HIKE SCHEDULE
First Quarter 2003
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.
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.
Driving distance is round-trip from
Half Day hikes submitted by Elisabeth Feil, 684-8719. For the next schedule,
please call Anita and Richard Walkey, 681-2967, with suggestions. Leaders: Mail
sign-up sheets to this quarter's scheduler. Meet at Westgate unless otherwise
noted.
Half Day No. 8017 Jan. 12
Craven Gap to
Folk Art Center 1:30 PM
Hike 5.4, drive 14, ratedC-C
Jorge Munoz, 658-0606
jmunoz@buncombe.main.nc.us
A pleasant winter hike with good views from Haw Creek Overlook. Car shuttle.
Only meeting place Folk Art Center.
Half Day No. 8018 Jan. 19
Blue Wall Passage of the
Palmetto Trail 11:30 AM
Hike 4, drive 120, rated C-AA
Mary Swain, 828-863-2125
Note early start time. Mary has found a new hike in the easternmost portion of
the Blue Ridge Escarpment in South Carolina. It's a strenuous climb, but Mary
promised to take it slowly so we can enjoy the beautiful views. Leader will
meet group at second meeting place: Ingles at Landrum Exit (I-26, Exit 1 in SC)
at 12:30 PM.
Half Day No. 8019 Jan. 26
Chambers Mountain 1:30 PM
Hike 5, drive 50, rated C-B
Pete Steurer, 891-9802
msteurer@asheville.cc.nc.us
The group will hike up a jeep road to the tower on this prominent peak near
Clyde, with sweeping views of Haywood County and the Great Smokies. On a clear
day some of the best views in Western North Carolina.
Half Day No. 8020 Feb. 2
Sycamore Cove 1:30 PM
Hike 5, drive 70, rated C-B
Heinz and Elisabeth Feil, 684-8719
hofeil@brinet.com
This used to be Dottie Burton's hike. The trail starts near the Ranger Station,
leads up a ridge and then back down through the beautiful cove. Second meeting
place: Pisgah Ranger Station at 2:15 PM.
Half Day No. 8021 Feb. 9
East Fork, Pigeon River 12:30 PM
Hike 5-6, drive 90, rated C-C
Richard and Anita Walkey, 681-2967
walkey@juno.com
Note early start time. An in-and-out walk along one of Western NC's most
beautiful rushing streams, perhaps ringed with ice and snow. We'll see how far
we get within the ime limits, but hopefully to a large rock in the middle of
the river. Second meeting place: Big East Fork parking area on US 276 north of
the Blue Ridge Parkway, at 2:30 PM.
Half Day No. 8022 Feb. 16
Sams Gap to Streets Gap 12:30 PM
Hike 5.2, drive 65, rated C-B
Heinz and Elisabeth Feil, 684-8719
hofeil@brinet.com
Note earlier start time. Let's try again after the rain-out in the fall. With a
bit of luck we will have a pleasant walk on the A.T. with excellent views from
an old pasture just above Streets Gap. Moderate. Car shuttle.
Half Day No. 8023 Feb. 23
Swannanoa River Ramble Noon
Hike 4-5, drive 20, rated C-C
Diane Hankins, 298-2870 (before 9 p.m.)
Note the early start time. Leisurely paced hike at Warren Wilson Collge
includes the River Trail and Dam Pasture Trail through the woods to an old dam
site. Suitable for anyone over 10 years old (those under 18 MUST be accompanied
by adult.) Only meeting place is Oteen Ingles parking lot at the post office
flag pole.
Half Day Hike No. 8024 March 2
Sam's Gap to
Hogback Ridge Shelter 1:30 PM
Hike 4.5, drive 65, rated C-B
Neal Andreae, 698-2546
nandreae@gowebway.com
This is a retry of another washed-out hike. We'll walk in and out on the
Appalachian Trail. Maybe a little snow will make the woods sparkle. Moderate.
Half Day Hike No. 8025 March 9
Daniel Ridge Loop 1:30 PM
Hike 4, drive 70, rated C-C
Laura and Ned Stallard, 697-1579
This pleasant, moderate hike follows the Davidson River for about half a mile.
Then, after an easy climb over the ridge, we’ll go down to spectacular
waterfalls with a 90 foot drop. Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station at
about 2:15 PM.
Half Day No. 8026 March 16
Douglas Falls Trail 1:00 PM
Hike 4-5, drive 60, rated C-B
Howard Mc Donald, 693-8258
hamcdonald@cytechcis.net
Note the early starting time. This in-and-out hike goes first to spectacular
Douglas Falls and maybe under the falls. Then uphill to cascades as far as we
want to go. Moderate. Topo: Montreat, Craggy Pinnacle.
Half Day Hike No. 8027 March 23
Raven Cliff Falls 1:30 PM
Hike 5, drive about 40, rated C-C.
Rusty Breeding, 692-0359
bree@ioa.com
Views toward South Carolina and maybe early spring flowers. Destination:
Overlook of Raven Cliff Falls. All uphill on return trip. First meeting place:
BiLo shopping center in Pisgah Forest (US 64, US 276, and NC 280), at 1:30 PM.
Second Meeting place: Raven Cliffs parking lot on US 276, just south of the
NC/SC state line.
Half Day Hike No. 8028 March 30
Carl Sandburg/Big Glassy 1:30 PM
Hike 4, drive 45, rated C-C
Boyd Brasington, 254-8675
We will hike to the lookout atop Big Glassy and maybe come back down by the
goat pens. Meet at Westgate Shopping Center.
Half Day Hike No. 8029 April 6
Slate Rock Creek—Pilot Cove 1:30 PM
Hike 6, drive 60, rated B-C
Bruce Bente, 692-0116,
bbente@cytechusa,com
This is a moderate hike up beautiful Slate Rock Creek trail, returning via
Pilot Cove loop trail. We should see some early wildflowers in bloom. Short car
shuttle. Second meeting place: Mills River Recreation Area parking lot at 2:10
PM.