Looking Ahead

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

ALL DAY NO. A0801-504 Jan. 20
Lane Pinnacle from Bull Gap 8:30 AM*
Hike 10, Drive 30, 2900 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+
Jay Bretz, 828-658-1220, williambretz1220@msn.com
*Note later start time. This will be a challenging winter hike on the MST, past the Rattlesnake Lodge site and up to good views from our lunch stop at Lane Pinnacle. Due to the substantial altitude change, we may find snow at the higher end. Second meeting place: Bull Gap at 9:00 AM Topo: Craggy Pinnacle; also pg. 63-64 of MST Profiles book

SATURDAY NO. A0801-326 Jan. 26
Pump Gap (non-AT) loop 8:00 AM
Hike 9.3, Drive 66, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary@charter.net
This will be a moderate low-altitude ramble through the area between Tanyard Gap and Pump Gap. The hike won’t include any of the AT, but we’ll do all of Pump Gap Trail, connecting through woods roads and manways north and south of the AT. Topo: Hot Springs

ALL DAY NO. A0801-439 Jan. 27
Pounding Mill Loop 8:30 AM
Hike 9.5, Drive 55, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.com
P400 Note later start time. This hike takes the South Mills River Trail to the missing bridge, then backtracks and ascends the Pounding Mill and Squirrel Gap Trail. We’ll continue on to Pea Gap and then return on the Bradley Creek Trail. Second meeting place: Turkey Pen parking lot at 9:00 AM. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY NO H0801-490 Jan. 20
Craven Gap to Folk Art Center 1:15 PM*
Hike 5.4, Drive 11 miles, 750 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, please call Pat Elias, 828-687-1651, patelias@bellsouth.net
*Note early start time, and that the only meeting place is the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway, lower parking lot. A pleasant winter hike along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, with a gradual 1640 ft. descent.

HALF-DAY NO. H0801-485 Jan. 27
Old U.S. 70 and the Railroad 1:00 PM*
Hike 5, Drive 60, 1000 ft ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Gail Lamb, 828-350-0450, galmb46@aol.com
*Note early start time. We will walk up on old U.S. 70, now blocked off from traffic, to Swannanoa Gap, where we will enjoy a view of the valley, the railroad and tunnel, featured in The Road by John Ehle, a book about building the railroad up to Swannanoa Gap. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s in Black Mountain at exit 64 of I-40 at 1:20 PM. Topos: Old Fort, Black Mountain

All Day Wednesday

WEDNESDAY NO W0801-511 Jan. 23
Florence Nature Preserve 8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 40, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net
Walk all of the trails in the new 600+-acre Florence Nature Preserve in the Lake Lure area. This hike has easy loops with moderate climbs. Second Meeting Place: Nita's Grocery in Gerton, near the Preserve at 9:00 AM. Topo: Bat Cave; also Florence Nature Preserve Trail Map

WEDNESDAY NO W0801-278 Jan. 30
Kitsuma Peak 9:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 25, 2200 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Ken and Carol Deal, 828-281-4530, cnkdeal@charter.net
*Only meeting place: Parking lot next to McDonalds at exit 64 of I-40 at 9:00 AM. Our hike up Young’s Ridge offers great views of Greybeard, Green Knob and the Mt. Mitchell area. We will start from the picnic area near Old Fort. Also we’ll enjoy a grandstand view of the Swannanoa valley from our lunch spot. Topos: Old Fort, Black Mtn

Looking Back......

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

ALL DAY NO. A0801-503 Jan. 6
Mt. Sterling via Baxter Creek Trail 7:45 AM*
(strenuous)
Hike 12.4, Drive 110, 4100 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA+
Becky Smucker, 828-298-5013, bsmucker@charter.net
900M *Note early start time. This major climb in the Smokies is strenuous but on a gradual well-graded trail. After passing through a mixed forest followed by Balsam and Red Spruce, we’ll enjoy fine lunchtime views from the fire tower. With luck, we’ll find some snow at the higher elevations. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop, exit 24 off I-40 at 8:15 AM. Topo: Cove Creek Gap; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

The Baxter Creek Trail in the Smokies from Big Creek to Mt. Sterling and back is marginal for a midwinter day. It's about as long and challenging a hike as a group would want to attempt with the time constraints. We were concerned that the snow that fell in the previous week would leave ice on the trail at higher elevations, but that didn't happen. Scattered light showers teased us through the morning, and some cloud cover obscured views at the top, so we didn't dally at lunch. But in spite of our worries, our congenial group of eleven had a great day and finished before dark approached. We were rewarded for the sweat of the climb and the long downhill with a sense of accomplishment and by having enjoyed the amazingly lush, green cove and ridge communities on the south side of Big Creek watershed. We challenge anyone to find more green moss and ferns in January anywhere in this region. Becky Smucker. Photos by Ted Connors.

ALL DAY NO. A0801-283 Jan. 6
Montreat Ramble #2 9:00 AM*
(Moderate)
Hike 8, Drive 40, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Marlene Santa Maria, 828-299-9095 marlena98@hotmail.com
*Note later start time. Meet at Westgate at 9:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at exit 64 of I-40 at 9:20 AM. This will be a moderate loop hike starting in Montreat and climbing to the great view from Lookout Mtn. Then on to Pot Cove Gap and down the Graybeard Trail to our cars. This close-to-home hike promises a good workout and nice views. Topo: Montreat; also Montreat Trail Map

Marlene could not lead this hike due to a sprained ankle. Charlie Ferguson agreed to lead the hike even though there was no way that he could replace her presence and heart on the hike. Charlie should be commended for enduring the constant chiding from hikers commenting on not measuring up to Marlene's high standards for hike leadership.

Seventeen hikers including a few new to CMC collected together at Westgate and Rt 40 exit 64. When we got to our usual parking lot in the center of Montreat, it was full of cars of churchgoers. We proceeded up the road that we would normally walk up to park near the Lookout Mountain trailhead. We proceeded on a short steep climb to Lookout and hung out for awhile, enjoying the clear air, war temperatures and great views. We continued on the East Ridge Trail, over Lookout Mountain, Boggs Bunion and Brushy Mountain to Sourwood Gap where we had lunch. (The climb to Brushy Mountain was an extra 250 foot ascent but don't tell anyone).

After lunch the hike leader distributed some chocolate which did not satisfy the palates of those who expected Marlene's treats. Barth took offence at the promise chocolate wrapper aphorism he got. We were able to console him by the end of the hike. After lunch the group split into two groups for about a mile. One group, with Bruce leading, went on the advertised way along the relatively flat Toll Road to Long Gap. The other group of six proceeded along the rest of the East Ridge Trail, with another steep climb of 350 feet over the top of Rocky Head to meet the others at Long Gap. Continuing along the Toll Road, we stopped briefly at Pot Cove Gap, where we found no pots in the trees. As usual the descent along the Graybeard Trail along Flat Creek and its five stream crossings was beautiful and enjoyable. We met many small groups of other hikers going up including two CMC hikers - they expressed an interest in 3/4 day length hikes that could start around 9:30 or 10:00. Something for the hiking committee to consider. We continued on the road back down to Montreat and then walked up the road to the Lookout Trailhead which made for a nice climb after people were a bit tired from the rest of the hike. The hikers that did all the climbs did 2,200 feet and those that skipped Rocky Head did 1,850 feet.

After the hike most hikers scattered in their various car pools but six hikers found their way to Hendersonville and ate at the Thai Spice restaurant which we all liked. Considering that Marlene was not present, most hikers enjoyed the hike. Later we found that the half-day hikers were given an opportunity to moon motorists on the close by highways but we were not informed that anyone actually accomplished it. We didn't think of that but will keep it in mind for future hikes. Charlie. Photo by Charlie Ferguson.

ALL DAY NO. A0801-186 Jan. 13
Little Pisgah Mountain 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 36, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Kathleen Hannigan, 828-230-4883, kathleen.hannigan@pgnmail.com
A pleasant hike, close to home for our coldest month. We’ll hike from Hickory Nut Gap through part of the Florence Preserve and up into an open meadow to the summit of Little Pisgah Mtn. If the weather is clear, the view doesn’t get any better. Topo: Bat Cave

Why would 20 people show up to hike to the top of Little Pisgah with such a dreadful weather forecast? Well, probably because it is a gamble that hikers usually win. And this trip was no exception. Though I assured them with confidence they were in no danger of seeing any mountains on this day, we still enjoyed the lovely rhododendron-lined trails of the Florence Preserve as we headed up, stopping to embellish the history of a rock foundation, and to admire a large unusual tree and the spreading yucca plants on a former home site. When we got closer to the top, the fog and mist lent an eerie quality to the open pastures. One hiker commented it seemed like Scotland. As predicted there were no views from the top, so we headed down for lunch at a lower elevation and found a big beautiful tree to sit under. Trail treats shared ranged from mocha cappuccino bars to smoked oysters. As we headed back down the mountain, the sun actually broke out and we did enjoy some nice views through the trees and from an overlook on a side trail. Hike weather is like sharing trail lunches - you never know what you’re going to get. Arriving back at the cars, we swapped some anecdotes, looked at Mike-and-Kathy’s honeymoon pictures and bade each other good-bye until our next hiking adventure. Kathleen. Photo on left by Stuart English, on right by Ted Connors.

Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY No. H0801-500 Jan. 6
Mountains-to-Sea Trail: US 25 to I-26 1:15 PM*
Hike 3.5, Drive 15, Rated C-C
Non-members, call leader, Gerry McNabb, 828-274-0057, gerrymcnabb@charter.net
*Note early start time. A pleasant winter hike through the woods on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, yet still close to town, from US 25 at the Blue Ridge Parkway to I-26. Walk on a CMC-built bridge. Short car shuttle.

A blast of cold weather earlier in the week and a reprieve on Sunday brought out the hikers. We had thirty-two on the Sunday half-day hike, 10 of which were newbies. I must have had some 15 calls from those and others asking about the hike, where they could meet us closer than Westgate, etc. I met about half the group at Westgate and picked up the rest at Ingles and the French Broad overlook as a result of some of those calls. We ultimately had 10 cars in all. Arranging the shuttle was a bit of a hassle as several non CMC cars were already parked at the trail end where we were to spot cars to return drivers to the trail head. It seems like it would be simple enough, but parkway traffic was heavy. The pull off at the i -26 parking area is narrow. And it was hard to tell just how many cars we had collected along the way. It was finally determined that two cars should be left there and the eight headed for the trail head at US 25. The hike started at 2:08 pm, nearly an hour from our 1:15 departure from Westgate. But the hike was smooth sailing. Pat Elias was gracious enough to by my sweep since she had led this same hike before.
Between that and her taking my walkie talkie, I had every confidence the rest of the hike was going to be fine. And it was. But I
hesitate to recommend the car shuttle on this hike if hike attendance increases. There just isn't enough room at the I-26 bridge area to support a pull off. Despite the difficulties, many of the new hikers were planning to Google CMC to get the member application form. And the weather was great. Gerry

HALF-DAY NO. H0801-172 Jan. 13
John Rock Loop 1:00 PM*
Hike 5.7, Drive 72, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, please call leader, Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net
P400 *Note early start time. This moderate loop hike, with good views from the top, starts at the Fish Hatchery parking lot, at the end of the paved portion of FR 475, off US 276. Second meeting place: Fish Hatchery parking lot, at the end of the paved portion of FS 475, off US 276 at 1:40 PM.

Wednesday

WEDNESDAY NO W0801-598 Jan. 9
Pink Beds to Soapstone Ridge 8:30 AM*
Hike 6.7, Drive 90, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Becky Elston, 828-749-1886, belston@cytechusa.com
P400 *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form car pools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station at 9:05 AM. From the Pink Beds parking lot we will do part of the Pink Beds loop, then hike the Barnett Branch trail up to Rich Mountain on the Black Mountain trail for lunch and views to north and south. Then down to the Cradle of Forestry via the Club Gap trail. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

Ten people doubted the weather reports for rain and we ended up with a supberb day for a hike, especially on Jan 9th. Sunny, mid 60's and perfect. Nice hike up beyond the Pink Beds for great views almost 360 degrees. Becky Elston

WEDNESDAY NO W0801-053 Jan. 16
East Fork Pigeon River 8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 74, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net
P400 A stroll along one of WNC's most beautiful streams, the East Fork of the Pigeon River, which is often spectacular in the winter. We will ascend to Dark Prong for lunch and then return. Wilderness area, limit 10, so contact leader for reservation. Second Meeting Place: Big East parking area on US 276, north of BRP at 9:15 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

Nine hikers had the pleasure of cruising up and then down one of WNC's most beautiful streams, the East Fork of the Pigeon River. We gathered at the trailhead on US 276 shortly before 9:30. The day started out sunny, but with a forecast of snow for the night the clouds darkened as we went along. As usual the stream was beautiful, and dozens of photos were taken. In winter there are great views of the many small waterfalls and larger cataracts because the vegetation is thinner. There was little ice either on the stream or path. We took an 11:15 snack break on the rock in the middle of the stream, with rushing water all around, and lunched near where Dark Prong enters. This is an outstanding hike, just over 8 miles, and probably 1,000 plus feet gradual elevation going out. Tom

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 and Lucy Prim 828-693-6580 lucette32@mchsi.com.

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.