Note:  Due to this Winter's weather, road and trail conditions hikes may have to change on short notice.  Last minute changes may not be updated on these schedules.  As long as road conditions are safe the leader will try to be at the meeting places and discuss any changes.  Some changes may involve driving quite a distance to a suitable hiking area.  If it is important to know where the hike is actually going to be please contact the hike leader.

HALF-DAY NO. H1001-685 Jan. 3  HIKE CANCELLED DUE TO ICE.
North Slope Loop Trail *12:30 PM
Hike 4.5, Drive 65, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Lucy Prim, 828-693-6580, 32lucette@gmail.com
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate and meet hike leader at Pisgah Ranger Station, US 276 at 1:15 PM. A short pleasant hike starts at the Pisgah Ranger Station, goes up the North Slope Ridge, and back along the Davidson River.

HALF-DAY NO. H1001-320 Jan. 17
Warren Wilson College *12:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 6, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Bobbi Powers, 828-667-5419, bobbip@netzero.net
*Only meeting place: Folk Art Center back parking lot at 12:30 PM. We’ll do two in-and-out strolls, each beginning and ending at the Swannanoa River Bridge on the Warren Wilson Campus. We’ll hike both the River Trail to Old Farm School Road and the Upper River Trail, ending at the Charles D. Owen Park meander along the Swannanoa River. We’ll see a grove of giant bamboo and the College farm, as well as enjoy the scenic river.

HALF-DAY NO. H1001-640 Feb. 7 (Possible different hike this day!  Too much ice and snow for a half day hike.)
Walker’s Knob - Montreat *12:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 40, 1800 ft. ascent Rated C-A
Nonmembers, call leader, Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, rerikkers@aol.com
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Ingles parking lot at Exit 64 on I-40 at 12:20 PM. We shall hike Greybeard Trail up to Walker’s Knob and back. The hike is a steady 1800 ft. climb with a wonderful view of the Montreat and Black Mountain Valley at Walker’s Knob.

HALF-DAY NO. H1001-295 Feb. 14
Lover’s Leap/Pump Gap Loop 12:30 PM
Hike 4.6 miles, Drive 70, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
(If you are coming from Weaverville, call hike leader about possible second meeting place). Beginning at the NOC parking lot on the French Broad River, hike the Appalachian Trail to Lover’s Leap and views of the river and mountains beyond Hot Springs, then continue to intersection with Pump Gap Trail. Return to starting point via Pump Gap Trail and Silvermine Road.

HALF-DAY NO. H1001-687 Feb. 21
Chambers Mountain 1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 50, Rated C-A
Nonmembers, call leader, Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net
LTC We shall hike up an old Jeep road to the tower on this prominent peak near Clyde. On a clear day, expect some of the best views in western North Carolina. Topo: Clyde

Scout Report:  After three weather cancellations, this hike was scouted on 2/16. This hike is short (4 miles) but the steady and somewhat steep 1200' climb to the summit of Chambers Mtn. will give hikers a workout. The hike follows the access road to the summit; snow was about 4" deep, with rime ice near the top. Views are spectacular from the trail and especially from the summit and tower. The tower may be climbed for an even better view.  There is parking for only one car at the trailhead, which will require hikers to park farther down the hill and shuttle up to the trailhead.  reported by Bruce Bente

HALF-DAY NO. H1001-015  Feb. 28
MST - Rt 74A to Rt 25     1:00 PM
Hike 4.6, Drive 16, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary.avl@gmail.com
An easy hike along the MST along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. This hike is a change from the description in Lets Go because of the closing of the BRP.  It is one that everyone in Asheville should know for a short, moderate  and quickly accessible leg-stretcher.  We will begin at US 74A and follow a pleasant stretch of the MST and finish at US 25 .   Second Meeting Place: Junction of Rt 74A and the Parkway, on the Parkway 1:15 PM