All Day Saturday & Sunday
ALL DAY NO. A0903-527 Aug. 23
Chatooga River & Ellicott Rock *8:00 AM
Hike 8.5, Drive 150, 950 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Dave Wetmore, 828-884-7296, dwetmore@citcom.net
*Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at the Bi-Lo side parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:35 AM. Come stand where 3 states join! View an 1811 boundary marker between Georgia and North Carolina that settled the Walton War but still rankles many Georgians. View an 1813 boundary marker between North Carolina and South Carolina. This hike has gentle grades and goes along the Chatooga River. To really see the markers you’ll have to get knee deep in the river, so come prepared. Topo: Tamassee; also Nat’l. Geo. Nantahala & Cullasaja Gorges map #785
 
Photos by Bobbi LeHoullier
It was a sunny warm day when 13 of us descended East Fork from the Walhalla Fish Hatchery to the Chatooga and up the Chatooga to the site of Ellicott's Rock and Commisioner's Rock. On the way in several ascending hikers warned us of a yellow jacket nest "about 100 yards" from the river. We didn't see the nest until about half of us had passed by, then someone saw the wasps swarming out. Three people got stung. We spent about an hour at the site of the Rocks, both of which we had to hunt for.
On the way out we had no trouble with the wasps, apparently they were all stung out.--Dave Wetmore
SATURDAY NO. A0903-357 Aug. 29
Pisgah Ridge Loop *8:30 AM
Hike 7.5, Drive 70, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Janet Onan, 828-698-3237, janonan@bellsouth.net
P400 *Note later start time. Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Cold Mtn. overlook (BRP M.P. 412) at 9:05 AM. We’ll do a scenic circle of the entire Graveyard Fields area, using the Pisgah Ridge Trail and MST to lunch at a beautiful overlook. Then we’ll follow the Graveyard Ridge Trail, with a stop for swimming at one of the Yellowstone Falls. Probable blueberry consumption. Topos: Shining Rock, Sam Knob; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780 and USFS Shining Rock & Middle Prong Wilderness map
 
Photos by Jan Onan and Ted Connors
Nine hikers joined us for this beautiful day hike. The morning weather was cool with clear views of the mountains in the direction of Pilot and Cedar mountains. We took our time on this hike as we picked black and blueberries until our stomachs or bags or both were full! The blackberries are the best tasting we have ever had! Lunch offered still clear views two hours later. Clouds looked like they might bring rain, but it held off and it was sunny for our swim in the chilly but refreshing pool. Half of the hikers decided to talk the plunge. That is 4.5 of the 9. (OK, Danny only went in half way.) There were several backpack hikers on the MST going up Black Balsam, and of course there were a lot of folks enjoying the falls. Other than that, we had the trail mostly to ourselves. This was a very enjoyable hike with wonderful company. We had one new hiker from mid-state on her second CMC hike this week! Pictures are posted on the Web Site.--Jan Onan
ALL DAY NO. A0903-190 Aug. 30
MST: Mt. Mitchell to Balsam Gap 8:00 AM
Hike 9.5, Drive 70, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Barth Brooker, 828-299-0298, barthb@bellsouth.net
SB6K This is one of the really great sections of the MST, and includes two SB6K peaks. The first part of the hike features exceptional views south from the Black Mtns., while the second part showcases the trail-building and rock-work achievements of the CMC. See spectacular scenery from our lunch spot on a rocky outcropping. Topos: Mt. Mitchell, Montreat; also PNF South Toe River, Mt. Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Map
This all day Sunday hike with 19 hikers covered about 10 miles and went from the Mt. Mitchell area to Balsam Gap. It was a nice day for a hike meaning the rain held off, the temperature was in the low 80's, and the berry crop was plentiful. This hike has open sunny areas with views and dense cool areas. It is almost like going through multiple climate zones. Twice the trail reaches 6K with Blackstock Knob being one of the peaks of the 6K challenge. The hike was intended to start on the MST going down to Camp Alice from the top of Mt. Mitchell. Instead we started at the ranger station on Mt. Mitchell road and walked the gravel road down the MST at Camp Alice. There were several reasons for this change including nice open views of the mountains, a safer trail, and to pick up a little time for berry picking. It should be noted for future reference that the ranger station has bathrooms with running water for the first trail break. A good time was had by all.--Barth Brooker
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Half Day Sunday
HALF-DAY NO. H0903-070 Aug. 23
Mt. Mitchell Loop *12:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 60, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Lee Belknap, 828-698-9394, rivergypsy@sprintmail.com
*Note early start time. Starting at Stepps Gap Ranger Station we will use the Camp Alice and Mt Mitchell Trails to create a scenic loop in this rugged high country.
 
Photos by Lee Belknap
On August 23, 2009, with occasional rain and sunshine, 28 hikers embarked from the Step Gap ranger station along the old Mitchell trail in Mt. Mitchell State Park. There were several beautiful clearings along this ridgeline trail with plenty of blackberries and other wildflowers to be found. We passed the restaurant and its water tower, and entered the beautiful deep, dark, and damp pine forest as the trail became quite rugged. There were a number of small stairways and several large steps up and down rocks and roots. Some of them were a bit slippery, but everybody made it through in fine shape and in good time.
We arrived at the Camp Alice trail junction early and began the descent to Camp Alice where the park water supply is still being upgraded and where once stood a railroad station and lodging for visitors on their way to the top of the mountain. The Camp Alice area has a beautiful stream, meadows, and lots of blueberries and blackberries. After a pleasant break, we wandered our way up the old railroad bed past spectacular cloud displays, more blue and black berries, and back to the ranger station.
We had left partly sunny Asheville and traveled through an intense rainstorm on the way to the park, had only a couple of brief showers plus occasional drizzles while on the trail, and returned to a sunny Earthfare parking lot at the end of the day. The wonderful scenery and many breaks in the weather made for a great day on the top of the Appalachians.--Lee Belknap
HALF-DAY NO. H0903-297 Aug. 30
Sams Gap South *1:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 60, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call Gail Lamb, 828-350-0450, galmb46@bellsouth.net
*Note early start time. A moderate in-and-out hike from Sams Gap to the Hogback Ridge Shelter and return along the Appalachian Trail off the new portion of I-26.
On a sunny afternoon, 17 hikers left Sam's Gap on the A.T. and hiked north to Street Gap, 5.2 miles round trip. We had several short delays as a new hiker( yes, she was screened), felt queasy and had to stop for awhile. Marcia Bromberg stayed with her and eventually they slowly made their way to the clearing at the top. The rest of the hikers completed the hike. Beautiful views were appreciated in the meadow looking toward Big Bald. Many of the hikers had not done this part of the A.T. and liked this hike.--Gail Lamb
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WEDNESDAY NO. W0903-142 Aug. 19
Jerry Miller Trail to AT
to Fork Ridge Trail *8:00 AM
Hike 10.5, Drive 92, 3300 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Barth Brooker, 828-299-0298, barthb@bellsouth.net
Up the Jerry Miller Trail to Bearwallow gap and right on the AT to Andrew Johnson Mountain. Right on the Fork Ridge Trail down to road 111 and a short walk to the cars. Second meeting place: Jerry Miller Trailhead near Carmen at 9:00 AM. Topo: Greystone; also Natl. Geo. map #782
This is a hike which has not been done for a while so it was pretty much a new experience for most of the hikers, There were 13 of us on the hike and thankfully here were still 13 at the end of the hike.
The 10.5 mile hike started at the Jerry Miller Trail head and went up to the the A.T. at Bearwallow Gap. From there we hiked the A.T. to the Fork Ridge Trail which we took back down to the cars. The total time on the hike was about 6 hours. The humidity was high so plenty of fluids were consumed. On the A.T. we walked in a shower but fortunately there was no lightning. The hikers had a chance to see the rock work done in running the A.T. across Firescald Knob. It is quite a job but it was nice when we were able to leave the rocks behind.--Barth Brooker
WEDNESDAY Easy NO. W0903-247 Aug. 26
Ivestor Gap Blueberry Hike *8:30 AM
Hike 5, Drive 65, 500 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Bonnie Allen, 828-645-0357
P400, SB6K Our traditional hike to the picking fields of Grassy Cove Top in the Shining Rock Wilderness. While others are picking blueberries, there is an optional hike to the top of 6000 ft Grassy Cove Top. Everyone should bring berry picking containers, hat and sunscreen. *Wilderness area hike limited to 10 people. Please contact hike leader to reserve your place. Second meeting place: Cold Mtn. Overlook (BRP M.P. 412) at 9:05 AM. Topo: Sam Knob; also NatGeo map #780
WEDNESDAY Moderate NO. W0903-489 Aug. 26
Bad Fork - Trace Ridge Loop *8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 60, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@mchsi.com
P400 *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools; meet leader at N. Mills River Recreation parking lot at 9:00 AM. From the Trace Ridge parking area, we will hike to the Bad Fork Trail, which will take us to the BRP on a steep 800 ft. ascent. From the BRP, we will have a long, climb to Ferrin Knob. Down to Beaver Dam Overlook for lunch. Then down the Trace Ridge Trail Topo: Dunsmore Mtn; also NatGeo # 780
Photo by Ted Connors
Eleven hikers started the hike on a lovely day on the Trace Ridge Trailhead. After a 1.5 mile hike on a no-name trail, not in the National Geo map, and going through several turns, I allowed fast hikers to proceed ahead on Bad Fork and MST where we did not have any trail intersections. Most hikers took the offer. A hiker who broke her wrist on the Trace Ridge Trail in a CMC hike last year led the pack. Bravo!! There were several wildflowers on the trail.
After we had scouted the hike we requested that a CMC trail crew clear the trail near Ferrin Knob. On hike day we found the trail in excellent condition. Many thanks to Ron Walls who sponsored our request and the section maintainer or trail crew who completed the job. We will share with them photos before and after their work , taken by myself and Ted Connors, respectively.--Ashok Kudva
Reports for Wednesday hikes during the eNews publication week will appear in the following eNews--The Editor.
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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.
Leaders: Mail please mail your sign-up sheets. Meet at Westgate unless otherwise noted.
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