ALL DAY No. A0602-137 June 25 Roans above 6000’ 8:00 AM Hike 9, Drive 150, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net SB6K A beautiful AT hike with some of WNC’s finest views. Expect rhododendrons and flame azaleas to be in bloom, with perhaps an early Gray’s lily. From Carver’s Gap we’ll go north to Grassy Ridge (6160 ft.), then double back south to Roan High Knob (6285 ft.) and the vista from Roan High Bluff (6287 ft.). Topo: Carvers Gap; also Nat’l. Geo. South Holston & Watauga Lakes map
ALL DAY. No. A0602-475 July 2 Hump Mountain from Yellow Mtn. Gap 8:30 AM* Hike 9, Drive 130, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA Amy Treverton, 828-298-1882, athikerbabe@yahoo.com *Note later start time. We will hike from Roaring Creek Road to Yellow Mountain Gap at which point we join the AT, along an open ridge to Little Hump Mt and on to Hump Mt where will have lunch on a grassy bald at 5587 ft. We return to Yellow Mt Gap and take the Overmountain Victory Loop back to the cars. The fabulous vistas and meadows full of flowers make the drive and moderately strenuous hike very much worth while. Topos: Carver's Gap, White Rocks Mtn.
Half Day SundayHALF-DAY No. H0602-347 June 25 Twin Falls 12:40 PM*Hike 6, Drive 80, 1000 ft ascent
Rated B-BStuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
P400 *Note early start time. This is a moderate hike in the Pisgah National Forest, starting on the Buckhorn Gap Trail, taking the Twin Falls Bypass to view two nice waterfalls and completing a loop on a Forest Service Road and the Clawhammer Cove Trail. *Meet at Westgate at 12:40 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station at 1:15 PM.
HALF-DAY No. H0602-064 July 2 Fletcher Creek via Spencer Branch Trail 1:00 PM*Hike 6, Drive 6, Rated B-CGreg Goodman, 828-684-9703
P400 *Note early start time. From the Trace Ridge Trailhead, we will hike in a moderate loop along the Big Creek Trail, past the Hendersonville Reservoir, and along the Spencer Branch, Middle Fork and Fletcher Creek Trails. There will be a few stream crossings. *Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at pull-out just before Mills River Recreation Area at 1:30 PM.
All Day WednesdayWEDNESDAY No. W0602-165 June 21 Mt. Le Conte via Boulevard, Alum Cave Trails
8:00 AM Hike 13, Drive 150, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA Ted Connors, 828-697-7166, tcconnors@mchsi.com
SB6K, 900M This great hike features 6593 ft. Mt. Le Conte and good views from the AT,
Boulevard Trail, our lunch spot at Cliff Top overlook, and the Alum Cave Trail.
Topos: Clingman’s Dome, Mt. Le Conte; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map
WEDNESDAY NO. W0602-035
Looking Glass Rock
June 28
8:00 AM Hike 6, Drive 70, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated C-A
Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886,
ruthmtn@charter.net
A moderately difficult well-graded trail leads to the top of this interesting pluton.
There are excellent viewpoints from the overlook at the end of the trail just beyond the summit.
From the top of Looking Glass, we will identify the location of a proposed USFS timber sale in the vicinity of Case Camp Ridge.
The proposed sale involves timber on 165 acres viewable from Looking Glass.
Second meeting place: Pisgah Ranger Station on US 276 at
8:35 AM. This is a change from the listing in Let's Go.
ALL DAY No. A0602-517 June 11 South Mills River Ramble 8:00 AM* Hike 11.5, Drive 70, 2500 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Tom Bindrim and Joan Lemire, 828-273-3880 P400 A nice ramble at a moderate pace, including Funneltop, Cantrell Creek and the Rigby Cutoff. Some off-trail hiking. Bring extra food in case we get back later than expected. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leaders at the Bi-Lo parking lot in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
Tom Bindrim led 9 hikers on an long and interesting hike that was over half bushwhacking. We started at the Pisgah Gauging Station parking lot, then hiked uphill through the woods to the summit of Funneltop (a nice rest spot to sit on large logs and enjoy the breeze). The route then followed Shooting Ridge through the "football field" (a football-sized clearing in the forest), Ted's Intervening Peak and Rich Mtn., then down to the Squirrel Gap Trail, a bushwhack up to FS 5018, and down the Horse Cove Trail back to the Squirrel Gap Trail. We finished on the Rigby Cutoff and South Mills River Trail, getting back to our cars at 7:15pm. Supper afterwards at the Pisgah Fish Camp was enjoyed by a number of the hikers.
A very interesting part of this hike was a couple of miles through areas that had burned in April 2006, and to see how quickly nature recovers from a fire. The ground was covered by healthy ferns in one area, and mountain laurels that looked dead had vigorous new growth from the base. -reported for Tom Bindrim by Bruce Bente
BACKPACK No. A0602-220 June 17-18 Gregory Bald Backpack Hike 15.7, Drive 250, 3500 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA+ Linda Beja, 828-293-3849, lrbeja@earthlink.net 900M This overnight backpack is timed to see the world-renowned flame azaleas at the peak of bloom. [See www.tjhsst.edu/~dhyatt/azaleas/new/gregoryhybrids.html for more info and photos] From the Twentymile trailhead, this loop hike ascends on the Wolf Ridge trail to Parson Bald, then Sheep Pen Campsite (6.8 mls.). After over-nighting at Sheep Pen, we’ll hike to Gregory Bald to see the flame azaleas and breath-taking views of Cades Cove, Thunderhead and other Smokies peaks. We’ll return on the Long Hungry Ridge and Twentymile trails (8.9 mls.), passing by beautiful Twentymile Creek cascade. Teva’s or water shoes are suggested for the six water crossings on Wolf Ridge trail. Meeting place and time: Phone the leader to reserve your place and for meeting place and time. Topos: Fontana Dam, Cades Cove; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map
**No report**
ALL DAY No. A0602-459 June 18 NC 128 to Greybeard overlook 8:00 AM Hike 8.9, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Marlene Santa Maria, 828-299-9095, marlena98@hotmail.com We head up into old growth Balsam and Spruce forests just south of Mt Mitchell. This is a scenic hike with dramatic views and several rocky climbs. Hikers wishing a shorter trek can stop after 6.4 miles at Glassmine Falls o/l, if desired. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: Craven Gap on BRP at 8:15 AM. Topo: Mt. Mitchell, Montreat; also MST Profiles, pg. 66-69
**No report**
HALF-DAY No. H0602-043 June 11Frying Pan Tower 1:30 PM
Hike 4, Drive 25, Rated C-CBarry and Heather Fletcher, 828-299-4776, hmflet@aol.com
P400 This is an easy in-and-out hike through a spectacular display of wild flowers to a great view from the tower location. Second meeting place: Pisgah Inn at 2:00 PM.
This popular in-out hike began on a hot, sunny day in Asheville. By the time we had assembled at the second meeting lace, the Pisgah Inn parking area, dark cumulus clouds were forming. Shortly after starting on the trail we heard distant thunder and felt a few rain drops. The thunder drew nearer but no lightning was spotted we decided to continue cautiously. The decision paid off because in spite of fairly violent storms in the Asheville area, we remained dry under pleasantly cloudy skies for the duration of the hike.
The trail, which originates from the Pisgah campground entrance across the BRP from the Inn, is narrow and partly obscured by tall grasses. Its rewards included abundant wild flowers including Solomon’s Plume, bluets, Clinton lilies and Turk’s cap lilies that will be in bloom in a few weeks. A special surprise was a large flame azalea in full bloom a few hundred yards in from the trail head.
After a brief climb, the 1.6 mile trail descends back to the BRP where it joins Forest Service road 450, a loose gravel Jeep trail that services the communications tower on the summit of Frying Pan Mountain. This ascent is fairly steep near the top but is worth the effort because the summit affords a 360 degree view that includes Mt. Pisgah. The view from the top of the fire tower is even more spectacular but breezy and remarkably cooler.
We retraced our steps to the Pisgah Inn relatively quickly again beating the rain.
I highly recommend this hike to wild flower lovers. It will be repeated on July 9 with Paula Robbins as leader. Expect to see a profusion of Turk’s caps.
HALF-DAY No. H0602-453 June 18Max Patch Ramble 1:30 PM
Hike 4, Drive 104, Rated C-CGail Lamb, 828-350-0450, galmb46@aol.com
Awesome panoramic views from the summit of Max Patch make this a favorite hike. Part of the way will be on the A.T.
WEDNESDAY No. W0602-063 June 7 Big East Fork, Art Loeb Trail, Shining Creek Loop. 8:00 AM Hike 13, Drive 70, 2800 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Tom Sanders, 252-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net P400 A beautiful but strenuous hike (the leader’s favorite) with three of WNC’s most beautiful streams. Up Big East Fork, then Grassy Cove Ridge, and the Art Loeb Trail to Shining Rock Gap, with great views, and then down Shining Creek. 2 stream crossings that may have to be waded. Wilderness area, limit 10, so reserve by calling or emailing leader. Second meeting place: Big East Parking area on US 276, 3 miles north of BRP at 8:45 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map
On an almost perfect day 10 hikers enjoyed this hike, which has everything. We began about 9:00 am at the Trailhead on US 276 and followed the Big East Fork of the Pigeon River, which is full of waterfalls, cataracts and beautiful water. After 3.5 miles of moderate hiking, we crossed the stream and began the long upward climb of about 2000 ft. to Shining Rock Ledge. We followed the Greasy Prong with a lunch stop amid long meadow grass and huge Wake Robin trillium. Often we passed through garden-like rhododendron and incipient laurel. Reaching the ledge we enjoyed southward views on a clear day and then following the Art Loeb Trail, we took a long stop at Flower Gap to view the West and East. The last miles down Shining Creek went slowly because of rocks, but this enabled us to observe the beauties of that stream. Everybody on the trip commented that they now knew why this is Tom's favorite hike. It's also a great workout, at 13 miles, with lots of up, level, and down variety. Tom Sanders
WEDNESDAY No. W0602-008 June 14 Bee Tree Gap to Tanbark Tunnel 8:30 AM Hike 6.5, Drive 30, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Elisabeth Feil, 828-669-4616, hofeil@brinet.com Note later start time. A moderate hike over Lane Pinnacle with excellent views, interesting rock formations and many wildflowers. There are several steep but short ups and downs and a long, well-graded descent. Second meeting place: Folk Art Center lower parking lot at 8:45 AM. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle
21 hikers climbed to Lane Pinnacle in the clouds. With the wind it was downright chilly. Later it cleared up and turned out to be a gorgeous day. There were beautiful flowers along the trail, flame azalea for one, pale corydalis on the first overlook, and Virginia waterleaf here and there in large patches.
Someone had done a great job clearing the trail for us. Thanks to whoever did this. However, the cut soft debris (which, I know, cannot be removed) had become slick after the rain and made the footing on the rocks treacherous. Several of us slipped and landed on various parts of our anatomy. Unfortunately, Jean Gard hurt her wrist. Thanks to Tom Bindrim's expertise in splinting (he used a Sam splint), she could walk out without too much discomfort. She had surgery that evening and will be incapacitated for some time. Please let her know that you care about her and her recovery. In spite of this unfortunate event, the consensus was that we had a great hike.
A footnote: Who, pray tell, had the cockamamie idea to plant the grass along the trail? It does not belong there and is downright dangerous, since it hides some of the rocks and gets slick when it rots after being cut.
Elisabeth Feil
All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 692-0116, bbente@cytechusa.com . Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I-240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
Half Day hikes submitted by Paula Robbins 828-687-1651 paularww@bellsouth.net. Leaders: Mail please mail your sign-up sheets. Meet at Westgate unless otherwise noted.
Wednesday Hikes are submitted by Paula McNabb, 828- 274-0057paulamcnabb@charter.net and Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387, cowbonetail@yahoo.com . The meeting place for each hike will be designated by the hike leader and will appear in the hike description. Driving mileage will be listed, round trip, from the first designated meeting place.