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All-Day Weekend Hikes

Sunday No. A1203-076 Jul. 29
Craggy to Little Snowball 9:00 AM
Hike 7.2, Drive 40, 2600 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA
Heidi Swann cell: , 828-280-6527, myfriendheidi@gmail.com
LTC From Bee Tree Gap, we’ll take the Snowball trail to High Rocks (Hawkbill Mtn.), with its views, and then on to the old lookout site atop Little Snowball, with its great views. Return via the same route. We will be joined by Corey Pine Shane or another master herbalist from The Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine, who will share information and lore about the edible and medicinal plants which we’ll encounter on this hike. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 9:20 AM. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle; also USFS South Toe River, Mt. Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Map

Sunday No. A1203-762 Aug. 5
Mt. Cammerer from Davenport Gap 8:00 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 11.6, Drive 114, 3000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+
Danny Bernstein , 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.com
900M, LTC This hike follows the A.T. from Davenport Gap to the historic fire lookout atop Mt. Cammerer. Strenuous, but the payoffs are a good workout and superb views. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop, I-40 at Exit 24 at 8:30 AM, but contact leader first. Topo: Waterville, Hartford; also NatGeo Map #317

Sunday No. A1203-049 Aug. 5
Big Creek 8:30 AM
(less strenuous)
Hike 10.4, Drive 110, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Lenny Bernstein , 828-236-0192, lsberns@att.net
900M Follow the sight and sound of a spectacular mountain stream through a beautiful forest to the Big Creek bridge just before campsite 37. Features to be enjoyed are the Midnight Hole, Mouse Creek Falls and several rapids. We’ll stop to enjoy a dip in the water on the way back. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop, I-40 at Exit 24 at 9:00 AM, but call leader first. Topo: Waterville, Cove Creek Gap, Luftee Knob; also NatGeo Map #317

Sunday No. A1203-255 Aug. 12
MST: NC 80 – Black Mtn. Campground 9:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 90, 700 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Laura Frisbie , 828-337-5845, laurafrisbie@charter.net
Expect good 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 BRP. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 9:20 AM. Car shuttle. Topo: Old Fort, Celo; also PNF South Toe River, Mt. Mitchell & Big Ivy trail map.

Saturday No. A1203-242 Aug. 18
Sam Knob Loop 10:00 AM
Hike 7.5, Drive 75, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Bev MacDowell , 828-684-1000, bevmacdowell@charter.net
SB6K, P400 *First meeting place: BRP French Broad Overlook at MM 393.8. This hike in the cool high elevations is perfect for a hot summer day. From FS 816 we will ascend Sam Knob (6040 ft.) with its 360 degree views, then hike through high meadows on the Flat Laurel and Little Sam Trails. We then return via the MST across FS 816 and up to the summit of Black Balsam (6214 ft.), then down to our cars. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at 10:30 AM. Topo: Sam Knob; also NatGeo map #780

Sunday No. A1203-368 Aug. 19
Bradley Creek & Riverside Stream Crossings 8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 70, 650 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Tom Sanders , 828-252-6327, tsanders.avl@gmail.com
P400 Come and enjoy the water on a warm summer day. 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 nearby. Plan to hike in shoes/boots that don’t mind getting soaked and use two hiking poles. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: Contact leader. Topo: Pisgah Forest, Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geo. map #780

Half-Day Sunday

Half-Day No. H1203-433 Jul. 29
Mill Ridge Ramble 12:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 65, 500 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Jorge Munoz , 828-658-0606, jorgemunoz1927@hotmail.comand Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, cell: 828-674-1374, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
*Only meeting place: Roses parking lot off Exit 18 of I-26 in Weaverville. A pleasant and gentle hike in the Mill Ridge area near Hot Springs. Includes a visit to an old family cemetery. Topo: Hot Springs

Half-Day No. H1203-114 Aug. 5
Mt. Mitchell to NC 128 12:30 PM
Hike 4.7, Drive 40, Rated C-C
Marcia Bromberg , 828-505-0471, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
*Only meeting place--Lower parking lot of Folk Art Center. Beat the summer heat with a downhill hike from Mt. Mitchell to NC 128 (Mt. Mitchell Rd). Plenty of great views along the way and a pleasant waterfall for our snack break. Topo: Celo, Mt. Mitchell, Burnsville

Half-Day No. H1203-628 Aug. 12
Big Ridge Overlook to Beaver Dam Overlook 1:00 PM
Hike 4.4, Drive 80, 1150 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Charlie Ferguson , 828-625-2677, ccf108@gmail.com
P400 * Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at the French Broad Overlook of the BRP at 1:10 PM. This in-and-out hike along the MST near MM 403 of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a good one for beginners. It will feature some wildflowers and good views. Topo: Dunsmore Mountain

Half-Day No. H1203-325 Aug. 19
Ivestor Gap Blueberry Hike 11:00 AM
Hike 5, Drive 70, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Bonnie Allen , 828-645-0357, bonnie@allencats.com
P400, SB6K Wilderness area, limit 10; Contact leader for reservation. Our traditional hike to the picking fields of Grassy Cove Top in the Shining Rock Wilderness. Optional hike to the top of 6000 ft Grassy Cove Top. Once we get to the blueberries, we plan on picking for 2 hours. Everyone should bring lunch, berry picking containers, hat and sunscreen. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mountain Overlook at 11:40 AM. Topo: Sam Knob; Shining Rock; also NatGeo map #780.

All-Day Wednesday

Wednesday No. W1203-049 Jul. 25
Big Creek – Walnut Bottom 8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 110, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Danny Bernstein , 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.com
900M Follow the sight and sound of a spectacular mountain creek through a beautiful forest to Walnut Bottom. Features to be seen on this hike, which is on a wide roadbed, are the Midnight Hole, Mouse Creek Falls and several rapids. Bring wading shoes and bathing suits. Second Meeting Place: Pilot Truck Stop off I-40 at Exit 24 at 8:30AM, but call leader first. . Topo: Cove Creek Gap, Luftee Knob; also NatGeo, Map #317

Wednesday No. W1203-276 Aug. 1
Street Gap to Big Bald 8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Paula Massey , 828-229-0226, cell – 828-989-0003, massey.paula@gmail.com
*Only meeting place: Rose’s parking lot (opposite McDonald’s) off Exit 19B of I-26 in Weaverville. This is an in-and-out hike on the Appalachian Trail, heading north. We will have panoramic views of the Blacks, Smokies and other ranges in WNC and TN from the higher elevations. Street Gap is not recommended for low-to-ground cars or large vans. I will let hikers know current road conditions after the scout. Topo: Sams Gap, Bald Creek

Wednesday No. W1203-369 Aug. 8
Buckeye Gap-Bearpen Gap 10:00 AM
Hike 6, Drive 80, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Bruce Bente , 828-692-0116, cell: 828-699-6296, bbente@bellsouth.net
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at 10:40 AM. We will start by hiking a MST section that leads through a lush forest of spruce and birch where the forest floor is covered with mosses and ferns. We will stop for blueberry picking in areas that have yielded abundant berries in past years. Two-mile car shuttle . Topo: Sam Knob; also NatGeo map #780.

Wednesday No. W1203-053 Aug. 15
East Fork Pigeon River Swim Hike 8:30 AM
Hike 8.5, Drive 74, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Barbara Morgan , 828-460-7066, barbc129@gmail.com
P400 Wilderness area, limit 10, so contact leader for reservation. The East Fork of the Pigeon River is a great place to be on a hot August day. We’ll hike in the morning, and on our return, we’ll have a chance to play in one of the many pools or just lounge on the rocks before heading back to our cars. Bring swimsuit, towel, etc. Second meeting place: Big East Fork parking area on US 276, north of BRP at 9:15 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also NatGeo map#780.

Wednesday No. W1203-765 Aug. 22
South Mills River Swim Hike 8:30 AM
Hike 6.5, Drive 65, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Greg Goodman , 828-684-9703, greggoodman@bellsouth.net
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Boyleston Baptist Church parking lot at 9:00 AM. We will hike along Vineyard Gap Trail to South Mills River Trail until we arrive at lunch spot at swimming hole in South Mills River. Bring bathing suit, river shoes, towel, etc. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also NatGeo map #780