All Day Saturday and Sunday Hikes

2st Quarter 2005

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 Bruce Bente 828-692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com.  Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I 240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings.

Map-Reading Course Apr. 2 Dave Wetmore and Tom Bindrim 828-884-7296 dwetmore@citcom.net  Attendees must bring a compass and a Forest Service edition of the Dunsmore Mtn. topo map. The map can be bought either at the Pisgah Ranger Station near Brevard or at the Forest Supervisor’s office in Asheville on Zillicoa St., across Broadway from the UNCA Botanical Gardens. There will be a short informal class, followed by a practical exercise. Please contact Dave Wetmore for information on the meeting time and to register. You must register before the course, as we need to know the number going. No walk-ins please. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.

ALL DAY  No. A0502-427   Apr. 3 Soapstone Ridge 8:30 AM (strenuous) Hike 10, Drive 90, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated A-B Stuart Tauber 828-254-0824 sdtauber@charter.net  P400 Note later start time and that this is the first day of DST. This new CMC hike will begin at the gauging station and follow a mild bushwhack up Soapstone Ridge to the Alternate MST. We’ll follow the AMST to the Black Mtn. Trail to our lunch spot at Buckhorn Shelter, and then take the Buckhorn Gap trail down to the S. Mills River trail back to our cars. The leader may make some revisions to the route depending on the group and weather. Expect a fast-paced hike. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map

ALL DAY  No. A0502-428   Apr. 3 Cane River Gap to Little Butt 9:00 AM (moderate) Hike 7.5, Drive 50, 2200 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA Les Love 828-658-1489 lesrlove@aol.com  Note later start time and that this is the first day of DST. This hike begins with a 1200 ft. ascent to the ridgeline, then along the top of the ridge with a few gradual ups-and-downs. After reaching Big Butt, we’ll follow the narrow ridgeline with its views to our lunch spot at Little Butt, which has a great view of the Black Mtns. across the valley. Return via the same route. Topo: Mt. Mitchell

ALL DAY  No. A0502-443  Apr. 10 Pine Mtn. Loop 8:00 AM Hike 9-10, Drive 50, 2200 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Tom Bindrim & Joan Lemire 828-299-1572 P400 From North Mills River area, we’ll ascend Seniard Mtn. to Double Head and Pine Mtn. (the one with the BRP tunnel) and return through Bent Creek Gap, Bad Fork Hollow and Wash Creek. Some off-trail hiking. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map

ALL DAY  No. A0502-444   Apr. 17 Avery Creek Loop 8:00 AM Hike 10, Drive 75, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Chip Miller 828-298-4449 backpacker54nc@att.net  P400 We’ll climb the Avery Gap and Buckhorn Gap trails to Buckhorn Gap, passing by Twin Falls. Next will be the Black Mtn. trail to Club Gap, with return downhill on the Avery Creek Trail. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station at 8:30 AM. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map

SATURDAY  No. A0502-288   Apr. 23 Kanuga Conference Center 8:30 AM Hike 8.5, Drive 60, 800 ft. ascent, Rated B-C Barbara Passmore 828-667-8684 bpsss354@netzero.net  We have been fortunate to receive permission to hike at Kanuga Conference Center for this pleasant hike over varied terrain. We will hike over well-maintained trails including the Doug Stirling Trail to the Wolf Mtn. overlook, with lunch on scenic Eagle Rock. Second meeting place: Parking lot at rear of Mountain Bank, corner of US 25 & White St. in Hendersonville. Topo: Horseshoe

ALL DAY  No. A0502-033   Apr. 24 Ramsey Cascades 8:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 160, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA Tom Sanders 828-252-6327 mel&tgs@main.nc.us  900M This is one of the classic spring wildflower hikes in the Smokies. Sixty-foot high Ramsey Cascades is located in a rich forested glen with an amazing variety of wildflowers and a grove of old-growth tulip trees. The drive and effort to reach this trail are a small price to pay for the reward. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Mt. Guyot

ALL DAY  No. A0502-273  May 1 Boogerman Trail 9:00 AM (moderate) Hike 8, Drive 90, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Renate Rikkers 828-298-9988 rerikkers@aol.com  900M Note later starting time. A lush forest with many wildflowers, giant old-growth tulip trees and remnants of pioneer life make this a favorite loop hike in the Cataloochee area of the Smokies. If we’re lucky we may spot some of the elk that have been introduced into this valley. Topos: Cove Creek Gap, Dellwood; also Nat’l. Geographic GSMNP map

WEEKEND  No. A0502-446 May 6-8 Camping Weekend in the Smokies Friday evening Drive 200 Danny Bernstein 828-236-0192 danny@hikertohiker.org  900M Come and join us on a camping and hiking weekend based at a private campground in Townsend, just outside Great Smoky Mtns. Nat’l. Park. Participants must bring their own camping equipment. Register with the leader as soon as possible, as this weekend will fill up quickly. The cost is $26. Saturday: We will hike from the Abrams Creek entrance to the park. Two different levels of hikes will be offered; a moderate hike of 6-9 miles and a challenging hike of over 12 miles. Sunday: Hikes will be offered from the Cades Cove and Abrams Creek entrances. As an alternate, you may prefer to tour Cades Cove on your own. Topos: Wear Cove, Thunderhead Mtn., Cades Cove, Gatlinburg ; also Nat’l Geographic GSMNP map.

ALL DAY  No. A0502-100   May 15 Cheoah Bald via Bartram Trail 7:30 AM Hike 12-13, Drive 140, 3100 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA+ Linda Beja 828-293-3849 lrbeja@earthlink.net  Note early start time. This strenuous hike will climb up and out of the Nantahala Gorge, offering a unique approach to the open summit of Cheoah Bald, one of the great scenic peaks south of the Smokies. Our return will be via the AT to NOC. Second meeting place: NOC, across new bridge at 9:00 AM. Topo: Hewitt; also Nat’l. Geographic Nantahala & Cullasaja Gorges map

ALL DAY No. A0502-214   May 22 Standing Indian Circuit 7:30 AM Hike 10, Drive 150, 2300 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Bill Ross 828-271-7992 wrossmath@cs.com  Note earlier starting time. The Standing Indian area in the Nantahala National Forest is known for its beautiful forest, rushing streams and excellent vistas. We’ll hike up the Kimsey Creek Trail to the AT, and the AT to our lunch spot, Standing Indian. At 5498 ft., it is the highest mountain on the AT south of the Great Smoky Mountains, with outstanding views. We’ll return on the Ridge Trail. Second meeting place: Rest Stop beyond Waynesville on US 23/74 at 8:00 AM. Topo: Rainbow Springs

SATURDAY  No. A0502-447   May 28 MST: Mt. Pisgah to Beaverdam Overlook 9:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 45, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Ray Sanow 828-231-7669 raysray@charter.net  P400 Note later start time. This moderate hike will start with a round trip up and down Mt. Pisgah, and will then follow the MST northbound to Beaverdam Overlook. Expect good views along the route. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: BRP French Broad overlook at 9:10 AM. Topos: Cruso, Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map & MST Profiles, pg. 53-55

ALL DAY  No. A0502-190   May 29 MST: Mt. Mitchell to Balsam Gap 8:00 AM Hike 9.7, Drive 70, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Janet Martin 812-738-8154 jaykaymartin@msn.com  SB6K This is one of the really great sections of the MST, and includes two SB6K peaks. The first part of the hike features exceptional views south from the Black Mtns., while the second part showcases the trail-building and rock-work achievements of the CMC. See spectacular scenery from our lunch spot on bare rocks. Topos: Mt. Mitchell, Montreat; also PNF South Toe River, Mt. Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Map

MEMORIAL DAY JOINT HIKE WITH SMOKY MOUNTAINS HIKING CLUB ALL DAY  No. A0502-113   May 30 Cold Mountain from Camp Daniel Boone 8:00 AM Hike 10.4, Drive 70, 2800 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+ CMC Contact: Lenny & Danny Bernstein 828-236-0192 danny@hikertohiker.org  P400, SB6K This is your chance to climb the mountain immortalized by Charles Frazier. From the Scout Camp we will ascend to the summit of this 6030 ft. peak. Strenuous, so you must be in good shape. Wilderness area, limited to ten hikers, so phone leader for reservations. Topos: Waynesville, Cruso; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map

ALL DAY No. A0502-181   June 5 Black Balsam, Tennent Mtn. & Grassy Cove Top to Graveyard Fields 8:00 AM (strenuous) Hike 9, Drive 65, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated A-B Joe Cirvello 828-627-1797 cirvello25@bellsouth.net  SB6K, P400 This is one of my favorite hikes because we are hiking over a long stretch of balds with spectacular 360 degree views. From FS 816, we’ll hike over 6214 ft. Black Balsam and 6040 ft. Tennent Mtn. to Ivestor Gap, with an optional side trip up 6040 ft. Grassy Cove Top. We’ll then follow an old road south to the Graveyard Ridge Trail and follow it back to our cars. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Cold Mtn. overlook at BRP M.P. 412 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Sam Knob, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map

ALL DAY No. A0502-448   June 5 Ellicott Rock 8:00 AM* (moderate) Hike 7.5, Drive 150, 1750 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Dave Wetmore 828-884-7296 dwetmore@citcom.net  A long drive, but a unique and historic place: three states come together; their junction marked with inscriptions almost 200 years old. Well-maintained trails with gentle grades. There is a refreshing ford of the Chattooga River at the middle of the hike. Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at the Bi-Lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topos: Highlands, Tamassee, Cashiers; also Nat’l. Geographic Nantahala & Cullasaja Gorges map

ALL DAY  No. A0502-354   June 12 Hump Mtn. from Elk Park 7:30 AM Hike 8, Drive 140, 3200 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA+ Bob Byrd 828-299-7681 bbyrd@charter.net  Note early start time. Come and enjoy this beautiful hike to one of the jewels of the AT, Hump Mtn. See the fantastic 360 degree views from the summit and Gray’s lilies which should be in bloom. The hike will continue to Little Hump Mtn., but hikers wishing a shorter hike may remain on the first summit and wait for the leader’s return. Topos: Elk Park, White Rocks Mtn., Carvers Gap

ALL DAY  No. A0502-165   June 19 Mt. Le Conte via Boulevard, Alum Cave Trails 8:00 AM Hike 13, Drive 150, 2600 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA Don Gardner 828-754-4067 gardog3@charter.net SB6K, 900M This hike features 6593 ft. Mt. Leconte and great views from the AT, Boulevard Trail, our lunch spot on the summit, and the Alum Cave Trail. Topos: Clingman’s Dome, Mt. Le Conte

SATURDAY  No. A0502-095   June 25 Hemphill Bald from Polls Gap 8:00 AM Hike 9.5, Drive 95, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Carroll Koepplinger 828-667-0723 carrollkoepp@cs.com  900M Beginning with a stroll through hardwood forests, the trail emerges into open fields stretching along the GSMNP boundary, with exceptional views. Lunch spot in open field at Hemphill Bald. Topos: Bunches Bald, Dellwood; also Nat’l. Geographic GSMNP map

ALL DAY  No. A0502-449   June 26 Bald Mtns. Loop 8:00 AM Hike 9.7, Drive 135, 2750 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA+ Les Love 828-658-1489 lesrlove@aol.com  This is a beautiful Tennessee hike only 1 1/4 hours away and never before done by CMC. We'll hike from the Horse Creek Rec. Area to Pete's Branch Falls, then up Sarvis Cove along the creek to the AT at Cold Spring Mountain for lunch. We'll go back down an old jeep road that has great views. This hike is strenuous and has seven rock-hop creek crossings that may involve wading, so come prepared. Topo: Greystone; also Nat’l. Geographic French Broad & Nolichucky Rivers map

No Hike Scheduled July 3 No hike is scheduled because the Appalachian Trail Conference biennial meeting is being held July 1-8 in Johnson City, TN, with CMC as a co-host.