Looking Ahead

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

ALL DAY  No. A0602-089  April 23
AT: Max Patch to Lemon Gap and Return 8:00 AM Hike 11, Drive 100, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Becky Smucker, 828-298-5013, bsmucker@charter.net This hike is legendary for the Trilliums in bloom. We’ll have a chance to see the new AT shelter just built by the CMC, along a beautiful section of the AT, beginning and ending at Max Patch with one of WNC’s most stunning views. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I-40 at 9:00 AM. Topo: Lemon Gap

ALL DAY  No. A0602-164  April 30
Hawkbill Creek - Snowball Circuit 8:00 AM Carroll Koepplinger, 828-667-0723. carrollkoepp@bellsouth.net Hike 8-9, drive 50, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA This exciting spring trip will bushwhack up Hawkbill Creek, then up to Hawkbill Rock and Little Snowball Mtn., the site of an old fire tower, and then down to the starting point. The wildflowers and ramps have been spectacular every time CMC has taken this hike. The hike will also feature panoramic views from Hawkbill Rock and little Snowball and enjoyable open-woods, off-trail hiking. A strenuous climb, but the pace will be moderate. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle

Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY No. No. H0602-009 April 23

Ox Creek Road to Rattlesnake Lodge and return 1:30 PM
Hike 4.4, Drive 15, Rated C-C Jane and Lew Blodgett, 828-274-7863

This popular hike to a historical site features fine switchbacks and many spring wildflowers. Second meeting place: Folk Art Center lower parking lot, 1:50 PM.

HALF-DAYNo. H0602-010  April 30
Ox Creek Road to Craven Gap and return 1:30 PM

Hike 3.6, Drive 15, Rated C-C

Jean Gard, 828-777-1814, jeangard@charter.net

A leisurely in-and-out hike to enjoy the many spring wildflowers on this easy hike on the MST. Second meeting place: Folk Art Center lower parking lot, 1:50 PM.

All Day Wednesday

WEDNESDAY   No. W0602-519  NO. W0602-519 Apr. 19
Raven Cliff Falls, The Cathedral Rock, Dismal Trail Loop 8:00 AM* Hike 9, Drive 95, 2300 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Ann Gleason,
828-859-9387 gleason.ann@gmail.com
Hike to 412 ft Raven Cliff falls in Caesar’s head state Park where we cross ther suspension bridge and descend 120 ft down “the cathedral”. We then cross Matthews creek on a cable crossing with a steep ascent up the Dismal Trail to a large rock outcropping with great view of the falls, then return to parking lot. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form car pools, and meet leader at Bi-Lo Parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Additional meeting place: Raven Cliff Parking lot on US 276 at 9:00 AM. NOTE: $2 fee per person for park entry. Topo: Table Rock; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness map

WEDNESDAY  No. W0602-520   Apr. 26
Clawhammer Via Pressley Cove 8:30 AM Hike 7-8, Drive 70, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886, ruthmtn@charter.net P400 Note later start time. This new hike for CMC will start with a steep climb on the Pressley Cove Trail, then finish the climb on the Black Mt. Trail. Great views at lunch from the Clawhammer overlook. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station at 9:05 AM. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map 444

WEDNESDAY   No. W0602-444  May 3
Avery Creek Loop 8:00 AM* Hike 10, Drive 75, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Susanna Whitaker, 828-684-5948, susannwhit@earthlink.net P400 A lovely spring hike featuring waterfalls, beaver dams, violets, bluets, jack-in-the-pulpit, plus some of the largest wake-robin trilliums found anywhere. We’ll first climb to Buckhorn Gap via Twin Falls, then follow the Black Mtn. Trail to Club Gap, with our return downhill on the Avery Creek Trail. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station on US 276 at 8:35 AM. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

Looking Back......

All Day  Saturday & Sunday

ALL DAY  No. A0602-208  April 9
Buck Spring Gap – Little Pisgah Loop 8:30 AM* Hike 7, Drive 40, 2200 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA John Pawcio, 828-299-8126, jpawcio@tycovalves.com P400 *Note later start time. From Buck Spring Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway we will descend the Little Pisgah Ridge Trail to Big Creek, then ascend to Laurel Mtn. Expect good early Spring views. Second Meeting Place: French Broad Overlook on BRP at 8:45 AM. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

John Pawcio, who had a slight physical impediment, met and signed up hikers at Westgate and brought them to the French Broad overlook to meet substitute leader, Rusty Breeding and others. Twelve in all began the hike at the Buck Springs/Mt. Pisgah parking lot.
Avoiding the MST and trail to Mt. Pisgah, we took the old road that leads over Buck Springs Tunnel. There, our sweep remember his sticks left at the car. This gave the photographers time for several shots taken from the top of the tunnel. At the next tunnel we descended on Big Creek Trail to the creek where we snacked. This stop allowed Bruce to add to his wild flower count. The creek crossing offered no problem, but the climb to Good Enough Gap slowed us down to a creeper pace. Lunch was at Good Enough Gap where the unmapped trail we had just come up meets Laurel Mountain Trail. The temperature was 52, Ted informed us;just right for hiking. Out of Good Enough Gap there's another climb, but soon we were sailing along toward the old Buck Springs lodge site where we enjoyed a rest and panoramic view before ending the hike at the cars. Led by Rusty Breeding.

ALL DAY No. A0602-355 April 16
AT: Devils Fork Gap to Carmen 8:00 AM Hike 11, Drive 95, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Mike Ellis, 828-301-4117, Michael.f.ellis@gmail.com This trip goes along nine of the most scenic miles on the AT. It features two shelters, including Jerry’s Cabin, a historic gravesite and beautiful views from atop Big Butt. We then go down Fork Ridge trail to Carmen. Car shuttle. Topos: Flag Pond, Greystone; also Nat’l. Geo. French Broad & Nolichucky Rivers map

We had 11 hikers (counting me). The day was beautifully clear with bright sun and little or no wind. This made for pleasant sitting and hot climbing. Most hikers consumed at least 2 quarts of water during the 11 mile traverse. Violets and trout lilies were seen in abundance. Many clearings were carpeted in small white flowers with faint lavender stripes that were identified as Spring Beauty.

I don't know if we set a club a record for the number of AT through hikers encountered, but we spoke with 32 plus 5 day hikers. One very fit young couple were from the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. Others came from Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, ...

We had a brief unpleasant encounter with 6 motorcyclists riding illegally on the AT. Several of our group took photos of them in the hopes that authorities might be able to identify them and Bruce has reported the incident to the ATC. Mike.

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 Sunday

HALF-DAY  No. H0602-101 April 9

Laurel River Wildflower Stroll 1:00 PM*
Hike 6, Drive 60, 200-ft ascent, Rated B-C Jean Gard, 828-777-1814, jeangard@charter.net

*Note early start time. Leisurely paced in-and-out hike along Lower Big Laurel Creek to the site of Runion, an early 1900s logging and mining settlement. Over 250 plants have been identified along this trail, including five that are endangered. Long pants suggested (poison ivy sprouts early).

HALF-DAY No. H0602-345   April 16

Seven Gaps and Seven Knobs 1:00 PM* Hike 6.5, Drive 25, Rated B-C

Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
P400 *Note early start time. We should see many wild flowers on this up-and-down hike that begins at the intersection of the Bent Creek Gap Road and the BRP, follows a portion of the MST and then goes along the ridge and down the Laurel Branch Road. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Ingles across from Biltmore Square Mall at 1:15 PM.

Nineteen of us met and went on this Easter Sunday in and out hike along the old Bent Creek Experimental Forest Boundary Trail at the head of the Bent Creek watershed. There were not many flowers for this time of year and one person mentioned that it might be because of the lack of rain. But there were great views of Asheville, the Biltmore House, and the surrounding valley. It was also a great group. Stuart

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.

All Day Wednesday

WEDNESDAY NO. W0602-I Apr. 5 Leader’s Choice 8:00 AM Hike about 8, Drive not far, Rated B-B Kathie Giddings,
828-696-9808, kmgiddings@highstream.net  The leader promises to find an interesting moderate hike in the nearby area. Come out to enjoy the early spring weather and blooms. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at the Bi-Lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8::30 AM.

WEDNESDAY  No. W0602-518   Apr. 12
Five Waterfalls in South Carolina 8:00 AM* Hike 6, Drive 200, 500 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Jack Fitzgerald, 828-685-2897, suejackfitz@bellsouth.net Visit five great waterfalls in SC: Spoonauger, King Creek, Yellow Branch, Issaqueena, Station Cove. All in and out hikes with 1-2 miles round trip for each. Long drive and long day but well worth it with waterfalls and spring flowers and maybe a visit to “Bob’s Place”. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form car pools, and. meet leader at Cracker Barrel, exit 53 on I-26 at 8:30 AM.

Seven hikers visited 4 waterfalls in South Carolina: Spoonauger, King Creek, Yellow Branch and Issaqueena. All were in and out hikes, for a total of 6 miles. The weather was perfect, in the 70's, with lots of wildflowers. Stopped at Bob's Place on the way home for a beer. Total car millage was 200. Jack Fitzgerald

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.