All Day Saturday and Sunday Hikes
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. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings.
ALL DAY No. A0501-056 Jan. 9
Black Mountain Ramble 8:00 AM*
Hike 10, Drive 60, 2600 ft. ascent,
Rated A-AA
Dave Wetmore 828-884-7296 dwetmore@citcom.net
P400 This great winter hike starts at Turkey Pen parking area, then over Sharpy Mtn. and around Black Mtn., ending at the Pisgah Maintenance parking lot. A long uphill, but with good views from our lunch spot at Black Mtn. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Turkey Pen parking area at 8:30 AM. Short car shuttle. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
ALL DAY No. A0501-416 Jan. 16
Dupont Forest –
Fawn Lake P. L. #3 8:00 AM*
Hike 8, Drive 70, 900 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Rusty Breeding 828-692-0359
This low-altitude winter hike will feature the frozen beauty of five lakes, overlooks and at least one waterfall in Dupont Forest, following a variety of trails from the southern edge of the forest. Short car shuttle. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Bi-Lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topo: Standingstone Mtn.; also Dupont Forest Trail map.
ALL DAY No. A0501-001 Jan. 23
Case Camp–Seniard Ridge Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 80, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Tom Bindrim 828-299-1572
P400 This loop hike features a short steep climb up to the MST, some MST hiking, and 50 ft. frozen cascades along the closed BRP. After lunch with a great view of the surrounding mountains, we’ll hike through some beautiful woods on the Seniard Ridge Trail. Topo: Shining Rock; also MST Trail Profiles pg. 50 and Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District Map
SATURDAY No. A0501-417 Jan. 29
Butter Gap, Art Loeb,
Long Branch Trails Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 12, Drive 72, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
John Pawcio 828-299-8126
P400 Highlights of this low-altitude winter hike include the McCall family cemetery and good views from Rich and Chestnut Mtns. and from the Art Loeb Trail. Second meeting place: Pisgah Fish Hatchery at 8:45 AM, but call leader beforehand. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
ALL DAY No. A0501-409 Jan. 30
Jones Gap/El Lieutenant loop 8:00 AM*
Hike 10, Drive 80, 1650 ft. ascent,
Rated A-AA
Ann Gleason 828-859-9387 cowbonetail@yahoo.com
Starting at Jones Gap State Park (NOTE: $2 fee per person for park entry), we will hike up the Jones Gap Trail along the Middle Saluda River, then take the Bill Kimball Trail up through the boulders and forest, climbing up El Lieutenant. From there, we walk a very short portion of US 276 to connect with our return loop on the Tom Miller and Jones Gap Trails. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at the east side of the Hendersonville Ingles parking lot at 8:30 AM (take I 26 to exit 53, then turn right on Upward Rd. one mile to Ingles on US 176). Additional meeting place: Jones Gap St. Pk. at 9:00 AM. Topos: Cleveland, Table Rock; also trail map of Mountain Bridge Wilderness and Recreation Area.
ALL DAY No. A0501-418 Feb. 6
Newton Bald – Kanati Fork 7:30 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 11.5, Drive 120, 2800 ft. ascent,
Rated A-AA
Tom Sanders 828-252-6327 mel&tgs@main.nc.us
900M Note early start time. This great winter hike near Cherokee climbs Newton Bald, continues on Thomas Divide and then descends on Kanati Fork Trail. When CMC did this hike a few years ago, we had the neat experience of beginning the hike on dry ground, then hiking up onto trails covered by up to a foot of snow and then descending back onto dry trails. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Quality Inn, junction of US 19 and US 276 in Maggie Valley at 8:00 AM. Topo: Clingman’s Dome; also Nat’l. Geographic GSMNP map
ALL DAY No. A0501-419 Feb. 6
MST: US 25 to
Folk Art Center (moderate) 9:00 AM
Hike 8.3, Drive 30, 600 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Lenny Bernstein 828-236-0192 lsberns@worldnet.att.net
Note later start time. This is a moderate hike on the MST circling around the southern side of Asheville. Come see how the MST weaves around and across I 40, the Swannanoa River, Norfolk Southern RR tracks, and a cow pasture before ending at the Folk Art Center. Car shuttle. Topos: Asheville, Oteen; also MST Trail Profiles pgs. 59-61
ALL DAY No. A0501-331 Feb. 13
Cantrell Lodge site
via Sharpy Mtn. 8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 50, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Becky Smucker 828-298-5013 bjsmucker@charter.net
P400 Note later start time. This moderate loop hike starts at Turkey Pen with a warm-up climb over Sharpy Mtn. to Wagon Road Gap, then descends to the S. Mills River Trail where we hike upriver to our lunch spot where Cantrell Lodge was originally located. We’ll return via three interesting pedestrian footbridges over the S. Mills River. Second meeting place: Turkey Pen parking area at 9:00 AM. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
ALL DAY No. A0501-049 Feb. 20
Walnut Bottom 8:00 AM*
Hike 11.6, Drive 110, 1500 ft. ascent,
Rated A-B
Marianne Newman 828-454-1036
900M For a change, this time we’ll do this hike in the winter, following a spectacular mountain stream through a beautiful forest to Walnut Bottom. Features to be seen on this hike are the Rock House, Mouse Creek Falls and Dead Man’s Curve. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet the leader at Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I 40 at 8:30 AM. Topos: Waterville, Cove Creek Gap and Luftee Knob; also Nat’l. Geo. Map of GSMNP
SATURDAY No. A0501-420 Feb. 26
AT: Allen Gap to Tanyard Gap 8:30 AM
Hike 8.8, Drive 80, 2100 ft. ascent,
Rated B-AA
Joanne Tulip 828-299-3495 tulipinnc@aol.com
Note later start time. Great views from Rich Mtn. tower, a visit to Spring Mtn. shelter and one of the prettiest sections of the AT in our area highlight this pleasant winter hike. Car shuttle. Topo: Hot Springs
ALL DAY No. A0501-255 Feb. 27
MST: NC 80 – Black Mtn.
Campground 8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 90, 700 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Tommie Boston 828-686-5029 (828-273-2638 30 min. or less before departure)
For variety, we’ll reverse the direction in which this hike was last done. Expect good winter views as we hike south on the MST from Buck Creek Gap at NC 80 to Black Mtn. Campground, crossing a couple of times over the section of the BRP that is now closed due to hurricane damage. Car shuttle. Only meeting place: the back parking lot at the Folk Art Center. Topos: Old Fort and Celo; also PNF South Toe River, Mt. Mitchell & Big Ivy trail map.
ALL DAY No. A0501-421 Mar. 6
Canebrake Trail (strenuous) 8:00 AM*
Hike 10, Drive 95, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Bruce Bente 828-692-0116 bbente@cytechusa.com
We’ll start the hike at the Frozen Creek Rd. parking lot in Gorges State Park, and hike down the Canebrake Trail to our lunch spot at the Foothills Trail pedestrian bridge where the Toxaway River enters Lake Jocassee. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Bi-Lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topo: Reid; also Gorges State Park map
ALL DAY No. A0501-422 Mar. 6
Big Laurel–Pump Gap 9:00 AM
(moderate)
Hike 7, Drive 70, 2400 ft. ascent,
Rated B-AA
Amy Treverton 828-298-1882 athikerbabe@yahoo.com
Paul Benson 828-251-1909
Note later start time. This will be a new hike for CMC. Starting at Hurricane, we’ll hike the Big Laurel Creek trail down to the French Broad River, then up Pump Branch to Pump Gap, and the AT past Lover’s Leap before ending at the hot tubs in Hot Springs. Nice scenery along the creeks and river. Bring your swimsuit and plan on stopping at either the hot tubs and/or supper. Car shuttle. Topo: Hot Springs
ALL DAY No. A0501-423 Mar. 13
Pilot Rock, Laurel Mtn.,
Slate Rock Creek Trails 8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 90, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Ruth Hartzler 828-251-0886 ruthmtn@aol.com
P400 We will hike up the Pilot Rock Trail, stopping to enjoy the views. Then we’ll turn downhill on the Laurel Mtn. Trail and a no-name trail to the Slate Rock Creek Trail, one of the gems of Pisgah Nat’l. Forest. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: North Mills River Recreation Area parking lot at 8:30 AM, but call leader beforehand. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map.
ALL DAY No. A0501-424 Mar. 20
Hospital Rock and Lots More 8:30 AM
Hike 9, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Danny Bernstein 828-236-0192
Note later start time. This is a challenging hike in Jones Gap State Park in S.C. Hiking past Hospital Rock, we will enjoy a great view at lunchtime from Pretty Place. After lunch we will walk along a road for a short distance, then turn downhill on an unmaintained trail to see beautiful Rainbow Falls and back to our cars. Second meeting place: Jones Gap State Park parking lot at 9:15 AM. Topos: Cleveland, Standingstone Mtn.
SATURDAY No. A0501-425 Mar. 26
Mt. Cammerer via
Low Gap Trail 8:00 AM
Hike 11.2, Drive 135, 2300 ft. ascent,
Rated A-AA
Chip Miller 828-654-9331 backpacker54nc@bellsouth.net
900M From Cosby Campground, we will hike an in-and-out route, following the Low Gap trail to its end at the AT, and then following the AT and Mt. Cammerer side trail to the summit of Mt. Cammerer. Expect spectacular views from our lunch spot at the Mt. Cammerer lookout. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I 40 at 8:30 AM. Topos: Hartford, Luftee Knob; also Nat’l. Geographic GSMNP map
ALL DAY No. A0501-426 Mar. 27
Colbert Ridge, Crest,
Horse Range Trails 7:30 AM
Hike 12.7, Drive 120, 4000 ft. ascent,
Rated A-AA+
Don Walton 828-654-9904
Note early start time. This strenuous hike will start in the Carolina Hemlocks Campground area and climb up Colbert Ridge Trail to Deep Gap. We’ll take the Black Mtns. Crest Trail via a short connector to the Buncombe Horse Range trail, and then do the long descent back to our cars. Be sure you are in good physical shape before attempting this hike. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Ingles on Burnsville bypass at 8:15 AM, but call leader first. Topos: Celo, Mt. Mitchell; also PNF South Toe River, Mt. Mitchell & Big Ivy trail map
ALL DAY No. A0501-427 Apr. 3
Soapstone Ridge (strenuous) 8:30 AM
Hike 10, Drive 90, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Stuart Tauber 828-254-0824 sdtauber@charter.net
P400 Note later start time and that this is the first day of DST. This new CMC hike will begin at the gauging station and follow a mild bushwhack up Soapstone Ridge to the Alternate MST. We’ll follow the AMST to the Black Mtn. Trail to our lunch spot at Buckhorn Shelter, and then take the Buckhorn Gap trail down to the S. Mills River trail back to our cars. The leader may make some revisions to the route depending on the group and weather. Expect a fast-paced hike. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map
ALL DAY No. A0501-428 Apr. 3
Cane River Gap to Little Butt 9:00 AM
(moderate)
Hike 7.5, Drive 50, 2200 ft. ascent,
Rated B-AA
Les Love 828-658-1489 lesrlove@aol.com
Note later start time and that this is the first day of DST. This hike begins with a 1200 ft. ascent to the ridgeline, then along the top of the ridge with a few gradual ups-and-downs. After Big Butt, we’ll follow the narrow ridgeline with its views to our lunch spot at Little Butt, which has a great view of the Black Mtns. range across the valley. Return via the same route. Topo: Mt. Mitchell
Half-Day SUNDAY Hikes
Half-day hikes submitted by Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253, paularww@bellsouth.net . Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center (Exit 3B off I-240) near I-240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings.
HALF DAY No. H0501-429 Jan. 9
Hard Times Road to Rocky Cove Road to Bent Creek Road 1:15 PM
Hike 5, Drive 15, Rated C-C
Pat Elias, 828-687-1651 peliasy@aol.com
P400 Note early start time. We will hike from the Arboretum recreation parking lot in an easy loop. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot on NC 191 opposite Biltmore Square Mall at 1:30 PM; from there we will carpool with those who have Arboretum parking privileges.
HALF DAY No. H0501-430 Jan. 16
Green River Game Lands –
Long Ridge loop 12:30 PM*
Hike 5, Drive 70, Rated C-C
Becky Elston, 828-749-1886 belston@cytechusa.com
Note early start time. We will hike the Long Ridge/Turkey Gut/Stair Step trails to form a five-mile loop. There should be nice winter views of Mt. Tryon and other mountains. Join hike leader for dinner at Cracker Barrel after the hike. *Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form carpools, and meet the leader at Cracker Barrel off I-26, exit 53 at 1:00 PM at the NW corner of the parking lot.
HALF DAY No. H0501-004 Jan. 23
Glassmine Falls to Greybeard
Overlook and return 1:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 55, Rated C-C
Marlene Santa Maria, 828-299-9095
Note early start time. Great winter views of the high peaks on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, weather permitting. If the Parkway is closed, we will hike a section of the MST in the Asheville area.
HALF DAY No. H0501-431 Jan. 30
Chestnut Cove to MST to
Sleepy Gap to Explorer Trail Loop 1:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 20, Rated C-C
Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253 (before 9 PM) paularww@bellsouth.net
P400 Note early start time. This loop hike off the Bent Creek Gap Road has some steep uphill climbs in the beginning but is otherwise easy. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot on NC 191 opposite Biltmore Square Mall at 1:15 PM.
HALF DAY No. H0501-432 Feb. 6
Montreat toll road loop 12:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 40, 1,000-ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192 danny@hikertohiker.org
Note early start time. We will start by hiking up the Graybeard Trail, which has been partly relocated to parallel the creek, up to the toll road. Once on the toll road, it is down, down, down with some beautiful views. We will end up on the Montreat campus and may stop at the chapel for a look at the frescoes. There is one small steep section and four stream crossings on rocks. The leader reserves the right to change the hike to suit the weather.
HALF DAY No. H0501-433 Feb. 13
Mill Ridge Ramble 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 65, Rated C-C
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327 mel&tgs@main.nc.us
We will go through woods and along woods roads but also along some official trails in the area between Mill Ridge and Pump Gap. No steep uphills, just some great walking and views into the Big Laurel-French Broad River valleys.
HALF DAY No. H0501-320 Feb. 20
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.). Only meeting place is Oteen Ingles (near the VA Hospital on Tunnel Road) parking lot at the Post Office flagpole.
HALF DAY No. H0501-434 Feb. 27
Laurel Mountain Trail 12:45 PM*
Hike 5.4, Drive 40, Rated C-C
Greg Goodman 828-684-9703
This in-and-out hike will start from FR-1206 and go along some old logging roads with moderate ascents up Black Mountain to Rich Gap, where there will be nice views of the North Mills River Valley. *Meet at Westgate at 12:45 PM to form carpools, and meet the leader at the North Mills River Recreation Area at 1:30 PM.
HALF DAY No. H0501-040 Mar. 6
Mountains-to-the-Sea Trail
in Marion 1:00 PM
Hike 4.8, Drive 60, 1500 ft ascent, Rated C-B
Don Walton, 828-654-9904 DonWalton@bellsouth.net
Note early start time. We will spot cars, then hike along the MST from Woodlawn Picnic Area down to the North Fork of the Catawba River, where we will see the recently completed footbridge spanning the river. This bridge cost about $200,000 and is the largest foot bridge on the MST. If we are lucky the rare Turkey Beard flower will be out. We will go out on the Forest Service road to Creek Road. Second meeting place: McDonalds at exit 64 of I-40 at 1:20 PM. Topo: Little Switzerland
HALF DAY No. H0501-435 March 13
Turkey Pen – Pea Gap ramble 1:30 PM*
Hike 5-6, Drive 50, 700 ft. ascent, rated C-C
Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116 bbente@cytechusa.com
P400 This will be a moderate hike in the Turkey Pen area. We'll cross the S. Mills River pedestrian bridge, and hike up the beautiful Pounding Mill trail and return on the Mullinax Trail. No river crossings and we may see some early flowers. *Meet at Westgate to form carpools at 1:30 PM, and meet leader at Turkey Pen parking lot at 2:00 PM. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also National Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map.
HALF DAY No. H0501-436 Mar. 20
Mt. Pisgah from Pisgah Inn 1:30 PM
Hike 4.5, Drive 36, 700 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Elisabeth Feil 828-684-7819 hofeil@brinet.com
P400 This is a moderate in-and-out hike. There will be a short car shuttle. If the Parkway is closed, we'll hike the MST from the French Broad River Bridge about two miles uphill and return via the Hard Times Trail.
HALF DAY No. H0501-437 March 27
Slate Rock Creek-Pilot Cove 1:00 PM
Hike 6, Drive 60, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Ruth Hartzler,828-251-0886 ruthmtn@aol.com
P400 Note early start time. This is a moderate hike up beautiful Slate Rock Creek Trail, returning via Pilot Cove Loop Trail. We’ll hope to spot early wildflowers. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Mills River Recreation Area parking lot at
1:30 PM.
HALF DAY No. H0501-297 Apr. 3
Sam’s Gap to Hog Back Ridge
Shelter and return 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 50, Rated C-C
Jane and Lew Blodgett, 828-274-7863
This moderate in-and-out hike on a section of the Appalachian Trail is easily accessible off the new portion of I-26. Early spring wild flowers should be in bloom.