All Day Saturday & Sunday
SATURDAY NO. A0904-669 Oct. 24
MST: Buckeye Gap to NC 215 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 80, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Paul Dickens, 828-476-0010, psdicken@charter.net
Starting at Buckeye Gap, we’ll hike the MST to NC 215, with a side trip out Fork Ridge past Green Knob to overlooks of Middle Prong, Cold Mtn. and Shining Rock. Wilderness area limited to ten hikers--Call leader for reservation. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at M.P. 412 at 8:40 AM. Topo: Sam Knob; also NatGeo map #780 Deer and Bear hunting season - hike in groups and wear bright orange.
 
Photos by Bruce Bente and Paul Dickens
On Saturday 24 Oct 2009, the Club hosted a Middle Prong Wilderness guided hike along the MST from Buckeye Gap on the BRP to Hwy 215 with a side trip out Fork Ridge to Green Knob and beyond. This was a wilderness hike, so group size was limited. There were six participants including a couple who drove up from Raleigh specifically for this hike. The Raleigh couple commented that they had wanted to hike in the Middle Prong for years but had not because the area is wilderness with no trail signs or markings. The weather for the hike was great, and the group had a wonderful day.
The route is along old rail road grades and ridge lines in a mix of hardwood forest, spruce forest, high mountain bogs, and open balds - all above 5,000 feet elevation. The views from Green Knob include Sams Knob and Flat Laurel Falls, Devils Courthouse, Mount Hardy, the Saludas into South Carolina, and the Nantahalas far into Georgia. The group continued past Green Knob about 1/2 mile down Fork Ridge to overlooks of the valley of the Middle Prong and of the backside of Cold Mountain. On the trip out along the MST, the group enjoyed views at high water flow of a unnamed waterfall on the eastern slopes of Mount Hardy. This waterfall is said to be the highest elevation free waterfall in the East at 5,600 feet. Total distance along the MST and out and back along Fork Ridge was 9.5 miles. We saw only one other hiking group all day and had the trail to ourselves.--Paul Dickens
ALL DAY NO. A0904-487 Oct. 25
Bent Creek Loop #9 *9:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 20, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Lenny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, lsberns@worldnet.att.net
P400 *Note later start time. This will be a moderate hike around Bent Creek, starting at the Hardtimes trailhead and scheduled when leaf colors should be at their peak. A great close-in hike suitable for everyone. Topos: Dunsmore Mtn. , Skyland; also NatGeo map #780
This hike was scheduled the morning after the CMC Annual Dinner and Meeting. Everyone must have been recovering because only two hikers showed up for the hike. That was a shame because the three of us enjoyed a beautiful fall hike. We walked along the MST from the entrance of the Arboretum to Sleepy Gap with views of both the French Broad River and back toward Asheville. From Sleepy Gap we entered Bent Creek, and soon were meeting hikers and dogs by the dozen.
Shortly after leaving Sleepy Gap we met a family all dressed in red sweaters. The woman was trying to cajole their bulldog and kids into staying still. The man was trying to arrange a camera so that it would take time delay picture of all of them for the family Christmas cards. Your hike leader did his good deed for the day and took their picture. He hopes that it turns out well, because it seemed like a major effort to get everyone in place.
After lunch overlooking Lake Powhatan we entered the Arboretum and walked along Bent Creek Road to the Arboretum exit and our car.--Lenny Bernstein
ALL DAY NO. A0904-670 Nov. 1
Goshen Prong / Huskey Gap *7:30 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 15, Drive 220, 4700 ft. descent, 800 ft. ascent, Rated AA-B
Janet Martin, 502-494-9309, jaykaymartin@msn.com
900M *Note earlier start time, and that this is the first day of EST*. From Clingman's Dome, we’ll follow the AT along a narrow ridge to access Goshen Prong Trail, which has a steep, rocky descent for its first mile. The steep descent will continue until Camp #23 at 3300 ft. The trail continues downhill to the Little River Trail, which we’ll follow for a mile to Huskey Gap Trail. The significant drop of elevation on this hike will highlight the several zones of biodiversity in the park. Second meeting place: Phone leader. Topos: Clingmans Dome, Silers Bald, Gatlinburg; also NatGeo map #229
Nine hikers enjoyed the sunshine glistening off ice coating the highest tree branches while walking on dry leaves on the A.T.; climbed over and under recent blowdowns; waded through "two easy stream crossings"; tackled over a dozen challenging rockhops; were awed by the water crashing against and tumbling around boulders in the stream and the beautiful cascades rushing down the hillsides. We don't know the measure of the water pouring into Goshen and Fish Prongs during the prior night's rainfall, but the "trick" on these hikers provided many "treats."--Janet Martin
ALL DAY NO. A0904-273 Nov. 1
Boogerman Trail *8:30 AM
(moderate)
Hike 7.5, Drive 90, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.com
900M *Note later start time, and that this is the first day of EST. A lush forest with giant old-growth trees, stone walls and a root cellar make this a favorite loop hike in the Cataloochee area of the Smokies. We’ll cross Caldwell Fork ten times on bridges. Second meeting place: Pilot truck stop at Exit 24 off I-40 at 9:00 AM. Topos: Cove Creek Gap, Dellwood; also NatGeo map #229
 
Photos by Danny Bernstein
The Boogerman, that classic Smokies hike, was a great hit, as usual. Nine hikers, soon to be joined by a tenth on the trail, crossed 10 bridges on the Caldwell Fork Trail. This is my preferred route – do all the bridges and then get on the Boogerman. Caldwell Fork is always wet but this time, it outdid itself. Look at the pictures of a stream coming down the trail. Most of us just walked through the water, the safest route, though some scrambled on the sides to keep dry.
On the Boogerman Trail, I talked a little about the history of Cataloochee and how Boogerman (Robert Palmer) got his name. We examined all the artifacts on the trail, including the remains of a root cellar, stone walls, a spring, a piece of a sawmill, and a metal wheel leaning against the tree.
After the hike, we all drove down the Cataloochee Valley to visit the historic buildings. For some, it was the first time in the Valley and we saw most of the buildings. We also saw our first elk next to the ranger station. In the field after the schoolhouse, there were a large number of cows and calves with a bull in the middle – No. 75. I answered questions about the Elk Bugle Corps but we were lucky to meet Gini Post, the head volunteer who explained the dynamics of the various elk – the bigger bulls go up into the mountains to eat acorns, making them bigger for next year. The ones who stay in the valley and just eat just grass aren’t going to be successful next year either. November 1 was the last day of the Elk Bugle Corps Volunteer program for the year and I reluctantly returned my uniform shirt.
For more pictures and discussion, see http://www.hikertohiker.com/thishikinglife
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Half Day Sunday
HALF-DAY NO. H0904-666 Oct. 25
Pink Beds – Barnett Branch - Cradle of Forestry Loop *12:30 PM
Hike 5.6, Drive 90, 550 ft ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@gmail.com
P400 *Note early start time. Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at the Pisgah Ranger Station at 1:10 PM. From the left branch of Pink Beds Loop Trail we will go over the Barnett Branch Boardwalk, built by the CMC Friday Pisgah Crew last fall. After climbing over the Barnett Branch Trail and Soapstone Ridge around Rich Mountain, we will descend on a forest service road to the Cradle of Forestry. We will visit a logging machine, a logging locomotive and logging history placards before returning to the cars.
 
Photos by Ted Connors
Thirty hikers, including a potential new member, went on this new CMC hike on a gorgeous fall day with some colorful foliage surroundings. We paused on the Barnett Branch Boardwalk built by CMC Friday Pisgah Crew last fall. On the 10/5 CMC hike from Pink Beds to Pisgah Inn we saw this bridge broken by a huge fallen tree. A week before the hike day when I scouted this hike the bridge was already repaired and ready for the hike. All of us thank the Friday Pisgah Crew which also worked on a Wednesday and a Thursday!! I reminded all the hikers that trail crew and section maintaining opportunities are available to all members who want to volunteer.
We paused at the Cradle of Forestry to review the history of the logging era and logging trains. After the hike, six hikers gathered for supper at Ruby Tuesdays near the airport.--Ashok Kudva
HALF-DAY NO. H0904-062 Nov. 1
Daniel Ridge Loop Trail *12:15 PM
Hike 4, Drive 70, 800 ft ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Bobbi Powers, 828-667-5419, bobbip@netzero.net
P400 *Note early start time. Meet at 12:15 PM at Westgate to form carpools, and meet leader at Fish Hatchery parking lot at 1:00 PM. This moderate loop hike has lots to “C”: fall Color, Creeks, Chasms, and a Cool Cascade finale.
Photo by Bobbi Powers
Asheville's clouds and wind gave way to blue sky and mild temperatures in Pisgah Forest. After an inch of rain the previous day, the trail was muddy in many spots and lots of rain led to lots of splashy creek crossings. The Davidson River and several creeks were bursting at the seams, and the major waterfall was gushing. Although the trees had shed most of their color, enough was left to enhance numerous photo ops. Eighteen hikers seemed to enjoy the many charms this trail offers.--Bobbi Powers
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WEDNESDAY NO. W0904-397 Oct. 28
Bad Fork - Chestnut Cove Overlook 8:30 AM
Hike 9.5, Drive 80, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
P400 This in-and-out hike begins at the Trace Ridge Trailhead. We will hike up Bad Fork to the BRP (a steep 700 ft. ascent) to Bent Creek Gap, and then follow the MST to the Chestnut Cove Overlook to enjoy a beautiful view during lunch. Second meeting place: Trace Ridge trailhead at 9:00 AM. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn,; also NatGeo map #780 and MST profiles, pgs. 55-56 Deer & Bear hunting season - hike in groups and wear bright orange.
 
Photos by Stuart English and Ted Connors
12 hikers met for what turned out to be a beautiful October day at what
seems to be the height of color. One of the hikers was Kate Dixon, Executive
Director of Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail. We parked at the Trace
Ridge Trail head in North Mills River and started up the Trace Ridge Trail
before turning on to the unmapped connector to Bad Fork. On the Bad Fork
Trail, we moderately and then not so moderately climbed to the Blue Ridge
Parkway and Bent Creek Gap. There we met a CMC member, Ed Bragger, who was
out on his own enjoying the fall day. Not too long on the MST, we met Ken
Schroeder, another CMC member, who had meant to meet us at Trace Ridge, but
had missed us and decided to join us mid hike. Both hikers ate lunch with
us, but neither returned with us. We acquired them late and lost them almost
immediately. That is probably the best way to do it.
The Bent Creek Gap to Chestnut Cove Overlook section of the MST is a
beautiful one featuring groves of tulip poplars in full color now and
several nice stream crossings as we wound our way around one ridge and cove
after another. We ate lunch at Chestnut Cove Overlook and enjoyed a great
view of the Avery Creek section of Buncombe County. Kate gave a talk about
what is going on with MST and mentioned our role in all of that. After lunch
we retraced our steps back to the cars. According to Charlie's GPS, the hike
turned out to be about 11.5 miles instead of the listed mileage. We made
good time, however, and were back in about 6 hours. Everyone, including Kate
Dixon, seemed to have a good time. But on a day like today, how could one
not?--Stuart English
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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