Looking Ahead

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

ALL DAY NO. A0704-590 Nov. 11
Linville Gorge, Conley Cove to Babel Tower 8:00 AM
Hike 7, Drive 130, 2200 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA
Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net
Strenuous hike! We’ll first descend 1100 ft. in less than a mile from Conley Cove trailhead, then hike upstream along the Linville Gorge in the depths of the gorge. One of the great streams of WNC. Then out of the gorge via the Babel Tower trail after a stop at Babel Tower. Short car shuttle. This is a wilderness hike - limit of 10 hikers - call leader for reservation.  Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s off I-40 at Exit 64 at 8:20 AM. Topos: Ashford, Linville Falls; also Linville Gorge Wilderness map

ALL DAY NO. A0704-409 Nov. 18
Jones Gap/El Lieutenant Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 10.3, Drive 95, 2200 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Carroll Koepplinger, 828-667-0723, carrollkoepp@bellsouth.net
Starting at Jones Gap State Park (NOTE: $2 entry fee per person), we will hike up the Jones Gap Trail along the Middle Saluda River, then the Bill Kimball Trail up through the boulders and forest, climbing over the granite face of El Lieutenant. We’ll continue on the Kimball trail, walk a short portion of US 276 to our return loop on the Tom Miller and Jones Gap Trails. *Additional meeting places: NE corner of parking lot at Cracker Barrel at Exit 53 of I-26 at 8:30 AM; also Jones Gap State Park parking lot at 9:00 AM. Topos: Cleveland, Table Rock; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness map

Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY NO. H0704-434 Nov. 11
Laurel Mountain Trail 1:00 PM*
Hike 5.4 miles, Drive 40, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703
P400 This moderate loop hike will start at FS 1206, go along a ridge trail toward Black Mountain and return via the Laurel Mountain Trail. There should be good views of the Mills River Valley. *Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at the North Mills River parking area at 1:30 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0704-286 Nov. 18
Sycamore Cove Trails 12:30 PM*
Hike 5.7, Drive 70, 1200-ft elevation, Rated B-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Pat Elias, 828-687-1651, patelias@bellsouth.net
P400 A moderate hike in the Pisgah National Forest along several trails, including Thrift Cove and Grassy Road. *Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at entrance to Davidson River Campground parking lot on US 276 at 1:00 PM.

All Day Wednesday

WEDNESDAY NO W0704-587 Nov 14
Catawba Falls 9:00 AM*
Hike 4, Drive 40, 600 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net
*Note later start time. Please call Don Walton in advance for reservations. This hike is a first for the CMC in at least 20 years, and will be conducted jointly by CMC and the Foothills Conservancy. The Foothills Conservancy (www.foothillsconservancy.org) has recently purchased a 23 acre property with loan funds to secure public access to the trail, and the USFS is working to acquire the property and add it to Pisgah National Forest. Since the 1870s when Rufus Morgan photographed the Catawba Falls, people have hiked along the Catawba River to view these spectacular waterfalls. After years of being off-limits, the falls are now on their way to becoming open to the public. The first falls is a moderate hike; however, the upper falls is very difficult and should not be undertaken lightly. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald's at Exit 64 of I-40 at 9:20 AM. Topo: Black Mountain

ALL DAY NO. W0704-582 Nov. 21
Gauging Station – Pink Beds loop 8:30 AM*
Hike 9, Drive 85, 900 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Stu English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
P400 This will be a pleasant loop from the gauging station, covering parts of the S. Mills River, Buckhorn Gap, Black Mtn,. Barnett Branch and Pink Beds Loop trails. *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station at 9:05 AM. Topos: Shining Rock; Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

Looking Back......

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

Fourteen hikers, including two guests, hiked the loop and discussed the history of Cataloochee before the area was incorporated into the Smokies. On Caldwell Fork Trail, we took a side trail to a Civil War gravesite, which may hold Union or Confederate soldiers - the history is not definitive on that. We had lunch at the big poplars, now easy to find, since there's a sign at the turn-off. We were in prime elk season and saw several elk in each pasture, including males with impressive racks. We were also in prime tourist season. When we got out of the woods, Smokies volunteers - the Bugle Corp - moved along the "football game" like crowd along. That didn't stop us from climbing up to the Palmer Chapel Cemetery, where there were few tourists. Danny. Photo on left by Ted Connors, on right by Ashok Kudva.

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

Eleven hikers enjoyed a stellar fall day with much color around the 7.5 mile loop - up Trace Ridge Trail to a grassy, sunny lunch spot at Beaverdam Gap Overlook. We descended along Spencer Branch, at one point having to scramble around a short section of trail flooded by beaver daming. Continuing on down to the Hendersonville Resevoir, where we loitered in the sun admiring the lake and the beautiful day. Catherine Love. Photo by Danny Bernstein

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

Sixteen hikers went on this hike. Nine westbound and seven eastbound. Ann Gleason, who scouted the hike, was unable to lead the eastbound group as planned. Bruce Bente took her place. Charlie Ferguson led the mostly uphill westbound group.

The westbound group started in South Carolina with a 2,000 foot climb over 4 miles, along a creek, that runs up to Vaughn's Gap. The first part is through the Blue Wall Preserve. The leader turn left at the wrong pond of Twin Ponds but quickly backtracked and found the right one. The leader promised a moderate pace, but somehow the exhilaration of the beautiful day and carpet of colored leaves on the trail took over. Everyone seemed to keep up fine - there were no complaints (at least within earshot of the leader). We stopped periodically to rest and enjoy the forest. We passed an old board trimming saw along the way. Kent put his head by one of the blades and taunted anyone to start up the motor. Since the motor was gone he was sure that he was safe.

We walked along the road near Rocky Spur and met the east bound group. We doubled back to a flat area in the sun with leaves on the ground for lunch. After lunch we went north on the road and turned left onto Brushy Ridge and hiked along the North Carolina-South Carolina border. The hike ended with a one mile hike in North Carolina to the parking lot at Orchard Lake. At the parking lot we notice some fitness equipment down another road and investigated. We each had a turn zooming down a short zip line, which proved that parts of us were still children inside.

The combination of colored leaves in the trees and on the trail with a more open forest floor and perfect temperatures, sun and great friends made for a wonderful day. Here is a link to information on the Palmetto Trail which goes from the mountains in North Carolina to the sea north of Charleston South Carolina. Charlie Ferguson. Photos by Ted Connors.

This pleasant key-swap hike was done in perfect weather. Bruce Bente led 7 hikers in the "downhill" direction with about 1400 feet of ascent thrown in to make it interesting. We met the uphill group for lunch at a sunny place along the trail, then descended to waiting cars, and made the requisite stop for ice cream in Tryon, enjoying such flavors as lemon-pineapple and walnut-mocha...yum! Bruce Bente

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

Five CMC members shared a multisensorial experience on this hike. Our eyes were treated to a multitude of reds on the sourwood, tupelo, and maples against a deep azure sky. The steady rustle of the ankle-deep leaves warned any wildlife of our approach, as we slipped and slid across the acorns hidden under the leaves. The steady, brisk wind was heard and felt while watching the foilage dance and limbs bend. A delightful day to be walking through the trees. Janet.

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.

The afternoon started with 23 hikers leaving the Folk Art Center for the crowded drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway to the trailhead at the Old Toll Road. The day was absolutely beautiful with just the right temperature and the leaves gently starting to fall. The leaf colors are at their best this weekend. We started by finding the submarine just after leaving the road on the trail. The weather station column looks like a periscope if you use your imagination slightly. We arrived at the top of the pinnacle and quickly identified most of the mountains as you could see clearly today. On the back way down we quickly lost the trail and bush whacked all the way down to the road. Not your normal Sunday afternoon hike! One of the highlights for me today was meeting Tom Campbell from Charlotte a long time CMC member and former CMC Council Member from the early seventies. Don Walton

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.

The hike up to Rattlesnake Lodge and the short but steep loop beyond was an excellent choice for an autumn outing and the 32 hikers that participated. The trail ascends gradually via a series of switchbacks to the ruins of the lodge, which lie at 4,400 feet. There, an interpretive signs displays the history of Dr. Ambler’s home and guides hikers to the remains of the barn, swimming pool, house, cistern and springs. The loop continues past the cistern to a spring where it winds back down to the lodge and rejoins the MST. We chose to climb up the steep part of the loop (look for the round blue blaze to the left as you leave the main ruins) rather than trusting our balance on leaf covered rocks on the way down. At the spring, the white MST blaze on the right marks the less steep but longer downward limb of the loop. Eleven hikers opted to stay at the lodge rather than attempt the loop.

Note: Parking at the trailhead on Ox Creek Road is limited to about four vehicles and it was filled this Sunday. To accommodate our large group, the drivers dropped off their passengers at the trail head and found various parking spots along the upper part of the road. The leader then ferried the drivers to the trail head where a space had been “reserved” by parking an extra car in advance. Barry.

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

Lovely weather , colorful foliage and 26 hikers including long time members Sherman Stambaugh, the Blodgetts, the Deals, Brad Van Diver, Rusty Breeding , Joan LeMire and Tom Bindrim made this a wonderful hike. A part of this MST section was also a part of the Shut-In Trail created by George Vanderbilt in 1890 to link his hunting lodge at Bucksprings to his home: the Biltmore House. On this lovely Halloween Day wearing a hunter’s costume of a blaze orange jacket and a cap, I shared dark chocolates with a “trick or treat” to all hikers who gracefully tolerated the leader’s error in car shuttle: French Broad River and French Broad Overlook are two different destinations! We reparked the shuttle drivers’ cars at the trailend before all hikers assembled at the trailhead. It allowed hikers enjoy lovely views at the overlook for 10 additional minutes before the hike! After the hike eight of us had a nice lunch and more hike-chat at the Stone Ridge Tavern.
Memo to the Hike Database Manager: Change title of Hike# W0704-586 to “MST: Chestnut Cove, BRP 398.3 to Bent Creek River Park on NC 191” . Ashok. Photo by Charlie Ferguson.

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.

The BRP closed the Craggy Tunnel for repairs beginning Wednesday so the hike at Mt. Mitchell had to be changed. Four hikers arrived at Craven Gap in search of a leader. Charlie Ferguson arrived with alternate hike plans although he was not feeling well. Steve Pierce was designated hike leader and we hikers decided to drive to Beetree Gap and hike part of the Snowball Trail and possibly the MST toward Lane Pinnacle. Cold temperatures and a bracing wind met us on the Snowball Trail. We hiked to Hawksbill Rock and enjoyed the view, a snack, and the sun. We returned to the MST and found a sheltered spot for lunch. All agreed after lunch that the wind and cold was enough, and we returned to our cars. Although a short hike, all enjoyed the trail and the company. --Steve Pierce

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.