3rd Quarter 2004
Hike Ratings
First Letter Second Letter
Distance Cumulative 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.
P400: Indicates that this hike qualifies for the P400 award.
SB6K: Indicates that this hike qualifies for the SB6K award.
Also in the hike descriptions, the terms easy, moderate or strenuous reflect the overall trail conditions, the physical challenge and other factors influencing hike difficulty. If you have questions, CONTACT THE LEADER.
The meeting place for each hike will be
designated by the hike leader and will appear in the hike description. Driving mileage will be listed, round trip, from the first designated meeting place.
ALL DAY No. A0403-387 July 4
Penny Rock (Green Knob) -
Chestnut Ridge-Big East 8:00 AM
Hike 9-10, Drive 60, 2,400 ft. ascent,
Rated A-AA
Carroll Koepplinger 828-6678-0723
P400 A Shining Rock Wilderness area hike. It features some off-trail, MST, scenery, and riverside hiking. Wilderness area, limited to 10 people. Please contact hike leader to reserve your place. Topo: Shining Rock
ALL DAY No. A0403-363 July 11
Three Forks (Big Pool)
via Breakneck Ridge 7:30 AM
Hike 10, Drive 160, 10,200 ft. ascent,
Rated A-AA+
Dave Wetmore 828-884-7296 dwetmore@citcom.net
900M Note earlier starting time. Come and go where George Masa went and few have gone since! Three Forks is a well-known but little-visited beauty spot in the Smokies where Left, Middle and Right Forks come together to form Raven Fork. From the trailhead at Round Bottom, we’ll hike a combination of trail and ridgeline manway, then down a steep manway (2000 ft. drop in 1.3 mile). Be prepared for some blowdown and briars. Bring spare socks, as we’ll get our feet wet crossing Raven Fork to the flats at Three Forks. NOTE: This hike is more strenuous that its rating indicates. Topos: Mt. Guyot, Luftee Knob, Bunches Bald
ALL DAY No. A0403-364 July 18
Buckhorn Gap–Club Gap Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 80, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
John Pawcio 828-299-8126
P400 This will be a loop from the Pink Beds parking area to the Gaging station, then over the S. Mills and Buckhorn Gap Trails to Buckhorn Gap for lunch at the shelter. Next we’ll follow the Black Mtn. Trail to Club Gap and back to our cars. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Shining Rock
SATURDAY No. A0403-365 July 24
Mt. Mitchell Ramble 9:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 75, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Ray Sanow 828-658-3205
SB6K Note later start time. We’ll do a loop on several trails in the Mt. Mitchell area, including the Old Mt. Mitchell Trail, Camp Alice Road and the Commissary Ridge Trail. An optional side trip to Mt. Craig (6647 ft.) and Big Tom will be offered afterwards. Second meeting place: Craven Gap on BRP at 9:15 AM. Topos: Mt. Mitchell, Montreat
ALL DAY No. A0403-366 July 25
Grandfather Mtn. Park 7:30 AM
Hike 8-10, Drive 160, 1500 ft. ascent,
Rated A-A
Marlene Santa Maria 828-299-9095
Note earlier start time. An exploration of trails in this famous park, including the swinging bridge and the summit. There will be an entrance fee. Call Marlene to confirm. Plan on stopping at a restaurant for supper on the way back. Topo: Grandfather Mtn.; also Grandfather Mtn. Trail Map & Backcountry Guide
ALL DAY No. A0403-367 Aug. 1
Art Loeb, Grassy Cove Ridge
to Bridges Camp Gap 8:00 AM
(moderate)
Hike 9, Drive 65, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Amy Treverton 828-298-1882 athikerbabe@yahoo.com
SB6K, P400 Beginning with a climb up a short, steep manway to Black Balsam (6214 ft.) and Tennent Mtn (6040 ft.), we’ll descend to Ivestor Gap and then down Grassy Cove Ridge to the Big East Fork of the Pigeon River. From there we’ll hike to Skinny Dip Falls, with a stop for swimming, and then end at Bridges Camp Gap. Short car shuttle required at end. This is a Wilderness area hike limited to ten people. Please contact hike leader to reserve your place. Second meeting place: Cold Mtn. overlook on BRP at 8:30 A.M. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geographic map of Pisgah Ranger District
ALL DAY No. A0403-242 Aug. 1
Sam Knob – Devils Courthouse
Loop (moderate) 8:30 AM
Hike 9, Drive 75, ascend 800 ft., Rated A-B
Ruth Hartzler 251-0886 ruthmtn@aol.com
SB6K, P400 Note later starting time. This hike in the cool high elevations repeats the hike that was rained out a year ago. From FS 816 we will ascend Sam Knob (6040 ft.) with its 360 degree views, then hike though high meadows on the Flat Laurel and Little Sam Trails and the MST via Devils Courthouse (with its wonderful views). We then return via the MST across FS 816 and up to the summit of Black Balsam (6214 ft.), then down a short, steep manway to our cars. Second meeting place: Cold Mtn. overlook on BRP at 9:00 AM. Topo: Sam Knob; also Nat’l. Geographic map of Pisgah Ranger District
ALL DAY No. A0403-368 Aug. 8
Bradley Creek & Riverside
Stream Crossings 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 70, 500 ft. ascent, Rated A-C
Tom Sanders 828-252-6327
P400 Designed for P400 aspirants who want to do trails with stream crossings. Although there are close to 30 stream crossings on this route, the terrain is almost level and you will enjoy the beauty of the streams and the diverse flora nearby. It is advisable to hike in tennis shoes and bring two hiking poles. Key swap, with one group starting at Turkey Pen and the other at Yellow Gap Rd. Second meeting place: Turkey Pen parking area at 8:40 AM. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geographic map of Pisgah Ranger District
ALL DAY No. A0403-369 Aug. 15
Buckeye Gap to Gage Bald 8:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 80, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Jorge Munoz 828-658-0606
P400 We will start by hiking a section of the MST that leads through a lush forest of spruce and birch. The forest floor is covered with mosses and ferns. At Wet Camp Gap with a field of blooming phlox, a side trail will be followed to Gage Bald with its great views. We will hike through three areas that in past years have yielded abundant blueberries and will stop to do some picking if we find them. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at 8:30 AM Topo: Sam Knob
ALL DAY No. A0403-370 Aug. 22
South Mills River 8:00 AM
Hike 12.5, Drive 75, 1100 or 500 ft. ascent, Rated AA-B or AA-C
Les Love 828-658-1489 lesrlove@aol.com
P400 This is another of the P400 hikes that is scheduled during a summer month because of its nine stream crossings. Plan to wear tennis shoes for the section between Cantrell Creek and Wolfe Ford. Two hiking poles are recommended for the stream crossings. The trail follows the old logging railroad grade, so look for old trestles at stream crossings. This hike will be done as a key swap. Topo: Pisgah Forest
SATURDAY No. A0403-371 Aug. 28
Squirrel Gap–Horse Cove Gap 8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 80, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Becky Smucker 828-298-5013 bjsmucker@charter.net
P400 This is another hike designed to cover lesser-used trails that are included in the P400 program. We will start from the Gaging Station, hike to Wolfe Ford and take the Squirrel Gap Trail, make a loop on the upper Cantrell Creek and Horse Cove Gap Trails, and then return via the Rigby cutoff. Topo: Pisgah Forest
ALL DAY No. A0403-372 Aug. 29
Big Fork Ridge–Rough Fork loop 8:00 AM
Hike 9.3, Drive 95, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Danny Bernstein 828-236-0192
900M From the end of the road in Cataloochee Valley, we’ll hike up the Big Fork Ridge Trail, then turn right onto the Caldwell Fork Trail. We’ll pass by the record-size tulip poplar trees, then turn downhill on the Rough Fork Trail. About a mile from the end of the hike, we’ll stop at the Woody House, a historic settler’s cabin. We might even see one of the elk now living in the valley. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop, Exit 24 off I 40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Dellwood
ALL DAY No. A0403-373 Sept. 5
Yellow Mountain (strenuous) 8:00 AM
Hike 9.4, Drive 125, 2600 ft. ascent,
Rated A-AA+
Larry Modlin 251-5092
We’ll hike in the Cowee Mtns on a trail that CMC hasn’t done in six years. Ascend four peaks going in and three on way back. Views from the Yellow Mtn. observation tower are great – a fine lunch spot. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo at US 276/64 in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topos: Highlands, Glenville
ALL DAY No. A0403-359 Sept. 5
MST: Balsam Gap to
Bee Tree Gap (moderate) 8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 70, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Barbara Passmore 828-667-8684 bpsss354@netzero.net
Note later start time. This will be a moderate walk over a very scenic portion of the MST. Enjoy the high elevation views of the surrounding mountains and hike through a section that in past years has had a bumper crop of blueberries to pick. Second meeting place: Craven Gap on BRP at 8:45 AM. Topos: Montreat, Craggy Pinnacle; also "Trail Profiles The Mountains to Sea Trail", pgs. 65-67
ALL DAY No. A0403-337 Sept. 12
Shining Rock from
Black Balsam 8:30 AM
Hike 11, Drive 65, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Lenny Bernstein 828-236-0192 lsberns@worldnet.att.net
SB6K, P400 Note later starting time. This is the same hike that was cancelled on April 4. We will take the Art Loeb Trail from FS 816 to Shining Rock (6040’), climbing Black Balsam (6214’), Tennent Mtn. (6040’) and Grassy Cove Top (6040’) along the way. This will be your chance to bag four easy SB6K peaks while enjoying beautiful views covering the area from Pilot Mtn. to Cold Mtn. We’ll return via the Ivestor Gap Trail. Wilderness area hike limited to 10 people. Please contact hike leader to reserve your place. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. overlook at 9:00 AM. Topos: Shining Rock, Sam Knob; also Natl. Geographic map of Pisgah Ranger District
ALL DAY No. A0403-374 Sept. 19
MST: NC 221 to Bald Knob 8:00 AM
Hike 10-12, Drive 80, 2500 ft. ascent,
Rated A-AA
Don Walton 828-298-5084
We’ll go north of our usual hiking area to hike the MST north from NC 221 to the North Fork of the Catawba River. After seeing the site of the proposed MST bridge over the river, we’ll rock hop the river and hike north towards Bald Knob. Our goal is to reach the summit of Bald Knob, but the scouting trip will determine if this is feasible. Second meeting place: McDonalds at exit 64 of I 40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Little Switzerland
SATURDAY No. A0403-375 Sept. 25
AT: Sams Gap to Rice Gap 9:00 AM
Hike 7.5, Drive 60, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Neal Andreae 828-698-2546 nandreae@gowebway.com
Note later start time. We’ll have an opportunity to look at the AT relocation around the new I 26 at Sams Gap, then hike an in-and-out trip in the beautiful open forest from Sams Gap to Rice Gap. We’ll have lunch at the Hog Back Ridge shelter and see the new closer water source at this shelter. Topo: Sams Gap
ALL DAY No. A0403-376 Sept. 26
Mt. Le Conte via Rainbow Falls
and Bullhead Trails 8:00 AM
Hike 14, Drive 180, 3000 ft. ascent,
Rated AA-AA
Carroll Koepplinger 828-667-0723
SB6K, 900M From Cherokee Orchard near Gatlinburg, Carroll will lead us up the Rainbow Falls Trail, named after the falls we pass, then to the summit of 6593 ft. Mt. Le Conte. We’ll enjoy the spectacular view from Cliff Top, perhaps seeing some of the deer that graze in this area, and then return via the Bullhead Trail. A beautiful hike over good well-graded trails. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop, Exit 24 off I 40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Mt. Le Conte
ALL DAY No. A0403-134 Oct. 3
The Blacks Beyond 6000 7:30 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 13, Drive 123, 6000 ft. ascent,
Rated AA-AA+
Don Gardner 828-754-4067
SB6K Note earlier starting time. This is your chance to bag eight peaks over 6000 ft. in this very strenuous hike. The initial climb is 3100 ft., and there’s much more climbing in the ups and downs between peaks. The hike is great fun with incomparable views, but do not consider this unless you are in top shape. Bring extra water. Participants should phone the leader beforehand. Second meeting place: Ingles on Burnsville bypass at 8:15AM. Topos: Celo, Mt. Mitchell; also PNF South Toe River Trail Map
ATTENTION ALL HIKERS--The infamous "Death March" is coming up on October 3, 2004. This is a great opportunity to achieve many of those tough to get 6,000 foot peaks. We will attain seven(7) of those peaks on this hike--Celo, Gibbs, WinterStar, Potato Hill, Balsam Cone, Mt. Craig and Mt. Mitchell. As hike leader for this hike I NEED YOUR HELP. The logistics for this hike are challenging due to the starting point (Bowlen Creek trail in Pensacola--outside of Burnsville) and ending at the Mt. Mitchell parking lot. For this reason, I need to know as soon as possible who plans to participate on this hike so we can work out the car park and transit arrangements in advance of the hike. Please call me at 828-754-4067 (home), 828-757-5221 (work) or email me at gardog3@charter.net
We will meet at 7:30 AM at Westgate, and depending on the number and logistics worked out in advance, will determine our approach to the travel and parking logistics. We will have a secondary meeting place at 8:15 AM at the Ingles located in Burnsville.
This hike will provide a tremendous workout for everyone hiking with a long initial climb and then a lot up and down between the peaks. The views are spectacular. You will definitely feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the hike. I look forward to having a large group for this hike and please call or email at your earliest opportunity. Thank You. Don Gardner
ALL DAY No. A0403-339 Oct. 3
AT: Garenflo Gap –
Hot Springs (moderate) 8:30 AM
Hike 7, Drive 85, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Chip Miller 828-654-9331 backpacker54nc@att.net
Note later starting time. This AT sequence hike offers nice variety, with a beautiful hardwood forest, Deer Park shelter and moderate climbs and descents. Short car shuttle. Topos: Lemon Gap, Spring Creek, Hot Springs