E-newsletter Hike news

ALL DAY No. A 0604-082 Oct. 15 The Blacks Beyond 6000 7:30 AM (strenuous) Hike 11.3, Drive 125, 3,000 ft. (northbound) or 6,000 ft. (southbound) ascent, Rated AA-AA+ Charlie Ferguson, 828-398-0213, ccf108@gmail.com (southbound) & Don Gardner 828-754-4067 gardog3@charter.net (northbound) SB6K Note earlier starting time. Key-swap hike. This is your chance to bag seven SB6K peaks on this very strenuous hike. The southbound initial climb is 3100 ft., and there’s much more climbing in the ups and downs between peaks. North-bounders get to go down the 3100 ft. The hike is great fun with incomparable views, but do not consider this unless you are in top shape. Bring extra water. Participants should phone a leader beforehand. Second meeting place: Phone leader. Topos: Celo, Mt. Mitchell; also PNF South Toe River, Mount Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Map

ALL DAY No. A 0604-265 Oct. 22 Panthertown Prowl #5 8:00 AM Hike 8-10, Drive 120, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Joe Cirvello, 828-252-2721, cirvello25@bellsouth.net This will be our annual exploration of beautiful Panthertown valley, and again is timed for the brightest leaf colors. Our route this year will be determined by a scouting trip and will be posted on the E-Newsletter at a later time. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM Topo: Big Ridge; also Nat’l. Geo. Nantahala & Cullasaja Gorges map

HALF DAY No. H0604-381 Oct. 15 Snowball Trail 1:00 PM*
Drive 50, Hike 5.5, Rated B-B

Nonmembers call leader, Jorge Munoz, 828-658-0606, jmunoz@buncombe.main.nc.us *Note early start time. This is a moderate in-and-out hike with a nice steady climb to High Rocks (Hawkbill Mtn.). Diverse and centennial trees to be admired all the way on the ridge. Stop for a snack at Snowball Mountain before return. Second meeting place: Craven Gap on Blue Ridge Parkway at 1:20 PM.

HALF DAY No. H0604-464 Oct. 22 Balsam Gap to Greybeard Overlook 1:00 PM*
Hike 3.5, Drive 44, Rated C-CNonmembers, call leader, Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, Rerikkers@aol.com

*Note early start time. Although the distance on this portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is not long, this hike provides a good workout, with 400 feet ascending and 700 descending, with great views midway. Short car shuttle. *Only meeting place: Folk Art Center lower parking lot.

WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-336 Oct 11 Mt. Cammerer from Big Creek 8:00 AM Hike 11.8, Drive 110, 3300 ft. Ascent, Rated A-AA Susanna Whitaker, 828-684-5948, susannwhit@earthlink.net 900M We will travel west on I-40 and take the Waterville Exit and continue a short distance to our trail head in the Big Creek area. This fantastic hike takes us up the AT which will take us to Mt. Cammerer, featuring the historic stone fire tower built according to the “Yosemite model” in the 1930’s: a CCC project. We will enjoy a lunch break on top and take in the expansive autumn views. The ascent is rather long, but the pace will be moderate. Return on same trails. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I-40 at 8:30 am. Topo: Waterville; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-539 Oct 18 Downhill to Pilot Mtn. 8:00 AM Hike 6, Drive 88, 2200 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA Dave Wetmore, 828-884-7297, dwetmore@citcom.net P400 Downhill to Pilot Mountain! We’ll take the Art Loeb Trail from the parkway through Farlow and Deep Gaps to the magnificent views from the summit of Pilot Mountain. Then uphill from Pilot Mountain. If the weather cooperates, it should be a lovely hike. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station at 8:35 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-540 Oct 25 MST: Buckeye Gap to FS 816 8:00 AM Hike 10, Drive 70. Rated A-A Jack Fitzgerald, 828-685-2897, suejackfitz@bellsouth.net P400 Beautiful walk in woods, around Mt. Hardy and Chestnut Bald. Views from Silvermine Bald area. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Cold Mountain overlook at 8:40 AM. Topo: Mt. Hardy; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

SATURDAY NO. A0603-527 Sept. 30 Chattooga River & Ellicott Rock 8:00 AM Hike 8.5, Drive 140, 950 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.org Hike along the Chattooga River, a Wild and Scenic River. A long drive, but a unique and historic place: three states come together; their junction marked with inscriptions almost 200 years old. Well-maintained trails with gentle grades. This hike is the CMC contribution to the WNC "Together We Read" program, which, this year, is reading "Saints at the River", by Ron Rash, about a girl who drowned in the Chattooga River and the conflict between the parents who attempt to recover the body and the environmentalists who want to keep the river wild. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM Topo: Tamassee; also Nat'l. Geographic Nantahala & Cullasaja Gorges map

Fifteen people came out to the TWR hike on the Chattooga. We drove to the Walhalla Fish Hatchery and started out on the East Fork for about 2.5 miles.

Then we followed the Chattooga River to Ellicott Rock. We had lunch on the trail at the point where NC/SC/GA met. In small groups, we took turns scrambling down to see Ellicott Rock and Commissioners Rock. Against their better judgment, a few followed Dave Wetmore as he waded out to Chattooga Rock in the middle of the river.

As we walked on the relatively flat trail, we discussed the Saints at the River incident, the book and, of course, Deliverance. Danny

ALL DAY NO. A0603-528 Oct. 1 AT: Carmen – Allen Gap 8:00 AM (strenuous) Hike 13.5, Drive 95, 3300 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA+ Charlie Ferguson, 828-398-0213, ccferguson111@charter.net and Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com A strenuous hike with great payback. This AT hike features great views from the Firescald Knob relo, Blackstock Cliff and White Rock Cliffs, and the Camp Creek Bald fire tower. The Fork Ridge Trail will be used to access the AT from the Carmen area. Key swap. Topos: Greystone, Davy Crockett Lake, Hot Springs; also Nat’l. Geo. French Broad & Nolichucky Rivers map

Southbound group: After splitting into two groups at Westgate, 6 strong hikers drove to the Fork Ridge trail head just north of Carmen. We immediately started a steep, 1800 foot 2 mile climb up to the AT near Jerry's Cabin. For this part of the hike we were in the clouds, with occasional patches of sunshine, but were confident that the clouds would lift when we got to the top. Another mile south on the AT and we started a 300 foot climb, on the new re-routing of the AT, near Fox Cabin Gap. This took us along the knife edge ridge line along Big Firescald Knob (the old AT goes about 200 feet further down the north side of this ridge). The clouds started to lift and there were numerous views of the Tennessee and North Carolina mountains.. We sat on some of the rocks there and had lunch. Some of the leaves were starting to turn color. There was a soft beauty to the mountains and we felt that we were floating above it at times. This was to be a long hike and we could not linger as long as we would have liked. We continued down the relocated AT to where it joined the old AT again and hiked to Little Firescald Knob/Blackstack Cliffs where there were more wonderful views of the Tennessee mountains and the flat areas beyond. The sky was clearing more and more with mostly blue sky now. A short hike to Whiterock Cliffs gave us another nice view of North Carolina. We met our 7 northbound counterparts and felt that we had at last found our long lost companions. They had hiked 7.5 miles to our 5 miles. We wondered if we were being lazy. Keys were exchanged and we agreed to meet in Hot Springs to celebrate and have dinner there. The rest of the hike was in the forest. We skipped the hike up to Camp Creek Bald since the tower there was closed. We had a 5.5 mile descent to Allen Gap, passing through various types of forest including a large stand of hemlocks that had not be touched by the wooly adelgids yet.

We had a short drive to Hot Springs. When we got there, about 5:20, we discovered that there had been an all-day power outage, so our target restaurant was closed. The pub next door was open so we decided to chance it and wait for the northbound group. Since they seemed to be faster than us on the trail we wondered if they had discovered the closed restaurant and abandoned the dinner plans. We ordered some food. Bruce's northbound group showed up about 45 minutes later. We had a great time sitting together and relating experiences. It's a good thing that we enjoyed sitting and talking because the service at the pub was really, really slow due to the power outage. Charlie.

ALL DAY NO. A0603-249 Oct. 1 Haywood Gap / Buckeye Gap 8:30 AM* (moderate) Hike 9, Drive 80, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Larry Modlin, 828-230-9282, lmodlin@warren-wilson.edu P400 *Note later start time. Follow MST, then scenic Haywood Gap Stream down on rough trail through the Middle Prong Wilderness to junction with Buckeye Gap Trail. Climb up onto ridge to more open forest, then follow old logging RR grade up. Wilderness area hike, limited to ten hikers—call leader for reservations. Second meeting place:BRP Cold Mtn. overlook at 9:00 AM. Topo: Sam Knob

First let me say, that this is not a moderate hike. It is 9 miles and 1700 feet of elevation change, but that change occurs in a very short and sometimes dangerous condition. There are four stream crossings, one of which can be dangerous for novices (and our only hiker besides the scouting party was a relative novice attracted to the "moderate" description), one 10+ foot slide down a cliff face where the trail has apparently broken off, miles of walking through stinging nettle and brambles, plus the National Geographic map is totally in error about the trail and leads many to create their own. I walked this twice, once in each direction, to be certain of the trail. Sure enough, on the first attempt going out on the Haywood Gap side, returning on the Buckey Cove side, getting lost and bushwhacking up to rejoin the trail. I know others have done this as there is a very fine trail for about 100 yards, but in the "wrong" place, shortening the hike by about a mile. The second scouting was out on the Buckey Cove trail, which allowed us to find the correct trail, terminating at the Haywood Gap trail on the north side of a creek that is shown on the Pisgah map on the south side. The footing in many places is treacherous and sometimes dangerous, and in several spots, much of the trail is muddy year round, the accents are so steep that hand holds to the trees must be used. Never lead the hike down the Haywood Gap side as the steepness is safer going up.

This hike begins at an access point to the Moutains to the Sea trail across the BRP from the Rough Butt Bald overlook. Once on the MST, the hiker must go east or west about one mile to join the Buckey Cove or Haywood Gap trails, each roughly following a ridge on the east and west side of the Middle Prong river valley. Much of the Buckey Cove trail is quite level and traverses several areas that would be meadows in the spring, but by August, are so overgrown with very tall weeds and brambles that the natural beauty found in the spring has disappeared. A high bush blueberry thicket blankets each side of the trail for several hundred feet, up to 10 feet tall. The trail for the first 2 miles follows a nearly level old railway bed, then drops very quickly over 1300 feet in about one mile. The trail back up to the MST (Haywood Gap Trail) is also very steep in short bursts, with sometimes treacherous footing. Larry Modlin.

Nantahala Hiking and Rafting Weekend Oct. 6 - 8 We will stay at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser in the Nantahala Gorge. Challenging and moderate hikes are scheduled. In addition, you can raft and bike. This is also a perfect family weekend. All the information will be posted on the e-News including the planned hikes and reduced room rates. danny@hikertohiker.org

HALF-DAY No. H0603-318 Oct. 1East Fork Pigeon River 1:00 PMNewcomers who have not hiked with CMC before are welcome, but are required to phone the leader before the hike to determine hike requirements. Hike 5, Drive 74, Rated C-C Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, Rerikkers@aol.com
*Note early start time. This in-and-out hike goes along a beautiful stream.

HALF-DAY No. H0604-436 Oct. 8 Mt. Pisgah from the Pisgah Inn 1:00 PM*
Drive 44, Hike 4.5, Elevation gain 700 ft., Rated C-CNonmembers call leader, Laura Stallard, 828-697-1579

WEDNESDAY NO. W0603-531 Sept. 27 Pisgah Inn to Beaverdam Overlook 9:00 AM*
Rusty Breeding, 828-692-0359, bree@planetusa.com Hike 7.9, Drive 50, 1400’ descent, rated B-C P400 Hike along the MST from Pisgah Inn to the Beaver Dam Overlook. After Little Pisgah Mtn, it’s downhill almost all the way. May see some early fall color. *Meet at 9:00 AM at Westgate to form carpools, and meet leader.

Twenty-six hikers showed up on a mostly sunny morning for a hike that was billed as mostly downhill. Translation:mostly sunny = lots of clouds; mostly downhill = lots of ups on the way down. The temperature was 70-ish, just right! Hints and tints of early autumn:We passed by red berries of mountain ash, jack-in-the-pulpit, Solomon's plume (false Solomon's seal), and the blues of Solomon's seal, blue bead lily and carrion flower berries. Lunch was at Mills River Overlook. In summer the only views on this section of trail are at the overlooks where the trail crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway. There was only one cry of, "I thought this was supposed to be a moderate hike. But, hikers take things in stride and "Good hike!" was heard at the end . Rusty.

WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-407 Oct 4 Dill Falls 8:00 AM* Hike 5, Drive 85, Rated C-C
Larry Ballard, 828-891-4318, leballard@cytechcis.net *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 8:30 AM. We will hike to Dill Falls, a magnificent 70 ft. water fall, then hike up the west side of Tanasee Creek from the point where Charles Creek Rd crosses the creek. There will be two stream crossings that require wading.

Dill falls is a magnificent 70 ft waterfall located in the Nantahala forest south of the parkway off highway 215. Because of the its remote location and inaccessibility it is not well known and rarely visited.
Hikers met first at Westgate and drove to Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest to meet the leader and the rest of the group. In all there were ten hikers. From Bi-Lo the drive is about 26 miles to the trail head on Charles Creek road. There is ample parking at the trail head. The trail head is on the north side of Tanasee Creek and the trail follows the creek upstream for about two miles before turning sharply to the left and leaving the creek. The trail is mostly through thick stands rhododendron. The trail is seldom if ever used and was over grown. The leader spent several hours pruning back the worst of the foliage prior to the hike. The trail was wet and muddy in places but not so as to impeed travel.

About two miles into the trail it opens briefly onto a nice meadow which contained many fall flowers. Continuing on, the trail enters a woods of hardwood trees and the trail joins a road. Following the road for about a mile, a junction is reached and the waterfall can be heard to the right. A hunderd yards or so beyond the junction., the waterfall is reached. The best view of the waterfall is on the oppsite side of the creek. The creek was easily crosssed by rock hopping. We had lunch at the falls.

After lunch we returned back up the same trail. Origionally we had planned to do the hike as a loop but this would have required a stream crossing. We therefore decided to do the hike as an in-and- out. Shortly after begining the return trip, I realized we were on the wrong trail. Since the trail is not marked and I was not familiar with it and further the trail is overgrown and difficult to see , we missed the turn off. We had to backtrack about a half mile.

The hike was about 6 miles in length and the hiking time about 5 hours. The weather was perfect in that it was warm and clear. There were few bugs and bees, and other than the one missed turn, no mishaps. Larry Ballard

WEDNESDAY NO. NO. W0604-336 Oct 11 Mt. Cammerer from Big Creek 8:00 AM Hike 11.8, Drive 110, 3300 ft. Ascent, Rated A-AA Susanna Whitaker, 828-684-5948, susannwhit@earthlink.net 900M We will travel west on I-40 and take the Waterville Exit and continue a short distance to our trail head in the Big Creek area. This fantastic hike takes us up the AT which will take us to Mt. Cammerer, featuring the historic stone fire tower built according to the “Yosemite model” in the 1930’s: a CCC project. We will enjoy a lunch break on top and take in the expansive autumn views. The ascent is rather long, but the pace will be moderate. Return on same trails. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I-40 at 8:30 am. Topo: Waterville; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

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.

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.
Leaders: Mail please mail your sign-up sheets. Meet at Westgate unless otherwise noted.