Looking Ahead

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

SATURDAY NO. A0704-372 Oct. 27
Big Fork Ridge–Rough Fork loop 8:00 AM
Hike 9.3, Drive 95, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.com
900M History Hike. Cataloochee was one of the most successful communities in the Smokies. From the end of the Cataloochee Valley, we’ll hike up Big Fork Ridge Trail, then turn right onto Caldwell Fork Trail. We’ll pass by the record-size tulip poplar trees, then go downhill on Rough Fork Trail. About a mile from the end of the hike, we’ll stop at the Woody House, a well-appointed framed house. On the way out of the valley, we’ll stop at the Palmer Chapel Cemetery. For a fictional account of life before the park, read “Cataloochee” by Wayne Caldwell. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop, Exit 24 off I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Dellwood; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map #229

ALL DAY NO. A0704-246 Oct. 28
Around Coffee Pot Mtn. 9:00 AM*
Hike 7.5, Drive 50, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Les & Catherine Love, 828-658-1489, lesrlove@charter.net
P400 *Note later start time. We’ll circle Coffee Pot Mtn. by hiking up Trace Ridge Trail to Beaver Dam Gap on the BRP and returning on the Spencer Branch Trail, with a stop to see the Hendersonville Reservoir and dam. Second meeting place: North Mills River Recreation Area parking lot at 9:30 AM, but phone leader first. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

ALL DAY NO. A0704-563 Nov. 4
Palmetto Trail: Pointsett Passage and Blue Wall Preserve. 8:30 AM*
(strenuous)
Hike 10, Drive 100, 1200 ft. or 2400 ascent, Rated A-B or A-AA
Charlie Ferguson, 828-333-5165, ccf108@gmail.com / Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387, gleason.ann@gmail.com
Come hike the newly opened Poinsett Passage of the Palmetto Trail. This stretch climbs along the NC / SC border and NW ridge of the Greenville water shed. The trail travels up and down the ridge through wilderness that has been closed to the public for decades, then descends to the Vaughn’s Gap parking area behind Lake Lanier. Key swap hike. Second meeting place: Saluda Truck Stop, Texaco station at Exit 59 off I- 26 at 9:05 AM. Topo: Saluda

ALL DAY NO. A0704-279 Nov. 4
Montreat: RR trestle Grade to Pot Cove 8:30 AM*
Hike 7.5, Drive 35, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Janet Martin, 812-738-8154, jaykaymartin@msn.com
*Note later start time. The hike starts southward toward Lookout Mountain, but veers north to hike along the west side of the ridge to Sourwood Gap, and then switches to the east side of the ridge through Long Gap to Pot Cove Gap, the site of an old quarry. By alternating sections of the Old Trestle Road, which was used by the Mt. Mitchell Railroad for logging and later for passengers, and the Old Toll Road to Mt. Mitchell, the hike will circumnavigate both Thunder Knob and Brushy Mtn. With the leaves off the trees, we'll catch some views unseen during the summer months. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to Black Mtn. McDonalds just south of I-40 Exit 64 at 8:50 AM. Topo: Montreat; also Montreat Trail Map

Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY No. H0704-057 Oct. 28
Blue Ridge Pinnacle 1:00 PM
Hike 4, Drive 60, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net
This moderate in-and-out hike starts on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Mt. Mitchell, with great views on top. Second meeting place: Folk Art Center lower parking lot at 1:20 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0704-009 Nov. 4
Ox Creek Road to Rattlesnake Lodge 1:00 PM
Nonmembers, call leader Barry Fletcher, 828-299-4776, hmflet@aol.com
Hike 4.4, Drive 30, Rated C-C
This in-and-out hike will feature the historic Rattlesnake Lodge site. Second meeting place: Folk Art Center lower parking lot at 1:15 PM.

All Day Wednesday

WEDNESDAY NO. W0704-586 Oct. 31
MST: Chestnut Cove to French Broad River 9:00 AM*
Hike 6.2, Drive 25, 900 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@mchsi.com
P400 From Chestnut Cove on the BRP we descend on the MST along several ridges to Bent Creek. Along the way there will be views of Biltmore House, Asheville and French Broad River. Car shuttle. *Note later start time. Only meeting place: Ingles parking lot across from Biltmore Square Mall on NC 191. Topos: Dunsmore Mtn., Skyland; also MST Profiles book, pg. 56 - 57

WEDNESDAY NO. W0704-365 Nov. 7
Mt. Mitchell Ramble 8:30 AM*
Hike 8, Drive 75, 1400 ft. Ascent, Rated B-B
Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886 ruthmtn@charter.net
*Note later start time. A loop on several trails in the Mt Mitchell area, including the Old Mt Mitchell Trail, Camp Alice Road and Commisary Ridge Trail. An optional side trip to Mt Craig and Big Tom. Second meeting place: Craven Gap on BRP at 8:45 AM. Topos: Montreat and Mt. Mitchell, also PNF South Toe River, Mount Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Map.

Looking Back......

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

ALL DAY NO. A0704-580 Oct. 14
Maintenance Theme Hike 8:30 AM*
Hike 7.5, Drive 25, moderate ascent, Rated B-B
Barth Brooker, 828-299-0298, barthb@bellsouth.net
*Note later start time. Ever wonder how CMC maintains the trails that we hike on? This moderate hike will travel a typical trail and will point out what and how to maintain it. The hike will be from the new Blue Ridge Parkway Headquarters to Craven Gap. We will discuss the maintenance tools that are used to maintain trails and point out type of problems we encounter. We want a two way exchange of ideas to help maintenance determine what issues are most important to the hikers and we will discuss the things done on the trail to correct and prevent future problems. The hikers will be challenged to spot potential problems and to explain why certain things have been done to the trail in the way of maintenance. Since trail maintenance is more of an art than a science, we can expect some lively discussions. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 8:50 AM.

There were only three of us on the hike, Ashok Kudva, Kelly Pearson (new to Asheville) and myself. It was perfect day for a hike and all had a good time. I pointed out many issue we encounter when maintaining a trail and how they are fixed and Ashok documented them with pictures. A good time was had by all three of us. A very large blowdown was encountered and the Monday crew removed it the day after the hike. Barth.

ALL DAY NO. A0704-581 Oct. 21
Balsam Mtn. – Pretty Hollow – Palmer Creek Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 15.6, Drive 110, 2700 ft. ascent, Rated AA+-AA+
Don Gardner, 828-754-4067, gardog3@bellsouth.net
900M This new CMC hike will cover some rarely-hiked and scenic trails. It will start at Pin Oak Gap and follow the Balsam Mtn., Mt. Sterling Ridge, Pretty Hollow and Palmer Creek trails. Second meeting place: Maggie Valley Post office at 8:30 AM. Topo: Luftee Knob; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map #229

It was a gorgeous day in the Smokies. A total of 9 hearty hikers took part in this hike. After a long drive to the interior of the Park via Balsam Mountain Gap Road to Pin Oak Gap, we commenced this hike at 9:45AM at the Palmer Creek trailhead. It was cool at the start but quickly warmed. The skies were clear and blue. The color was fantastic as the leaves were dropping in the higher elevations with the lower elevations well on their way. The rainfall of a few days earlier brought out more color. And we saw more water in the creeks (but not much more) than has been seen this entire summer of hiking in the par). We descended the Palmer Creek trail and then ascended the Pretty Hollow Gap trail to our lunch spot at Pretty Hollow Gap. About half way up Pretty Hollow we had a visitor—an apparent stray hound dog who we promptly named Earl. Earl stayed with us the remainder of the hike. Our attempts to rescue him (and including that of a Park Ranger) from the wilds was to no avail. He was very elusive.

Following lunch, we moved onto Mt. Sterling Ridge trail to Balsam Corner. We checked out Laurel Gap shelter, one of the few remaining that still have the chain link fencing to keep man and beast apart. A descent down Balsam Mountain trail (with two of our team splitting off for the last 2.3 miles to descend Beech Gap trail) and we arrived back at the road. A ½ mile uphill was required to retrieve the cars and head home.

We traversed a total of 15.5 miles, not including the extra ½ mile on the Balsam Mtn. Road to retrieve the cars. And we maintained a pace of about 2.5 MPH. It was a spectacular day with much camaraderie and a good time by all. Don.

Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY NO. H0704-578 Oct. 14
Flat Laurel Creek, Little Sam Knob, MST Loop 12:30 PM*
Hike 6.5, Drive 80, Rated B-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
P400 *Note early start time. This is a pleasant loop trail with views of Big Sam Knob, Fork Ridge and the lovely Flat Laurel Creek. We'll begin on the Flat Laurel Creek Trail, which ascends gradually until we are hiking next to the creek, where we will stop for a snack. Little Sam Knob Trail, with views of Little Sam Knob and Sam Knob, connects to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, which will take us back down to our starting point at NC 215. Second meeting place: Pisgah Inn, north end of parking lot at 1:00 PM.

27 hikers took advantage of a perfect day---mild temperatures, blue skies, fall foliage--for this new CMC hike.

We enjoyed rest stops by Flat Laurel Creek and Penny Rock and a leisurely pace that allowed time to appreciate the many views of surrounding mountains. The group picture was taken next to the Penny Rock overlook. Marcia.

HALF-DAY No. H0704-553 Oct. 21
Montreat Loop #4 1:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 40, Ascend 1000-ft., Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Joe Burchfield, 828-298-8413, burchfield@niu.edu
This is a moderate hike ascending the Lookout Trail over Lookout Rock and then following the East Ridge Trail to Sourwood Gap. Return will be by the Toll Road, the Buck Gap Trail, and the Old Trestle Road to the Lookout Trail. After a moderately steep ascent and a short rock scramble, we will follow the ridge trail over several knobs and then return with an easy walk along the Toll and Trestle Roads. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald's in Black Mountain off Exit 64 of I-40 at 1:25 PM.

No report!

Wednesday

WEDNESDAY NO. W0704-584 Oct. 10
Butter Gap Loop 8:00 AM*
Hike 9, Drive 75, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Tom Bindrim, 828-273-3880
P400 One of Tom's favorites for near 30 years, we'll use parts of the Cat Gap Loop, ALT, and all of the Butter Gap trail through the beautiful Grogan Creek watershed to Picklesheimer Fields. Moderately paced, lots of stops, long lunch, expect late return. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Fish Hatchery at 8:45 AM. Topos: Shining Rock, Rosman; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

Nine people, perfect weather, everything according to plan, the kind of hike everyone thoroughly enjoys and quickly forgets The one thing different from most hikes was the evidence of beavers backing up Grogan Creek and flooding part of Pickelsheimer Fields. Three dams were seen right from the trail, representing four different levels of water, and one beaver lodge out in the middle of a beaver pond. None of the largest rodents on Earth were themselves seen, of course...... Tom. Photos by Ted Connors.

WEDNESDAY NO. W0704-560 Oct. 17
Rube Rock/Groundhog Creek Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 100, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.com
A beautiful loop hike, rich in fall foliage, located in the Harmon Den area of Pisgah Nat'l. Forest. We'll start at Brown Gap, then hike the A.T. to Rube Rock Trail which descends into the Pigeon River Gorge. Then we'll climb the Groundhog Creek Trail, to the A.T. and back to Brown Gap. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop off I-40 at Exit 24 at 8:30AM. Topo: Waterville, also Harmon Den & Hot Springs Area Trail Map, USFS map.

I want to give credit to Stuart English for introducing me to this hike. I first got interested in this hike when I saw the picture of the information board with our name, Carolina Mountain Club, on it.

This hike goes deep in the Pigeon Gorge from the Harmon Den area. This is an unusual hike in several ways. You go down most of the morning and then climb up. You're within earshot of I-40, yet it feels so remote. I think this is one of the most remote places that we hike on trails. We could all see the effect of the lack of water on the trails, trees and cascades - there weren't any cascades. Several new people came and this hike was a great introduction to CMC. Danny. Photos by Ted Connors and Charlie Ferguson.

WEDNESDAY NO. W0704-204 Oct. 24
Max Patch Ramble 8:00 AM
Hike 7.5, Drive 100, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Adrian Lotherington, 828-484-9132, jaloth@charter.net
A late fall hike that may be our last opportunity to scale this beautiful section of the AT before Jack Frost descends! We will begin and end at Max Patch, one of WNC's most stunning views. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at Exit 24 off I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Lemon Gap.

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.