All Day Saturday and Sunday Hikes

4^th Quarter 2002

Hike Ratings

First Letter Second Letter

Distance Elevation Gain

AA: Over 12 miles AA: Over 2,000 ft.

A: 9-12 miles A: 1,500-2,000 ft.

B: 6-9 miles B: 1,000-1,500 ft.

C: Under 6 miles C: Under 1,000 ft.

All Day hikes submitted by Tom Sanders, 252-6327. Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near Commercial Credit Corp. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

ALL DAY No. 7929  Oct. 6

Cedar Rock Mtn.- 8:00 am

John Rock Loop

Hike 8, Drive 80, Rated B-A

Lewis and Jane Blodgett, 274-7863

This trip features two of the spectacular rock summits in the Pisgah Forest, with great views from both. Starting at the Fish Hatchery, we’ll have our major climb up to Cat Gap and then on to Cedar Rock for lunch. We’ll return via John Rock. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station on US 276 at 9:45. Topo: Shining Rock.

ALL DAY No. 7930  Oct. 13

Mt. Leconte via Trillium Gap 8:00 am

and Rainbow Falls Trails

Hike 13, Drive 150, Rated AA-AA

Amy Treverton, 298-1882

This strenuous trip in the Great Smoky Mountains features two beautiful waterfalls—Grotto Falls and Rainbow Falls—as well as exceptional views from 6,593 Mt. Leconte. Plan on a 3,000 ft. ascent but along a well-graded trail. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop off I-40 at Exit 24. Topo: Mt. Leconte.

Saturday No. 7957 October 19

Work Trip (see front page article)

meet at the Moose Café 8:00 am

ALL DAY No. 7958  Oct. 20

Graybeard Mountain 8:00 am

Hike 10-11, Drive 35, Rated A-AA

Bill Ross, 299-7637

An exciting ridgetop manway along the

middle mountain is our path to the summit.  There’ll be good views, a delightful hike, and a great workout. Fairly strenuous, including a very steep first mile. Second meeting place: McDonald’s off I-40 in Black Mountain. Topo: Montreat

SATURDAY No. 7959  Oct. 26

AT: Allen Gap to Tanyard Gap 8:30 am

Hike 9, Drive 80, Rated A-A

Paul Benson, 667-4279

Visiting Spring Mountain shelter, great views from Rich Mountain, and one of the prettiest sections of the AT highlight this hike, when leaves should be at their height. A perfect fall experience. Topo: Hot Springs

ALL DAY No. 7960  Oct. 27

Green Knob Fire Tower 9:00 am

Hike 7, Drive 80, Rated B-A

Tommy Boston, 686-5029

The Lost Cove Ridge Trail climbs steadily from Black Mountain Campground to fantastic views and a first-class lunch spot atop Green Knob. The 2000’ elevation gain provides an excellent workout through beautiful woods.  Moderate plus. Only meeting place, Folk Art Center at 9:00 am. Topo: Celo

ALL DAY No. (strenuous) 7961 Nov. 3

AT: Brown Gap to 8:00 am

Davenport Gap

Hike 12.5, Drive 110, Rated AA-AA

Barbara Passmore, 667-8684

Count on a strenuous trip, though the

cumulative climb from North to South is modestly over 2,000 feet. Lush woods and good views from Snowbird Mtn. feature this trip.  Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop on NC 209, off I-40 at Exit 24. Topo: Waterville

ALL DAY No. (moderate) 7962 Nov. 3

Lower Laurel River 9:00 am

Hike 6, Drive 60, Rated B-C

Lewis and Jane Blodgett, 274-7863

A relaxed but spectacular stroll along one of Western North Carolina’s most beautiful streams, with white water, rocks, and surrounding high cliffs. Hikers will also visit the historic Runyan logging camp and lunch along the Laurel River. This is a superb hike to know because of its accessibility, ease, and beauty. Topo: Hot Springs

ALL DAY No. 7963  Nov. 10

Hospital Rock, Pretty Place,

Rainbow Falls  8:00 am

Hike 12, Drive 100, Rated A-B

Hank Czubek, 864-292-6212 

This is one of Hank’s challenging hikes along the SC border from Jones Gap State Park. Hiking past Hospital Rock we will lunch at aptly named Pretty Place. In the early afternoon we will walk to and enjoy Rainbow Falls. Second meeting place: Jones Gap State Park at 9:00 am Topos: Table Rock and Cleveland (SC).

ALL DAY No. 7964  Nov. 17 **Hike Details**

Craggy to Little Snowball  8:00 am

Hike 8.5, Drive 30, Rated B-AA

Don Walton, 298-5084

From Craggy Gardens we will take the Snowball Trail to Highrocks, with great views, then on to Snowball Gap. We will then follow an old road around Little Snowball Mtn. to the old Lookout atop Little Snowball. The CMC is trying to get permission to clear the trees and bring back the gorgeous 360 degree views that make this a classic hike close to Asheville. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle

Nov. 23 and 24

WILDERNESS FIRST AID COURSE

Attention all hike leaders and hikers!

The CMC is sponsoring a Wilderness First Aid Course on Nov. 23-24 at Warren Wilson College. The 16-hour course will be taught by Landmark of Cullowhee. All hikers and hike leaders are urged to take this course, which will cost $45. For

information and enrollment contact Danny Bernstein at 236-0192 or

danny@hikertohiker.org

MOUNTAINS-TO-SEA

SEQUENCE HIKE Nov. 30-Dec. 1                                                               Two consecutive day hikes to continue a planned traverse from West to East of the completed sections of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in the mountains. Both hikes are on sections of the MST maintained by CMC.  Come for one or both. Subsequent sections of the MST will be led in the Spring.

SATURDAY NO. 7965 Nov. 30

FR-816 to US 276 8:00 am

Hike 11, Drive 70, Rated A-A

Lenny Bernstein, 236-0192

We should have fine winter views of Graveyard Fields and Looking Glass Rock.  Topo: Shining Rock

SUNDAY NO. 7966  Dec. 1

US 276 to NC 151 8:00 am

Hike 10, Drive 50, Rated A-A

Lenny Bernstein, 236-0192

We’ll hike past the Pisgah Inn and over the top of Little Pisgah Mountain. Topos: Shining Rock, Pisgah Forest

ALL DAY No. 7967 Dec. 8

Dupont Forest Circular  8:00 am

Hike 12, Drive 80, Rated A-A

Danny Bernstein, 236-0192

Four outstanding waterfalls, lunch on top of a mountain, and a variety of trails in one of WNC’s newest state forests. A low altitude hike, appropriate for the season. Call leader about a second meeting point. 

ALL DAY No. 7968  Dec. 15

Ferrin Knob via Spencer  8:00 am

Branch and Bad Fork

Hike 8-9, Drive 42, Rated B-A

John Pawcio, 299-8126

This popular winter loop in the North Mills River Recreation Area is moderate but includes a long climb up to Ferrin Knob, a former fire tower site, for lunch. Second meeting place at North Mills River Recreation Area parking lot but call leader.  Topo: Dunsmore Mountain

ALL DAY No. 7969  Dec. 22

East Fork Pigeon River  8:00 am

Hike 8, Drive 90, Rated B-B

Tom Sanders, 252-6327

This should be a great winter trip along one of the WNC’s most beautiful streams.  Starting from the parking area on US 276 we will follow the East Fork of the Pigeon River up to Dark Prong and then return.  Topo: Shining Rock

ALL DAY No. 7970  Dec. 29

Mountains-to-Sea: French 9:00 am                                       

Broad River to US 74-A

Hike 10.5, Drive 15, Rated A-C

Jan Thorsen, 299-3944

This winter leg-stretcher near Asheville is easy, pleasant, and guaranteed to give you exercise to make up for excessive Christmas and New Year eating. Topo: Asheville

NEW YEAR’S HIKE No. 7971  Jan. 1

(for description see the Wednesday hike schedule)

ALL DAY No. 7972 Jan. 5

Tanyard Gap-Hot Springs-  9:00 am

Pump Gap Loop

Drive 80, Hike 10, Rated A-A

Carroll Koepplinger, 667-0723

This great winter hike begins at Tanyard Gap and follows the Appalachian Trail through beautiful woods and includes views from Lovers Leap and a walk along the French Broad River. We will return via the Pump Gap Trail and the AT. Topo: Hot Springs

ALL DAY No. 7973  Jan. 12

Black Mountain Ramble  8:00 am

Hike 12, Drive 55, Rated A-A

Bruce Bente, 692-0116

This is a new hike for the CMC. It starts at Turkey Pen parking area, then over Sharpy Mtn., and Black Mtn., ending at the Ranger Station. A long uphill, but good views from around Black Mtn. Topo: Pisgah Forest.  Also Pisgah National Forest Map