All Day Saturday & Sunday
SATURDAY NO. 1002-008 May 22
Bee Tree Gap to Tanbark Tunnel 10:00 AM
Hike 6.2, Drive 40, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Kathleen Hannigan, 828-230-4883, kathleen.hannigan@pgnmail.,com
A pleasant spring hike on the MST over Lane Pinnacle and through the Rattlesnake Lodge site, featuring excellent views, interesting rock formations and many wildflowers. There are several steep but short ups and downs and a long, well-graded descent. 6-mile car shuttle. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 10:20 AM. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle
Photo by Kathleen Hannigan
It was another one of those times when weather may have scared off a few less hardy souls. My advice for those times is to be brave and go! 16 hikers had a lovely day for a hike on the MST. After arranging to leave a car at Tanbark Tunnel for the drivers, we headed up the Parkway to access the trail from just below the Craggy Picnic Area. The wildflowers were numerous and those who had been on the scout marveled at how much the trail had grown up in just two week’s time. We enjoyed lunch at one of the incredible view spots and the rest of the time admired the rock formations and beautiful, lush woods around us. But you pay a price for the great scenery with tough little stretches of uphill. The joke became that we were crossing over top of numerous Lane Pinnacles! To reward ourselves after the hike, we regrouped at the leader’s home for a wine and cheese party, which with the lovely weather, was enjoyed by all.--Kathleen Hannigan
ALL DAY NO. A1002-151 May 23
Big East to Shining Rock via Old Butt 8:00 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 8.5, Drive 60, 3100 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA+
Les Love, 828-658-1489, lesrlove@charter.net
SB6K, P400 We will hike from the Big East parking lot up the steep Chestnut Ridge trail over Dog Loser and Old Butt knobs to lunch at Shining Rock (6040 ft.) with its exceptional views. We’ll return via a steep descent to the North Fork of Shining Creek. Wilderness area hike limited to ten people; please contact leader for reservations. Topo: Shining Rock; also NatGeo. PRD map #780
We ended up with the maximum, 10 people for a single group and got a good start from Big East Fork Parking at 9:15. A perfect day - clear, sunny, and a nice breeze all day long. It was a very strenuous climb up Old Butt with quite a few trees still in the trail from the rough winter. The Shining Creek Trail coming down was cleared in many places - thanks to Becky Smucker and her Wilderness Crew. Sawako, Sue, Catherine and Janet found 32 different flowers, including a pink lady's slipper, yellow bead lillies, Vasey's, Red & Painted trilliums and a big Flame Azellia. We all enjoyed the beautiful, endless views from different points at the top of Shining Rock mountain.--Les Love
ALL DAY NO. A1002-470 May 30
Fork Mtn. – Birdstand Mtn. 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 85, 600 ft. ascent, Rated A-C
Charlie Ferguson, 828-625-2677, ccf108@gmail.com
P400 For the P400 fans, here is a chance to bag a remote trail from the Black Balsam parking lot down to NC 215. Be prepared for a 3200 ft. descent, with only a short climb up Birdstand Mtn There will be a wet-foot crossing of the West Prong of the Pigeon River at the end of the hike. Wilderness area, limit 10, so contact leader for reservation. Car shuttle. Topos: Shining Rock, Sam Knob; also NatGeo. map #780 and USFS Shining Rock & Middle Prong Wilderness map
Photo by Bruce Bente
Ten people showed up at Sunburst, where we dropped off some cars and drove up to the Sam Knob parking area at the Ivestor Gap Trail head. We walked on that trail for about 1.5 miles, looking at the views of the Fork Mountain ridge line as we walked. Before starting down the Fork Mountain trail we noticed the burned area on Grassy Cove Top, one of our favorite blueberry picking areas. The trail we took at the start is on the top of the ridge, not the old railroad bed further down the north side of the ridge. This trail, although moderately overgrown with blueberries and mountain laurel gave us some nice views of the surrounding mountains. We descended to a meadow and campsite for a break and chatted with a couple of backpackers and a dog. The old railbed trail joined here and we continued on it for the rest of the ridge top. While going around Birdstand Mountain we met other hikers going the other way. We had lunch in a flat grassy area under some trees near Birdstand. Then we started our long descent through the forest. Some of us got soaked during a 20 minute rain part way down. The stream crossing at the end was a bit challenging due to the slippery rocks and an audience of about 50 holiday picnickers and swimers.--Charlie Ferguson
Editors note: Because of the large number of hikers, Charlie split the group into two separate hikes with Jim Reel leading the uphill group. The report of that hike was written by Lisa Hart
Nine “uphill loving” hikers crossed the West Prong of the Pigeon River in their sandals, dried their feet and started the hike up toward Birdstand Mountain through the Shining Rock Wilderness area from the Sunburst Campground. The first few miles, or so, were through trails of sparsely traveled hardwood forests. After a couple of nice breaks to turn the GPS on and look around for the beaten path, the group stopped for lunch in a wonderful meadow in the woods. The second half of the hike was mostly along an old rail trail through a couple of quick, summer rain showers. By the time we ended at Sam’s Knob parking lot, the weather had warmed and dried the group. A nice Sunday afternoon social hour was followed by spectacular views of storm systems moving across the skies as the hikers drove out of the mountains.--Lisa Hart
MEMORIAL DAY NO. A1002-237 May 31
Plott Balsams 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 90, 3400 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+
Bercky Smucker, 828-231-2198, bjsmucker@gmail.com
SB6K Our annual joint hike with the Smoky Mtns. Hiking Club this year takes us to the Plott Balsams. We’ll climb four SB6K peaks while enjoying spectacular views and May flowers. From Waterrock Knob (6292 ft.), we’ll follow a very rough, steep trail to Lyn Lowry (6240 ft.) and Plott Balsam (6088 ft.), then retrace our steps to the trailhead and hike to Yellowface (6032 ft.) and back. Expect a rough, uneven trail and climbing over and under blowdowns on steep slopes. Wear long sleeve shirt and pants. Second meeting place: Rest area beyond Waynesville on US 23/74 at 8:30 AM. Topos: Hazelwood, Sylva North
The 16 people from CMC and another 10 from Smoky Mountain Hiking Club seemed not to care a bit that it was raining as we headed up from the Waterrock Knob parking lot. Light rain continued all morning as we pushed and pulled ourselves up and down the steep peaks, and the views were all imaginary, but the sun started to peek out just as we reached Lyn Lowry for lunch and the afternoon was mostly rainless. Because we had several folks in the large group that were not sufficiently prepared for this very difficult hike, we decided to abort at that point and turn back. Even that didn’t seem to dampen the spirits even though the clothes and gear were long ago thoroughly soaked. We saw thousands upon thousands of bluebead lilies in bloom, and highbush blueberry loaded with promise. The spruce-fir forest aromas were exquisite in the humid air.
I for one really appreciated everyone’s decision to enjoy themselves even though some peak baggers were disappointed in not reaching the goal on this try. We will probably be taking another shot at these four SB6K peaks in late summer or fall, so watch the hiking schedule and eNews for updates.--Becky Smucker.
Half Day Sunday
HALF-DAY NO. H1002-403 May 23
DuPont Forest – Reasonover Trail *12:15 PM
Hike 6, Drive 80, Rated B-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Kathleen Hudson, 828-698-5208, kathudson47@gmail.com
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Hooker Falls Parking Lot in DuPont Forest at 1:00 PM. This pleasant loop hike in the DuPont Forest includes the Fawn Lake, Corn Mills Shoals, Bridal Veil Falls, Lake Julia and Reasonover Creek Trails and features views of waterfalls.
It was a gorgeous day...low humidity and most of the hike was in the shade. We started with 28 hikers but someone's grand daughter became short of breath after about the 1st quarter mile so 5 people left (they were experienced hikers that I knew and they could easily find their way back to the parking lot), leaving us with 23 the rest of the hike. It was actually 7 miles since I changed it a bit to keep us in the shade. We stopped at Bridal Veil Falls for a short break and had our real break at Lake Julia. Great time and many positive comments.--Kathleen Hudson
HALF-DAY NO. H1002-009 May 30
Ox Creek Road to Rattlesnake Lodge *1:00 PM
Hike 4.4, Drive 30, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Jim Ariail, 828-505-0443, jimariail@yahoo.com
P400 *Note that the only meeting place is the back parking lot of the Folk Art Center. This in-and-out hike along the MST will feature the historic Rattlesnake Lodge site.
Fourteen people hiked to the historic Rattle Snake Lodge on Sunday, May 30, 2010. There were several people hiking for the first time with the CMC. The hike started on a beautiful sunny Memorial Day weekend. However, we encountered a downpour on the return. The rain stopped as we reached our vehicles.--Jim Ariail
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WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-249 May 19
Buckeye Gap and Haywood Gap Trails Circuit 8:00 AM
Jim Ariail, 828-505-0443, jimariail@yahoo.com
Hike 9, Drive 85, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
P400 Cross the BRP then go right onto the MST, left onto Buckeye Gap Trail at unmarked junction. Descend on old logging RR grade to lunch spot at river, and then climb on Haywood Gap trail to MST and back to the starting point. Wilderness area, limit 10, so contact leader for reservation. Second meeting place: BRP cold Mtn. Overlook (M.P. 412) at 8:40 AM. Topo: Sam Knob
 
Photos by Ted Connors
WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-113 May 26
Cold Mountain 8:00 AM
Janet Martin, 502 494 9309, jaykaymartin@msn.com
Hike 10.4, Drive 70, 3400 ft ascent, Rated A-AA
SB6K, P400 From the BSA Daniel Boone Camp, we will climb and climb past laurel and rhododendron to Deep Gap, and then continue to the top of the mountain for great views of the BRP and Mt. Hardy. Wilderness area, limit 10, so contact leader for reservation. Topos: Waynesville, Cruso; also NatGeo. map #780
 
Photos by Janet Martin
The "wow" feature was the frequent sighting of a Jack-in-the-Pulpit. Sawako pointed out more than a dozen and others spotted some as well. Any disappointment about the lack of flowering laurel was overcome by the extensive blooming of rhododendron -- magenta, flame, and white--particularly from the gap to the 6030' benchmark. During lunch on a rocky outcrop, clouds danced around the distant summits of the Pisgahs along the BRP. After lunch the gathering dark clouds released six to eight drops of rain. As the hikers picked up the pace, the clouds moved eastward and the descent was mostly in sunshine. Luckily, the forecast for thunderstorms was inaccurate. No incidents on this outing, just a delightful challenge shared with good-humored hikers ready for whatever the day brought.--Janet Martin
WEDNESDAY NO. W1002-104 June 2
Wolfe Ford and High Falls *9:00 AM
Hike 7.3, Drive 80, 900 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Laura Frisbie, 828-337-5845, laurafrisbie@charter.net
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 9:30 AM. From the gauging station on the South Mills River, we'll hike this mostly level trail to High Falls, then cross the footbridge at Wolfe Ford and loop back to the trailhead. One possibly wet stream crossing. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also NatGeo map #780
Email your hike reports to Dave Wetmore. The deadline for reports is 9:00 p.m. on the Tuesdays before an eNews comes out. 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 appears in the hike description.
Driving mileage is round trip, based on the first designated meeting place. Meet at Westgate unless otherwise noted.
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