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HALF-DAY SUNDAY HIKES Newcomers are welcome, but non-members MUST call the leader before the hike to determine the requirements. Half-day hikes submitted by Bonnie Allen, bonnie@allencats.com, 828-645-0357. Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All hikes assemble at the far rear (north end) of Westgate Shopping Center near I-240 exit 3B unless otherwise noted. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in the schedule, and start times may vary. Times listed are departure times – arrive early.

HALF-DAY NO. H1202-236 Apr. 1
Dupont Forest Fawn Lake P.L. #1 *12:30 PM
Hike 6, Drive 95, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader: Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, cell: 828-674-1374, Ashok.Kudva@att.net
WC100 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 1:05 PM. This hike trims two miles from the all-day version of the hike, on well-laid trails over Mine Mountain and the Airstrip Trail, featuring Bridal Veil Falls and Fawn Lake. Seasonal view of mountain range and the site of old DuPont Manufacturing Plant. Topo: Standingstone Mountain, also DuPont Forest Trail Map.

HALF-DAY NO. H1202-553 Apr. 8
Montreat Loop #4 1:00 PM Hike 5, Drive 40, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader: Laura Frisbie, 828-337-5845, laurafrisbie@gmail.com
This moderate hike ascends the Lookout Trail over Lookout Rock and then follows the East Ridge Trail to Sourwood Gap. Return will be by the Toll Road, the Buck Gap Trail, and the Old Trestle Road to the Lookout Trail. After a moderately steep ascent and a short rock scramble, we will follow the ridge trail over several knobs and then return with an easy walk along the Toll and Trestle Roads. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot off Exit 64 of I-40 at 1:20 PM. Topo: Montreat

HALF-DAY NO. H1202-325 Apr. 15
Rich Mountain Fire Tower *12:30 PM
Hike 5.2, Drive 52, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated C-B Nonmembers, call leader: Russ and Heather Cooper, 828-484-9562, cooper.hs@charter.net
LTC *Only meeting place: Rose's parking lot (opposite McDonald's) off Exit 19B of I-26 in Weaverville. This moderate in-and-out hike features great views from the Rich Mtn. Fire Tower near Hot Springs. We follow the AT and then a short side trail to the fire tower and return via the AT. Topo: Hot Springs; also ATC TN-NC map #4

HALF-DAY NO. H1202-173 Apr. 22
Courthouse Falls via Summey Cove 12:00 PM
Hike 5.4, Drive 110, 1150 ft. ascent, Rated C-B Nonmembers, call leader: Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@comporium.net
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet hike leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 12:35 PM. Hike starts at the Summey Cove trailhead on NC 215 above Balsam Grove and follows this trail 2.2 miles to its end at FS 140, with a side trip down and back to Courthouse Falls. Continue for 3.1 miles on FS 140 to its termination at NC 215. Short car shuttle. Topos: Sam Knob, Lake Toxaway; also NatGeo map #780

Scout Report:  Saturday, April 14, 6 of us scouted this hike that will be done for the first time in years for CMC. The trail is in good shape. It should be noted that the first of ¾ mile of this hike is VERY STRENOUS for a half day hike. There is a very steep climb of 500 feet in less that half mile followed by a very steep descent. Hardly any switchbacks, it is just about straight up and down. After that, the hike is a very moderate and scenic one in a remote area off 215 and in the Southern shadow of Devils Courthouse and Pilot Mountain. The hike goes to Courthouse Falls, one of the nicer of our Transylvania waterfalls. Then we will walk back the FS road. We spotted about 30 blooming flowers on this scout. Stuart

HALF-DAY NO. H1202-490 Apr. 29
Craven Gap to Folk Art Center *12:00 PM
Hike 5.4, Drive 12, 750 ft. ascent, Rated C-C Nonmembers, call leader: Bobbi Powers, 828-667-5419, bobbipowers@live.com *Only meeting place: back parking lot of Folk Art Center. A pleasant walk from Craven Gap to the Folk Art Center, usually a mecca for spring wild flowers. Short car shuttle. Topo: Oteen, Craggy Pinacle

HALF-DAY NO. H1202-464 May 6
Balsam Gap to Greybeard Overlook *12:00 PM
Hike 4, Drive 44, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated C-B Nonmembers, call leader: Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, rerikkers@aol.com
*Only meeting place: back parking lot of Folk Art Center. A short hike through a range of environments and landscapes, including rocky trail sections that require good foot wear and hiking poles for bad knees. This hike takes us from Alpine vegetation through old hemlock and lichen-covered oak forest, over open blueberry balds with long-range views, and finally through lovely beech forest and sweeping native grasses to the Greybeard Overlook. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Craven Gap on the Parkway at 12:10 PM. Topo: Montreat

HALF-DAY NO. H1202-101 May 13
Lower Big Laurel Creek 12:00 PM
Hike 6, Drive 60, 300 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader: Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@comporium.net
Stroll along a beautiful stream with white water, rocks and surrounding high cliffs. Visit Runion Logging Camp. Over 250 species of vascular plants have been identified along this trail, including five endangered species. We should see abundant wildflowers. Parts of the trail are rocky - hiking boots / shoes are required. Second meeting place: Trailhead at intersection of US 25/70 at NC 208 at 12:45 PM. Topo: Hot Springs

HALF-DAY NO. H1202-384 May 20
FS 816 to Skinny Dip Falls 12:30 PM
Hike 5.3, Drive 70, 500 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader: Maggie Marshall, 828-772-4286, maggie.marshall@yahoo.com
P400 This will be a pleasant, mainly downhill ramble along the MST from Black Balsam Rd. (FS 816). The trail follows an old RR grade, slabs over a shoulder of Black Balsam Mtn. and proceeds rather steeply down to Dark Prong Gap. It continues behind Graveyard Ridge, descends to the Pigeon River which it crosses at Skinny Dip Falls. From there it's a short walk to Looking Glass Overlook at MP 417 on the BRP. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: Cold Mtn. Overlook at 1:10 PM. Topo: Shining Rock; also NatGeo map #780 and MST Profiles, pg. 36-37

HALF-DAY NO. H1202-153 May 27
Cove Creek / Caney Bottom *12:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 75, 300 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader: Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@comporium.net P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Pisgah Fish Hatchery at 12:45 PM. This is a pleasant walk in the valley below Looking Glass Rock. The trail follows a moderate grade as it wanders through the woods along a number of streams and cascades, and includes Cove Creek Falls as its feature attraction. Topo: Shining Rock; also NatGeo map #780

HALF-DAY NO. H1202-009 June 3
Bull Gap to Rattlesnake Lodge 1:00 PM
Hike 5.5, Drive 30, 540 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader: Jim Ariail, 828 505-0443, cell 828 778-8355, jimariail@yahoo.com
*Only meeting place: back parking lot of Folk Art Center.. Popular in and out hike to historic site. Unusually fine switchbacks. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle

HALF-DAY NO. H1202-193 June 10
Rough Butt Overlook to NC 215 12:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 85, 400 ft. ascent, Rated C-C Nonmembers, call leader: Marcia Bromberg,, 828-505-0471, cell 798-9905, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
*Wilderness area, limit 10; contact leader for reservation. A lovely ramble in the high country. Possible side trip to Mt. Hardy. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: BRP Rough Butt Overlook at MM 425 at 1:30 PM. Topo: Sams Knob

HALF-DAY NO. H1202-436 June 17
Mt. Pisgah from the Pisgah Inn *12:00 PM
Hike 4.5, Drive 44, 950 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader: Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@comporium.net P400
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Pisgah Inn parking lot near the convenience store at 12:30 PM. View beautiful scenery from the top of Mt. Pisgah on this in-and-out hike. Last 1/2 mile to the top is very steep and rocky. This a fairly tough C-C hike. Topos: Cruso, Dunsmore Mtn.; also NatGeo map #780

HALF-DAY NO. H1202-529 June 24
Fletcher Fields & Spencer Branch Short Version *1:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 50, 400 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader: Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703, greggoodman@bellsouth.net *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at North Mills Recreation Area at 1:30 PM. Follow Fletcher Field Trail to East Fork, in and out on Spencer Branch to Hendersonville Reservoir and back to cars. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also NatGeo map #780