ALL DAY No. A0602-517 June 11 South Mills River Ramble 8:00 AM* Hike 11.5, Drive 70, 2500 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Tom Bindrim and Joan Lemire, 828-273-3880 P400 A nice ramble at a moderate pace, including Funneltop, Cantrell Creek and the Rigby Cutoff. Some off-trail hiking. Bring extra food in case we get back later than expected. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leaders at the Bi-Lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
BACKPACK No. A0602-220 June 17-18 Gregory Bald Backpack Hike 15.7, Drive 250, 3500 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA+ Linda Beja, 828-293-3849, lrbeja@earthlink.net 900M This overnight backpack is timed to see the world-renowned flame azaleas at the peak of bloom. [See www.tjhsst.edu/~dhyatt/azaleas/new/gregoryhybrids.html for more info and photos] From the Twentymile trailhead, this loop hike ascends on the Wolf Ridge trail to Parson Bald, then Sheep Pen Campsite (6.8 mls.). After over-nighting at Sheep Pen, we’ll hike to Gregory Bald to see the flame azaleas and breath-taking views of Cades Cove, Thunderhead and other Smokies peaks. We’ll return on the Long Hungry Ridge and Twentymile trails (8.9 mls.), passing by beautiful Twentymile Creek cascade. Teva’s or water shoes are suggested for the six water crossings on Wolf Ridge trail. Meeting place and time: Phone the leader to reserve your place and for meeting place and time. Topos: Fontana Dam, Cades Cove; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map
ALL DAY No. A0602-459 June 18 NC 128 to Greybeard overlook 8:00 AM Hike 8.9, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Marlene Santa Maria, 828-299-9095, marlena98@hotmail.com We head up into old growth Balsam and Spruce forests just south of Mt Mitchell. This is a scenic hike with dramatic views and several rocky climbs. Hikers wishing a shorter trek can stop after 6.4 miles at Glassmine Falls o/l, if desired. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: Craven Gap on BRP at 8:15 AM. Topo: Mt. Mitchell, Montreat; also MST Profiles, pg. 66-69
HALF-DAY No. H0602-043
June 11Frying Pan Tower 1:30 PM
Hike 4, Drive 25, Rated C-CBarry and Heather Fletcher, 828-299-4776, hmflet@aol.com
P400 This is an easy in-and-out hike through a spectacular display of wild flowers to a great view from the tower location. Second meeting place: Pisgah Inn at 2:00 PM.
HALF-DAY No. H0602-453
June 18Max Patch Ramble 1:30 PM
Hike 4, Drive 104, Rated C-CGail Lamb, 828-350-0450, galmb46@aol.com
Awesome panoramic views from the summit of Max Patch make this a favorite hike. Part of the way will be on the AT.
WEDNESDAY No. W0602-063 June 7 Big East Fork, Art Loeb Trail, Shining Creek Loop. 8:00 AM Hike 13, Drive 70, 2800 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Tom Sanders, 252-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net P400 A beautiful but strenuous hike (the leader’s favorite) with three of WNC’s most beautiful streams. Up Big East Fork, then Grassy Cove Ridge, and the Art Loeb Trail to Shining Rock Gap, with great views, and then down Shining Creek. 2 stream crossings that may have to be waded. Wilderness area, limit 10, so reserve by calling or emailing leader. Second meeting place: Big East Parking area on US 276, 3 miles north of BRP at 8:45 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
WEDNESDAY No. W0602-008 June 14 Bee Tree Gap to Tanbark Tunnel 8:30 AM Hike 6.5, Drive 30, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Elisabeth Feil, 828-669-4616, hofeil@brinet.com Note later start time. A moderate hike over Lane Pinnacle with excellent views, interesting rock formations and many wildflowers. There are several steep but short ups and downs and a long, well-graded descent. Second meeting place: Folk Art Center lower parking lot at 8:45 AM. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle
SATURDAY No. A0602-513 May 20 Tree Identification hike (Craven Gap to Tanbark Tunnel) 9:00 AM* Hike 4.6, Drive 6, 900 ft. ascent, Rated C-C Dan Lazar, 828-280-5556, danlazar@bellsouth.net *Note later start time. This will be a theme hike dedicated to tree identification. We will hike the MST from Craven Gap to Rattlesnake Lodge and down to Tanbark Tunnel, on a slow-paced hike dedicated to field identification of trees along the route. We’ll stop occasionally to learn the natural history of the forest we’re hiking through. Short car shuttle. *Only meeting place will be at Craven Gap. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle; also MST Profiles book, pg. 62-63
Nine hikers took part in a new type of hike for CMC, a tree identification hike. Nine people met at Craven Gap for a very informative and interesting hike led by Dan Lazar, an Asheville naturalist who is involved with the Blue Ridge Naturalist Program at UNCA.
Dan started with a presentation of nine different bunches of leaves, and we learned the distinctive appearances of various types of oak, hickory and ash trees. We then hiked 4 miles on the MST from Craven Gap to Rattlesnake Lodge and down to our cars at Tanbark tunnel. Frequent stops were made to look at tree types and other rare plants seen along the trail. Everyone had a great time and we hope to offer this type of hike again in the future, perhaps at a different altitude to see what trees grow there.
To learn more about the Naturalist program, listen to Nature News on Saturday mornings from 7:00am to 8:00am on WISE, Asheville and WTZQ, Hendersonville. Thanks to Dan for his leading this hike! reported by Bruce Bente
ALL DAY No. A0602-329 May 21 Blackrock Mtn. via Fisher Creek Trail 8:00 AM Hike 7.4 or 10.8, Drive 96, 2900 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA or A-AA Dave Wetmore, 828-884-7296, dwetmore@citcom.net SB6K? This hike starts at the end of Fisher Creek Rd. east of Sylva and climbs to the summit of Blackrock Mtn. The trail, mostly old logging roads, is steep and rocky in places, but the views from Blackrock Mtn. are superb. Depending on the weather, we may go on to Yellowface (3.4 additional miles on ridgeline) and make this a SB6K hike. Optionally, we may climb to the Pinnacle instead, with the same trailhead but only 2100 feet of elevation gain. Second meeting place: Rest area on US 23/74 near Waynesville at 8:30 am. Topo: Sylva North
The cloudy day didn’t deter 10 members and a guest on their ascent to the wonderful views from Blackrock Mountain. Unfortunately, the climb to the top hasn’t gotten shorter, less steep, or less rocky. On our way up the mountain we had a few good views downwards and some great views sideways at the flowers. We even had an impromptu session of trail maintenance when Stu English pulled out his saw at a blowdown! As is typical of the leader’s hikes to a view, the summit was fogged in. Several times we could almost see Yellow Face, more than a mile away. The trip along the ridge from Blackrock to Waterrock Gap was done in fog and rain. Dave
BACKPACK No. A0602-514 May 26 - 29
The route of the backpack has been changed and so has the leader.Please refer to www.hikertohiker.org/cmcbp06 for all details. Space is limited to eight hikers so please verify that you can attend before reserving a spot. Topos: Fontana Dam, Cades Cove, Thunderhead Mtn., Tuskeegee; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map
5 CMC hikers enjoyed 3 beautiful days in the Smokys. This trip had a good balance of fun and challenging hikes. The fun included Jiffy-Pop®, S-mores, a campfire, lots of swimming, and great company. Along the way we took our time to look at sassafras, poison ivy, an orange salamander, a turtle, a deer, historical remnants and to SWIM! Our 10.5 miles between Fontana Dam and campsite 86 took aprox. 7 hours on both Sat. and Monday. However, it certainly seemed a lot hillier on Monday. Our 14.5 mile hike on Sunday to Bone Valley was quite enjoyable. At the cabin at the end of the trail there were 7 other people. Several of us took side trails to a couple of cemeteries in the Bone Valley area. The trail from the cabin at the end of Bone Valley to the nearby cemetery was particularly beautiful. On the return trip Kent and Jim went swimming in Hazel Creek to cool off, which helped immensely. Although this was a holiday weekend there were very few people on the trail. Most of the people that we encountered had taken the boat shuttle. The trails were generally in good shape. We want to thank Danny Bernstein for her generosity. Tip: Don’t eat the deep-fried fish at the Fontana Village Grille.
ALL DAY No. A0602-336 May 28 Mt. Cammerer from Big Creek 8:00 AM Hike 11.8, Drive 110, 3300 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+ Janet Martin, 812-738-8154, jaykaymartin@msn.com 900M This great hike from Big Creek to the historic fire lookout atop Mt. Cammerer goes up the Chestnut Branch Trail and AT. Strenuous, but the payoffs are first class: a good workout and superb views. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topos: Waterville and Hartford; also Natl. Geographic GSMNP Map MEMORIAL DAY JOINT HIKE WITH SMOKY MTNS. HIKING CLUB
ALL DAY No. A0602-515 May 29 AT: Brown Gap to I-40 8:00 AM* Hike 10.6, Drive 100, 1700 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Joe Cirvello, 828-627-1797, cirvello25@bellsouth.net (CMC contact) Our annual joint hike with the Smoky Mtns. Hiking Club will follow the AT from Brown Gap to I-40, with a great view from Snowbird Mtn. and a long descent into the Pigeon River Gorge. Car shuttle. * Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at 8:30 AM at Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I-40. Topo: Waterville; also Nat’l. Geo. French Broad & Nolichucky Rivers map
Five of us from CMC joined 22 people from the Smoky Mtn. Hiking Club for
this annual joint hike. From the Harmon Den exit off I-40, we drove
about 10 minutes to Brown Gap and were on the AT at 10a.m. The weather
was perfect and we saw large numbers of wild geraniums in bloom, plus
mtn. laurel, spiderwort, and 6 pink ladyslippers. The hike was enhanced
by meeting and mingling with the folks from Tennessee, and we all
enjoyed the views from our lunch spot atop Snowbird. After a very
pleasant day in the woods, we were off the trail at about 3:45. Joe Cirvello
SATURDAY (NATIONAL TRAILS DAY) NO. A0602-516 June 3 Lakeshore Loop 8:30 AM* Hike 8, Drive 145, 800 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.org 900M *Note later start time. Starting at the Lakeshore tunnel, we’ll do an easy loop, consisting of the Lakeshore, White Oak Branch and Forney Creek Trails. We’ll lunch at the Fontana Lake shoreline, and then return on the Lakeshore trail and back through the tunnel. We’ll be on the eastern end of the proposed North Shore Road where we’ll hike easy trails to see house sites, a creek and cemeteries. This is CMC’s contribution to National Trails Day. Experience your outdoors. Second meeting place: Rest area beyond Waynesville on US 23/74 at 9:00 AM Topo: Noland Creek; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map
Today was National Trails Day and CMC got a lot of great publicity about the hike we were going to lead. I received several phone calls from the public. But on the day, we only had CMC members. Diamond Brand, who cosponsored the event, gave out National Geographic maps of the Smokies for all attendees and an energy bar. We had a beautiful day. Beyond the planned hike, we went to the Woody cemetery on a good, unnamed road in the park. A good time was had by all. Danny
ALL DAY No. A0602-163 June 4 Linville Gorge, Sandy Flats to Pine Gap 8:00 AM Hike 7, Drive 130, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net Strenuous hike! We’ll first descend 1300 ft. in less than a mile from Sandy Flats trailhead, then hike upstream along the Linville Gorge in the depths of the gorge. One of the great streams of WNC. Then out of the gorge via the Pine Gap Trail. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s off I-40 at exit 64 at 8:20 AM. Topos: Ashford, Linville Falls; also Linville Gorge Wilderness map
T
hirteen folks were gathered up at 3 different stops and 120 miles of travel to the as always beautiful Linville Gorge. This area never ceases to amaze with its rugged beauty and similar trails. Although our hike was only a little over 4 miles in length, I think everyone agreed it was fulfilling in every way. We had a long lunch on Babel Tower, a biblically fitting description and a very beautiful vista looking south down the center of the gorge from 1,000 feet above! After the hike we drove to Wisemen’s Overlook and looked at the hike we had just done and the gorgeous view from there. We returned to Asheville at about 5pm. Don Walton
HALF-DAY No. H0602-464 May 21Greybeard Overlook to Balsam Gap 1:00 PM*Hike 3.9, Drive 44, 700 ft. ascent, Rated C-CRuth Hartzler, 828-251-0886 ruthmtn@charter.net
*Note early start time, and only meeting place is Folk Art Center lower parking lot. Although the distance on this portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is not long, this hike provides a good workout, with 700 ft. ascending and 900 ft. descending, with great views midway. Short car shuttle.
Several hikers commented that this hike should have been listed as a wildflower hike. A profusion of white flowers contrasted against bright green foliage made the mountain side into a fairy garden. White wood anemone, giant chickweed, fringed phacelia, Canada violet, and sweet white trillium plus purple trillium were at their peak. Seventeen hikers marveled at the display. We also enjoyed spectacular views from the open bald crossed by the MST south of the Glassmine Falls overlook. - Ruth
HALF-DAY No. H0602-153 May 28Caney Bottom –Cove Creek Loop 1:00 PMHike 4.6, Drive 40, 1280-foot ascent, Rated C-BRenate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, rerikkers@aol.com
P400 *Note early start time. This is a pleasant loop hike off FS 225. Second meeting place: Fish Hatchery on FS 475 at 1:35 PM.
22 folks joined this hike and included a visiting couple from Ohio, and we were on the trail at 2 PM. Unusually humid and in the upper 80s, a good day for this hike which provides tree cover all the way. Congenial and in good spirits, folks enjoyed this 5-mile hike which included a side trip to beautiful Cold Creek
Falls for cooling down. Mountain laurel was in full bloom, and there is lots of it along sections of this loop trail, along with several extensive areas of beautiful ferns.
Our group was brought to a full stop on a single track section of trail by an impressive and assertive black snake, hissing and unwilling to budge, despite being gently coaxed with a hiking stick. It finally was moved over to the side so we could proceed without 22 of us climbing over it.
The 3 1/2 hour hike ended with a fun stop at Cold Creek campground to watch a dozen campers and their kids going down the sliding rock and landing in a great swimming hole.
The best "vehicle" for the ride was an inflatable Coleman couch!
Return time: 5:30 PM.
Renate Rikkers
HALF-DAY No. H0602-512 June 4Pisgah Inn to Big Ridge Overlook 1:00 PM*Hike 5.7, Drive 40, 800-ft. ascent, Rated C-CKen and Carol Deal, 828-281-4530, KMCDeal@aol.com
P400 *Note early start time. Hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail from the Pisgah Inn, with a brief stop to view the Buck Spring Lodge site. We will continue over Little Pisgah Mountain down to the Big Ridge Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Car shuttle.
WEDNESDAY No. W0602-517 May 17
South Mills River Ramble 8:00 AM* Hike 11.5, Drive 70, 2500 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Tom Bindrim and Joan Lemire, 828-273-3880 P400 A nice ramble at a moderate pace, including Funneltop, Cantrell Creek and the Rigby Cutoff. Some off-trail hiking. Bring extra food in case we get back later than expected. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leaders at the Bi-Lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
WEDNESDAY No. W0602-163 May 24 Linville Gorge, Sandy Flats to Pine Gap 8:00 AM Hike 7, Drive 130, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Don Walton, 828-654-9904, donwalton@bellsouth.net Strenuous hike! We’ll first descend 1300 ft. in less than a mile from Sandy Flats trailhead, then hike upstream along the Linville Gorge in the depths of the gorge. One of the great streams of WNC. Then out of the gorge via the Pine Gap Trail. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s off I-40 at exit 64 at 8:20 AM. Topos: Ashford, Linville Falls; also Linville Gorge Wilderness map
Hike was cancelled because the leader fell ill. He is fine now!
WEDNESDAY No. W0602-521 May 31 MST: Mt. Pisgah to Bent Creek Gap 8:30 AM Hike 9.4, Drive 45, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Becky Smucker, 828-298-5013, bsmucker@charter.net P400 Note later start time. We will start with a round trip up and down Mt. Pisgah, stopping to enjoy the view, and will then follow a beautiful section of the MST northbound to Bent Creek Gap. Expect good views along the route. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: BRP French Broad overlook at 8:40 AM. Topos: Cruso, Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map & MST Profiles, pg. 53-55
Eight of us set out from the Pisgah parking lot to climb to the lookout deck and then back down the MST to Bent Creek. Although all of us had been up Pisgah at least once before, it was interesting to see again the views of the familiar places. We tend to think of the MST from Pisgah to Bent Creek as mostly down, but with Big Pisgah, Little Pisgah and Ferrin Knob, we actually climbed almost 2,000 feet on the way. Toiling up Ferrin Knob near the end, we were looking forward to a fun break at the old lookout tower site, but as we neared the top, dark clouds formed above us and thunder started. We descended in a hurry but lucked out with just a few sprinkles. Thanks to a congenial group for another enjoyable day! Becky Smucker
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 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.
Wednesday Hikes are submitted by Paula McNabb, 828- 274-0057paulamcnabb@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.