New Wednesday Hike the MST series:
Barth Brooker, the president of the CMC, will be leading a series of relaxed pace medium length hikes of the MST on Wednesdays. The series of hikes will cover most of the MST the CMC is responsible for maintaining - from Mount Mitchell to Balsam Gap near Waynesville. It is expected that it will take a number of months to complete. There will be a pause in the winter while the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed. The meeting place for each hike will be at the Folk Art Center - milepost 382 on the Parkway at 10:00 AM. Meeting at the trailhead for each hike may be possible. The distance covered is of easy to medium difficulty. The pace will be relaxed so the hikes will end anywhere from 2:00 - 3:30. Most hikes will involve a short car shuttle. These hike will not be announced in the Let's Go newsletter so check this Wednesday hike schedule for updates. Great for those who don't need a challenge. The specifics of each hike will be determined close to the date of the hike and are dependant on the weather and possible road closings. Please email Barth to be informed about these hikes.
Some hikes may have a scout date listed, if the hike leader is open to others hiking the scout. If you want to go on the scout then call the hike leader.
WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-305 Jan. 5
Dupont Forest North Loop 8:30 AM
Hike 12, Drive 82, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Jay Bretz, 828-658-1220, jbretz1220@gmail.com
This low-altitude hike will traverse a loop on the northern side of Dupont Forest, from Lake Imaging to Stone Mtn., including Grassy Falls, the Thomas Cemetery and Wintergreen Falls. Second meeting place: Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:05 AM. Topo: Standingstone Mt.
WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-001 Jan. 12
Case Camp – Seniard Ridge Loop 8:30 AM This hike will not be done. In it's place will be the John Rock Loop - hike 172. 5.7 miles. Great views. Hike will be in the snow. Dress warmly, Bring hiking poles and yacktrax or something grippy for your boots. Something warm to drink. Mary Beth
Cancelled: Hike 8, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Mary Beth Gwynn, 828-545-6487, mbgcmc@gmail.com
P400 This loop hike is scheduled for our coldest month to see 50-ft. frozen cascades along the closed BRP. We’ll do a 2 mile climb up to the MST and some gentle MST hiking before our lunch spot with great views of the mountains. After lunch, we’ll hike downhill through beautiful woods on the Seniard Ridge trail. Second meeting place: Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:05 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also pg. 36-39 of MST Trail Profiles book and NatGeo. map #780
Scout Report: Bruce Bente and I started out at 10 am at the trailhead on the mildest day of a cold week. We lucked out: no snow, sleet or rain, bright skies and comparatively balmy weather. The main draw of this hike is its views: we had magical views of mountain and sky from the BRP, of 20 ft. icicles cascading down sheer rock and of Looking Glass Rock leaning to one side. We returned shortly before 3 pm, so this is roughly a 5 hr hike. Hiking poles and Yaktrax (or equivalent) are highly recommended for this hike. Rain pants are a good idea too in case there are drifts to hike through. Pay attention to the CMC home page and the breaking news box - if the hike has to be canceled due to dangerous road conditions that is where it will be announced. Mary Beth
WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-550 Jan. 19
Paris Mountain State Park *8:00 AM
Hike 9.9, Drive 130, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Kathleen Hudson, 828-698-5208 (Cell: 828-329-6939), mstish1325@gmail.com
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at NE corner of Cracker Barrel parking lot at exit 53 of I-26 at 8:30 AM. Call leader if you plan on meeting at Westgate. Located between Traveler’s Rest and Greenville, Paris Mountain State Park is one of the oldest protected areas in South Carolina. Originally, the lakes were the source of Greenville’s water supply. We will walk on well-maintained trails, enjoying good views of Greenville. $2 per person entrance fee. Topo: Paris Mtn.
WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-186 Jan. 26 Due to the Weather, this hike may be changed or cancelled. See the breaking news box around 8:00 AM.
Little Pisgah Mountain *9:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 30, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Keiko Merl, 828-628-2396, keiko@carolinamountainclub.org
*Only meeting place: Folk Art Center back parking lot A pleasant hike, close to home for our coldest month. We’ll hike from US 74A through part of the Florence Preserve and up into an open meadow to the summit of Little Pisgah Mtn. If the weather is clear, the view doesn’t get any better. Topo: Bat Cave
Scouting members - Keiko, Barbara, Jay, Paula and Cloe. Start from the Grocery store ( used be Nina's ) at 9:15am Walk up to Blue Trail ( about .27 miles ). Some snow patches in shady area, but footing was alright. Coming to the intersection with Old Buncombe Turnpike at 9:43am
Stay on Blue trail for about 2 more miles until reached to Little Pisgah Road.
Continue on for 2 miles on muddy road. Take our lunch at picnic area at 11:25am.
After lunch, went up to the top at the phone tower ( .5 mile ) Great 360 degree view from here.
On the way down, we passed Blue trail and took white trail connect to red trail. Red trail was steeper but there was no snow.
Came back to the trail head at 2:35pm. We covered about 10 miles in 5.5 hours - it was good!! Keiko
WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-031 Feb. 2
South Mountains Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 9.3, Drive 170, 2300 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Charlie Ferguson, 828-625-2677, ccf108@gmail.com
WC100 South Mountains State Park south of Morganton has outstanding views, a beautiful waterfall, and a new visitor center. We’ll climb to Jacob Fork River Gorge Overlook and then continue to Chestnut Knob Overlook, a rocky outcropping with outstanding views toward the Kings Mountain Range and on a clear day, Charlotte’s skyline. Later after another climb, we’ll reach the top of High Shoals Waterfall – truly awesome. Awesome too is the wooden staircase and platform, which allows a close look at the falls and the jumble of rocks in Jacob Fork. Since this is a state park, the trails are meticulously maintained. Possible supper after the hike. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot at Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:20 AM. Topo: Benn Knob; South Mountains SP map
WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-236 Feb. 9
Dupont Forest- Fawn Lake & Bridal Veil Falls 8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 95, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Paula Massey, 828-299-0226, massey.paula@gmail.com
WC100 A moderate hike featuring beautiful waterfalls and lakes. We'll see Corn Mill Shoals, Bridal Veil Falls, Lake Julia and Fawn Lake, hiking at an easy pace. Second meeting place: Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:05 AM. Topo: Standingstone Mtn,; also Dupont Forest trail map
Scout Report: Dupont Forest-Fawn Lake & Bridal Veil Falls Nice winter hike through the woods, and in spite of the snow covered trails, it was moderately easy to navigate except for one area of rocks covered with brown ice. Bridal Veil Falls makes a great lunch spot! Paula
WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-374 Feb. 16
Good Road to Bald Knob 8:30 AM
Hike 9.5, Drive 90, 2500 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Barbara Morgan, cell: 828-460-7066, bcmorg@hughes.net
Park on Good Road in McDowell County off US 221. Hike on MST to N Fork of Catawba River, cross bridge, and ascend to top of Bald Knob. A steep hike, but spectacular winter views. Return by same route. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot at Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:50 AM. Topo: Little Switzerland
WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-271 Feb. 23
Chestnutwood Mountain 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 70, 2700 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Rich Sampson, 704-453-9059, sampson_r@bellsouth.net
We will do our major climbing before lunch on this pleasant hike past streams, two nice cascades, a glimpse of the Black Mtns., and a 20 yr. old timber harvest in the Grandfather District. Some bushwhacking and hiking on over-grown trails. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot at Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:20 AM Topo: Old Fort
WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-278 March 2
Kitsuma Peak & Old Rt. 70 8:10 AM
Hike 10, Drive 60, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Ken & Carol Deal, 828-281-4530, cnkdeal@charter.net
Our hike up Young’s Ridge offers great views of Greybeard, Green Knob and the Mt. Mitchell area. We will start from the picnic area near Old Fort. Also we'll enjoy a grandstand view of the Swannanoa valley from our lunch spot. We will return on old US 70, now blocked off to traffic, where we will see the railroad and numerous tunnel portals. Note: The last half of this hike is on pavement. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot at Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topos: Old Fort, Black Mtn.
WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-471 March 9
Wagon Road Gap, MST to Big East Fork 8:00 AM
Hike 9.7, Drive 75, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomsanders@carolinamountainclub.org
P400 Starting at Wagon Road Gap, we will follow the MST south to the connector to the Big East Fork Trail and follow that down to US 276. Short car shuttle. *Wilderness area hike, limited to ten hikers—call leader for reservations. Second meeting place: Cold Mtn. overlook (BRP M.P. 412) at 8:40 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also NatGeo map #780
WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-515 March 16
AT - Brown Gap to I-40 8:00 AM
Hike 10.6, Drive 100, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Bob Hysko, 828-243-3630, rhysko@yahoo.com
Starting at Brown Gap on the AT, we'll go over Deep gap, Turkey Gap, Wildcat Top, a great view from Snowbird Mtn. and a long descent into the Pigeon River Gorge. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at Exit 24 of I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topos: Lemon Gap, Waterville.
WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-420 March 23
Allen Gap to Tanyard Gap *8:30 AM
Hike 8.8, Drive 80, 2700 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA
Tish Desjardins, 828-380-1452, desraylet@aol.com
*No limit to number of hikers, but call leader first. Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at parking lot on US 25 at intersection with NC 208 at 9:10 AM. Great views from Rich Mtn. tower, a visit to Spring Mtn. shelter and one of the prettiest sections of the AT in our area highlight this pleasant hike. Car shuttle. Topo: Hot Springs
WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-713 March 30
Bent Creek Experimental Forest 8:30 AM
Hike 6, Drive 20, 800 ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Lenny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, lsberns@att.net
P400 Ever wonder what kind of research they do at Bent Creek? This is your chance to find out. We’ll start with a one-to-two hour outdoor tour led by a member of the Forest Service staff, and then take a short hike from the Hard Times Trailhead. This hike was originally scheduled for last October, but cancelled by the Forest Service. Map: USFS Bent Creek Trail Map