Hiking - Camporees - 2012 -2013
2013 CAMPOREES
CMC has scheduled two Camporees for 2013. The dates and information about them are listed below. Details on the hikes to be offered, driving directions and other data will be posted on the CMC web site as they become available.
First 2013 Camporee: 3 May 2013 through 5 May 2013. Kuykendall Group Campground. The campground limit is 60 persons. The entire campground has been reserved for the camporee. There will be a Bar-B-Que supper Saturday night. The gate to Kuykendall is 4.8 miles south of Brevard, NC. Our hikes will be in the Pisgah District.
More details on the hikes are posted below.
Second 2013 Camporee: 4 October 2013 through 6 October 2013. Rattler Ford Group Campground, Site 1. Our reserved campsite is limited to 25 persons. Rattler Ford is near the entrance to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, in Graham County, NC. There will be a Bar-B-Que supper on Saturday night. More details will be posted later.
Questions or comments should be sent to Ted Snyder (tedsnyderjr@bellsouth.net) or Jim Reel (jimr57@yahoo.com).
FOURTH MOUNTAIN TREASURES CAMPOREE
Friday 3 May 2013 through Sunday 5 May 2013
Kuykendall Group Camp
SATURDAY, 4 May 2013
Saturday No. May 4
Little Sam Knob Loop Easy
Mountain Treasures Hike No. 9:00 a.m.
Hike 7 Ascent: 780 feet Rated B-C
Ted Snyder 864-638-3686 tedsnyderjr@bellsouth.net
P400 This is a loop hike in the proposed Shining Rock Wilderness Extension.
It is stitched together from four trail segments and a 0.30 road walk. Two-thirds is on gentle grades of old logging railroad beds. There will be panoramic views from Devil’s Courthouse summit. There are two waterfalls and one cascade. Many exposed rocks to explore.
Topo: Sam Knob; also Shining Rock Wilderness Map. Nat. Geo. Map No:
Saturday No. May 4
John Rock – Cedar Rock Loop 9:00 a.m.
Mountain Treasures Hike No Strenuous
Hike: 11.6 miles Ascent: 1867 feet Rated A-A
Brent Martin 828-587-9453 brent_martin@tws.org
P400 Today’s hike takes us to two rocky outcrops with extensive long range views. We stitch together parts of several trails to make one big loop. The first stop will be atop the cliffs of John Rock. Then, angling around, we work over to Cat Gap. From there the Art Loeb Trail takes us past the side trail to the top of Cedar Rock, with cliffs facing three directions. Backtracking, we continue on the Art Loeb to Butter Gap. Then it will be down Grogan Creek with its waterfalls, and out by Picklesimer Fields.
Topos: Shining Rock; Rosman. Nat. Geo Map No.
Saturday No. May 4
Pilot Mountain – Farlow Gap – Daniel Ridge 9:00 a.m.
Mountain Treasures Hike No. Strenuous
Hike 9.0 miles Ascent 2170 feet Rated A-AA
Jim Reel 828-738-0751 (cell); 828-443-2532 jimr57@yahoo.com
P400; Revised description. Starting at Gloucester Gap this hike ascends Pilot Mountain (5080) on the Art Loeb Trail. Expansive views from summit. We then descend to Deep Gap and follow a contour to Farlow Gap. Turning on the Daniel Ridge Trail our hikers will descend sharply to cross Shuck Ridge Creek on top of a waterfall. Climbing away the trail ascends to join an old logging railroad grade and crosses Daniel Ridge Creek. Then we descend on big switchbacks along cascading Right Fork of Davidson River to our shuttle cars. Lots of recovering forest with scenic Poplar and Red Oak groves. This hike is noted for its display of Pink Shell Azaleas, which we hope will still be in bloom.
Topo: Shining Rock. Nat. Geo Map No.
Saturday No May 4
Funneltop Mountain Loop 9:00 a.m.
Mountain Treasures Hike No. Strenuous
Hike 8.5 miles Ascent 1300 feet Rated B-B
Les and Catherine Love 828-658-1489 lesrlove55@gmail.com
P400 This hike takes us past the largest trees on the Pisgah District, mostly Northern Red Oak and Poplar. A mixture of maintained trails, abandoned trails, bushwhacking and gated forest roads take us over the summit of Funneltop, and out its high ridge. We walk a segment of the Squirrel Gap Trail. The Isosceles Triangle Trail and the ancient axe-blazed trail up Funneltop are among the oldest on the District, having been established 50 or more years ago. Get a rare view of the interior Pisgah Forest.
Topos: Dunsmore Mountain; Pisgah Forest. Nat. Geo. Map No.
SUNDAY, 5 MAY 2013
Sunday No May 5
Graveyard Ridge Loop 9:00 a.m.
Mountain Treasures Hike No. Moderate
Hike 7.7 miles Ascent 1120 feet Rated B-B
Ted Snyder 864-638-3686 tedsnyderjr@bellsouth.net
P 400 This hike starts at the Looking Glass Rock Overlook at MP 417 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. After a few feet a spur trail connects us with the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and descends steeply to Yellowstone Prong and its Skinny Dip Falls. Crossing, the MST ascends, steeply at times, to the crest of Graveyard Ridge. It then follows the north side of the ridge, with views overlooking Dark Prong and Ivestor Ridge. Lunch at a grassy gap where the MST crosses the roadbed of an old logging railroad. We return, down the railroad grade on the south side of Graveyard Ridge to a point opposite the Graveyard Fields parking , where it rejoins the MST. We then backtrack on the MST.
Topo: Shining Rock; also Shining Rock Wilderness map. Nat. Geo. Map No.
Sunday No May 5
Thompson Creek Loop 9:00 a.m.
Mountain Treasures Hike No. Moderate
Hike 5.4 miles Ascent 1960 feet Rated C-A
Kathy Kyle and Michael Cornn 828-458-1281 (cell); 828-458-1282
katherinenkyle@gmail.com; mcornn@aol.com
P 400 This hike begins on a flat with uneven-aged deciduous forest. After crossing a tributary and a junction with the Thompson Ridge Trail, the route continues alongside an exceptional cascading stream of clear, pure water. After crossing the creek near its source the trail climbs to a “T” intersection. Turning right (E) we climb steeply on switchbacks to a junction with the Pilot Rock Trail. On the latter we climb some more to cross Little Bald Mountain, and turn left on the trail to Pisgah Inn. Possible lunch at Pisgah Inn. On the south side of the east Inn building we find the Thompson Ridge Trail which then descends along the crest of the ridge. It rejoins the Thompson Creek Trail, and we backtrack the short distance back to our cars.
Topos: Dunsmore Mountain; Cruso. Nat. Geo Map No.
Sunday No. May 5
Slate Rock Creek – Forked Ridge 9:00 a.m.
Mountain Treasures Hike No. Moderate
Hike 6 miles Ascent 1000 feet Rated B-B
Norm Sharp 864-268-9409 norm.sharp@att.net
P400 The trail ascends alongside the cascading Slate Rock Creek, an exhilarating mountain scene. At the gap between Slate Rock valley and Pilot cove, we turn and follow a ridge crest trail to one of the best cliff-top overlooks in the forest. We can spread out and lie back here for lunch. Continuing, the trail loops down the ridge to a junction with the Pilot cove Trail, and out to the Yellow Gap Road. Short, 1.6 mile shuttle.
Topo: Dunsmore Mountain. Nat. Geo. Map No.
NOTES
1. Registration is necessary. We have reserved the entire Kuykendall Group Campground for this Camporee. There is a limit of 60 persons. Register by calling or emailing Ted Snyder at 864-638-3686 or tedsnyderjr@bellsouth.net, by April 30th. We will divide the campground fee on a per capital basis among those camping here.
2. Starting times for all hikes are from Kuykendall Group Campground. There will be no formal meetings at Westgate.
3. Day hikes possible. A limited number of day hikers can be accommodated. Persons wishing to meet the scheduled hikes for the day should contact Ted Snyder to agree on a meeting place and time.
4. When shuttles are required, that is noted in the hike description above.
5. Barbecue: Another Registration needed. There will be a group Bar-B-Que dinner Saturday night. Persons desiring to take part in this must register with Ted Snyder at 864-638-3686 or tedsnyderjr@bellsouth.netby April 30th. The charge for the supper will be shared pro-rata on a cost basis. BYOL.
6. Driving Directions from Asheville.
a. From Westgate Mall, take I-240 west to I-26 south. 3.6 miles. 5 minutes.
b. Take I-26 south to Exit 40 (NC 280; Airport) 9.2 miles. 10 minutes.
c. Take NC 280 to Pisgah Forest and big junction with US 64. 16.1 miles. 22 minutes.
d. Continue straight ahead on US 64 to Main Street in Brevard. Follow the Caldwell Street By Pass in Brevard. 3.4 miles. 7 minutes
e. Continue straight ahead, crossing Main Street, and keep on US 64
to Cathey’s Creek Road on right (SR1401). Note Forest Service sign for Kuykendall Group Camp. Do not confuse Cathey’s Creek Road with Cathey’s Creek Church Road. 3.4 miles. 5 minutes.
f. Turn Right (N) on Cathey’s Creek Road, cross short stub to a “T”, and then left on Cathey’s Creek Road, with road number changing to SR 1338. While traversing the stub please note SR 1338 numerals and arrow on a signpost on left. Go downhill. Continue to gate on right for Kuykendall Group Camp. 1.4 miles. 5 minutes
g. Open gate, and re-close, and proceed approximately one mile to a ford, with campground on far side of crossing. 1 Mile. 2 Minutes
Totals: 38.1 miles. 56 minutes.
7. Departure Bulletin. A Departure Bulletin will be emailed to each person registered to attend about one week before the event. The Departure Bulletin will give you the combination to the gate lock and any other last minute details that will make for a happy weekend.
