HIKE SCHEDULE First Quarter 2004
All Day Saturday and Sunday Hikes
Hike Ratings First Letter Second Letter Distance Cumulative Elevation Gain AA: Over 12 miles AA: Over 2,000 ft. A: 9-12 miles A: 1,500-2,000 ft. B: 6-9 miles B: 1,000-1,500 ft. C: Under 6 miles C: Under 1,000 ft.
P400: Indicates that this hike qualifies for the P400 award. SB6K: Indicates that this hike qualifies for the SB6K award. Also in the hike descriptions, the terms easy, moderate or strenuous reflect the overall trail conditions, the physical challenge and other factors influencing hike difficulty. If you have questions, CONTACT THE LEADER.
All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 828-692-0116, 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.
ALL DAY No. A0401-282 Jan. 4 (strenuous) Black Mtn. - Buckhorn Gap Loop 8:00 AM Hike 11-12, Drive 70, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Carroll Koepplinger 828-667-0723 carrollkoepp@cs.com P400 This hike will first take the Black Mtn. trail past Black Mtn. and Clawhammer Mtn. to Buckhorn Gap, then follow FS 5058 and the Buckhorn Gap Trail down past Twin Falls to FS 477. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place at parking lot next to Pisgah Forest Maintenance yard at 8:40 AM. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Shining Rock; also Nat'l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
ALL DAY No. A0401-283 Jan. 4 (moderate) Montreat Ramble #2 9:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 30, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Marlene Santa Maria 828-299-9095 marlena98@hotmail.com Note later starting time. 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. Second meeting place: McDonalds at exit 64 of I 40 at 9:30 AM. Topo: Montreat
ALL DAY No. A0401-326 Jan. 11 Pump Gap (non-AT) Loop 8:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 60, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Tom Sanders 828-252-6327 mel&tgs@main.nc.us 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
ALL DAY No. A0401-305 Jan. 18 Dupont Forest Lake Imaging P.L. #1 8:00 AM* Hike 10, Drive 70, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated A-B Rusty Breeding 692-0359 bree@planetusa.net *Meeting places: Self-organize carpools at Westgate at 8:00 AM. Meet leader at Bi-Lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. This low-altitude winter hike will traverse the north loop from Lake Imaging to Stone Mtn., including Grassy Falls, the Thomas Cemetery, Wintergreen Falls and Stone Mtn. Part of the hike will take a rough, flagged maintainers' trail for a half mile to avoid walking on the road and to see the top of an unnamed waterfall. Additional meeting place: Dupont State Forest Lake Imaging parking lot on Dupont. Rd. at 8:45 AM. Topo: Standingstone Mtn.
SATURDAY No. A0401-327 Jan. 24 Ridgecrest Ramble 9:00 AM Hike 6-7, Drive 5, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Joanne Tulip 828-299-3495 tulipinnc@aol.com Note later start time. A good winter hike, following the Rattlesnake, Rhododendron and Adventure Trails. This moderate hike in the Ridgecrest area offers a number of great scenic overlooks as it meanders along the ridgelines, and includes Rattlesnake, Copperhead and Lookout Mtns. Only meeting place: McDonald's at exit 64 of I 40 at 9:30 AM. Topo: Montreat
ALL DAY No. A0401-328 Jan. 25 Bent Creek Loop #5 (Sidehill/Ingles) 8:30 AM Hike 7-8, Drive 20, 800 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Bill Ross 828-271-7992 wrossmath@cs.com P400 Note later start time. This moderate hike will begin at Hardtimes Trailhead, go around Lake Powhatan, then cut across on the Explorer Trail to Sidehill Trail. We will then skirt Stradley Mtn. and descend through Ingles Field to the trailhead. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat'l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
ALL DAY No. A0401-329 Feb. 1 Blackrock Mtn. via Fisher Creek Trail (strenuous) 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 new hike for CMC 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. If there isn't much snow, we may go on to Yellowface (3.4 additional miles on ridgeline) and make this a SB6K hike. If there is lots of snow 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
ALL DAY No. A0401-330 Feb. 1 Raven Cliff Falls (moderate) 8:30 AM Hike 8, Drive 95, 1450 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Barbara Passmore 828-230-2670 bpsss@netzero.net Note later start time. We'll do a pleasant hike to the pedestrian bridge over the top of a beautiful 250 ft. waterfall in Caesar's Head State 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. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 9:00 AM. Topo: Table Rock
ALL DAY No. A0401-136 Feb. 8 Winter Star via Colbert Ridge Trail and Deep Gap 8:00 AM Hike 9, Drive 90, 3400 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+ Paul Benson 828-251-1909 pdbenson@charter.net SB6K NOTE: Hikers must be prepared for strenuous winter hiking, including snow, ice and slippery trails. Winter Star (6212') is an appropriate destination for what promises to be an exciting winter hike up into the snow. We will climb over 3000 ft. from Carolina Hemlocks Recreation area up Colbert Ridge to Deep Gap, on to the summit and return. From rock outcroppings we will enjoy outstanding views of the Blacks, South Toe River valley, the Roans and Grandfather Mtn. Second meeting place: Burnsville Ingles at 8:30 AM, only if leader is phoned beforehand. Topos: Celo, Mt. Mitchell; also Pisgah Nat'l. Forest South Toe River Trail Map
ALL DAY No. A0401-331 Feb. 15 Cantrell Lodge site via Sharpy Mtn. 8:30 AM Hike 8, Drive 55, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Renate Rikkers 828-298-9988 rerikkers@aol.com P400 Note later start time. This is a moderate loop hike starting at the Turkey Pen parking area. We will start with a warm-up climb over Sharpy Mtn. to (another) Wagon Road Gap, then descend to the S. Mills River Trail and hike upriver to our lunch stop at the pleasant open field where the Cantrell Lodge was originally located. We'll cross three interesting pedestrian footbridges over the S. Mills River on this low-elevation hike. Topo: Pisgah Forest
ALL DAY No. A0401-106 Feb. 22 Ferrin Knob via Bad Fork and Spencer Branch 8:30 AM Hike 9, Drive 42, 1550 ft. ascent, Rated B-A John Pawcio 828-299-8126 jpawcio@tycovalves.com P400 Note later starting time. This hike will be done in the reverse direction from past years. This moderate jaunt in the North Mills River area is a loop hike that starts at the Trace Ridge trailhead and climbs via Bad Fork trail to our lunch spot atop 4064 ft. Ferrin Knob, the former site of a fire tower. We will return via the Spencer Branch trail past the Hendersonville Reservoir. Second meeting place: Trace Ridge Trailhead at 9:00 AM. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also Natl. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map.
SATURDAY No. A0401-286 Feb. 28 Sycamore Cove 9:30 AM Hike 7, Drive 0, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Kathie Giddings 828-696-9808 kmgiddings@juno.com P400 Note later start time and different meeting place. A nice easy/moderate winter loop hike in Pisgah Nat'l. Forest for those hiking the P400. The hike is in a pleasant wooded area with several easy stream crossings. Only meeting place: Davidson River Campground parking lot. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also Nat'l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map.
ALL DAY No. A0401-176 Feb. 29 Asbury Trail 8:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 90, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Don Walton 828-298-5084 walt7258@bellsouth.net 900M This interesting hike in the eastern-most area of the Smokies is a 19th century path across the mountains. We'll hike the portion between Mt. Sterling Gap and Cove Creek Gap, dipping down into lower Cataloochee Valley to cross the bridge over Cataloochee Creek and passing the end of the other road-to-nowhere. Probable key-swap hike due to the long shuttle between the trailheads. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I 40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Cove Creek Gap
ALL DAY No. A0401-332 Mar. 7 Foothills Trail: Upper and Lower Whitewater Falls (strenuous) 8:00 AM Hike 11.6, Drive 115, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Carroll Koeplinger 828-667-0723 carrollkoepp@cs.com Come to hike in the warm weather at the lower elevations! We'll hike part of the Foothills Trail in NC and SC, featuring two of the region's most stunning waterfalls. We will begin at the Upper Whitewater Falls parking lot, and hike to the footbridge over the Thompson River. We'll partially retrace our steps, then take the side trail to Lower Whitewater Falls, and finish at the Duke Power Co. Bad Creek parking lot. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topos: Reid, Cashiers; also Foothills Trail map
ALL DAY No. A0401-104 Mar. 7 Wolfe Ford & High Falls 8:00 AM (moderate) Hike 10, Drive 80, 500 ft. ascent, Rated A-C Les Love 828-658-1489 lesrlove@aol.com P400 From the gauging station on the South Mills River, we'll hike this mostly level trail to High Falls, then cross the footbridge at Wolfe Ford. We'll take the Rigby Cutoff (named for CMC hiker Ed Rigby) near Squirrel Gap to return to the trailhead. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also Nat'l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
ALL DAY No. A0401-333 Mar. 14 Bearwallow Mtn. 8:30 AM Hike 8, Drive 30, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Lewis and Jane Blodgett 828-274-7863 Note later start time. This hike is an old CMC favorite. From Hickory Nut Gap on US 74A, we will hike over Ferguson Peak, then through undulating, open meadows before reaching our lunch spot at the fire tower on Bearwallow Mtn. Extraordinary views down towards the Lake Lure area. Topo: Bat Cave
ALL DAY No. A0401-334 Mar. 21 Bull Creek Ramble 9:00 AM Hike 8-9, Drive 25, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Marlene Santa Maria 828-299-9095 marlena98@hotmail.com Note later start time. Marlene's fun hike has become a perennial CMC event that everyone enjoys. The trailhead is at Marlene's home, near Bull Creek Rd. The route will be along old roads and the MST to our lunch spot at Rattlesnake Lodge, where everyone can admire the commemorative plaque. There will be some moderately-paced off-trail hiking. Marlene will have refreshments at her home after the hike. Limited to 25 people, so please e-mail her for reservations or phone if you don't have e-mail. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle
SATURDAY No. A0401-335 Mar. 27 Green Ridge/AT/Fork Ridge Loop 8:00 AM Hike 10.5, Drive 90, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Jorge Munoz 828-658-0606 jmunoz@buncombe.main.nc.us This strenuous hike in the Shelton Laurel-Carmen area climbs alongside Dry Creek with an attractive waterfall. You will be surrounded by beautiful woods and mountains while you climb up to the AT. On the AT, we will see the Shelton gravesites, the views from Big Butt and maybe a few early AT thru-hikers. After lunch at Jerry Cabin Shelter, we'll descend via the Fork Ridge Trail. Topos: Greystone, Flag Pond
ALL DAY No. A0401-336 Mar. 28 Mt. Cammerer from Big Creek 8:00 AM Hike 11.8, Drive 110, 3300 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+ Joe Cirvello 828-627-1797 joec@brinet.com 900AM It has been a couple of years since CMC did this great hike from Big Creek to the historic fire lookout atop Mt. Cammerer. It is a strenuous hike up the Chestnut Branch Trail and AT, but the payoffs are first class: a good early spring workout and superb views. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I40 at 8:30 AM. Topos: Waterville and Hartford; also Natl. Geographic Map of Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park
ALL DAY No. A0401-337 Apr. 4 Shining Rock from Black Balsam (strenuous #1) 8:30 AM Hike 11, Drive 65, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Lenny Bernstein 828-236-0192 lsberns@worldnet.att.net SB6K, P400 Note change to DST and later start time. We'll hike to Shining Rock via two different routes today. This hike will take the Art Loeb Trail from FS 816 to Shining Rock (6040'), climbing Black Balsam (6214'), Tennent Mtn. (6040') and Grassy Cove Top (6040') along the way. This will be your chance to bag four easy SB6K peaks while enjoying beautiful early spring views covering the area from Pilot Mtn. to Cold Mtn. We'll return via the Ivestor Gap Trail to get a different perspective on the same area. Wilderness area hike limited to 10 people. Please contact hike leader to reserve your place. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. overlook at 9:00 AM. Topos: Shining Rock, Sam Knob; also Natl. Geographic map of Pisgah Ranger District
ALL DAY No. A0401-151 Apr. 4 Shining Rock loop via Chestnut Ridge and Shining Creek 8:45 AM (strenuous #2) Hike 8.5, Drive 60, 2600 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA Carroll Koepplinger 828-667-0723 carrollkoepp@cs.com SB6K, P400 Note change to DST and later start time. We'll hike to Shining Rock via two different routes today. This hike will start at the Big East parking area, go up the steep Chestnut Ridge Trail, then over Dog Loser and Old Butt Knobs to lunch at Shining Rock (6040') with its exceptional views. We'll return via a steep descent to the north fork of Shining Creek. Wilderness area hike limited to ten people. Please contact hike leader to reserve your place. Topo: Shining Rock; also Natl. Geographic map of Pisgah Ranger District
Half-Day Hikes
Half-day hikes submitted by Pat Elias, 828-687-1651, peliasy@aol.com and Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253, paularww@bellsouth.net . Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I-240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
HALF-DAY No. H0401-168 Jan. 4 Pink Beds Loop 1:00 PM Hike 5, Drive 80, Rated C-C Elisabeth Feil 828-684-8719 hofeil@brinet.com P400 Note early start time. From Pink Beds parking lot we will make a pleasant loop past meandering streams & wildlife clearings. An easy popular hike with negligible elevation changes. Second meeting place: Pink Beds parking area at 2:00 PM.
HALF-DAY No. H0401-316 Jan. 11 Carl Sandburg 1:30 PM Hike 4 Drive 50, Rated C-C Laura Stallard, 828-697-1579 Our route at this historic site will traverse the same trails that poet/author Carl Sandburg enjoyed. We will leisurely hike to the overlook on Big Glassy Mountain. NOTE: ONLY MEETING PLACE is Carl Sandburg Parking Area, Flat Rock
HALF-DAY No. H0401-317 Jan. 18 Shut-In (MST) and Owl Ridge Trails 1:00 PM Hike 4.5, Drive 0, 850 ft. ascent, Rated C-C Siro A. Del Favero, 828-277-2546 P400 Note early start time. Begin the New Year with a warm-up hike to begin at the French Broad Overlook. We will hike up Glenn Bald (2703 ft.) on the Shut-In Trail and return on the Owl Ridge Trail. NOTE: ONLY MEETING PLACE is French Broad Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway MP 394.
HALF-DAY No. H0401-043 Jan. 25 Frying Pan Tower or leader's choice 1:30 PM Hike 5-6, Drive 40, Rated B-B Boyd Brasington, 828-254-8675, boydb@buncombe.main.nc.us We will walk to the tower from Pisgah Inn or, if the Parkway is closed, another hike will be chosen. NOTE: ONLY MEETING PLACE is Ingles across from Biltmore Square Mall on NC 191 (take I-26, exit 2).
HALF-DAY No. H0401-318 Feb. 1 East Fork, Pigeon River 12:30 PM Hike 5-6, Drive 90, Rated C-C Richard and Anita Walkey, 681-2967, Walkey@juno.com Note early start time. An in-and-out walk along one of Western NC's most beautiful rushing streams, perhaps ringed with ice and snow. We'll see how far we get within the time limits, but, hopefully, to a large rock in the middle of the river. Second meeting place: Big East Fork parking area on US 276, north of the Blue Ridge Parkway at 1:30 PM.
HALF-DAY No. H0401-035 Feb. 8 Looking Glass Rock 12:30 PM Hike 6.2, Drive 70, 1700 ft. ascent, Rated C-B Elisabeth Feil, 828-684-8719 Note early start time. A moderately difficult, well-graded trail leads to the top of this interesting mountain. There are excellent view points along the way. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station new parking lot at 1:15 PM.
HALF-DAY No. H0401-319 Feb. 15 Holmes Educational Forest 1:30 PM Hike 6, Drive 20, 500 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Doris Thibodeau, 828-274-9637, dorthib@aol.com A good winter hike with "talking trees" and a Forest Demonstration Trail explaining good forestry practices. NOTE: ONLY MEETING PLACE is Bi-Lo at U.S. 64 and U.S. 276, Pisgah Forest.
HALF-DAY No. H0401-320 Feb. 22 Swannanoa River Ramble noon Hike 5.5, Drive 20, Rated C-C Diane Hankins, 828-298-2870 (before 9 PM) Note early start time. Leisurely paced hike at Warren Wilson College includes the River Trail and Dam Pasture Trail through the woods to an old dam site. Suitable for anyone over 10 years of age (those under 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult). NOTE: ONLY MEETING PLACE is Oteen Ingles (near the VA hospital on Tunnel Road) parking lot at the post office flag pole.
HALF-DAY No. H0401-256 Feb. 29 Moore Cove Figure Eight 2:00 PM Hike 6, Drive 7, Rated B-B Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com P400 Note later start time. This hike is a re-scheduling of the rained-out hike last July. It is a nice double loop trail following 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. NOTE: ONLY MEETING PLACE is Pisgah Ranger Station new parking lot.
HALF-DAY No. H0401-321 Mar. 7 Turkey Pen Ramble 1:00 PM Hike 6, Drive 70, Rated B-B Neal Andreae, 828-698-2546, NAndreae@gowebway.com P400 Stretch your legs on a loop including parts of the South Mills River, Pounding Mill, Mullinax, Squirrel Gap, and Bradley Creek trails. NOTE: ONLY MEETING PLACE is Turkey Pen trailhead on Turkey Pen Road just past Boylston Baptist Church on NC 280.
HALF-DAY No. H0401-322 Mar. 14 UNC-A Loop; Richmond Hill Park 1:30 PM Hike 4, Drive 10, Rated C-C Paula Robbins, 828-281-325, paularww@bellsouth.net Here's a chance to learn two short hikes in Asheville to take when you don't have time to drive out of town but need a workout. The loop around the University has a lot of ups and downs, and we may see the early bloodroot along the trails at Asheville's newest park.
HALF-DAY No. H0401-323 Mar. 21 Bent Creek Loop #3 1:00 PM Hike 6, Drive 20, 1250 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886, ruthmtn@aol.com P400 Note early start time. We will use parts of the Sleepy Gap, Explorer and Pine Tree trails and the Homestead Loop and visit the top of Grassy Knob, Sleepy Gap on the MST, and Lake Powhatan. This loop hike was originated by Tom Bindrim.
HALF-DAY No. H0401-324 Mar. 28 Bent Creek Loop #4 1:00 PM Eugene Jaroslaw, 828-255-9925 Hike 5, Drive 6, Rated C-C P400 Note early start time. A pleasant loop hike starting off the Bent Creek Gap Road, using parts of the Explorer Loop and the Chestnut Cove, MTS, and Sleepy Gap Trails. NOTE: ONLY MEETING PLACE is Ingles across from the Biltmore Square Mall on NC 191 (Take I-26, Exit 2).
HALF-DAY No. H0401-325 Apr. 4 Tanyard Gap to Rich Mountain 1:30 PM Hike 5, Drive 72, Rated C-B Jorge Munoz, 658-0606, jmunoz@buncombe.main.nc.us After a good and easy climb on the Appalachian Trail, we will be rewarded with an outstanding view of the Hot Springs area from the fire tower. Side benefits: spring flowers showing off all over, besides good company.