Looking Ahead

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

ALL DAY NO. A0703-488 July 8
Gabes Mt. Trail 8:00 AM*
Hike 9.6, Drive 150, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Marianne Newman, 828-454-1036, marianneln@msn.com
900M This in-and-out hike is on a mostly gentle trail from Cosby Campground in GSMNP through lovely old-growth forest. Added attractions are a short, steep side trip to the bottom of Hen Wallow Falls and lunch at a shady, streamside campsite. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 of I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topos: Hartford, Luftee Knob; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-574 July 15
Big Creek – Laurel Mtn loop 8:00 AM
Hike 12, Drive 60, 2700 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Michael Cornn, 828-685-3442, mcornn@aol.com
P400 This new CMC hike will start and end at the Trace Ridge Trailhead. It will ascend the Big Creek trail to the BRP, climb over the Buck Springs tunnel to the MST and descend on the Laurel Mtn. Trail and a no-name trail back to the Big Creek trail. One stream crossing may be a wet crossing if it has been raining. Second meeting place: Trace Ridge trailhead at 8:30 AM. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-211 July 22
MST: Pigeon Gap to NC 151 8:00 AM*
Hike 10.7 Drive 50, 1980 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
P400 A high elevation hike for a hot summer day. We’ll hike the MST past the Pisgah Inn, over the top of Little Pisgah Mountain, and down to Elk Pasture Gap, enjoying mountain views along the way. Car shuttle. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Wagon Road Gap Overlook (BRP M.P. 412) at 8:35 AM. Topos: Shining Rock, Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map and MST Profiles, pg. 52-54

Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY NO. H0703-064 July 8
Big Creek Trail 1:00 PM*
Nonmembers, call leader, Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703
Hike 6, Drive 50, Rated C-C
P400 From the Trace Ridge Trailhead, we will do an in-and-out hike 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 for a short time, then go along the Fletcher Field and Middle Fork Trails to a Forest Road. There will be several stream crossings. *Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM (note early start time) to form carpools, and meet hike leader at parking area just before the North Mills River Recreation Area at 1:30 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0703-168 July 15
Pink Beds 1:00 PM
Hike 4.2, Drive 80, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Laura Stallard, 828-697-1579
P400 This is an easy loop hike with little elevation change, off US 276, not far from the Cradle of Forestry. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station at 1:35 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0703-068 July 22
Balsam Gap to Point Misery 12.30 PM*
Hike 4.6, Drive 55, Rated B-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Gerry McNabb, 828-274-0057, gerrymcnabb@charter.net
*Note early start time. This in-and-out hike begins at Balsam Gap (milepost 359.7) on the Blue Ridge Parkway and follows the ridge crest north to Point Misery, with superb views of Mt. Mitchell and the Blacks. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 12:50 PM.

All Day Wednesday

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

WEDNESDAY NO W0703-529 July 11
Fletcher Fields & Spencer Branch Trail 8:00 AM*
Hike 8, Drive 60, 900 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703,
P400 This will be a woods hike, crossing small creeks, mostly using log bridges. It will cover Fletcher Creek and Spencer Branch trails, with an in-and-out on the Middle Fork trail, and returning on the Spencer Branch trail past the Hendersonville Reservoir to Trace Ridge trailhead. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at pull-out just before Mills River Recreation Area at 8:30 AM.

WEDNESDAY NO W0703-113 July 18
Cold Mountain from Camp Daniel Boone 8:00 AM
Hike 10.4, Drive 65, 3400 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net
SB6K, P400. Here is your chance to climb the mountain immortalized by Charles Frazier, as well as to enjoy outstanding views if the weather permits. From Camp Daniel Boone we will ascend 2500 ft. to the summit at 6030 ft., returning by the same route. Strenuous, so you should be in good shape. Wilderness area, limit 10, so call leader for reservation. Second Meeting Place: trailhead above Camp Daniel Boone Topos: Waynesville, Cruso; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

WEDNESDAY NO W0703-569 July 25
Cold Spring Knob 8:00 AM
Hike 11, Drive 65, 2770 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Dave Wetmore, 828-884-7296, dwetmore@citcom.net
This hike is an interesting mix of old logging roads, cross-country, and surveyor's lines. We will start near Sunburst Campground and climb to Double Spring Gap along old roads, the abandoned Boomer Inn Branch trail and some short but steep off-trail climbs. From Double Spring Gap we'll take a surveyor's cut up the ridgeline to the summit of Cold Spring Knob. The return will be on old but open logging roads. This new hike is a chance to explore the rarely-visited Lickstone Ridge. Topos: Sam Knob, Waynesville; also Nat’l Geo. PRD map

Looking Back......

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

SATURDAY NO. A0702-555 June 23
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

Seven hikers showed up for this new club hike. This section of the MST has not been hiked by the CMC. It is on the Woods Mountain Ridgeline which has many trail intersections that are begging to be explored. This section of the MST has a good view of the Blacks (Mt Mitchell) from the East side. This is a seldom hiked trail although we did see one other group. The elevation gain of 2500 ft. was a little more than listed. Don Walton.

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

This is the report by the group of 8 led by Tom Sanders who did this hike, a key swap, in the reverse direction from Elk Park to Carvers Gap. After a meeting at Westgate and a division between those who wanted the hard direction (ours) and the easy direction, we proceded to Burnsville where we organized into cars going to the respective trailheads. Our hike began about a mile above Elk Park on Chamber Road at a parking area, where an access trail leads about 3 miles up to the A.T. and saves a mile of distance on this long hike of 12 miles. Our hikers knew that our direction would be difficult with about 4,000 feet of elevation. Starting just before 10:00 am we moved along a heavily overgrown trail steeply up, then along a section with lots of nettles on the side, before coming into an open area that led up to the A.T. From there we were able to begin enjoying the spectacular open views that continued most of the day. This section is one of the true gems of the A.T., with a number of balds from which one can see 360 degree views. At this point weather was wonderful, generally clear, hot but with a breeze. We lunched on the well-known Big Hump, arriving about 11:45. We then continued south along the A.T., up steeply and over Little Hump, then down where shortly before the Barn, a trail shelter, we met the northbound group and exchanged keys.

From there much of the trail was wooded and frequently steep, with a climb of at least 1000 ft up to the Roans. Our group was great. Knowing that the hike would be difficult, only good experienced hikers volunteered. We stayed together, even on the steepest parts, and actually did the 12 miles and 4000 ft in 6 hours, not counting lunch. When we emerged from the woods and hit the open crest near Grassy Ridge, we could hear a lot of thunder and see eventually lightning. With 2 miles to go we picked up speed but managed to enjoy the flame azalia and Grays Lilies, as well as the views under the threatening sky. Going over the last bald before Carvers Gap we knew bigtime rain was imminent. Within 5 minutes after reaching our cars it came down in big sheets, a tremendous thunder storm with poor visibility. But once again our leader had thwarted rain (until the deluge comes, as I suspect it will). Tom

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

Even with a 70 percent chance of rain and surely 0 chance of moonlight, nine hikers gathered for a chance to participate in the offering of a moonlight hike in the Bent Creek area. And it paid off. The hikers enjoyed a pleasant (though humid) late evening walk admiring the beautiful blooming rhododendrons, and joking about all the dire warnings we had received about hiking there after dark. We did not need our flashlights for a long time but as darkness fell, the lights came on and conversation dropped off. It was interesting to listen to the night sounds and try to guess what was making them. We stopped on the bridge at the back of the lake to see if we could catch sight of beavers. No beavers, but we enjoyed seeing the lightning bugs which were by this time out in full force, and we listened to the frogs talk to each other. Before concluding the hike we stopped on the fishing pier and enjoyed the cool night breezes and shortbread cookies. We kept watching the bright spot in the clouds where we hoped the moon would peek out, but as it turns out, the moon was still behind a ridge. However, we still had Venus to admire, hanging very brightly over the lake, scrooched up to Saturn in preparation for their convergence on Sunday morning. As we returned to our cars, everyone agreed they would very much enjoy another evening hike, moonlight optional. Kathleen Hannigan.

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

This was a fantastic hike after we got all the car shuffling out of the way. 18 hikers including six new hikers to CMC hit the trail about 9:30 with a climb up to the summit of Black Balsam. The 360 degree views were great for a hot summer day. Clouds looked a bit threatening, but we were optimistic. We were all shown ‘Wedding Rock’ and ‘Witness Rock’ from a wedding that took place during an official CMC hike back in the mid 90s. From there we descended only to ascend Tennet Mountain where we enjoyed a snack and each other in conversation. We could see the old road below us where we would be hiking. It was mostly down hill from here. The rocky old road lead us to “Rattle Snake Café” where we enjoyed lunch under the shade of a maple tree. Just as lunch concluded, the clouds opened and sprinkled on us. Shortly after we all got on our rain gear the rain let up, of course. We arrived at second falls about 2:30 and enjoyed ourselves each in our own way; some with feet in the water, others with a full plunge, and still others in the shade of the trees. A dense fog rolled in just as it was time to head out. This hike was listed as a 9 miler, yet when I scouted it, it did not feel like it was that long. Our GPS gurus took the measurements and found it to be 7.5 miles from start to finish.

Some of us had after hike celebrations planned to Pisgah Inn, Hog Wild BBQ or home. Not breaking tradition, the Hendersonville group stopped at Dolly’s for some ice cream. Jan Onan, Hike Leader. Photos by Jan Onan.

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.

Twenty-one hikers including nine from Westgate assembled at the Pisgah Ranger Station on a sunny summer afternoon. One lady from the Philadelphia area found our hike from the internet, contacted the leader and joined us in the middle of her vacation!
After a mile hike along the Davidson River we paused at the historic English Chapel , founded in 1860 by Rev. A. F. English who bought the land for $5.00 (see photo by Ashok Kudva of the rebuilt chapel). Built by neighbors, this Methodist church continues to serve the community and the Forest visitors. Stuart English, editor of Let’s Go, our quarterly newsletter, is the great grandson of Rev. English. We started the North Slope loop in the Davidson River Campground and went along the Ranger Seely Memorial Trail. This is named for Pisgah District Ranger Seely who was related to the English family by marriage. We visited the English Family Cemetery and stopped at the old Amphitheater in the camp (photos by Ashok Kudva are attached). After the 6-mile hike some of us stopped at Dolly’s in Pisgah Forest for a well deserved treat of ice cream! Ashok Kudva. Photos by Ashok Kudva.

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 in the Lake Lure area. This is an easy loop hike with a moderate climb.

35 hikers decided to see the new Florence Nature Preserve. The weather promised to be mild and sunny with little chance of rain. About 3pm Mother Nature must not have heard the forecast as it started pouring down rain for about 45 minutes. Everyone arrived back at the cars soaking wet and the sun coming back out. The trails are in good shape from the CMC Trail crews doing extensive work the last year. The preserve is a very pleasant place to hike and has about 10 miles of existing trails for hikers to enjoy. Don Walton

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

40! CMC hikers went on this hike. The hike started in a cold windy fog. As we climbed to Grassy Ridge, the fog lifted and the sun began to come out, with a continuing breeze. The weather became perfect hiking weather. Rhododendrons and azaleas were in bloom. A number of rare Grays Lilies were spotted. 360 degree views along a lot of the hike. There were lots of photographers and photos taken. The hike continued beyond Grassy Ridge Bald to an overlook about a half mile away. There we ate lunch and had more spectacular views to the Southwest. Then back to Carvers Gap for 5.5 miles of hiking. Adrian provided refreshments for those gathered around his car. Then an optional drive into the Rododendron Gardens parking area an a short hike to Roan High Bluff for more magnificent views to the West. Andrian by way of Charlie Ferguson. Photos by Charlie Ferguson.

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

24 curious hikers showed up for this new CMC hike. This is a in and out hike along the Woods Mountain Ridgeline. It is different then most of our MST hikes as it is away from the Blue Ridge Parkway and is very solitude and quiet. There are many contiguous trails that could be explored and made into a loop hike. We shortened the hike to 8 miles and 2,300 ft. of elevation gain. About 2pm a predictable Mt Mitchell summer thunderstorm and lightning show closely entertained us for the last uphill hour back to the cars. We were all wet and thankful to get back to the cars as the sun started to come out. This hike should be scheduled as a one way hike from NC 80 to Woodlawn (12.2 miles) in the fall after the leaves have fallen. The views will be tremendous and new for the CMC. Don Walton. Photos by Don Walton.

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.