ALL DAY NO. A0603-465 Sept. 10 Sam Knob Natural History Hike 9:00 AM* Hike 5, Drive 70, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated C-B Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886, ruthmtn@charter.net & Ben Prater, SABP P400, SB6K *Note later start time. This is a joint natural history hike with the Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project. During the hike, Ecologist Ben Prater will stop frequently to describe natural features of the landscape. The hike starts at one of the highest trailheads in Western North Carolina. At 5800 ft., you’ll be hiking through a high-elevation environment more typical to southern Canada than the Southeast. We will pass through a large meadow before ascending Sam Knob (6040 ft.), a spectacular two-peaked mountain rising above the waters of Flat Laurel Creek and the surrounding meadows. While there is no true timberline in these mountains, “balds” like this have a hard time re-establishing themselves once cleared by fire or man. There is a grassy, shrubby saddle between the two knobs, and a large outcropping of white quartz juts from a meadow beside the trail. After Sam Knob, we will continue through meadows and hike back to our cars via the Flat Laurel Trail. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. overlook at 9:40 AM. Topo: Sam Knob; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
ALL DAY NO. A0603-367 Sept. 17 Art Loeb, Grassy Cove Ridge to Bridges Camp Gap 8:00 AM Hike 9, Drive 65, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated A-B Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net P400, SB6K Beginning with a climb up a short, steep manway to Black Balsam (6214 ft.) then follow the ridgeline to Tennent Mtn (6040 ft.) and Ivestor Gap. Then we’ll hike down Grassy Cove Ridge to the Big East Fork of the Pigeon River. Two wet stream crossings. From there we’ll hike to Skinny Dip Falls, and then end at Bridges Camp Gap. Short car shuttle required at end. This is a Wilderness area hike limited to ten people. Please contact hike leader to reserve your place. Second meeting place: Cold Mtn. overlook on BRP at 8:30 A.M. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geographic PRD map
ALL DAY NO. A0603-091 Sept. 24 Black Mountains Circuit 8:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 65, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Becky Smucker, 828-298-5013, bsmucker@charter.net SB6K Beginning at Mt. Mitchell parking lot, we proceed south along the Old Mitchell Trail via a short bushwhack to Mt. Hallback (6320 ft.), then to 6571 ft. Mt. Gibbes We will return on the Commissary and Old Mt. Mitchell Trails and climb the tower on 6684 ft. Mt. Mitchell if it is still there. Second meeting place: Craven Gap ay 8:20 AM. Topos: Mt. Mitchell, Montreat
HALF-DAY No.H0603-349 Sept. 10 Buck Spring Trail 1:00 PM*Newcomers who have not hiked with CMC before are welcome, but are required to phone the leader before the hike to determine hike requirements. Hike 6.2, Drive 50, Rated B-C Jean Gard, 828-777-1814, jeangard@charter.net
This pleasant down-hill hike starts at the Pisgah Inn and ends at Rt. 276, with a car spot. Call the leader if you wish to join her for dinner reservations at the Pisgah Inn after the hike. Second meeting place: Pisgah Inn parking lot near convenience store at 1:30 PM. Hikers who are not familiar with how to get to second meeting place should phone leader for directions
HALF-DAY No. H0603-222 Sept. 17Montreat Loop #3 1:00 PM*Hike 5, Drive 40, Elevation change 1200 ft.Rated C-BJoe Burchfield, 828-298-8413 (Note corrected phone number!) burchfield@niu.edu
*Note early start time. We will ascend by the Graybeard Trail to the Old Trestle Road at Pot Cove Gap. We will then follow a newly cleared and opened section of the Old Trestle Road (not yet on most Montreat trail maps) to Graybeard Falls. We will return to Pot Cove Gap by a short steep section of the Graybeard Trail and then retrace our path to the parking area. There are nine dry-foot stream crossings on rocks and/or logs. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald's off I-40 at exit 64 at 1:20 PM.
HALF-DAY No. H0603-524 Sept. 24 Bent Creek Gap to Hard Times Road & BRP 1:30 PM Newcomers who have not hiked with CMC before are welcome, but are required to phone the leader before the hike to determine hike requirements. Hike 6.6, Drive 25, 1,000-ft elevation, Rated B-B
Pat Elias, 828-687-1651, patelias@bellsouth.net
This is a pleasant woods walk on the old Shut-In Trail portion of the MST.
Car shuttle.Second meeting place: French Broad Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 1:45 PM.
Hikers who are not familiar with how to get to second meeting place should phone leader for directions.
All Day Wednesday
WEDNESDAY NO. W0603-266 Sept. 6 MST: Black Mtn. Campground to NC 128 8:00 AM*
Hike 11, Drive 80, 3630 ft ascent,
Rated A-AA+ Ames Tryon, 828-669-3805, tryonaf@charter.net SB6K This will be a challenging hike from the Black Mountain Camp
WEDNESDAY
NO. W0603-049 Sept. 13 Walnut bottom 8:00 AM Hike 11.6, Drive 110, 1500 ft. ascent,
Rated A-B Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@mchsi.com
900M Follow the sight and sound of a spectacular mountain stream through a beautiful forest to Walnut Bottom.
Features to be seen on this hike on a wide roadbed are the Midnight Hole, Mouse Creek Falls and several rapids.
A shorter version (6 miles) will be offered if a minimum of 3 people wish to do so.
Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop, I-40 at Exit 24 at 8:30 AM, but call leader first.
Topos: Luftee Knob, Cove Creek Gap; also Nat'l. Geo .GSMNP Map
WEDNESDAY NO. W0603-479 Sept. 20 Kagel Mtn. 8:30 AM Hike 9, Drive 80, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Larry Ballard, 828-891-4318, leballard@cytechcis.net P400 This new CMC loop hike will start from Cathey’s Creek Rd. and follow an overgrown forest road to the Art Loeb Trail, with lunch at the Butter Gap shelter. We’ll return via a no-name trail for variety. Nice winter views. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 9:00 AM Topos: Rosman, Shining Rock
SATURDAY NO. A0603-357 Aug. 26 Pisgah Ridge Loop 8:30 AM* Hike 7.5, Drive 70, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Janet Onan, 828-698-3237, janonan@bellsouth.net P400 Note later start time. We’ll do a scenic circle of the entire Graveyard Fields area, using the Pisgah Ridge Trail and MST to lunch at a beautiful overlook. Then we’ll follow the Graveyard Ridge Trail, with a side trip to one of the Yellowstone Falls. Possible blueberry sightings. *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at BRP Cold Mtn. overlook (M.P. 412) at 9:10 AM. Topos: Shining Rock, Sam Knob; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map and USFS Shining Rock & Middle Prong Wilderness map
We could not have asked for a better day to hike. Sunny and warm with views almost as clear as the fall. 15 hikers showed up for our Pisgah Ridge Loop. We welcomed 3 brand new hikers and one who returned for his second hike after a year, and hope all of them return for more! Jean and Bruce joined us for their first hike back after their injuries.
The blueberries were still abundant and the blackberries were ripe, so we picked and ate all along today’s hike. Yum! The terrain also varied from open and rocky to enclosed grassy woods. Before we hiked the last mile or so, we all stopped and enjoyed a rest and the view at the second falls. Some of us dipped our feet while others took the full plunge in the pool below the falls. It was very refreshing! Those who were wet, dried off as we finished the last mile back to the cars… of course gathering a few last mouthfuls of berries along the way!
Nine of us continued the Pisgah tradition of stopping at Dolly’s and indulging in ice-cream or sorbets. After all, it was not yet dinner time. Janet.
ALL DAY NO. A0603-267 Aug. 27 Horsepasture River 8:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 105, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Kathleen Hannigan, 828-230-4883, kathleen.hannigan@pgnmail.com See the waterfalls – Drift, Turtleback, Rainbow and Stairway, ending at Windy, the finale downstream near Lake Jocassee, if the weather is not rainy.
Second meeting place: Bi-lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topo: Reid; Also Sierra Club guide to Jocassee Gorges.
With a cast of thousands (well, there was 21 of us), we set out on a lovely day to view the waterfalls of Horsepasture River. We began by going upriver to view Drift, careful to stay on the Nantahala Forest side of the POSTED–PRIVATE PROPERTY signs (sigh). When I was a teenager, these falls would have been covered with people taking the slide of their life down into the pool below – NOT that long ago!! We then continued our trip back down the river to view impressive Turtleback (these falls will be covered by people sliding later on in the day) and then the very impressive Rainbow Falls. Beautiful flowers were blooming in front of the overlook to the falls and made for pretty pictures. We followed the river for a bit more then cut back into the woods for the trip down to Windy Falls where we enjoyed lunch on a large rock by the river and a swim in the nice little pool right at the base of the rock. It was very difficult to leave such an idyllic location (which we had all to ourselves) especially since it is quite a climb out of there, but we swimmers comforted ourselves with the thought of another dip upstream. On the way back, we divided into two groups. One group, led by Danny Bernstein took a side trail to view Stairstep Falls and I led the rest of the hikers to a pretty swimming hole just off the main trail further up. This location featured a beautiful small waterfall which we were actually able to get in behind and look back out through the water. Again, it was very hard to make ourselves leave such a relaxing spot. We returned to the trail, enjoyed another view of Rainbow and Turtleback, then hiked back up to our parking spot in Gorges State Park, tired but satisfied with a great day at the river. Kathleen.
ALL DAY NO. A0603-373 Sept. 3 Yellow Mountain 8:00 AM (strenuous) Hike 9.4, Drive 125, 2900 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+
Carroll Koepplinger, 828-667-0723, carrollkoepp@bellsouth.net We’ll hike in the Cowee Mtns on a heavily forested high altitude trail that ascends four peaks going in and three on the way back. Views from the Yellow Mtn. observation tower are great – a fine lunch spot. Strenuous but rewarding. Second meeting place: rest area beyond Waynesville at 8:30 AM. Topos: Highlands, Glenville
Twelve hikers enjoyed a great day hiking on a trail that had only been a CMC scheduled hike once before. The hike to Yellow Mtn. started from Cole Gap at 10:15 am after an 84 mile drive to the trail head. We hiked over Cole Mtn. on to Shortoff Mtn. Next was a relatively easy climb to Goat Knob and then tackling the climb to Yellow Mtn.with its 360 degree views and rocky outcroppings and old fire tower where we had lunch and some relaxing time.
The return hike to the trail head gave us only three of the mountains to climb. It didn’t take long to realize that the ascents on the return were longer and more strenuous. The weather was somewhat humid with temps in the 70’s. Flowers noted were: Dolls’ Eyes, Blue Bead Lily, Lady Slipper, Milkweed, Bowman’s Root, Aster and some others that no one could identify. Many varieties of mushrooms were also noted.
Two of the hikers received bee stings which seem very prevalent this year. At one point there was a fat little field/mountain mouse within inches of the trail looking for eats and totally ignoring us as we were watching it. We returned to the trail head at 4:45 pm and after finding restaurants either closed or too busy in Waynesville we proceeded to have a delightful dinner and evening at the new Chinese restaurant at Westgate.
My leading “hikes in the rain” reputation has been ruined!! NO RAIN!! Thanks to all the CMC’ers and one new hiker(who has joined). Welcome Neal Graig from Rutherforton. Carroll
ALL DAY NO. A0603-049 Sept. 3 Walnut Bottom FAMILY HIKE 8:00 AM (moderate)
Hike 11.6, Drive 110, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-B Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, cell: 828-674-1374 ashok.kudva@mchsi.com
900M This hike is on a wide roadbed from Big Creek Campground to Walnut Bottom (5.8 miles in and out and 1500 ft ascent). It is easy enough for children/ grandchildren capable of walking 6 miles when accompanied by guardians. Arrange carpooling so that anybody who wants to return after 2 or 3 miles may do so with their party. Call the leader if you want to bring children. Follow the sight and sound of a spectacular mountain stream through a beautiful forest to Walnut Bottom. Features to be seen on this hike on a wide roadbed are the Midnight Hole, Mouse Creek Falls and several rapids. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop, I-40 at Exit 24 at 8:30 AM, but call leader first. Topos: Luftee Knob, Cove Creek Gap; also Nat'l. Geo .GSMNP Map
Five hikers, four from Westgate and one from the Pilot Truck Stop, started the hike at the
Big Creek Campground. In the 1930s , this site housed 100 CCC workers, who constructed trails, bridges and the Mt. Sterling Fire Tower. On the trail to Walnut Bottom, where Champion Fiber Company operated a logging camp , we met several returning backpackers. They reported fairly aggressive bear activity at Walnut Bottom. A 250 lb bear followed a couple who were cooking breakfast at our designated lunch spot by the stream at 8AM. The bear followed them to the camp and scratched a tent and a person inside while looking for food! The bear went away after the backpackers blew their whistles. We hiked close together on the triple wide trail speculating and preparing for a possible bear encounter. A delightful lunch at the stream went by without seeing the bear (see photo). Pehaps he was napping in the woods after his early morning meal!
On the way back Bruce Bente, a retired railway engineer and an experienced hiker, led a short bushwhack to explore a part of the now extinct logging railgrade which went by the bottom of Mouse Creek Falls (see photo). We encountered a brief traffic jam on the triple wide trail when horses hesitated to move while facing kayaakers carrying their gear uphill. We took a snack break by the river hoping to see some kayak activity. Views and sounds of whitewater were spectacular(see photo) When we returned to the cars, the Walnut Bottom Campsite was closed to backpackers due to bear activity. It remains open for the day hikers. Ya’ll come for a repeat of this moderate but spectacular hike on Wednesday, September 13. After the hike we had a fine supper at Saratoga’s Café in Maggie Valley. Submitted by Ashok Kudva
HALF-DAY No. H0603-112 August 27 Black Balsam Knob, Tennant Mtn., via Art Loeb, Shining Rock Ledge 1:00 PM* Newcomers who have not hiked with CMC before are welcome, but are required to phone the leader before the hike to determine hike requirements. Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary@charter.net Hike 5, Drive 80, Rated C-B
*Note early start time. This moderate loop hike features beautiful views of the mountains and perhaps blueberries. Second meeting place at Cold Mountain Overlook on BRP at 1:40 PM. Hikers who are not familiar with how to get to second meeting place should phone leader for directions.
Thirteen people participated in this hike on a beautiful day, though dark clouds appeared toward the end. We climbed 2 peaks over 6000, Black Balsam and Tennant, along the Art Loeb Trail. Despite the fact that many people have been picking blueberries for the past two weeks, between the 2 mountains we found a good patch and took a half-hour to gather some. Perhaps the best thing about this hike are the views in every direction, not only on the Art Loeb, but on the Shining Rock Ledge RR bed, which was our way back. Not far from the Sam Knob Pkg area, a vehicle had run off the RR bed and tumbled about 50 ft. down the side of the mtn. Fortunately, the driver had only minor injuries. The Forest Service shouldn't allow vehicles there. Tom
HALF-DAY No. H0603-247
Sept. 3 Ivestor Gap Blueberry Hike
12:30 PM*Newcomers who have not hiked with CMC before are welcome, but are required to phone the leader before the hike to determine hike requirements. Rusty Breeding, 828-692-0359, bree@planetusa.net Hike 7, Drive 70, Rated B-B, 1,400-ft ascent
*Note early start time. Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form car pools and meet leader at Cold Mountain Overlook on BRP at 1:00 PM. Hikers who are not familiar with how to get to second meeting place should phone leader for directions Hike 3 miles on an old railroad grade to Ivestor Gap. The hills beyond the gap are famous for blueberry picking.
The forecast of scattered showers, along with Labor Day Sunday, kept most half-dayers away from the blueberry hike on September 3rd. All except five enthusiastic pickers, that is. Even the rainstorm that passed over Cold Mountain Overlook as they met did not dissuade them. It was a good decision to proceed to the Big Sam parking lot because the rain ended and the rest of the day was heavily overcast, cool and just right hiking weather. You wouldn't believe the cars that overflowed the parking lots at Graveyard Fields and Big Sam!!! Thousands of gallons of blueberries must come off the mountains every year. We found good picking on the slope of Grassy Cove Top, just beyond the Ivestor Gap wilderness sign. Others told us the best place was Shining Rock. But that was another two miles and we didn't have enough time to go out there. We were all pretty happy with what we got in an hour and a half. -- Rusty
WEDNESDAY NO. W0603-247 Aug. 23 Ivestor Gap Blueberry Hike 8:30 AM* Hike 6, Drive 76, rated B-C
Ken and Carol Deal, 828-281-4530, cnkdeal@charter.net P400 Our traditional hike to the picking fields of Grassy Cove Top in the Shining Rock Wilderness. Limit 10 hikers. Call for reservation. *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM to form carpools, and meet leaders at BRP Cold Mountain Overlook at 9:15 AM for carpooling to Big Sam parking area.
We left the Ivestor Gap parking lot at 9:25, walked out on the rocky, wet road, and arrived to begin picking blueberries at 10:30 A.M. The hikers found many, many blueberries on the slopes of Grassy Cove Top, with some choosing to climb high on the mountainside and some choosing to spend their time closer to the road, picking rather than climbing. We all felt that it is a great year for blueberries -- they're large, juicy and sweet. Most pickers carried out at least a gallon, some more than that. It was a beautiful sunny day. Ken & Carol
WEDNESDAY NO. W0603-101 Aug. 30 Lower Big Laurel Creek 9:00 AM* Hike 6, Drive 60, 200-ft ascent, Rated B-C
Paula McNabb, 828-274-0057, paulamcnabb@charter.net Leisurely paced in-and-out hike along Lower Big Laurel Creek to the site of Runion, an early 1900s logging and mining settlement.
No Report
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.