Hike Schedule Weekend All-day
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY HIKES
All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net. Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at the far rear (north end) of Westgate Shopping Center at I-240 exit 3B UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes will have second meeting places, and starting times may vary.
----------Friday Hikes----------
Friday NO. A1202-tbd Apr. 13
Mountain Treasures Camporee #1
Ted Snyder, 864-638-3686, tedsnyderjr@bellsouth.net and Jim Reel, 828-738-0751, jimr57@yahoo.com
Come to the first of a series of weekend camporees, designed to feature a cluster of Mountain Treasures. Eight different hikes have been scheduled over the weekend. For details of each hike and the Mountain Treasures, go to the CMC website and look under “hiking” for “hiking – camporee”. The web site gives driving directions, plans for a group barbecue, and hike descriptions. Any questions should be referred to Ted or Jim.
----------Saturday Hikes----------
Saturday NO. A1202-tbd Apr. 14
Mountain Treasures Camporee #1
Ted Snyder, 864-638-3686, tedsnyderjr@bellsouth.net and Jim Reel, 828-738-0751, jimr57@yahoo.com
Come to the first of a series of weekend camporees, designed to feature a cluster of Mountain Treasures. Eight different hikes have been scheduled over the weekend. For details of each hike and the Mountain Treasures, go to the CMC website and look under “hiking” for “hiking – camporee”. The web site gives driving directions, plans for a group barbecue, and hike descriptions. Any questions should be referred to Ted or Jim.
SATURDAY NO. A1202-680 Apr. 28
The Lost Cove hike has been canceled for 4/28, and will be re-scheduled in the third quarter.
SATURDAY NO. A1202-246 May 12
Around Coffee Pot Mountain 10:00 AM
Hike 7.5, Drive 40, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Lenny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, lsberns@att.net
P400 We’ll circle Coffee Pot Mtn. by hiking up Trace Ridge Trail to Beaver Dam Gap on the BRP and returning on the Spencer Branch Trail, with a stop to see the Hendersonville Reservoir and dam. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn; also NatGeo map #780
SATURDAY NO. A1202-008
May 19 Bee Tree Gap to Tanbark Tunnel *9:00 AM
Hike 6.2, Drive 40, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Kathleen Hannigan, 828-230-4883, kathleen.hannigan@pgnmail.com
*Only meeting place: back parking lot of Folk Art Center. A pleasant spring hike on the MST over Lane Pinnacle and through the Rattlesnake Lodge site, featuring excellent views, interesting rock formations and many wildflowers. There are several steep but short ups and downs and a long, well-graded descent. 6-mile car shuttle. Join the hike leader at her home for wine and cheese after the hike. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle
SATURDAY NO A1202-611 June 16
Big Ivy - Walker Ridge Loop 10:00 AM
Hike 8.2, Drive 34, 1950 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
We'll start our hike on the Walker Creek and Perkins Trails. Most of the altitude gain is accomplished during the first hour of the hike. The ascent will be at a moderate pace. Our next two miles is a stroll on the meadow-like Laurel Gap Trail, before heading back down to the cars, using the Bear Pen and Staire Creek Trails. These trails are rocky and steep in spots. There are several stream crossings on this hike. We walk near lovely creeks on part of the trails. Second meeting place: Roses parking lot in Weaverville at 10:15 AM. Topo: Mt Mitchell, Craggy Pinnacle, Montreat; also South Toe/Big Ivy FS map RG355 and NatGeo map #779
SATURDAY NO. A1202-175 June 30
Waterrock Knob, Yellowface and Blackrock Mtn. 9:00 AM
Hike 6, Drive 90, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA
Bev MacDowell, 828-684-1000, cell: 828-777-5806, bevmacdowell@charter.net
SB6K This scenic hike offers two SB6K peaks and outstanding views as we hike a rough trail along the ridge line to Yellowface and Blackrock Mtn, an established trail up to Waterrock Knob. Second meeting place: Maggie Valley P.O. at 9:30 AM, but contact leader first. Topo: Sylva North
----------Sunday Hikes----------
SUNDAY NO. A1202-107 Apr. 1
Big Cataloochee Mtn. 8:00 AM (strenuous)
Hike 11, Drive 130, 3200 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
John Sanders, cell: 828-707-6377, jmsand@us.ibm.com
SB6K, 900M This is a strenuous hike. From the Beech Gap Trailhead on Straight Fork Road, we will make a steep climb to the intersection of the Balsam Mountain Trail and continue on to the Laurel Gap trail shelter. From the shelter, we will hike a short distance along the Mount Sterling Ridge Trail before leaving the trail and bushwhacking (very steep) our way to the summit of Big Cataloochee Mountain. We return by the same route. Additional meeting places: Maggie Valley P. O., but contact leader first, and parking lot of Oconaluftee Visitor Center at 9:00 AM. Topo: Luftee Knob, Cove Creek Gap, Waterville; also NatGeo map #317.
SUNDAY NO. A1202-582 Apr. 1
Gauging Station – Pink Beds loop 8:30 AM (moderate)
Hike 9, Drive 85, 900 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.com
P400 This will be a pleasant loop from the gauging station, covering parts of the S. Mills River, Buckhorn Gap, Black Mtn., Barnett Branch and Pink Beds Loop trails. Early spring wildflowers should be in abundance. Second meeting place: Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:00 AM. Topos: Shining Rock; Pisgah Forest; also NatGeo. map #780
SUNDAY NO. A1202-417 Apr. 8
Butter Gap, Long Branch, ALT, Horse Cove Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 13, Drive 72, 3000 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA
Carroll Koepplinger, 828-667-0723, carrollkoepp@bellsouth.net
P400 Highlights of this low-altitude hike include the McCall Family cemetery and good views from Rich and Chestnut Mtns. and from the Art Loeb Trail. Second meeting place: Fish Hatchery at 8:45 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also NatGeo. Map #780
Sunday NO. A1202-tbd Apr.15
Mountain Treasures Camporee #1
Ted Snyder, 864-638-3686, tedsnyderjr@bellsouth.net and Jim Reel, 828-738-0751, jimr57@yahoo.com Come to the first of a series of weekend camporees, designed to feature a cluster of Mountain Treasures. Eight different hikes have been scheduled over the weekend. For details of each hike and the Mountain Treasures, go to the CMC website and look under “hiking” for “hiking – camporee”. The web site gives driving directions, plans for a group barbecue, and hike descriptions. Any questions should be referred to Ted or Jim.
SUNDAY NO. A1202-164 Apr. 22
Hawkbill Flower Hike 8:00 AM
Hike 8.4, Drive 54, 2870 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA
Carroll Koepplinger, 828-667-0723, CarrolKoepp@bellsouth.net
LTC This great wildflower hike follows a rough trail up alongside Hawkbill Creek to the top of the cove, then a very steep 400 ft bushwhack up to Hawkbill Rock. Then hike along the ridge line to site of Little Snowball Tower and follow old roads and trails down to the trailhead. The wildflowers and ramps have been spectacular every time CMC has done this hike. Topo: Craggy pinnacle
SUNDAY NO. A1202-752 Apr. 29
Little Cataloochee History Tour 8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 90, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Mike Knies, 828-628-6712, knies06@att.net.
On this hike we will learn about the history of the mountain settlement of Little Cataloochee and the people who lived there. We will be visiting the community of Ola and investigating old home, mill, and school sites as well as farms, a church and a cemetery or two. We will be doing mostly on-trail hiking with a few easy short off-trail excursions. This is a special cultural hike like few others. Second meeting place: Exxon off Exit 20 of I-40 at 9:05 AM. Topo: Cove Creek Gap; also NatGeo map #317
SUNDAY NO. A1202-753 May 6
Alarka Falls (Mountain Treasures hike #15) (strenuous) *8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 150, 800 ft. ascent, Rated A-C
Brent Martin, 828-587-9453 (cell: 828-371-0347), brent_martin@tws.org
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Cowee Convenience Store (US 23 south, right onto Sanderstown Rd., right onto NC 28) at 9:15 AM. This new hike in the Alarka Laural area of the Cowee Mountains starts out on the Walton Smith Trail, follows old logging roads and unnamed trails to Alarka Falls and loops back to the trailhead. Topo: Greens Creek
SUNDAY NO. A1202-060 May 6
Pilot Mtn. – Farlow Gap *8:30 AM (moderate)
Hike 8, Drive 80, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, cell: 828-674-1374, ashok.kudva@att.net P400
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:00 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
SUNDAY NO. A1202-214 May 13
Kimsey Creek Trail - Standing Indian Circuit 8:00 AM
Hike 11, Drive 170, 2800 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Janet Martin, cell: 502-494-9309, jaykaymartin@msn.com
This great spring flower hike in the Nantahala National Forest is known for its beautiful forest, rushing streams and excellent vistas. We’ll hike up the Kimsey Creek Trail to the AT at Deep Gap, and then along the AT to our lunch spot, Standing Indian. At 5498 ft., it is the highest mountain on the AT south of the Great Smoky Mountains, with outstanding views. From the summit, the hike will be down Lower Trail and Ridge Trail to loop back to the Standing Indian Campground Second meeting place: rest stop beyond Waynesville on US 23/74 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Rainbow Springs; also NatGeo map #784
Scout Report: While standing on Standing Indiana with Bob Hysko on a late March day, neither of us could find a standing indian. The legend explains. We did see lots of rhododendron, which may be blooming on hike day. On a clear day views are extensive in several directions from a rock hump on the bald. The fire tower has been removed. This varied hike up to the AT justifies the long drive.
The Legend of Standing Indian Mountain:
According to an ancient Cherokee legend, a long time ago a great winged monster swooped down and carried off an Indian child playing near the village. The huge creature took the child to a cave high up in the cliffs of a nearby mountain. Frightened Cherokees from across their nation gathered to ask the Great Spirit for help in getting rid of the monster. After days and nights of prayer, an awesome, blinding bolt of lightning and tremendous thunderclap bursted out of a clear sky and shattered much of the mountain, killing the beast and its offspring. The lightning was so powerful that it destroyed the trees, producing the "bald" mountaintop that remains treeless to this day.
A Cherokee warrior, posted as a lookout near the cliffs, not only was killed by the lightning but was turned to stone, some said as a punishment for being a poor sentry. Most of his figure has been worn away by the passing centuries, but a pillar of stone with an ill-defined "head" at the top still remains—all that is left of the "standing Indian." Visitors may not be able to pick out this stone effigy from among the jumble of rocks, but they can easily see the cliffs that were torn asunder by the Great Spirit's benevolent bolt of lightning.
source :http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-nantahala-national-forest-sidwcmdev_066379.html#ixzz1t0iVW1n4
SUNDAY NO. A1202-119 May 20
Charlies Bunion and Mt. Kephart 8:00 AM
Hike 9.4, Drive 135, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Marianne Newman, 828-257-2136, marianneln@att.net
SB6K, 900M This scenic in-and-out hike will follow the AT from Newfound Gap to a spectacular lunch spot at Charlies Bunion. After lunch we’ll do a side trip to Mt. Kephart and the Jumpoff. Second meeting place: Maggie Valley P.O., but contact leader first. Topo: Clingmans Dome, Mt. Le Conte, Mt. Guyot; also NatGeo map #317
SUNDAY NO. A1202-125 May 27
Mt. Collins & Clingmans Dome from Road Prong trailhead 8:00 AM
Hike 12, Drive 150, 3900 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+
Jeff McGurk, cell: 864-921-6469, jbsbestfan@hotmail.com
SB6K, 900M Bag two SB6K peaks on this strenuous AT adventure up to Clingmans Dome and return. Great views and May wildflowers. Second meeting place: Maggie Valley P.O., but contact leader first. Topo: Clingmans Dome; also NatGeo map #317
Scout Report: I scouted the Road Prong to Clingman's Dome hike on May 12, 2012 solo, starting about 10:30. This hike was nowhere near the listed 3900 foot elevation gain. I am sure that it does not come close to this amount of gain. My 2009 AT guide and 2012 guide buth show it to be about 1,400 feet up, so even if we add a few hundred feet for puds, it is still moderate, and coming down is 1000 foot of gain at tops. Suffice it to say that I completed the hike of almost 12 miles in six hours and 45 minutes (did not go up the dome and only lunch break was a slim-fast), that should tell everyone that it is not too bad.
I started in a cloud, was in a cloud the whole way up, and down. Appropriately, I finished in a cloud, with rain for the last 1 1/2 hour or so. The first 2.6 miles or so is not bad at all, but be prepared to start uphill and with a fair number of steps scattered about. At the 2.6 mile mark is the spur trail to the Mt. Collins shelter. The shelter is .5 miles off trail. I do not plan to visit the shelter on the 27th either, but if any hikers wish to visit the shelter, we can take a break here to allow some further adventure for those interested.
The hike gets harder from this point on as we finish going up Mt. Collins and then down steeply before climbing mostly to Clingman's Dome. The section between Mt. Collins and the Dome is a beautiful hike with some nice ridge walking. The climbing is usually broken up pretty well with some level walking, and rarely real steep walking. We will plan to have lunch at the dome, or top of the mountain anyway.
There was some really rocky areas and some really muddy areas. Please note that coming back down reminds me a lot of coming down from Table Rock (SC version with roughed up steps out of logs and rocks and lots of pounding.) I felt great with about 3 miles left coming down, but the pounding was killing my bum right knee by the time I was done. I saw almost no flowers, so do not look at this hike as a wildflower hike as we had hoped. Temperature was 51 when I got back to car with light rain. Looking forward to a great hike. The attached photo was taken between Mt. Collins and the Dome.
-reported by Jeff McGurk
MEMORIAL DAY MONDAY NO. A1202-734 May 28
Jones Meadow to Allen Gap 8:15 AM
(Joint Hike with SMHC)
Hike 9, Drive 100, 900 ft. ascent, Rated A-C
Becky Smucker, cell: 828-231-2198, bjsmucker@gmail.com
LTC This scenic hike climbs up to the AT from Jones Meadow, and then follows the AT south to Allen Gap, with a side trip to the Camp Creek Bald tower. There is a 3130 ft. descent. 8.7 mile car shuttle. Topos: Greystone, Davy Crockett Lake, Hot Springs; also NatGeo map #782
SUNDAY NO. A1202-249 June 3
Haywood Gap – Buckeye Gap Loop *8:00 AM (strenuous)
Hike 9.6, Drive 80, 1700 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Jill Gottesman, cell: 828-545-5236, jill_gottesman@tws.org
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at BRP Overlook at MM 425.4. We will start hiking at the Blue Ridge Parkway at Buckeye Gap, heading east on the MST with views across the Middle Prong Wilderness. We will pick up the Buckeye Gap Trail (#126) and hike north, down to the headwaters of the Middle Prong of the Pigeon River. When we reach the Haywood Gap Trail (#142), we will take a ¾- mile detour north to the Wilderness Area boundary to see the Middle Prong and eat lunch, returning via the Haywood Gap Trail back up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and follow the MST back to Buckeye Gap. Highlights are views along the MST and scenic stream-side trails through a Wilderness Area much lesser known and visited than its Shining Rock neighbor. Wet stream crossings likely. Wilderness area hike, limited to ten hikers—call leader for reservations. Topo: Sam Knob; also NatGeo. map #780 and USFS Shining Rock and Middle Prong Wilderness map.
SUNDAY NO. A1202-279 June 3
Montreat: RR trestle Grade to Pot Cove 9:00 AM (moderate)
Hike 7.5, Drive 35, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Les and Catherine Love, 828-658-1489, lesrlove55@gmail.com
The hike starts southward toward Lookout Mountain, but veers north to hike along the west side of the ridge to Sourwood Gap, and then switches to the east side of the ridge through Long Gap to Pot Cove Gap, the site of an old quarry. By alternating sections of the Old Trestle Road, which was used by the Mt. Mitchell Railroad for logging and later for passengers, and the Old Toll Road to Mt. Mitchell, the hike will circumnavigate both Thunder Knob and Brushy Mtn. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot off Exit 64 of I-40 at 9:20 AM. Topo: Montreat; also Montreat Trail Map
SUNDAY NO. A1202-742 June 10
Indian Grave Gap to Nolichucky River 8:30 AM
Hike 8.3, Drive 105, 600 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Bob Hysko, cell: 828-243-3630, rhysko@yahoo.com
This moderate hike on the AT follows a ridgeline to Curley Maple Gap, and then descends steadily to the Nolichucky River (2300 ft. total descent) through lush woods and ends at Uncle Johnny’s hostel, a must-stop for AT thru hikers. Car shuttle. Topos: Chestoa, Huntdale
SUNDAY NO. A1202-566 June 17
Roans in Bloom *8:30 AM
Hike 7, Drive 150, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Tish Desjardins, cell: 828-380-1452, desraylet@aol.com SB6K
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Burnsvillie McDonald’s at 9:10 AM. A beautiful AT hike with some of WNC’s finest views. Expect rhododendrons and flame azaleas to be in bloom, with perhaps an early Gray’s Lily. From Carver’s Gap we’ll go north past Grassy Ridge (6160 ft.) to a scenic overlook for lunch, then double back south to Carvers Gap. From here we’ll drive up to see the Rhododendron Gardens and the vista from Roan High Bluff (6287 ft.). (small fee to enter garden area) Topo: Carvers Gap; also NatGeo. map #783
SUNDAY NO. A1202-555 June 24
MST: NC 80 to Woods Mtn. 8:30 AM
Hike 10, Drive 90, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tsanders.avl@gmail.com
Hike on a little-traveled section of the eastbound MST north of NC 80 to Woods Mtn., with seldom seen views of the Blacks and Mt. Mitchell. Second meeting place: parking lot adjacent to Ingles at Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:50 AM Topos: Celo, Little Switzerland
