Looking Ahead

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

ALL DAY NO. A0702-562 June 24
AT: Carvers Gap – Elk Park 8:00 AM
Hike 12, Drive 130 or 150, 1800 (NB) or 4000 (SB) ft. ascent, Rated A-A or A-AA+
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net (SB)
Susanna Whitaker, 828-808-3071 (NB)
This hike is timed to see the rhododendrons and flame azaleas in full bloom. We’ll hike the AT over five summits of more than 5400 ft, including Hump Mtn. and Little Hump, with the most spectacular scenery in our region. From Hump Mtn. we’ll use the side trail to Elk Park. Hikers will have the choice of direction and amount of climbing on this key swap hike. Expect a long day due to long driving time. Second meeting place: call leader Topos: Carvers Gap, White Rocks Mtn., Elk Park

NIGHT HIKE NO. A0702-324 June 29
Bent Creek Moonlight Hike 7:30 PM*
Hike 5-6, Drive 15, 700 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Kathleen Hannigan, 828-271-3559, Kathleen.hannigan@pgnmail.com
P400 *Note start time! This new hike is scheduled for a night with a full moon. We’ll meet at Hard Times Trailhead, and will do a leisurely 5- to 6-mile loop, pausing frequently to observe wildlife as darkness descends. We’ll look for the beavers at the back of Lake Powhatan and stop on the lake pier to enjoy the surroundings. Bring a flashlight. *Only meeting place is Hard Times Trailhead on Bent Creek Rd.
Topo: Dunsmore Mtn; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-181 July 1
Black Balsam & Tennent Mtn. to Graveyard Fields 8:00 AM*
Hike 9, Drive 75, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Janet Onan, 828-698-3237, janonan@bellsouth.net
SB6K, P400 This scenic hike traverses a long stretch of balds with spectacular 360 degree views. From FS 816, we’ll hike over 6214 ft. Black Balsam and 6040 ft. Tennent Mtn. to Ivestor Gap. We’ll then follow an old road south to the Graveyard Ridge Trail and follow it back to our cars. Short car shuttle. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Cold Mtn. Overlook (BRP M.P. 412) at 8:35 AM. Topos: Sam Knob, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY NO. H0702-292 June 24
North Slope Trail 1:00 PM*
Nonmembers, call leader, Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@mchsi.com
Hike 6, Drive 62, Elevation gain 500, Rated B-C
We will go along the Exercise Trail at the Ranger Station, cross US 276 to the Davidson River Campground, and walk along the river passing the historic English Chapel and the English family cemetery, to the North Slope Loop Trail and return to the cars through the campground. *Note early start time. Meet at 1:00 PM at Westgate to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station parking lot on US 276 at 1:30 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0703-511 July 1
Florence Nature Preserve 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 40, 600 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net
Tour the new 600+-acre Florence Nature Preserve that may become part of a larger plan to establish a new NC State Park in the Lake Lure area. This is an easy loop hike with a moderate climb.

All Day Wednesday

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-566 June 20
Roans in Bloom 8:30 AM*
Hike 8, Drive 150, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Adrian Lotherington, 828-484-9132, jaloth@charter.net
SB6K A beautiful AT hike with some of WNC’s finest views. Expect rhododendrons and flame azaleas to be in bloom, with perhaps an early Gray’s lily. From Carver’s Gap we’ll go north past Grassy Ridge (6160 ft.) to a scenic overlook for lunch, then double back south to Carvers Gap. From here we’ll drive up to see the Rhododendron Gardens and the vista from Roan High Bluff (6287 ft.). (small fee to enter garden area) *Only Meeting Place: Rose's Car Park, across from McDonalds at the US 25/70 Weaverville Exit #19 at 8:30 AM. For any questions, please phone leader. Topo: Carvers Gap; also Nat’l. Geo. South Holston & Watauga Lakes map

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-555 June 27
MST: NC 80 to Woods Mtn. 8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 90, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net
Hike on a little-traveled section of the eastbound MST north of NC 80 to Woods Mtn., with seldom seen views of the Blacks and Mt. Mitchell. Second meeting place: parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at exit 64 of I-40 at 8:20 AM Topos: Celo, Little Switzerland

WEDNESDAY NO W0703-242 July 4
Sam Knob – Devils Courthouse Loop 8:30 AM*
Hike 9, Drive 75, 800 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
SB6K, P400 This hike in the cool high elevations is perfect for a hot summer day. From FS 816 we will ascend Sam Knob (6040 ft.) with its 360 degree views, then hike though high meadows on the Flat Laurel and Little Sam Trails and the MST via Devils Courthouse (with its great views). We then return via the MST across FS 816 and up to the summit of Black Balsam (6214 ft.), then down a trail built last year by a crew of Cherokee Indians. *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at BRP Cold Mtn. overlook at 9:05 AM. Topo: Sam Knob; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

Looking Back......

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

ALL DAY NO. A0702-248 June 10
AT: Spivey Gap to Nolichucky River 8:00 AM
Hike 11, Drive 110, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Chip Miller, 828-654-9331, backpacker54nc@bellsouth.net
This AT sequence hike is the first section north of CMC’s maintenance sections. The hike features beautiful woods and striking views of the Nolichucky Gorge as we drop down to the end point at the hostel at the Nolichucky River .Car shuttle. Topo: Chestoa

No report

ALL DAY NO. A0702-376 June 17
Mt. Le Conte via Rainbow Falls and Bullhead Trails 8:00 AM
Hike 13, Drive 180, 3900 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA+
Don Gardner, 828-754-4067, gardog3@charter.net
900M From Cherokee Orchard near Gatlinburg, we’ll ascend Rainbow Falls Trail, stopping to look at the falls, and then to a late but spectacular lunch spot at Cliff Top on Mt. Le Conte; we’ll descend on scenic Bullhead Trail. A long day and strenuous hike, but the evenly-graded trails make it easier. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Mt. Le Conte; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

No report.

Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY No. H0702-465 June 10
Sam Knob Loop 1:00 PM*
Hike 5, Drive 70, Rated C-B, 1200 ft. ascent
Nonmembers, call leader, Joe Burchfield, 828-298-8413 , burchfield@niu.edu
SB6K, P400 *Note early start time. From the parking lot at the end of Forest Service Road 816 off the Blue Ridge Parkway, we will take the Sam Knob Trail to the Flat Laurel Creek Trail, with a side trip up 6040-ft. Sam Knob, then through a spruce forest to return. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. overlook at 1:35 PM

After a beautiful drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway with the rhododendrons and flame azaleas in nearly full bloom, thirteen hikers (including 3 new hikers) gathered at the Sam Knob trailhead. After a pleasant climb to the north peak of Sam Knob, we had a good, is slightly hazy view of the Shining Rock and Middle Prong Wilderness Areas and the surrounding peaks. After lunching on the south peak, we descended to Flat Laurel Creek noting the effect of the current drought in the number of dry stream crossings. We returned by the newly reconstructed and partially rerouted Flat Laurel Creek Trail. Joe Burchfield

HALF-DAY No. H0702-453 June 17
Max Patch Ramble 1:30 PM
Nonmembers, call leader, Gail Lamb, 828-350-0450, galmb46@aol.com
Hike 5.5, Drive 104, Rated B-C
Awesome panoramic views and late spring wildflowers make this moderate hike a favorite. We will go up Max Patch to the Appalachian Trail and north through meadows, woods and across a small stream. We’ll then loop back on a side trail.

The Max Patch Ramble on a warm ,sunshine - filled day involved 15 hikers enjoying the wildflowers, variety of terrain, and awesome views. We began on the Max Patch Trail to the summit and descended on the AT to the Buckeye Ridge Trail. Where it intersected the AT again , we walked the AT as far as the recently built shelter. Part of the group returned a longer route on part of the Buckeye Ridge Trail , for a total of 5.9 miles . The others returned on the AT and the Max Patch Trail , for a total of about 5.4 miles. The ramble was done in a figure 8 or a lollipop way , so it truly was a ramble and much enjoyed. Gail Lamb. Photos by Danny Bernstein.

Wednesday

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-273 June 6
Boogerman Loop 9:00 AM*
Hike 8, Drive 90, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@mchsi.com
900M *Note later start time. A lush forest with giant old-growth Tulip trees and remnants of pioneer life make this a favorite loop hike in the Cataloochee area of the Smokies. If we’re lucky we may spot one of the elk. Second meeting place: Pilot truck stop at exit 24 off I-40 at 9:30 AM, but call leader first. Topos: Cove Creek Gap, Dellwood; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

Sixteen hikers assembled at Westgate were joined by three at Pilot Truck Stop and one more at the Caldwell Fork trailhead on a sunny day. We crossed ten log bridges to cross over Caldwell Fork stream. We believe these are the sturdiest bridges on any trail in our area. Then we entered the Boogerman Loop in the old growth forest with huge Tulip Poplar trees. Fire pink and mountain laurel were in full bloom. Poison ivy plants were everywhere and they delayed our lunch until we found a spot clear of them. After the hike we drove to the Cataloochee Ranger Station where normally the elk visit. Most of us left without seeing them. But the last car spotted an elk within 15 feet across the Cataloochee Road- see the attached photo by George Macatee. After returning to Westgate, four hikers enjoyed a post-hike supper at the Chinese Restaurant. Ashok Kudva

WEDNESDAY NO. W0702-270 June 13
Cedar Rock Mtn-John Rock Loop 8:30 AM*
Hike 8, Drive 80, Rated B-A
Charlie Ferguson, 828-398-0215, ccf108@gmail.com
P400 *Note later start time. This trip features two of the spectacular rock summits in the Pisgah Forest, with great views from both. Starting at the Fish Hatchery, we’ll have our major climb up to Cat Gap and then on to Cedar Rock for lunch. We’ll return via John Rock. Second meeting place: Pisgah Fish Hatchery at 9:10 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PNF map

Twenty four hikers gathered together at the Fish Hatchery in the Pisgah Forest before the Cedar Rock & John Rock hike. When informed about the leader's scout of Cedar Rock and the possibility of climbing the north rock face instead of the trail from Cat Gap, most people thought the trail would be more helpful in ensuring that everyone got back from the hike in one piece. We also described options for people that did not want to do the full 2,000 foot climb. We started the hike up the Cat Gap trail along Cedar Rock Creek and then up to Cat Gap. The trail was beautiful of course. At Cat Gap we hiked a short distance up the Art Loeb trail to an unmarked unmaintained trail - the Cedar Rock Trail. This sometimes steep and slippery trail got us to the top of Cedar Rock and several campsites. A short distance later we all arrived at the north face of the rock where we had a leisurely lunch. After lunch Brad Van Diver gave a talk, explaining how Cedar Rock and the other nearby plutons like Looking Glass were formed. I found it interesting to learn that the North American and African tectonic plates were moving toward each other, about 300 million years ago, rather than away from each other as they are today. The pushing together of the two plates formed the whole Appalachian Mountain range.

After Brad's talk, suggestions for people to stand closer to the edge of the rock for a group picture were rejected. We returned to Cat Gap the way that we came. There three hikers opted to go directly back to the hatchery via the Cat Gap Loop rather than climb to John Rock. The rest of us went to John Rock where we had a spectacular view of Looking Glass Rock and the hatchery. We stayed there for quite awhile. Tom B. opted to stay at John Rock for another hour. Than we continued down the John Rock trail to the Cat Gap loop and back to the hatchery. Everyone seemed very happy with the hike. The 4 escapees called later to report their safe return. Charlie Ferguson. Photo by Ted Connors.

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.