hikes-future110923

Saturday-Sunday All-Day Hikes

OVERNIGHT WEEKEND Sept. 24-25
Paul Benson, cell: 828-273-2098, pdbenson@charter.net
Fontana overnight - we'll do two sections of the AT just south of scenic and interesting Fontana Dam (see descriptions below.). Since this is a relatively long drive from Asheville, the leader is planning a Saturday and a Sunday day hike, with the option of staying in the Fontana Village area where there are a variety of accommodations available ranging from shelter space in the "Fontana Hilton" AT shelter to real beds in Fontana Village.

SATURDAY NO. A1103-497 Sept. 24
Yellow Creek Gap to Fontana Dam 7:30 AM
Hike 7.8, Drive 200, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
We'll hike the first section of AT south of Fontana Dam, beginning at Yellow Creek Gap and heading northbound, descending approximately 2100 ft. to Fontana Dam, and conclude with a visit to the spectacular Fontana Dam visitor center (if the national terrorist threat level is not too high). 12 mile car shuttle.

SUNDAY A1103- 456 Sept. 25
Yellow Creek Gap to Stecoah Gap 9:00 AM at Stecoah Gap
Hike 8.5, Drive 190, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
We'll begin at Yellow Gap this time, heading southbound to Stecoah Gap on the second southbound section from Fontana Dam along an up-and-down path over the Cheoah Mountains, with a short side trip to Wauchecha Bald to view what remains of the old fire tower. 10-mile car shuttle.

SATURDAY NO. A1103-367 Sept. 24
Art Loeb, Grassy Cove Ridge to Bridges Camp Gap *8:30 AM
Hike 8.5, Drive 65, 1650 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Brenda Worley, 828-684-8656, clworley@bellsouth.net
P400, SB6K *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at 9:10 AM. Wilderness area, limit 10, so contact leader for reservation. Beginning with a climb up to Black Balsam (6214 ft.) we’ll follow the ridgeline to Tennent Mtn (6040 ft.) and Ivestor Gap. Then we’ll hike down Grassy Cove Ridge to the Big East Fork of the Pigeon River. Two stream crossings, one or both of which will be wet. From there we’ll hike to Skinny Dip Falls, and then end at Bridges Camp Gap. Car shuttle. Topo: Shining Rock; also NatGeo. map #780

HIKING WEEKEND Sept. 30-Oct. 2
North Georgia State Parks
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, hikertohiker.com
Hike in three north Georgia State Parks and into Chattahoochee Nat'l. Forest. We'll stay at Unicoi State Park where you can also swim or boat in a lake. We'll walk into Helen, a funky tourist town. Make your lodge, cabin or tentsite reservations at http://www.gastateparks.org/info/unicoi soon and let the leader know that you're coming. Full details are posted in the E-News.

SUNDAY NO. A1104-697 Oct. 9
Silers Bald *8:30 AM
(Bernard Elias Favorite Hike series #13)
Hike 9, Drive 150, 2800 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Ted Snyder, 864-638-3686, tedsnyderjr@bellsouth.net
900M, SB6K *Form carpools at Ingles parking lot on NC 191 across from Biltmore Square Mall, and meet leader at 9:30 AM at parking lot of new Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains Nat'l. Park north of Cherokee on US 441. Early fall, but at this altitude some of the leaves will be down, opening views in all directions as we hike the mile high, narrow ridgeline from Clingmans Dome to Silers Bald. Two named peaks over 6K, Mt. Buckley and Clingmans Dome. Topos: Clingmans Dome; Silers Bald. NatGeo Maps #316 and #317

SATURDAY NO. A1104-349 Oct. 15
Buck Spring Trail uphill *10:00 AM
Hike 6.2, Drive 60, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Bev MacDowell, 828-684-1000, bevmacdowell@charter.net
P400 *First meeting place: back parking lot of Folk Art Center. Second Meeting Place: Pisgah Inn parking lot, near convenience store, at 10:35 AM. This pleasant hike starts at US 276 and ends at Pisgah Inn. Possible late lunch at Pisgah Inn. Car shuttle. Topos: Shining Rock, Cruso; also MST Profiles book, pg. 40-41

SUNDAY NO. A1104-082 Oct. 16
The Blacks Beyond 6000 *7:30 AM
(joint hike with Greenville Natural History Assn.)
Hike 11.3, Drive 70-80, 3000 ft. (northbound) or 6000 ft. (southbound) ascent, Rated A-AA+
Don Gardner, 828-754-4067, gardog3@bellsouth.net (northbound) & Lisa Hart, 828-450-6986, tiw.south@gmail.com (southbound)
SB6K, LTC *First meeting place: back parking lot of Folk Art Center. Second meeting place: Phone a leader. Key-swap hike. This is your chance to bag seven SB6K peaks on this very strenuous hike. The southbound initial climb is 3100 ft., and there's much more climbing in the ups and downs between peaks. North-bounders get to descend the 3100 ft. The hike is great fun with incomparable views, but do not consider this unless you are in top shape. Bring extra water. Participants must phone a leader beforehand. Topos: Celo, Mt. Mitchell; also PNF South Toe River, Mount Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Map

SUNDAY NO. A1104-737 Oct. 23
Noland Divide Trail *7:30 AM
Hike 11.6, Drive 160, 700 ft. ascent, 4800 ft. descent, Rated A-C
Mike Knies, 828-628-6712, knies06@att.net
900M *Only meeting place: Ingles parking lot on NC 191 across from Biltmore Square Mall. We had such a good time hiking down the Sugarland Mountain trail in April that we decided to do a similar hike on the North Carolina side. This hike will feature a dramatic seasonal change as we descend from 5929 ft. to 1780 ft. Hike through a magnificent stand of red spruce near the top and watch the vegetation change as we descend. Hikers must register with leader beforehand so that car shuttle arrangements can be made. The leader is investigating the possibility of hiring a bus to eliminate the long shuttle time, and will provide info when you register. Long car shuttle. Topos: Clingmans Dome, Bryson City; also NatGeo maps #317

Half-day Sunday Hikes

HALF-DAY NO. H1103-465 Sept. 25
Sam Knob 12:30 PM
Hike 4, Drive 80, 900 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader: Chris Allen, 828-645-0357, chrispallen@me.com
P400 Beginning at the Sam Knob parking lot, hike the Sam Knob trail up to the summit of Sam Knob with its two peaks and fabulous 360 degree views, including the other Balsam Mountains, Hardy, Little Sam and others. Back down and turn left toward the junction with the Flat Laurel Creek Trail and take it back to the parking lot. Fall colors should be quite nice. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mountain Overlook at 1:10 PM. Topo: Sam Knob; also NatGeo map #780

HALF-DAY NO. H1104-665 Oct. 2
NC 128 - Waterfall *11:00 AM
Hike 6, Drive 62, 500 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader: Maggie Marshall, cell: 828-772-4286, Maggie.marshall@yahoo.com
*Only meeting place: back parking lot of Folk Art Center. A gentle hike along the MST to a lovely waterfall and return. We'll have early fall views along the BRP on the drive up to Mt. Mitchell Rd. where the hike begins. Topos: Montreat, Mt. Mitchell

HALF-DAY NO. H1104-699 Oct. 9
Pisgah Loop II *12:00 PM
Hike 6, Drive 70, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader: Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, cell: 828-674-1374 ashok.kudva@att.net
P400, WC100 *Form carpools at Ingles parking lot on NC 191 across from Biltmore Square Mall, and meet leader at BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at 12:30 PM. We will hike the Boundary Trail and MST to Skinny Dip Falls, returning via the MST and Graveyard Fields. Expect bright fall colors along the trails. Topos: Sam Knob, Shining Rock; also NatGeo map #780

HALF-DAY NO. H1104-453 Oct. 16
Max Patch Loop *12:00 PM
Hike 5.5, Drive 104, 800 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader: Gail Lamb, 828-338-0443, galmb46@bellsouth.net
*First meeting place: Ingles parking lot on NC 191 across from Biltmore Square Mall. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop I-40 Exit 24 at 12:30 PM, but call leader first. Awesome 360 degree panoramic views of fall color from summit of Max Patch make this a favorite hike. Topo: Lemon Gap

HALF-DAY NO. H1104-464 Oct. 23
Balsam Gap to Greybeard Overlook *12:00 PM
Hike 3.9, Drive 44, 1030 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader: Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, rerikkers@aol.com
*First meeting place: rear parking lot of Folk Art Center; another stop will be made at Craven Gap at 12:10 PM. This one-way 3 1/2 - 4-hour hike is over an enjoyable section of the MST that takes us through a wide variety of environments, from rugged high elevation vegetation, lichen-covered rocks and gnarled trees, a stretch of lovely beech forest to long range views from an open bald with late fall wildflower meadows. Please wear sturdy foot wear for this rocky trail! Topo: Montreat

Wednesday Hikes

WEDNESDAY NO. W1103-736 Sept. 28
Cove Creek Gap to Gooseberry Knob 8:00 AM
Hike 11.7 or 12.9*, Drive 85, 2450 or 2700* ft. ascent, Rated A-AA or *AA-AA
Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, (cell 828-674-1374), ashok.kudva@att.net
900M If it is clear, we will experience some of the most spectacular views in WNC as we hike to the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center facing Purchase Knob and then to Gooseberry Knob. We will hike the Cataloochee Divide Trail for a long but moderate hike. Optional side trip to historic Ferguson Cabin *adds 1.2 miles and 250 feet. Limited trail-head parking space may add 0.8 mile distance and 10 minutes of easy walk to the hike time. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at I-40 Exit #24 at 8:30AM but call leader beforehand. Topos: Cove Creek Gap, Dellwood, also NatGeo. Map #317

WEDNESDAY NO. W1104-355 Oct. 5
AT: Devil Fork Gap to Carmen *8:30 AM
Hike 10.7, Drive 90, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Tish Desjardins,desraylet@aol.com or 828/380-1452.
*Form carpools at Westgate and meet leader at corner of US 25/70 and NC 208 at 9:10 AM. This hike travels 9 very scenic miles on the AT. It features 2 shelters, including Jerry's Cabin, a historic gravesite as well as great vistas atop Big Butt. We return down Fork Ridge Trail to the Carmen area. Topos: Flag Pond, Greystone; also NatGeo map #782

WEDNESDAY NO. W1104-698 Oct. 12
Mt. Mitchell via Potato Knob *8:10 AM
Hike 10, Drive 55, 2100 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Brenda Worley, 828-684-8656 ,clworley@bellsouth.net.
SB6K *Form carpools at Westgate and meet leader at Craven Gap at 8:30 AM. We take the MST west onto the Boundary Trail over Potato Knob, then do a short in-and-out to Mt. Gibbes, then follow a gravel road to Stepps Gap, and Old Mitchell Trail to Mt Mitchell with another short in-and-out to Mt. Hallback. Then we descend on the Commissary Ridge Trail and right onto the Buncombe Horse Range trail (MST) trailhead. Topos: Montreat and Mt. Mitchell

WEDNESDAY NO. W1104-740 Oct. 19
Six Waterfalls near Brevard *8:30 AM
Hike 5.8, Drive 100, 900 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Jack Fitzgerald, 828-685-2897, suejackfitz@bellsouth.net
WC100, P400 *Form carpools at Westgate and meet leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-lo at 9:00 AM. We will visit six waterfalls near Brevard, all on the Waterfall 100 Challenge: Maidenhair (new to the list), Dill and Upper Dill, Courthouse, Bird Rock and Catheys Creek. All are in-and-out hikes of 2.5 miles or less for each waterfall. Topos: Rosman, Sam Knob; also NatGeo map #780

WEDNESDAY NO. W1104-254 Oct. 26
Green Knob via Snooks Nose *8:00 AM
Hike 9 Drive 65, 3500 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Barbara Morgan, 828-738-3395, cell: 828-460-7066, barbc129@gmail.com
LTC *Form carpools at Westgate and meet leader at Ingles Parking lot at Exit 64 off I-40 at 8:20 AM. Starting from campground, we'll follow the trail over Snooks Nose and over the BRP to the Green knob fire tower, then return. 360 degree views from fire tower. Topo: Old Fort

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