Looking Ahead

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

ALL DAY NO. A0703-068 July 29
Big Butt from BRP 8:30 AM* (moderate)
Hike 7, Drive 55, 2200 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA
Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886, ruthmtn@charter.net
*Note later start time. We will take the Big Butt trail from Balsam Gap on the BRP, following the ridge crest to Big Butt (Yeates Knob), a short bushwhack at just under 6000 ft., and return via the same route. We will stop at Point Misery for lunch and views of the Black Mtns. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 8:45 AM. Topos: Montreat, Mt. Mitchell; also South Toe River PNF map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-396 Aug. 5
Pilot Rock – Mt. Pisgah -Thompson Creek 8:00 AM (strenuous)
Hike 11, Drive 80, 3000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net
P400 We will hike up the well-graded Pilot Rock and Mt. Pisgah trails to our lunch spot on the summit of Mt. Pisgah, and then down the Thompson Ridge trail. Expect great views along the way. Short car shuttle. Topos: Dunsmore Mtn., Cruso; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-571 Aug. 5
Smokemont Ramble 8:30 AM* (moderate)
Hike 9, Drive 108, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@mchsi.com
900M *Note later start time. This new CMC hike from a popular GSMNP campground includes an in-and-out stroll along the Bradley Fork Trail and a gradual ascent and descent on the Smokemont Loop Trail. We will cross the Bradley Fork on a long and narrow split log bridge with a steel cable hand rail, to complete the loop over Richland Mountain. Second Meeting Place: Maggie Valley Post Office at 9:00 AM, but contact leader first. Topo: Smokemont; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY No. H0703-043 July 29
Frying Pan Tower 1:30 PM*
Hike 4, Drive 50, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Lucy Prim, 828-693-6580, lucette32@mchsi.com
P400 This is an easy in-and-out hike through a spectacular display of wild flowers to good views from the tower. *Meet at Westgate at 1:30 PM to form carpools, and meet hike leader at north end of parking area of Pisgah Inn at 2:00 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0703-347 Aug. 5
Twin Falls Loop 12:30 PM*
Hike 6, Drive 75, 1000-ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
P400 A moderate hike in the Pisgah National Forest, starting on the Buckhorn Gap Trail, taking the Twin Falls Bypass to view two nice waterfalls and completing the loop on a Forest Service road and the Clawhammer Cove Trail. *Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM (note early start time) to form carpools, and meet hike leader at the Pisgah Ranger Station at 1:10 PM.

All Day Wednesday

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

WEDNESDAY NO W0703-385 Aug. 1
Upper Little East Fork - Fork Mt. Slow Loop phone leader
Hike 11-12, Drive 100, 2100 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Tom Bindrim, 828-273-3880, tjbindire@yahoo.com
P400 A moderately-paced Wilderness Area loop with upper elevation scenery, water and a workout. Expect a late return, bring extra food. This is a wilderness area limited to ten people. Call leaders for reservations, times and meeting particulars. Topo: Sam Knob & Shining Rock

WEDNESDAY NO. W0703-459 Aug. 8
NC 128 to Greybeard overlook 8:30 AM
Hike 8.9, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net
We head up into old growth balsam - spruce forests south of Mt Mitchell for a scenic hike with dramatic views and several rocky climbs. Possible blueberry sightings. Hikers wishing a shorter trek can stop after 6.4 miles at Glassmine Falls overlook, if desired. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: Craven Gap on BRP at 8:45 AM. Topos: Mt. Mitchell, Montreat; also MST Profiles, pg. 66-69

Looking Back......

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

Ten hikers enjoyed the cool, shady trail from Cosby picnic area past Henwallow Falls to campsite 34 and back. Though it was 90 degrees on I-40, it was only 70-75 in the woods. Bee balm and the last of the rosebay rhodies were blooming in the coves amidst huge, toppled trees from last year's windstorm on the TN side of the Smokies. We were puzzled by a mysterious collection of flags and tree-ribbons marking off a fairly large area along the trail. A study site of some kind? Henwallow Falls is little more than a trickle these dry days, but everyone agreed that it and the rocks it flows over are still worth the short, steep climb. Ninety percent of the group went on to dinner after the hike. Is that a record? Marianne. Photo by Ted Connor.

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

On this new CMC hike, 10 hikers started from Trace Ridge Trailhead in Mills River. There were two new club hikers from Mooresville. It was a mile on a forest road to the Big Creek trail head. The first part of this trail is an easy trek along Big Creek, with four rock-hop crossings. Then we took a break before the 2,000-foot climb up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. After a break again to wait for everyone to reach the top of the trail, we walked along the Parkway to the MST for our lunch spot. It was at the old Buck Springs Lodge site where there were three benches for all of us to sit on with a great view of where we hiked from and of our path back. With some thunder in the distance, we kept lunch time short. After lunch it was a short way on MST to Laurel Mtn trail. This trail was downhill to Good Enough Gap with the rhododendron in bloom along the trail. From the gap it was down a no-name trail that connects to the Big Creek trail for the return to the cars. After the 14.5 mile hike, six hikers had a good dinner at Carrabas. Michael.

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

15 hikers met at Wagon Road Gap on a beautiful, cool Sunday morning. Two are prospective new members. We followed the MST down across Hwy 276 and down to the Buck Springs Trail and up to the Pisgah Inn. At this point an otherwise fine hike was marred by the indecision of the hike leader on where to have lunch. We finally had it at a beautiful view at the Buck Springs overlook. Luckily, there was no mutiny and the hike leader escaped unscathed. At some point the subject of yellow jackets was brought up and we all agreed that we hadn’t seen any all year. Well, about a quarter of a mile before the end of the hike we went over a nest and Jan got stung. Someone stayed near the nest to warn the others. It didn’t help and Jeff Simon was stung about 12 times. Paul Benson gave him benedryl and applied the bite stick. He said he wasn’t allergic. Happily it was at the end of the hike. Folks, there are yellow jackets out there. Stuart. Photo by Stuart English.

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.

Thirteen of us poured in from Westgate, Craven Gap... some from as far away as Maggie Valley, to trickle our way up the Parkway and enjoy the deep, cool, over-5,000-ft. Canadian woods on the Pt. Misery hike Sunday. We began hiking at 1:45; returned to cars at 5:30. The temperature never got out of the low 60’s; the sun came and went with no rain; nd those who arrived at the Little-Butt overlook got breathtaking views of the Black Mountain Range to enjoy during their snack break. Thankfully, the hike was uneventful except for the enjoyment of the wildflowers and conversations among the congenial group. For the record: some of the trail was overgrown with blackberry plants and the hike should have been rated C-B instead of B-B. Gerry. Photo by Gerry McNabb.

[There cannot be too many pictures of Turk's-cap lilies.]

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 through 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

32 people met at Cold Mountain Overlook under a clear blue sky for what turned out to be a great hike. We started at the end of FS road 816 and went up Sam Knob (a 6000 foot peak with 360 degree views), then down to the Flat Laurel Creek Trail and up to the junction with Little Sam Trail. We had heard that Flat Laurel Creek Trail had been renovated into a bicycle trail, but we were relieved to find that whatever had been done to it was an improvement. We had lunch at a big rock near the junction with the MST. The rest of the day we were alternately walking in clouds and sun. The clouds roll in and out often at this altitude. After enjoying the views from the top of Devils Courthouse, we headed back along the MST to a point where 7 of our group bushwhacked to the top of Chestnut Bald to bag what would be the third 6000 foot peak of the day. From there we followed the MST back to FS 816, then up the Art Loeb Trail to the summit of Black Balsam and another 6000 foot peak. Then back down the Art Loeb Spur trail to our cars. With all this seemingly alpine climbing, we might have ascended 1500 feet. Eight of us enjoyed dinner at the Pisgah Inn. Stuart. Photo by Danny Bernstein.

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

Because of the popularity of this hike more than 10 people signed up. We decided therefore to have two totally independent groups, one led by Tom Sanders (with 10) and the other by Greg Goodman (with 8). Several were first time hikers with the club. The sky was overcast when we arrived at the trailhead and continued that way most of the day. Despite the diversity of the participants they kept up well so that the two groups arrived at the summit and lunch spot between 12:30 and 1:00. There was very little view and even a slight drizzle as we ate. The return was without incident. Highlights, other than the fact that this is a great hike, were flowers: lots of rhododendren, turks cap lilies, sundrops, bee balm, late fire pinks, and others. Tom. 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.