CMC Bi-Weekly Hike Reports
May 15th, 2009 -- Looking Back
| Half Day Sunday Hikes |
| Wednesday Hikes |
All Day Saturday & Sunday The Smokemont Loop report was left out of the previous eNews. I apologize and include it here.--The Editor ALL DAY NO. A0902-642 Apr. 26
Photos by Christine Hoyer This was the first of the three hikes on the CMC Spring schedule to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, www.GreatSmokies75th.org. Four members of the Knoxville Sierra Club joined 5 CMC hikers and Christine Hoyer, a crew chief of the Smokies, represented the Park Service on this hike. Starting at the popular Smoky campground on a warm, sunny day, the Bradley Creek Trail was full of wildflowers including Daisy Fleabane, Phlox, Jack in the Pulpit, Butter-Cup, several types of Violets and Showy Orchis. After crossing the longest footbridge in the Smokies, we climbed 1300 ft. to our lunch spot atop Richland Mountain and descended to the historic Bradley Cemetery. Smokemont was once known as Bradleytown before Champion Fibre company established logging operations. A school, shops, a railroad station and other institutions supported the logging community. Luftee Church on one end of the camp and the cemetery are the only reminders of life before the park in the Smokemont area. Christine explained the efforts of Park Service to celebrate the annual Visitation Day for descendents with the old Smokemont heritage and that general public is also welcome for the occasion. During lunch I read the CMC proclamation for the anniversary, signed by our president, Becky Smucker, and presented at the formal park celebration by Danny Bernstein. The proclamation recognized the contribution of earlier CMC members, Dr. Chase Ambler, author Horace Kephart and his photographer partner George Masa, to establish the park. In response to our request, Christine graciously spoke about the Trails Forever Volunteer program and opportunities for us to participate in trail maintenance with training and support by crew supervision, including opportunities for school children accompanied by guardians, a great family educational program. Lenny Bernstein explained the $2 million challenge grant from the Aslan Foundation and the intent of the Friends of Smokies (www.FriendsOfTheSmokies.org ) to match it with public contribution to sponsor the Trails Forever program. On a personal note, I want to support the Trails Forever program because I want to bring my grandchildren to hike in the Smokies in a few years. For more on saving trails for generations and a fascinating family hiking experience spanning generations visit: http://www.mountainx.com/outdoors/2009/040809trails_forever We had a great hike and appreciate Christine joining us.--Ashok Kudva. ALL DAY NO. A0902-396 May 3 Rain I wait none came ALL DAY NO. A0902-560 May 3 Six optimistic hikers were richly rewarded for braving threatening forecasts and had a fine time hiking the AT and Groundhog Creek Trail to the lower end of the Rube Rock Trail and back. It rained for only about an hour and was otherwise cool and pleasant. Numerous AT through-hikers and more than 35 different wildflowers, including some rather uncommon ones, were found along our route.--Marianne Newman ALL DAY NO. A0902-445 May 10 Seven CMC members had a sunny day to enjoy a splendid display of pinkshell azaleas on Pilot Mountain. A botanical bonus was an equally splendid display of blooming carolina silverbell trees. The tumbling and gushing water along Daniel Ridge Trail provided a special treat. "Bruce" rock provided a fine perch for all for lunch.--Janet Martin HALF-DAY NO. H0902-452 May 3 On a very stormy day with rain /storms threatening all day six brave people started out and didn't encounter a single rain drop until we returned to the cars. With all the rain we've had Bridal Veil was in its glory.--Becky Elston HALF-DAY NO. H0902-034 May 10 Sixteen hikers left NC215 east on the MST on the way to FS 816 with side trips to Devils Courthouse and Chestnut Bald. Due to time, the already satisfied hikers opted not to hike to the top of Black Balsam at the end of the day. Sights seen included early blooms of azalea, trillium, and numerous other flowering plants and trees, as well as a pine branch shelter and many views, especially to the south and west.--Lee Belknap
Photos by Ted Connors and Danny Bernstein WEDNESDAY NO. W0902-643 Apr. 29 Starting at Woodlawn USFS Work Center on US 221 North of Marion, we, twelve, hiked on the MST going west. We went on a series of FS roads and trails and, after fording Tom's Creek fording we continued at a slow pace part way toward the summit of Wood's Mountain. As this was a natural history theme hike we went at a slow, sometimes moderate pace without incident on the well marked trail. There were numerous stops to discuss moss vs. fern life cycles, identify some ferns and fern allies, examine the growth forms of some lichens, identify several different kinds of pines, observe a water snake, examine a (dead) short-tailed shrew. An owl call was used to attract several song birds which were identified. Many kinds of spring wildflowers were admired. The hike was shortened because of time - it was about 5 miles.--Bill Grow WEDNESDAY NO. W0902-060 May 6
Photos by Ashok Kudva The weather forecast called for thunder showers and even a tornado watch for Asheville! Mary Beth, the point-person at Westgate, reported no hikers showed up there. Five hardy hikers joined me at the Pisgah Ranger Station. From Gloucester Gap we climbed for 75 minutes on the Art Loeb Trail with heavy rain and frequent thunder. After 1500 ft. climb, weather gods rewarded us with sunshine for rest of the hike. When I scouted this hike the day before with my neighbors; misty, drizzly, foggy conditions limited visibility to 20 feet during lunch at the 5100 ft. summit! Today, thunder and heavy rain washed away all fog and mist. We enjoyed our lunch with clear blue sky and white clouds surrounding the distant mountains we have hiked before. Three range of mountains on the east; Looking Glass, John Rock, Cedar Rock, followed by Black Mountain and Clawhammer, followed by Mount Pisgah looked spectacular. Black Balsam, Chestnut Bald, Devil’s Courthouse, Mt. Hardy and unnamed peaks and gaps of the adjacent Nantahala National Forest completed a spectacular 360 degree view. Pink Shell Azaleas, a rare species and signature of Pilot Mountain, were in full bloom above 4300 ft on the trail. Drops of water on their petals were photographers’ dreams. Lousewort, Painted and Purple Trillium, Bluets, Flame Azaleas and Violets were also present. At Farlow Gap Trout Lilies were few and beyond their prime. We returned from Farlow Gap after touching Bruce Rock. During the return on gravel forest road, with more sunshine than on the trail, Pink Shell Azaleas were blooming at elevations as low as 3600 ft. The date for this hike was perfectly pinned by Ruth Hartzler, for whom I substituted today.--Ashok Kudva Ashok , Photos by Ashok Kudva WEDNESDAY NO. W0902-257 May 13 Reports for Wednesday hikes during the eNews publication week will appear in the following eNews--The Editor.
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 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.
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