Scout Report:  This is an especially easy and pleasant walk alongside the Swannanoa River and pastures near Warren Wilson College. If the weather is snowy or icy in January it will be perfect as the trails are at low altitude, well worn and not likely to be slippery. There is plenty of parking at Charles D.Owen Park near the trailhead, and restrooms also. Follow the road into the park all the way to the end. You’ll see a shelter on the right.  I scouted the first part of the hike in November with my husband to see if the east part of the trail connected all the way to the west part as the maps I had indicated it did not. It does however. I scouted the west part by myself the day after Thanksgiving. I never saw the old dam, but did catch sight of cows, a few houses and many views of the river and the streams that pour into it.  The address for Charles D. Owen park is:  875 Warren Wilson Road, Swannanoa, NC

Scout Report: 1-11-10. Sunny High 38. Four of us scouted to the summit of Cedar Rock Mtn. by the Cat Gap Trail counter clockwise.The hike will be 9.25 miles long and 2,200 ft ascent. It has a few waterfalls including Cedar Rock Creek Falls (WC 100) and Grogan Falls and outstanding views. There was a blowdown on Butter Gap Trail but passable. The problem was both sides of Cat Gap Trail and the ridge lines route we used for bushwhacking to Cedar Rock Mtn. were covered with ice and snow and it was especially slippery when we did a steep descent almost all the way to the end of our hike! We took the Horse Cove Rd. to finish the loop. A set of poles and ice cleats are recommended. If the trail conditions remains as it is on the 20th I might have to reschedule this hike to later date when the weather is nicer.  Cabela's has some cleats at a reasonable price http://www.cabelas.com/p-0072290831289a.shtml.  Sawako.   We decided to hike up to the top of Cedar Rock which added a gradual 500 feet of extra climbing to the hike and a steep descent down the the Art Loeb trail at Sandy Gap.  Sawako will decide on the day of the hike whether to do this extra climb.  I thought it was well worth while. Sawako enjoyed hearing Dave's pointers about leading hikes.  Charlie

 

Scout Report: Tim Hawkins and I scouted this Wednesday's hike on Friday the 12th.  The first quarter mile was very icy and forced us to walk on the side of the trail.  Cleats or crampons would have been a big help.  After that the trail improves somewhat with a few passable blow downs along the way.  There is significant show cover at high elevations.  Due to the trail conditions and the time, we were unable to go beyond Rich Knob, a mile and half short of Lane Pinnacle.  This section is a ridge walk which probably has deep snow in the gullies and much less on the peaks.  Bob Hysko

WEDNESDAY NO. W1001-335 Mar. 3
Green Ridge and Fork Ridge Trail on the AT 8:30 AM
Hike 10.5, Drive 90, 3000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Charlie Ferguson, 828-625-2677, ccf108@gmail.com
This strenuous hike in the Shelton Laurel-Carmen area climbs alongside Dry Creek with an attractive waterfall. You will be surrounded by beautiful woods and mountains while you climb up to the AT. On the AT, we will see the Shelton gravesites, the views from Big Butt and maybe a few early AT thru-hikers. After lunch at Jerry Cabin Shelter, we'll descend via the Fork Ridge Trail. Second meeting place: Jct US 25/70 & NC 208 at 9:15 AM. Topo: Greystone, Flag Pond; NatGeo map #782

Scout Report:  I tried to scout this on Sunday.  The hike started with a few spots of snow on the ground.  After a few hundred feet of climbing there was two or three inches of soft snow which was not a problem.  If the rest of the trails were like that it would be OK, but I wasn't optimistic.  About half way up the initial 2400 foot climb I was in 6-8 inches of snow.  I kept going because I wanted to get to the top of Green Ridge Knob.  About 2 tenths of a mile from the top, I was in foot deep snow with some patches of 18 inch snow.  The snow on top of a very steep climb was very tiring.  Now I was facing two to three foot drifts and no sign of the trail.  That was my limit.  The rest of the hike, 8 miles, would probably be in snow like that.  The walk back down was easier, of course but I felt as though I had hiked 10 miles and 5000 feet.  The scout was 5.8 miles and 2300 feet of climbing.  The weather forecasts indicate clouds and cool temperatures so I don't ecpect the snow situation to change much there.  I don't plan on leading this hike on March 3.  I will pick another one, perhaps one on the beach in Florida.

We're going to hike from Garenflo Gap on the AT to the Silvermine parking area.  The trail has been recently cleared of trees by our maintenance crews.  Charlie

Hi again.  It snowed a lot today and the roads here are getting icy.  The temperature is going down and the roads are going to be ice tomorrow.  I am doubtful about being able to get to Asheville.  Tish says that the roads are OK in Hot Springs.  She will meet people at the junction of 208 and 25/70 at 9:10.  If I can get to Westgate I will be there at 8:30.  If I am not there and you want to hike, go meet Tish at 9:10.  Charlie

Scout Report:  Charlie Ferguson, Jeanie, Lee Silver and her husband Mike accompanied me on Saturday Feburary 27 to scout the Moonshine Cave Falls and Dismal Trail (#458) which will be done March 10. We started at the Raven Cliff Falls parking lot on hwy 276 a little after 10:00. The actual hike will be an in and out, going from there to Moonshine Cave / Moonshine Cave Falls, for a round trip distance of 9.9 miles and a descent / ascent of 2500 feet. For the scout, we did a shuttle and ended up at the Asbury Hills Youth Camp, farther south on hwy 276. The day was georgeous, and we were warmed by the sun as we ate lunch at the falls under the overhang of Moonshine Cave. Several rusty barrels were proof of the cave's former use to produce moonshine. A great day to be out!  Hikers who plan to come on March 10 should be prepared for a steep descent, then more gradual descent, to the falls, and then a rigorous climb back to the cars - 2500 feet worth of rigorous climb! The Raven Cliff Falls parking lot charges a $2.00 per person charge for parking there, so be sure to have cash to put in the envelope.  The regular meeting place is Westgate and we'll carpool from there, but if you choose to drive to the second meeting place, please follow these directions. For drivers who come northbound on hwy 276, the Raven Cliff Falls parking lot is about 3 miles past the Caesars Head State Park visitor center, which is marked with a sign. If coming southbound, the sign is facing the other way, but it is 1.7 miles from where you cross the SC state line. If the weather is bad, especially if meeting the group at the parking lot in SC, please call me to make sure the hike is still on. My home phone is 828.738.3395 and cell phone is 828.460.7066.  Barbara

  

Scout Report: Charlie, Jeanie, Lee, Barbara, Mary Beth, Sawako, Paula, Jay and Chuck joined me on Monday March 10th to scout the Jones Gap Trail / Coldspring Loop.  We started at the Jones Gap Visitor Center at 9:45am We took Jones Gap Trail ( blue blaze ) and after we cross on the first bridge we took a little trip to Jones Gap Falls ( only 1 minute walk from the main trail ). Water falls looked beautiful.  We continue on this constant gradual ascent for 5 miles.
We made a left turn onto Tom Miller Trail and we had to walk on slippery ice/snow surface on steep climb for another 1/2 mile to our lunch spot We arrived at lunch spot at 1:05pm.  Sun was so warm while we ate lunch.  We stayed on this trail until we came to the Raven Cliff Falls parking lot on 276.  From here, we return on Coldspring Trail ( orange blaze ) for 2.5 miles until we joined back to Jones Gap Trail.   We counted about 20 creek crossing including all small ones. All of them had a nice rock arrangement for us to use. Total distance was 11 miles and elevation change was 1950ft.  It was more difficult and physically demanding hike.  We returned to our car at 4:15pm, but I expect it may take little longer if I have more people on real hike.  Please note that there is a $2.00 charge per person, which we have to put in an envelope before we start our hike, to use State park.  Remember to bring some one doller bills for this.  I would like to start this hike on time, so please come to two meeting spots in time.  If you have any questions, call me at 828 628-2396 or 828 231-2126. Keiko

WEDNESDAY NO. W1001-398 Mar. 31
Sunburst- Green Knob - Haywood Gap Trails *8:30 AM
Hike 9.2, Drive 75, 3200 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Charlie Ferguson, 828-625-2677, ccf108@gmail.com
P400 This very strenuous and difficult hike will start with an initial very steep mile (up to 45 degree incline) to Green Knob and its spectacular views, then we’ll do a short bushwhack down to the Buckeye Gap Trail. We’ll return on the seldom-hiked lower Haywood Gap Trail returning to the Sunburst Campground. There are two wet crossings - one half calf deep and one about 5 inches unless thare has been a lot of rain. *Wilderness area limited to ten people. Call leader for reservation. Second meeting place: Trailhead at Sunburst at 9:30 AM, but call leader first. Topo: Sam Knob; also NatGeo map #780