Hike Schedule all Day Wednesday
WEDNESDAY HIKES Wednesday hikes submitted by Ann Gleason 828-859-9387, gleason.ann@gmail.com. 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.
WEDNESDAY NO. W1202-352 Apr. 4
Jones Gap Trail/ Coldspring Loop *8:00 AM
Hike 11, Drive 80, 1940 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Brenda Worley, 828-684-8656, cell: 828-606-7297, clworley@bellsouth.net
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Cracker Barrel, Exit 53 off I-26, at 8:30 AM. We'll hike up the Jones Gap and Tom Miller Trails past 2 waterfalls to US 276, then loop back via the Coldspring Trail. There are several creek crossing which are usually dry unless there has been heavy rain. NOTE: $2 per person parking fee at trailhead. Topos: Standingstone Mtn, Cleveland, Table Rock and Mountain Area Trail Map.
Scout Report: Greg Goodman helped me scout this trail March 19, 2012. We had a beautiful, sunny day for the scout and got on the trail at 9:00AM and were back to the car by 3:00PM. The CMC website says this trail is 11 miles with 1940 ft ascent; Greg's GPS gave 11 miles with 1650 ft ascent. We found this trail to be beautiful as most of the hike is close to the Saluda River or Coldspring Branch except for about 3 and 1/2 miles. There are two very nice waterfalls on the hike and some of the spring wildflowers were starting to bloom when we scouted it. If you use hiking poles, you should bring them as there are a few challenging water crossings. Hope to see you on Wednesday March 19, 2012. Brenda Worley
WEDNESDAY NO. W1202-740 Apr. 11
Six Waterfalls near Brevard *8:00 AM
Hike 5.8, Drive 100, Rated C-C
Jack Fitzgerald, 828-685-2897, suejackfitz@bellsouth.net
WC100, P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Bi-lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. A number of short in-and-out hikes to waterfalls near Brevard: Maidenhair, Dill and Upper Dill, Courthouse, Bird Rock and Catheys Creek. Topos: Rosman, Sams Knob
WEDNESDAY NO. W1202-653 Apr.18
Flat Creek Falls *8:00 AM
Hike 7 Drive 125, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Sawako Jager, 828-687-2547, Baiko70@aol.com.
WC100 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 8:30 AM. Flat Creek Fall is an awesome 200 ft waterfall nestled in the remote area of Nantahala National Forest. This hike involves walking the unmaintained Old Trestle Path (FS #445), then some old logging roads, and a mild bushwhack. The last 300 ft consists of scrambling over boulders to the base of the falls. We will have lunch at the lower portion of the falls. There are a total of 6-8 wet stream crossings in each direction. Bring wading shoes. Topo: Big Ridge
Scout Report: Eight hikers joined me scouting Flat Creek Falls on April 2nd. There was a lot of water on the waterfalls and it looked spectacular! The stream was mid-calf deep and you must cross 6-8 times during the hike. Remember to bring a pair of poles if you have and your water shoes/sports sandals and towel. This waterfall is one of the best around and also it is difficult to find if you try by yourself. So, don't miss this opportunity. If someone can greet hikers at Westgate and come to Pisgah Bi-Lo, I'd appreciate very much. Sawako
WEDNESDAY NO. W1202-611 Apr. 25
Big Ivy-Walker Ridge Loop 8:30 AM
Hike 8.2, Drive 55, 1950 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
This hike begins on Walker Creek and Perkins Trails. All of the ascent is in the first 3 miles of the hike, after which we will enjoy a pleasant stroll along the meadow-like Laurel Gap Trail before heading back down on the Bear Pen and Staire Creek Trails. These trails are rocky and steep in spots and there are several water crossing. Expect to see many wildflowers: Second meeting spot Roses parking lot in Weaverville at 8:45 AM Topos: Mt Mitchell, Montreat
SCOUT REPORT: There were lots of wildflowers last week when I scouted the hike, but the very cold weather may have killed some of them. Also, the water was very high in the first creek crossing with no way to rock hop. Water shoes are recommended. It should be a lovely day for this enjoyable and somewhat challenging hike. MB
WEDNESDAY NO. W1202-060 May 2
Pilot Mountain-Farlow Gap *8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 50, 2300 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Ashok Kudva, ashok.kudva@att.net, 828-698-7119, cell: 828-674-1374
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station at 9:05 AM. This hike is timed for what we hope will be the bloom of rare pink-shell azaleas and trout lilies. It starts with a steep climb to the summit of Pilot Mtn., then down to Deep Gap and a short climb over Sassafras Knob. It’s nearly all downhill or level as we continue to Farlow Gap with its trout lily flower display. We’ll return on a pleasant seldom-used graveled forest road. There will be several stops for photography along the way. Topo: Shining Rock; also NatGeo. map #780
Scout Report: Tommie Boston, Joanne Tulip, Mary Swain, Stuart English and Bruce Bente joined me to scout this hike on Thursday, April 19. Pink Shell Azaleas and Trout Lilies were in full bloom. Our hope for them to be in full bloom during the hikes on May 2 and May 6 may not work out. Frost during 4/23 and 4/24 will only hurt them. My opinion that Pink Shell Azaleas at Pilot Mountain do not grow below 4000 ft elevation was challenged by the scouting team. Although they were rare below 3900 ft, the lowest elevation where we documented the flora was 3680 ft.
The trail was in excellent shape. There was one blow down which we cleared with 2 pocket saws and 2 clippers. There were some minor briars which we clipped. 
Photos by Ashok and Stuart
WEDNESDAY NO. W1202-469 May 9
Craggy Gardens to Bull Gap
*8:30 AM Hike 8.7, Drive 45, 1650 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Jim Ariail, 828-505-0443, jimariail@yahoo.com.
*Only meeting place: The lower parking lot of the Folk Art Center. A pleasant hike on the MST starting at Craggy Gardens Visitor Center and features Lane Pinnacle and the Rattlesnake Lodge site. Great May flowers and mountain views. Topo: Montreat
Scout Report: Stan Endlich and I scouted the hike on April 20th. We scouted the hike early in case a trail crew might need to remove downed trees. It was 43 degrees when we left the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center at 8:30 AM. The trail was in good shape. Stan took the enclosed photo from Lane Pinnacle. We arrived at Bull Gap Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway at 3:10 PM. The hike is 9.2 miles. Jim Arial
WEDNESDAY NO. W1202-222 May 16
Montreat Loop #3 modified *8:40 AM
Hike 5, Drive 40, 1300ft.ascent, Rated B-B
Ames Tryon, 828-669-3805, tryonaf@charter.net
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Ingles parking lot off Exit 64 off I-40 at 9:00 AM. This hike will be a modification of the #3 loop hike. The hike will start and end at the Greybeard trailhead. We will hike the Greybeard trail for a short distance, then ascend a steep un-blazed spur trail to the Trestle road. The hike continues up the Trestle road until intersecting the Greybeard Trail. Hike will descend via Greybeard and Harry Bryan trails to parking area. Topo: Montreat
WEDNESDAY NO. W1202-372 May 23
Big Fork Ridge to Rough Fork Loop 8:00 AM
Mike Knies, knies06@att.net
Hike 9.6, Drive 95, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated A-B 900M We will hike from the end of the road in Cataloochee Valley up the Big Fork Ridge Trail, then turn right on to the Caldwell Fork Trail. We will pass record-sized tulip poplar trees, then turn down hill on the Rough Fork Trail. Second meeting place: Pilot Station off Exit 24 of I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Dellwood
WEDNESDAY NO. W1202-367 May 30
FS 816 to Bridges Camp Gap via Grassy Cove *8:30 AM
Hike 8.8, Drive 65, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Laura Frisbie, 828-337-5845, laurafrisbie@gmail.com
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook (MM 412) at 9:10 AM. Wilderness area, limit 10; contact leader for reservation. A favorite hike of many that includes a gorgeous variety of environments. Follow the ALT to Black Balsam and Tennent Mtn, then descend to Ivestor Gap, turn right and hike down Grassy Cove Ridge to the Big East Fork of the Pigeon River, then right onto Bridges Camp Trail to MST and Bridges Camp Gap. Car shuttle. Topo: Shining Rock
WEDNESDAY NO. W1202-248 June 6
AT: Spivey Gap and Nolichucky River 8:00 AM
Hike 10.6, Drive 110, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Janet Martin, 502-494-9309, jaykaymartin@msn.com.
Follow the AT north from Spivey Gap to the Hostel at the Nolichucky River. Great view of the Nolichucky gorge. Car shuttle. Topo: Chestoa WEDNESDAY NO. W1202-521
June 13 MST: Mt Pisgah to Bent Creek Gap
8:30 AM Hike 8.4, Drive 45, 1440 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Joe Burchfield, 828-338-0443, burchfield@niu.edu We will follow the MST north from Mt Pisgah Parking lot (without climbing Mt Pisgah) to Bent Creek Gap. This hike features a long descent (3180 ft.) with numerous up and downs and a moderate climb over Ferrin Knob near the end. Car Shuttle. Second meeting place: BRP French Broad overlook at 8:50 AM.Topos: Cruso, Dunsmore Mtn; NatGeo map #780 and MST profiles p 42-45.
WEDNESDAY NO. W1202-566 June 20
Roan Mountain *8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 130, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Tish Desjardins , cell: 828-380-1452 desraylet@aol.com.
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at MacDonalds in Burnsville at 9:10 AM. This in-and-out hike features great views. From Carver's Gap we go over Jane Bald and Round Bald to Grassy Ridge Bald. With luck we will hit the Rhododendron Bloom. If time allows we will drive to the gardens and walk 1/2 mile to see the view from Roan High Bluff (small fee). Topo: Carvers Gap, NatGeo #783
WEDNESDAY NO. W1202-368 June 27
Bradley Creek and Riverside Stream Crossings *8:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 70, 650 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Rich Sampson, 704-453-9059, sampson.r@bellsouth.net P400
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Food Lion on NC 280 in Mills River at 8:25 AM. There are about 25 wet stream crossings but the terrain is almost level and you will enjoy the beauty of the streams and the diverse flora. Plan to hike in shoes/boots you don't mind getting soaked and use two hiking poles. Car shuttle. Topo: Pisgah Forest, Dunsmore, Nat'lGeo#780.
