gabes Mtn. Trail to view Hen Wallow Falls. There were loads of wildflowers along all the trails. Foggy and wet on Saturday but sunny and warm on Sunday. Chip.

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

It was a slim Saturday as four other hikers (one a newcomer) decided to climb Blackstock Knob. The trip up from the Mt. Mitchell road was, as always, impressive both for the trail work and the views. Not long after reaching Blackstock Summit we discovered that the mountain had not paid attention to the weather report. One hiker, armed with a digital thermometer, took pleasure in periodically announcing the temperature as it dropped to 38.4 degrees. (The hiker, a former engineer, was adamant about the four-tenths of a degree.) Then it started raining and at one time some of us claimed it was sleeting. Shortly after we all agreed that it was now just plain rain, the wind came up and it turned very foggy. For the rest of the trip the newcomer was the most cheerful person in the lot. After lunch near Balsam Gap we walked to Glassmine Overlook at a considerably faster pace than before lunch. On the way down to Asheville we dropped out of the clouds into clear views and later, sunshine. Dave

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

Hawkbill Creek, what a great sight to behold on a beautiful Sunday in April. With ideal weather ten very congenial hikers left the trail head about 8:50 am. The hike started with a casual stroll up the FS road for a little over a mile with flowers alongside. A good number of Showy Orchis were blooming along with others.

This hike is noted for its many flowers. Last year on this hike we identified 60 varieties of wild flowers. This year, due to the late freeze, we were only able to identify about 50. It’s no wonder this hike is referred to as the “Flower Hike”. There were not as many Indian Paint Brushes as last year. We observed about 12 to 15 which were as beautiful as ever. I do have a list of the flowers if anyone would like to see what they missed. I will be out of the country during May. It would be after that that I could send you the list.

Leaving the road and hiking up along Hawkbill Creek on a not too well identified trail, reaching the end of the creek, we then bushwhacked up the very steep and challenging incline for over 400 feet to reach the Snowball Trail. We continued to Hawkbill Rock for lunch and laid around for a while in the sun and soaking up the beauty of the mountain vistas. We then proceeded to Little Snowball Mtn. for another extended break. After identifying or attempting to identify the surrounding mountains we proceeded to bushwack along the ridge to a road. After a short hike on the road we then proceeded through the woods on an old logging road. It’s at this point where the Indian Paint Brushes are located. Back on the same FS road to return to our cars a little before 4 pm. Five of us then enjoyed some great companionship at the Blue Moon Pizza in Weaverville. Carroll. Photos by Ashok Kudva.

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. See the report and pictures.

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.

Thirteen stalwarts hiked the Mountains to the Sea Trail betweenCraven Gap and Bull Gap on this sunny, warm Sunday afternoon. Although we moved at a good pace, we had time to admire (and learn) many wildflowers. Among these were Shooting Stars, Star Grass, Bloodroot, Violets, Buttercups, Pussytoes, Showy Orchus, Mandrake, Stonecrop, Wild Iris, Cranesbill Geranium, Columbine, Larkspur, Wild Oats, Squaw Corn, Hydrangea and last, but not least, four beautiful Lady's Slippers. Although billed as an easy hike, we had only veterans attend, so we moved at a fast pace and finished early. Next year, we'll extend the hike to Rattlesnake Lodge and make it a car shuttle. Jean.

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.

Wednesday

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.

Jack Fitzgerald was the hike leader, with 9 other CMC members participating. We started at 10:20 AM on the Foothills Trail, where it crosses the road to the Walhalla Fish Hatchery, hiking 4 miles down to the Chattooga River Trail. The weather was very good, in the 70's, clear skies. The trails were all in good shape, with lots of small tree branches down from the high winds, but no major problems. We spent 45 minutes on a pretty white sand beach along the Chattooga river for lunch. Then we hiked 2.5 miles up the East Fork stream to the Walhalla Fish Hatchery. Total distance was 8.0 miles, in 5 hours time. Jack. Photo on left by Ashok Kudva, called "A Pause with Meditation". Photo on right by George Macatee.

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

It was a beautiful day and a great hike. Many people tell me that this is their favorite hike. We started at the Black Balsam parking lot; climbed up to the Art Loeb Trail, traverse Black Balsam, Tennant, and from Ivestor Gap descended into the gorge of the Big East Fork of the Pigeon River. Two challenging stream crossings saw three of us (including the leader) get a little wet, while trying to stay dry. We all concur that this hike should be included in someone’s hiking book some day. Stuart. Photo on left by Stuart English. Photo on right by Bruce Bente who added, "very unusual color for trout lilies. CMC flower experts had never heard of this color before."

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.