ALL DAY No. A0601-417Feb. 12
Butter Gap, Art Loeb, Long Branch Trails Loop 8:00 AM Hike 12, Drive 72, ft. ascent, Rated A-A Becky Smucker, 828-298-5013, bsmucker@charter.net P400 Highlights of this low-altitude winter hike include the McCall Family cemetery and good views from Rich and Chestnut Mtns. and from the Art Loeb Trail. Second meeting place: Fish Hatchery at 8:40 AM, but call leader first. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
ALL DAY No. A0601-503 Feb. 19
Mt. Sterling via Baxter Creek Trail 8:00 AM Hike 12.4, Drive 110, 4100 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA+ Chip Miller, 828-654-9331, backpacker54nc@bellsouth.net 900M 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 8:30 AM. Topo: Cove Creek Gap; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map
HALF-DAY No. H0601-316 Feb. 12
Carl Sandburg Park, Big Glassy Mountain 12:30 PM* Hike 4, Drive 50, Rated C-C Becky Elston, 828-749-1886, belston@cytechusa.com *Note early start time. Hike the trail that Carl Sandburg enjoyed, up Big Glassy Mountain and see the goats or visit the house museum while you’re there. *Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form carpools; meet leader at the Carl Sandburg Home parking area at 1:00 PM.
HALF DAY No. H0601-256 Feb. 19
Moore Cove Figure 8 1:20 PM* Hike 6, Drive 70, Rated B-B Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com P400 *Note early start time. This double-loop trail follows two old USFS paths that are not on the map. There are a couple of short steep sections and two minor creek crossings. There is a good view of Looking Glass Rock and other sights visible only in the winter. *Meet at Westgate at 1:20 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at the Pisgah Ranger Station side parking lot on US 276 at 2:00 PM.
WEDNESDAY No. W0601-439 Feb. 8
Pounding Mill Trail 8:00 AM* Hike 8, Drive 55, Rated B-C Greg Goodman 828-684-9703 P400 This hike takes the South Mills River Trail to the Pounding Mill Trail and on to Squirrel Gap Trail. We’ll continue onto Pea Gap and then return on the South Mills River Trail. Moderate.
*Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Boyleston Baptist Church on NC 280 at 8:30 AM.
WEDNESDAY No. W0601-399 Feb. 15
Loop around John Rock and Cedar Rock 8:00 AM* Hike 10, Drive 70, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-B Brad Van Diver, 828-669-2740, bravandi@cs.com P400 A lovely winter hike. Beginning at the Fish Hatchery, we first skirt the eastern side of John Rock to Cat Gap, then follow the Art Loeb Trail through Sandy Gap, and then pass the stunning white cliffs of Cedar Rock Mtn. We reach Butter Gap for lunch, then return to our starting point via Grogan Creek and Picklesimer Fields. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools. And meet leader at Pisgah Fish Hatchery at 8:40 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
WEDNESDAY No. W0601-279 Feb. 22
Montreat Railroad Trestle Grade Hike to Pot Cove 9:30 AM Hike 6, drive 30, Rated B-C Gerry Mcnabb, 274-0057, gcmcnabb@charter.net An in-and-out hike to Pot Cove from the Lookout Trail parking area. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s parking lot in Black Mountain at 10:00.
Looking Back......
ALL DAY No. A0601-283 Jan. 8
Montreat Ramble #2 9:00 AM* Hike 8, Drive 40, 1000 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 a ridgeline.
This close-to-home hike promises a good workout and nice views. Topo: Montreat
ALL DAY No. A0601-326 Jan. 15
Pump Gap (non-AT) loop 8:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 60, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@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
Pump Gap (nonAT) Loop 1-15-06
Six people met and another joined at Tanyard Gap on a cold and somewhat icy day. However, the roads were clear, but when we arrived at Tanyard Gap there was considerable ice and we decided to start there rather than the normal half-mile south. This added a mile to the total, but by then it was quite light and walking up the AT got our blood pumping and warmed us up. Leaving the AT we went along a ridge manway, then onto Pump Gap Loop. For the next 4 miles we were totally on the Loop, and it was apparent that it was a great day: crisp, sunny,very clear, and a beautiful inch of snow practically everywhere, enhancing the beauty of the woods and revealing deer and bear tracks. (Ahem, notice once again who the leader was and how (almost)always there is good weather). After lunch we walked along a woods road for about an hour and a half before returning by the AT to our cars. This is clearly a winter hike, with the lack of foliage providing fine views. The total as we did it was 10 miles, with a 1500 ft total elevation, basically on 2 ascents on the Pump Gap Loop. Tom Sanders
ALL DAY No. A0601-236 Jan. 22
Dupont Forest –Fawn Lake P.L. #1 8:30 AM* Hike 8, Drive 70, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Rusty Breeding, 828-692-0359, bree@planetusa.net *Note later start time. A moderate hike, close to home and at low elevation for our coldest month. We’ll see Corn Mill Shoals, Bridal Veil Falls, Lake Julia and Fawn Lake at an easy pace. With a touch of snow and frozen falls it may be a winter wonderland. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Bi-Lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topo: Standingstone Mtn.; also Dupont Forest trail map
January 22nd turned out to be an all-day drizzle. No wonder only two people showed up at Bi-Lo, Pisgah Forest. We waited fifteen extra minutes, but nobody came from Westgate. The temperature seemed warmer than 38 degrees because a small group can move along at a good clip. The trail has been changed on Mine Mountain. Cutting out "over the top," it now slabs around the side and gives a view, through the trees in winter, of Fawn Lake and the former Dupont plant. Bridal Veil Falls was running fuller than usual—no dry rocks along the left side. Taking a combination of trails we arrived at the west end of the airstrip and got another view of the plant, then did a loop by road having lunch at Lake Julia. Bring your binoculars if you plan to visit Lake Julia; a loon appears to have taken up residence there. We returned to the cars via Fawn Lake, a pretty place for a final snack on a fine day—but not this day. Rusty
SATURDAY No. A0601-330 Jan. 28
Raven Cliff Falls 8:30 AM* Hike 8, Drive 95, 1450 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Janet Onan, 828-698-3237, janonan@bellsouth.net *Note later start time; meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 9:00 AM. We’ll do a pleasant walk to the pedestrian bridge over the top of a beautiful 250 ft. waterfall in Caesar’s Head St. Park in S.C. The hike will follow the Raven Cliff Falls Trail and a portion of the Foothills Trail to the bridge, and then return with a side trip to the spectacular overlook of the falls and Matthew Creek Gorge. Topo: Table Rock; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area trail map
Caesar’s
Post Hike remarks:
ALL DAY No. A0601-001 Jan. 29
Case Camp – Seniard Ridge Loop 8:00 AM* Hike 9, Drive 80, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated A-B Tom Bindrim & Joan Lemire, 828-273-3880 P400 This loop hike features a short steep climb up to the MST, some MST hiking, and 50 Ft. frozen cascades along the closed BRP. After lunch with a great view of the surrounding mountains, we’ll hike through some beautiful woods on the Seniard Ridge trail. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leaders at Pisgah Ranger Station at 8:30 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also Pg. 50 of MST Profiles book and Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
Case Camp Ridge - Seniard Ridge hike on Sunday 1/29
No one showed up at the meeting place due to the rain, so no hike today. Too bad, because by the time I got home the rain had stopped and later the sun came out. We'll schedule this hike again for a Sunday in January 2007, and hope next winter is cold enough for the ice walls to form along the BRP (see report for 1/25 hike).
-Bruce Bente
ALL DAY No. A0601-502 Feb. 5
Deep Creek – Sunkota Ridge loop 7:30 AM* (strenuous) Hike 13, Drive 135, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated AA-A Don Gardner, 828-754-4067, gardog3@charter.net 900M *Note early start time. We will hike alongside Deep Creek, one of the beautiful streams on the east side of the Smokies, and then climb up to and down Sunkota Ridge, which will have good winter views. Second meeting place: Rest area beyond Waynesville on US 23/74 at 8:30 AM. Topos: Bryson City, Clingman’s Dome; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map
hike report for 2-5-06
Deep Creek - Sunkota Ridge
Due to leader illness, I volunteered to be the replacement leader. Only one other hiker showed up at Westgate for this hike, so it was cancelled. Apparently the dire weather forecasts scared everyone else off; it was a shame because the weather turned out to be fine for hiking.
-submitted by Bruce Bente
ALL DAY No. A0601-304 Feb. 5
AT: Garenflo Gap – Hot Springs 9:00 AM* (moderate) Hike 8, Drive 80, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Paul Benson, 828-251-1909, pdbenson@charter.net *Note later start time. We’ll start by hiking up the East Fork Shut-in Creek trail to the AT, and then a pleasant AT hike down Deer Park Mtn., ending at the hot tubs in Hot Springs. Bring your bathing suit, and contact the leader beforehand so he can get a count of how many people will use the hot tubs after the hike. 5-mile car shuttle. Topos: Lemon Gap, Spring Creek, Hot Springs; also Nat’l. Geo. French Broad & Nolichucky Rivers map.
What can I say, it doesn't matter how the hike goes as long as it ends with a nice soak at Hot Springs. But in this case the hike was outstanding. Fresh snow on the ground and falling snow sparkling in the sun made this a special hike. The stream crossings were a challenge but everyone did ok, even the iron-woman (JustRita) that did them bare-footed. My apologies to all for not remembering all 16 of them, but the water was lower when I scouted. The AT was a nice change to the climb up the Shut-In Creek trail, and it was particularily nice to have lunch in the Deer Park shelter. All eleven hikers ended up in the hot springs. What a great hike!
Paul
All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com . 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 No. H0601-346 Jan. 8
Folk Art Center to Haw Creek Overlook on the MST 1:00 PM* Hike 5, Drive 15, Rated C-C Barry and Heather Fletcher, 828-299-4776, hmflet@aol.com *Note early start time. This favorite moderate hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is rewarded with great views of the Haw Creek Valley. *Second meeting place: Folk Art Center off the Blue Ridge Parkway at 1:15 PM.
HALF-DAY No. H0601-434 Jan. 15
Laurel Mountain Trail 1:00 PM* Hike 4-5 miles, Drive 40, C-C Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703 P400 *Note early start time. This loop hike will start at FS 1206, go along a ridge trail toward Black Mountain and return via the Laurel Mountain Trail. There should be good views of the Mills River Valley. *Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at the North Mills River parking area at 1:30 PM.
HALF-DAY No. H0601-498 Jan. 22
High Windy 12:30 PM* Hike 6, Drive 40, 1700 ft. Ascent, Rated B-A Ken and Carol Deal, 828-281-4530, KMCDeal@aol.com *Note early start time. A steep picturesque ascent through back country woods, with descent on the same trail. A rather strenuous hike but with the reward of lovely views from the top. If the weather is threatening, please call leaders. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 12:10 PM to form carpools, and meet leaders at parking lot adjacent to McDonalds at Exit 64 off I-40 at 12:30 PM..
Eight hikers showed up, including 2 past presidents of the CMC, in spite of the threat of rain. The hike took place on the grounds of the Blue Ridge Assembly YMCA camp. A steady climb up the 2.5 miles of the High Windy Trail took us to the top at 4200 feet, which was in the clouds and a bit windy. After some quick snacks we returned part way down the same trail and branched off to the right, taking part of an unnamed trail and the Carolina Loop back. On the way back, there was a light drizzle, which could not dampen the spirits of the hikers. A week before, on the scouting hike, there were fabulous views of the snow covered Blue Ridge and Mount Mitchell areas. Charlie Ferguson for Ken and Carol Deal.
HALF-DAY No. H0601-225 Jan. 30
Bent Creek loop #10: Ingles Field Gap via Boyd Branch and Little Hickory Top Trails 1:00 PM* Hike 5, Drive 20, Rated C-C Charlie Ferguson, 828-278-0215, ccferguson111@charter.net Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net P400 *Note early start time. A loop hike up to Stradley Mountain following several of the trails in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest. *Second meeting place, Ingles parking lot across from Biltmore Square Mall on NC 191 south of I-26 at 1:15 PM.
The morning was quite cloudy and rainy. When the hike started at 1:30 the sun was out and it was warm. The 13 hikers that knew that the weatherman would be wrong enjoyed the hike up to Ingles Fields Gap, including an old trail that is no longer on the trail maps. The return down Little Hickory Top and Sidehill took us by areas that the Forest Service was preparing for future forest studies. The view through leafless trees allowed us to see the profile of the North side of the Blue Ridge.
HALF-DAY No. H0601-499 Feb. 5
French Broad River Greenway 1:30 PM Hike 4, Drive 10, Rated C-C Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253, paularww@bellsouth.net Asheville’s Greenway System now provides several opportunities for city walking. The leader, a member of the Greenway Commission, will describe plans for extending this riverfront trail and other existing and planned greenways within the City.
Seventeen people enjoyed a 4-mile winter walk in blustery but sunny weather on the greenway along the French Broad River, part of the City of Asheville’s greenway system. They learned about the new interpretive wetlands, saw the lawn bowling area, playground, ball fields, bike racing area around the former speedway and learned about future plans to extend the greenway from Carrier Park to Hominy Creek Park. They admired the new Rotary Centennial picnic pavilion and agreed that CMC should plan a potluck picnic there next summer. Paula.
Half Day hikes submitted by Paula Robbins 828-687-1651 paularww@bellsouth.net. Leaders: Mail please mail your sign-up sheets. Meet at Westgate unless otherwise noted.
WEDNESDAYNo. W0601-186 Jan. 11
Little Pisgah Mountain 8:30 AM* Hike 9, drive 20, 1500 ft. ascent, rated B-B Don Walton, 828-654-9904, cell phone 828-713-9375, donwalton@bellsouth.net *Note later start time. A pleasant hike, close to home for our coldest month. We’ll hike from Hickory Nut Gap through an open meadow to see the view from the summit of Little Pisgah Mtn. Topo: Bat Cave
Wednesday, Jan 11 #186 hike. Little Pisgah Mountain.
12 hikers came out despite the 90% chance of light rain until noon. I informed the group at Westgate that I could guarantee “no rain”. Well it didn’t rain but we were cheated out of the 360 degree views atop Little Pisgah. We ate our lunch at 11am in the fog at the top. Upon returning to the cars it was a very clear sky and a beautif day. We were back at Westgate shortly after 1pm. Don Walton
WEDNESDAY No. W0601-1700 Jan. 18
Butter Gap Trail 8:30 AM* Hike 7.4, drive70, 1150 ft. ascent, rated B-B Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net P400 *Note later start time. Begin hike at the Fish Hatchery, moving onto Cat Gap Trail, and then onto Butter Gap, mostly following Grogan Creek. *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at the Fish Hatchery at 9:15 AM.
Nine bundled-up hikers met at the Fish Hatchery on this cold morning with the temperature in the low thirties and a wind chill much colder than that. It was sunny and clear, however, and we enjoyed beautiful, icy waterfalls on Cedar Rock Creek and Grogan Creek. After eating lunch at a shelter on the Art Loeb Trail, we returned to our cars completely invigorated. A great group made this a happy and memorable experience for this first time hike leader. Stuart English
WEDNESDAY No. W0601-001 Jan. 25
Case Camp – Seniard Ridge Loop 8:00 AM* Hike 9, Drive 80, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated A-B Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com P400 This loop hike features a short steep climb up to the MST, some MST hiking, and 50 ft. frozen cascades along the closed BRP. After lunch with a great view of the surrounding mountains, we’ll hike through some beautiful woods on the Seniard Ridge Trail. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station at 8:35 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also MST Trail Profiles pg. 50 and Nat’l. Geographic PRD Map
Case Camp Ridge - Seniard Ridge hike on Wednesday 1/25
Ten hikers started this hike with some concerns--the weather forecast was for winds of up to 65 MPH, and we were hiking to high elevations. As it turned out, the winds were only light-to-moderate with winds of about 30 mph for only a 1/2 mile stretch along one ridgeline.
We started from the parking lot on Headwaters Rd. in bright sunny weather and hiked up the steep Case Camp Ridge trail to the BRP. Then south on the MST to the Bridges Camp overlook, where we took to the (closed) BRP for 1/2 mile to the big curve around Seniard Mtn. One disappointment was that the 50-foot walls of ice on the rock cliffs were not there this year due to the abnormally warm winter so far. The wooden railing at the Seniard curve is usually a great place for lunch, but the winds caused us to lunch farther down the Seniard Ridge trail in a nice sunny spot. After lunch we continued our descent and enjoyed the two waterfalls along the route.
-Bruce Bente
WEDNESDAY No. W0601-508 Feb. 1
Green River Gamelands: Bishop Branch-Pulliam Creek 8:30 AM* Hike 6.5, Drive 70, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Becky Elston, 828-749-1886, belston@cytechusa.com *Note later start time. Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at 9:00 AM at the Cracker Barrel off I-26, exit 53, northwest corner of the parking lot. This is a nice loop hike in the Green River Gamelands, with great winter views.
WEDNESDAY No. W0601-439 Feb. 8
Pounding Mill Trail 8:00 AM* Hike 8, Drive 55, Rated B-C Greg Goodman 828-684-9703 P400 This hike takes the South Mills River Trail to the Pounding Mill Trail and on to Squirrel Gap Trail. We’ll continue onto Pea Gap and then return on the South Mills River Trail. Moderate. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Boyleston Baptist Church on NC 280 at 8:30 AM.
Wednesday Hikes are submitted by Paula McNabb, 828- 274-0057 gcmcnabb@charter.net and Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387, cowbonetail@yahoo.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.