All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 828-692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net. Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center parking lot near CVS (Exit 3B off I-240) UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings. Please contact the hike leader if you are not sure of the meeting location.

Scout Dates: If the hike leader is open to others hiking the scout, hikes might have a scout date listed.   If you want to go on the scout then call the hike leader.

ALL DAY NO. A0901-564 Jan. 4
Greybeard and Rocky Knob 8:00 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 9, Drive 40, 3400 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+
Paul Benson, 828-251-1909, pdbenson@charter.net
Come along for a good workout above Montreat, which will be even more challenging if there is snow at the higher elevations. We’ll climb up the Big Piney Ridge and West Ridge trails to Greybeard, then take the manway over to Rocky Knob for lunch. We’ll return via the Rocky Knob Trail to the Old Toll Rd. to Greybeard Trail.
Topo: Montreat

ALL DAY NO. A0901-631 Jan. 4
Dupont Forest Hooker Falls P.L. #3 (3 Falls & 2 Lakes) *8:30 AM
(moderate)
Hike 9, Drive 80, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Jay Bretz, 828-658-1220, williambretz1220@msn.com
WC100 *Note later start time. This hike goes to three of the best waterfalls and two lakes in the Dupont State Forest. We will be going to Triple and High Falls and then to Lake Dense. We will use the newly opened Conservation Road to get to the south part of the Little River, across the dam to Lake Julia. After lunch at Lake Julia we hike to the old airstrip, horse barn and then the beautiful cascade of water over Bridal Veil Falls. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo at Pisgah Forest at 9:05 AM. Topo: Standingstone Mtn.; also DuPont State Forest Map

ALL DAY NO. A0901-001 Jan. 11
Case Camp – Seniard Ridge Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 8 or 9.8, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Cindy McJunkin, 828-712-9646, mcjfive@aol.com
P400 This loop hike features a short steep climb up to the MST, some MST hiking, and 50-ft. frozen cascades along the closed BRP. Possible additional distance to see additional ice sheets, depending upon weather. After lunch with a great view of the surrounding mountains, we’ll hike through some beautiful woods on the Seniard Ridge trail. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station at 8:30 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also pg. 50 of MST Profiles book and Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

ALL DAY NO. A0901-203 Jan. 18
Tanyard Gap –AT – Lovers Leap – Pump Gap loop *9:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 70, 2200 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Tish Desjardins, 828-656-2191, desraylet@aol.com
*Note later start time. After the hike there will be a potluck supper in the nearby Bear River Community Lodge. Hikers are requested to contribute food for the supper. Food will be taken to a refrigerator before the hike. Please phone the leader to coordinate what food to bring. We’ll do a moderate loop in the Hot Springs area, starting and ending at Tanyard Gap. We’ll start on the AT up to Mill Ridge, then continue over Lovers Leap down to the river. Next we’ll road-walk to the Silvermine Trailhead and take the Pump Gap Trail back up to the AT and retrace our steps to Tanyard Gap. Topo: Hot Springs

ALL DAY NO. A0901-268 Jan. 25
Hospital Rock – Rainbow Falls *8:15 AM
Hike 10, Drive 95, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Matt Sowles, 864-855-6861, sowleman@charter.net
*Note later start time. Meet at Westgate at 8:15 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Jones Gap State Park parking lot at 9:00 AM. Hendersonville hikers will meet at Cracker Barrel at Exit 53 of I-26 at 8:45 AM. This is a challenging hike in Jones Gap State Park in S.C. Hiking past Hospital Rock, we will enjoy a great view at lunchtime from Pretty Place. After lunch we will walk along a road for a short distance, then turn downhill past beautiful Rainbow Falls onto a newly constructed trail down to the river and back to our cars. NOTE: $2/car parking fee at trailhead. Topos: Cleveland, Standingstone Mtn.; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness map

SATURDAY NO. A0901-632 Jan. 31
Cantrell Lodge History Hike *8:30 AM
Hike 9, Drive 55, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.com
P400 *Note later start time. This hike takes the South Mills River Trail to the Cantrell Lodge site and chimney, following an old logging railroad grade. On the way, we’ll cross three pedestrian suspension bridges and a couple of unusual carsonite signs. On our return, we’ll take some side trails and return on the former route of the Mullinax Trail, then called the Mullineaux Trail. Second meeting place: Turkey Pen parking lot at 9:00 AM, but notify leader first. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

ALL DAY NO. A0901-493 Feb. 1
Pine Mtn. Loop II
(strenuous) *8:30 AM
Hike 10, Drive 20, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Joanne Tulip, 828-299-3495, tulipinnc@aol.com
P400 *Note later start time. Hike up to Pine Mtn. from the Bent Creek side via Explorer loop, Chestnut Cove Trail and MST. Bushwhack up to Pine Mtn from BRP, then down other side to MST, down Ruth’s Ridge and the Lower Sidehill Trail to cars. Second meeting place: Ingles Parking lot across from Biltmore Sq. on NC 191 at 8:45 AM. Topos: Enka, Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

ALL DAY NO. A0901-633 Feb. 1
Mackay Mtn. Roadless Area *9:00 AM
(moderate)
Hike 8, Drive 70, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Brent Martin, 828-369-7084, brent_martin@tws.org
*Note later start time. This hike will cover approximately 8 miles through remnant old growth forest with spectacular views of the Black Mtns. and surrounding area. About half of the hike will be along a ridgeline. Second meeting place: parking lot adjacent to McDonalds at Exit 64 of I-40 at 9:20 AM. Topo: Old Fort

Tuesday Feb. 3 - Scout of Feb. 15 hike: Janet Martin, 502-494-9309 (cell), jaykaymartin@msn.com

ALL DAY NO. A0901-282 Feb. 8
Black Mtn. – Avery Creek *8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 62, 3000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+
Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
P400 *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 8:30 AM. From the trailhead, we will climb steadily up to 4286 ft. Black Mtn. and Clawhammer Mtn. and then to Buckhorn Gap and Twin Falls, ending at FS 477. A great winter hike. Car shuttle. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

SATURDAY NO. A0901-280 Feb. 14
Art Loeb Trail/North Slope Trail 10:00 AM
Hike 7.5, Drive 60, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
P400 We start at the Davidson River Campground and ascend gradually on the Art Loeb Trail to the North Slope Connector. We'll eat lunch at the intersection before we start down the connector to the North Slope Trail. Then we have a lovely, easy stroll along the river to the cars. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station at 10:40 AM. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

ALL DAY NO. A0901-418 Feb. 15       Scout date: Wednesday February 3
Newton Bald – Kanati Fork 8:00 AM
Hike 11.5, Drive 120, 3600 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Janet Martin, 502-494-9309 (cell), jaykaymartin@msn.com
900M This great winter hike near Cherokee climbs Newton Bald, continues on Thomas Divide and then descends on Kanati Fork Trail. Nice scenery and even more fun if we hike up into snow-covered scenery. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: back of Post Office parking lot on US 276 in Maggie Valley at 8:30 AM, but call leader first. Topo: Clingman’s Dome; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map #229

Scout Report: The Feb 15 hike in the GSMNP was scouted on Sunday, Feb. 8.  The trail is in good condition.  A few areas were muddy due to snowmelt.  Due to heavy moisture and fog, views were limited.  Based on the weather forecast, the trail should be in top condition by Sunday. 

ALL DAY NO. A0901-634 Feb. 22
High Top Tower Site 8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 65, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary.avl@gmail.com
P400 This hike was a longtime favorite of the scouts at Camp Daniel Boone years ago when this leader was on the camp staff. From the camp we will ascend to High Top with its excellent views, and then follow the Fork Mtn. ridge before descending to the rushing Little East Fork of the Pigeon River. Car shuttle. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

Scout Report: I scouted the Fork Mtn hike with 5 other people. The hike begins with an hour and a half of continuous uphill on a new and somewhat muddy logging road. However, along it there are excellent views of the ridge that stretches from about Tennant to Cold Mtn. We started late, about 11:30, so people wanted to eat lunch when we got to the top of the ridge, aabout 1:15. We found a great lunch overlook with views over the ridge above Sunburst that goes over to Mt Hardy. I think that with an earlier start on Sunday we can go up to the former fire tower site. Susan and Bob Hysko stayed down in the gap. We went along the ridge (no snakes) to Birdstand Mtn, where my memory was of a short trail that dropped off, then joined an old logging road. We didn't find that trail, but that didn't matter, we just dropped off the ridge trail and quickly found the old logging road. The turn to the left rather than right turned out well. It led back along the side of the ridge we had come along, gradually down, and came out a short distance above the Camp. Everybody seemed happy. I haven't decided whether to go the right or the left on Sunday.   Tom

SATURDAY NO. A0901-019 Feb. 28
Winter Plant ID hike *8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 20, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Becky Smucker, 828-298-5013, bsmucker@charter.net
P400 *Note later start time. This moderate-paced hike is designed for identification of plants in the winter. Bring magnifying glasses if you have them. We’ll hike the MST between the French Broad River Overlook and a little beyond Walnut Cove, stopping often to look at various plants along the way. Limited to 15 people; contact leader for reservation. Topo: Skyland also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780 and MST Profiles book, pg. 57

ALL DAY NO. A0901-635 March 1
Deep Creek – Pole Rd. Creek – Noland Divide *7:30 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 17, Drive 136, 3200 ft. ascent, Rated AA+-AA+
Don Gardner, 828-754-4067, gardog3@bellsouth.net
900M *Note early start time. This very strenuous hike is designed to get some of those difficult 900M miles. Plan on a long day of hiking and bring a headlamp or flashlight in case we return later than expected. We will go up beautiful Deep Creek trail and turn steeply uphill on the Pole Road Creek trail to Upper Sassafras Gap. From here we’ll hike mostly downhill on the Noland Divide trail to Deep Creek Campground. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Rest area on US 23/74 beyond Waynesville at 8:00 AM. Topos: Bryson City, Clingman’s Dome; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNBP map #229

ALL DAY NO. A0901-236 March 1
Dupont Forest –Fawn Lake P.L. #1 *8:30 AM
(moderate)
Hike 8, Drive 95, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Jay Bretz, 828-658-1220, williambretz1220@msn.com
*Note later start time. A moderate hike featuring beautiful waterfalls and lakes. We’ll see Corn Mill Shoals, Bridal Veil Falls, Lake Julia and Fawn Lake at an easy pace. The last time we did this hike, we saw an otter at the lunch spot. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 9:05 AM. Topo: Standingstone Mtn.; also Dupont Forest trail map

------------------- Daylight Savings Time - Set your clocks ahead Saturday night -------------------------
ALL DAY NO. A0901-332 March 8      Scout date: Thursday March 5th - meet at 8:30 AM - call.
Foothills Trail: Upper and Lower Whitewater Falls    *8:30 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 11.6, Drive 115, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Charlie Ferguson, 828-625-2677, ccf108@gmail.com
*NOTE: First day of Daylight Savings time. The later start time turns out to be earlier due to DST. Come to hike in the warm weather at the lower elevations! We’ll hike part of the Foothills Trail in NC and SC, featuring two of the region’s most stunning waterfalls. We will begin at the Upper Whitewater Falls parking lot, and hike to the footbridge over the Thompson River. We’ll partially retrace our steps, then take the side trail to Lower Whitewater Falls, and finish at the Duke Power Co. Bad Creek parking lot. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 9:00 AM. Topos: Reid, Cashiers; also Foothills Trail map

Scout Report: Carroll, Stuart English, Stuart Tauber and Charlie scouted this on Thursday.  The trails were all in good condition.  Dry, no ice or snow. well maintained.  It's a great hike.  11.6 miles and 2400 feet of ascent which is 800 feet more than previously advertised.  Make sure that you want to deal with the increased ascent.  These are two of the most spectacular falls in the eastern US. The view is several hundred feet away from the falls but very pretty. Of course most of the time we will be on the 11 miles of trails, mostly through the forest and alongside Whitewater River.  There are short sections of steep or rocky trail.  Lunch on the rocks at Thompson river.  Optional supper together after the hike in Brevard.

SATURDAY NO. A0901-256 March 14
Moore Cove Figure-8 Loop *10:00 AM
Hike 7, Drive 70, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Jan Onan, 828-698-3237, janonan@bellsouth.net
P400 This moderate double-loop trail follows two old USFS paths. There are a couple of short steep sections and two minor creek crossings. There is a good view of Looking Glass Rock from near Bennett Gap, and other views visible only in the winter. *Meet at Westgate at 10:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at the Pisgah Ranger Station on US 276 at 10:40 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

Scout Report: The Moore Cove scout was done on 2/27. We came across a lot of new blow downs and sawed some of the branches, so passing is no problem. At the 'X' of the figure 8 center, make the immediate left. The stream crossing was no problem and shortly after that the trail 'Ts'. That is where the red sign that looks like an LP with an arrow is nailed on a tree. Turn right, and follow that trail past a waterfall (up pretty steep for a while) and finally come to a flatter area where the flatness of a gravel road is visible ahead. The trail goes up to it. A tree by the road is wrapped with an orange ribbon. Turn right on the road until it T’s. (there is a large tree down blocking part of the road) Here is where we added about a mile to the original hike and walked left, then right to a good overlook and then back. When we arrived back, turn left (around the big tree) and walk until a large wide opening were the road goes left, but looks as if the road ends. The log stairs are on the right, marked with 2 color tapes (one pink, one orange)The hike on this path (blue blaze) offers beautiful views on a clear day going down to the "X' of the figure 8. Following around the trail to the left, go down following the blue blaze till the waterfalls of Moore Cove are heard. At this point, cross two creeks and turn left to walk under the waterfall, then turn around and follow the yellow blaze 7/10ths of a mile to the trailhead.

ALL DAY NO. A0901-056 March 15
Black Mountain Ramble 8:00 AM
Hike 9.4, Drive 60, 2800 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Michael & Kathy Cornn, 828-698-3672, mcornn@aol.com
P400 This great winter hike starts at Turkey Pen parking area, then over Sharpy Mtn. and around Black Mtn., ending at the Pisgah Maintenance parking lot. A long uphill, but with good views from our lunch spot at Black Mtn. Second Meeting place: Intersection of NC 280 and Turkey Pen Rd. at 8:30 AM. Car shuttle. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780

ALL DAY NO. A0901-629 March 22
Rough Creek – Canton Watershed *8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 54, 2200 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Lenny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, lsberns@att.net
*Note later start time. The town of Canton has recently built trails in its watershed and opened the area to hikers. Come and join the leader in exploring this new hiking area, on a loop hike mostly on old roads and with nice views. We should see some early spring flowers and who knows what else. Topo: Canton

Scout Report: The old Canton Watershed has a network of old roads which they turned into a set of hiking and biking trails. The trails form a circle with lots of spokes. We took the West Boundary trail where we followed cleared farm land across a fence line. At one point, two horses came to see if we had anything to offer them. In the distance, we had outstanding views of mountain ranges. Though we took several steep side trails, we could not really extend the hike much beyond 8 to 9 miles. We only saw one person, a young man with a dog. (Dogs are not allowed in the watershed). A great new hike not too far from Asheville.

But it is what happened when we got back to our cars that made it more exciting than I wanted. A young man with a baby in his arms got out of his van (with California plates) and asked us if we had seen his wife, a woman with a dog. We recognized her as the woman we met hours ago. This young couple live in the housing development just outside the watershed. She had gone out for a "walk" with (you guessed it) no map, no compass but she had a cell phone. Amazingly, it worked and she called her husband to tell him that she was lost. There were so many intersections. I talked to her on the phone and thought I knew where she was and told her to come downhill. But she had been going downhill for a while and she didn't recognize where she was. There are no blazes and few carsonite wands. Her husband was so worried and asked us what he should do. I told him not to panic and certainly not to call 911 yet. "If you call 911, you will unleash a response with 50 searchers, dogs, EMT and heaven knows what else that you will not be able to stop. It's still early in the day and your wife is obviously fine." Reluctantly, I put on my boots and went back up the trail to the first major intersection, blowing my whistle the whole time. I found her and took her back down to her car and her husband. On the way down, I told her that I had earned the right to lecture her about going out without a map, a compass, just because it was her neighborhood. I also told her to join a hiking club and gave her a CMC application form.

SATURDAY NO. A0901-270 March 28
Cedar Rock Mtn.- John Rock Loop *9:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Victoria Tripp, 828-348-4505, torrose@gmail.com
P400 *Note later start time. This trip features two of the spectacular bare rock faces in the Pisgah National 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 enjoying the view. We’ll return via John Rock. Second meeting place: Pisgah Fish Hatchery at 9:40 AM. Topo: Shining Rock.

ALL DAY NO. A0901-636 March 29
Coontree-Bennett Gap-Pressley Cove Lollipop *9:00 AM
Hike 8.4, Drive 75, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@mchsi.com
P400 * Note later start time. Meet at Westgate at 9:00 AM to form carpools to accommodate an optional post-hike supper near Brevard, and meet the leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:30 AM. This hike is an extension of the popular half-day Coontree Loop hike. We start ascending the left branch of Coontree trail, proceed in and out on Bennett Gap and Pressley Cove trails and descend on the right branch of Coontree trail to the cars. We will visit an old homestead chimney, a remnant of the farming community between Pressley Cove and Maxwell Cove. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map #780