Half Day Sunday Hikes
Half-day hikes submitted by Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253, paularww@bellsouth.net . Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center (Exit 3B off I-240) near I-240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings.
HALF DAY No. H0501-429 Jan. 9
Hard Times Road to Rocky Cove Road to Bent Creek Road 1:15 PM
Hike 5, Drive 15, Rated C-C
Pat Elias, 828-687-1651 peliasy@aol.com
P400 Note early start time. We will hike from the Arboretum recreation parking lot in an easy loop. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot on NC 191 opposite Biltmore Square Mall at 1:30 PM; from there we will carpool with those who have Arboretum parking privileges.
HALF DAY No. H0501-430 Jan. 16
Green River Game Lands –
Long Ridge loop 12:30 PM*
Hike 5, Drive 70, Rated C-C
Becky Elston, 828-749-1886 belston@cytechusa.com
Note early start time. We will hike the Long Ridge/Turkey Gut/Stair Step trails to form a five-mile loop. There should be nice winter views of Mt. Tryon and other mountains. Join hike leader for dinner at Cracker Barrel after the hike. *Meet at Westgate at 12:30 PM to form carpools, and meet the leader at Cracker Barrel off I-26, exit 53 at 1:00 PM at the NW corner of the parking lot.
HALF DAY No. H0501-004 Jan. 23
Glassmine Falls to Greybeard
Overlook and return 1:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 55, Rated C-C
Marlene Santa Maria, 828-299-9095
Note early start time. Great winter views of the high peaks on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, weather permitting. If the Parkway is closed, we will hike a section of the MST in the Asheville area.
HALF DAY No. H0501-431 Jan. 30
Chestnut Cove to MST to
Sleepy Gap to Explorer Trail Loop 1:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 20, Rated C-C
Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253 (before 9 PM) paularww@bellsouth.net
P400 Note early start time. This loop hike off the Bent Creek Gap Road has some steep uphill climbs in the beginning but is otherwise easy. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot on NC 191 opposite Biltmore Square Mall at 1:15 PM.
HALF DAY No. H0501-432 Feb. 6
Montreat toll road loop 12:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 40, 1,000-ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192 danny@hikertohiker.org
Note early start time. We will start by hiking up the Graybeard Trail, which has been partly relocated to parallel the creek, up to the toll road. Once on the toll road, it is down, down, down with some beautiful views. We will end up on the Montreat campus and may stop at the chapel for a look at the frescoes. There is one small steep section and four stream crossings on rocks. The leader reserves the right to change the hike to suit the weather.
HALF DAY No. H0501-433 Feb. 13
Mill Ridge Ramble 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 65, Rated C-C
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327 mel&tgs@main.nc.us
We will go through woods and along woods roads but also along some official trails in the area between Mill Ridge and Pump Gap. No steep uphills, just some great walking and views into the Big Laurel-French Broad River valleys.
HALF DAY No. H0501-320 Feb. 20
Swannanoa River Ramble Noon
Hike 5.5, Drive 20, Rated C-C
Diane Hankins, 828-298-2870 (before 9 PM)
Note early start time. Leisurely paced hike at Warren Wilson College includes the River Trail and Dam Pasture Trail through the woods to an old dam site. Suitable for anyone over 10 years of age (Those under 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult.). Only meeting place is Oteen Ingles (near the VA Hospital on Tunnel Road) parking lot at the Post Office flagpole.
HALF DAY No. H0501-434 Feb. 27
Laurel Mountain Trail 12:45 PM*
Hike 5.4, Drive 40, Rated C-C
Greg Goodman 828-684-9703
This in-and-out hike will start from FR-1206 and go along some old logging roads with moderate ascents up Black Mountain to Rich Gap, where there will be nice views of the North Mills River Valley. *Meet at Westgate at 12:45 PM to form carpools, and meet the leader at the North Mills River Recreation Area at 1:30 PM.
HALF DAY No. H0501-040 Mar. 6
Mountains-to-the-Sea Trail
in Marion 1:00 PM
Hike 4.8, Drive 60, 1500 ft ascent, Rated C-B
Don Walton, 828-654-9904 DonWalton@bellsouth.net
Note early start time. We will spot cars, then hike along the MST from Woodlawn Picnic Area down to the North Fork of the Catawba River, where we will see the recently completed footbridge spanning the river. This bridge cost about $200,000 and is the largest foot bridge on the MST. If we are lucky the rare Turkey Beard flower will be out. We will go out on the Forest Service road to Creek Road. Second meeting place: McDonalds at exit 64 of I-40 at 1:20 PM. Topo: Little Switzerland
HALF DAY No. H0501-435 March 13
Turkey Pen – Pea Gap ramble 1:30 PM*
Hike 5-6, Drive 50, 700 ft. ascent, rated C-C
Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116 bbente@cytechusa.com
P400 This will be a moderate hike in the Turkey Pen area. We'll cross the S. Mills River pedestrian bridge, and hike up the beautiful Pounding Mill trail and return on the Mullinax Trail. No river crossings and we may see some early flowers. *Meet at Westgate to form carpools at 1:30 PM, and meet leader at Turkey Pen parking lot at 2:00 PM. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also National Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map.
HALF DAY No. H0501-436 Mar. 20
Mt. Pisgah from Pisgah Inn 1:30 PM
Hike 4.5, Drive 36, 700 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Elisabeth Feil 828-684-7819 hofeil@brinet.com
P400 This is a moderate in-and-out hike. There will be a short car shuttle. If the Parkway is closed, we'll hike the MST from the French Broad River Bridge about two miles uphill and return via the Hard Times Trail.
HALF DAY No. H0501-437 March 27
Slate Rock Creek-Pilot Cove 1:00 PM
Hike 6, Drive 60, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Ruth Hartzler,828-251-0886 ruthmtn@aol.com
P400 Note early start time. This is a moderate hike up beautiful Slate Rock Creek Trail, returning via Pilot Cove Loop Trail. We’ll hope to spot early wildflowers. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Mills River Recreation Area parking lot at
1:30 PM.
HALF DAY No. H0501-297 Apr. 3
Sam’s Gap to Hog Back Ridge
Shelter and return 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 50, Rated C-C
Jane and Lew Blodgett, 828-274-7863
This moderate in-and-out hike on a section of the Appalachian Trail is easily accessible off the new portion of I-26. Early spring wild flowers should be in bloom.