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ALL DAY No. A0302-216 No. A0302-216 June 1 (strenuous) AT: Sams Gap to 8:00 AM Devils Fork Gap Hike 8.2, Drive 90, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Carroll Koepplinger 667-0723 carrollkoepp@cs.com This section of AT features nice views into Tennessee from the ridge line, traversing a series of knobs along an unusual section of the TN-NC state line where Tennessee is east of N.C. and the southbound hiker is actually traveling north. Topo: Sams Gap

ALL DAY No. A0302-217 No. A0302-217 June 1 (moderate) Sandy Mush Bald 8:00 AM Hike 7-9, Drive 40, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Rob Resnick 255-8066 reschrio@aol.com It's been many years since CMC has offered a hike on these private properties. Thanks to Long Branch Environmental Education Center for providing access. After dropping a car at the end of Boyd Cove, we will ascend forest roads up Surritt Cove to the Sandy Mush Balds, traversing on the ridge tops to Chestnut Gap, and descend along Long Branch to a waiting vehicle. Some cross-country hiking required, and be prepared to cross a few private fences. If the weather is clear, the views do not get any better! Topos: Sandy Mush, Fines Creek

HALF DAY No. H0302-182 #8050 JUN 1 Green River Cove 1:30 PM Hike 4.5, Drive 50, Rated CB Neal Andreae - 698-2546 nandreae@gowebway.com In and out along the Green River-maybe we'll see some kayakers. Plus an intro to other trails in the Green River Gamelands. Only meeting place: Cracker Barrel at exit 22 on I 26 (NE corner of parking lot)

ALL DAY #8038 May 28 King Creek Trail 9:00 AM Hike 8, Drive 0, Rated B-B Larry Ballard 891-4318 leballard@cytechcis.net This is a moderate trail following King Creek. It will be done as an in-and -out hike. From the fish hatchery we will follow the Cat Gap loop trial (East) to Cat Gap. From Cat Gap we will descend to and cross FS 475C to King Creek trail. We will follow King creek about two miles and return. Meeting Place: Fish Hatchery

May 28- King Creek Trail- A luck 13 hikers enjoyed the beautiful weather for the climb up to Cat Gap to start the King Creek Trail. The wildflowers that were out a few weeks ago were already gone. King Creek starts out as a trickle and erupts into a few pretty waterfalls before arriving at the boundary of private property, where we had to turn around. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to get close to the creek, and some of the views are through the trees. Lunch was at a nice shaded spot on old logs. As an added bonus, we saw a non threatening 3 foot rattlesnake on the trail on the way back! This seldom used trail would make a great summer hike, as it is shaded almost all the way. Eileen McGill

ALL DAY #8039 June 4 AT-Allen Gap to Tanyard Gap 8:30 AM Hike 9, Drive 100, rated A-A Curt Holladay, 628-9477 caholady@bellsouth.net Fairly strenuous hike from Allen Gap to Tanyard Gap, with a 2100-foot cumulative elevation climb. Car switch required. Meeting place: Westgate

A scouting trip was made on Saturday 5/17 over the Sams Gap to Devils Fork Gap section of the AT, which is scheduled to be hiked by CMC on June 1. This proved to be an exceptional nice section of the AT, with diverse scenery including lush open woods, a beautiful hike down a narrow valley, and finishing the hike with a walk through an open meadow. The many different types of landscape resulted in seeing over 50 different types of wildflowers. We enjoyed meeting 5 AT thru-hikers during the hike.

CMC HIKING WEEKEND May 27, 2003 UPDATE For the last weekend of September this year (Sept. 27-28), CMC has scheduled a weekend hiking trip to the Lake Fontana area. Our plans are to stay in the Fontana area on Friday and/or Saturday nights, on the south side of Fontana Lake, and take the pontoon boat ferry across the lake to hike some of the trails on the north shore of Fontana Lake in the Great Smoky Mtns. Natl. Park. So far 28 people have expressed interest in this trip. If you are interested, please e-mail Bruce Bente at bbente@cytechusa.com to get your name on the list. We'll contact the people on the list to fine-tune the planning as the date gets closer. We're open to suggestions-please feel free to e-mail these too.

Hiking: The next issue of Lets Go will list the planned hikes. So far we have scheduled a moderate to strenuous hike on both Saturday and Sunday, and have listed a number of easy to moderate hikes that will be hiked if enough people express interest. In addition, Fontana Village has 20 miles of trails around the village for those who want to hike nearby. At a later time, people will be asked to select which hikes they would like to take, to enable us to do further planning.

Lodging: We are making arrangements with Fontana Village for discounted rates for CMC attendees. For CMC, Fontana Village has blocked off a number of rooms/cabins with different types of accommodations. Actual rates will be listed in a future CMC Newsletter as soon as they send us the rates. Attendees will make their reservations directly with Fontana Village. Fontana Village offers a range of accommodations, including: ohostel-type beds (bare bed frames, no mattress) (approx. $15/night) ocabins sleeping 2-3, with kitchens (two prices, with or without bed linens and kitchen utensils) (approx. $50-70/night/cabin) orooms with 2 double beds/room in Fontana Lodge (approx. $60/night/room) We will have use of the outdoor swimming pool and other Fontana Village facilities. Mountain bikes and horses are available for rental. Please look at their website www.fontanavillage.com for more information. There are also campgrounds as follows: ocampground next to Little Tennessee River ($15/night/campsite) oCable Cove Campground five miles from Fontana Village ($8/night/campsite)

Meals: Meals are available at Fontana Village at either their restaurant in the Lodge (supper $10/person buffet) or the Fontana Village Cafe. They will prepare trail lunches if requested.

Transportation: Ferry service across Lake Fontana is available from the Marina, near Fontana Dam. The 15-minute ride across to the hike trailhead will cost about $12-20 per person (round trip), depending on the number of passengers and the time of return. The last scheduled pickup for return is 3:30pm. However, they will pickup as late as 5:30pm, for an extra charge of $40/boat for overtime. (for example, 15 people, round trip, returning at 5:30pm, would cost $14/person.)

All of you should know that a guy named Cave Dog ( real name: Teddy Keiser )has arrived in WNC, planning to set a record for climbing the 40 over 6000 peaks. In an initial telephone conversation with him a few months ago ( he somehow got my name and number ) I wasn't certain that he was legit. However, now that I have met him, he is a class act, in spite of some of his eccentricities like sleeping in his van. He is 31, from Oregon, and a graduate of Brown University, where he was President of the Student Government. He is an extraordinarily athletic person who walks and sometimes runs for up to 20 hours a day. He is a very competitive person who somehow got interested in the records for the peaks around the country. He has already broken the records for the Whites in New Hampshire, the Adirondacks, the Colorado over 10,000, and others out West. For example, he did the over 4000's in the Whites in 3 days and 17 hours. He will be here for a couple of months familiarizing himself with the peaks ( climbing each of them several times ) and the routes to them. He perceives how fantastic the Western Carolina Loop is ( that's for Don ) and has the idea of basing his record on getting all the peaks with a continuous walk, following trails whenever possible, though recognizing that he'll have to walk some road in the Soco Gap-Balsam Gap area and coming off Bohlen Creek Trail, going thru Burnsville to pick up the Roans. He is planning his big hike, which will be 250-300 miles, around June 15, when his support group will come here. He has an appointment with Bob on Monday, and he will certainly encounter the rest of you while he is here. This is a request for your cooperation and help, and welcome to him, especially in information or assistance in any way. You might consult his website, which is: thedogteam.com .Thanks, Tom

Think about going on this June 15 hike!

Here’s the scoop on the Tanawha Trail. I scouted the hike on Sunday, May 3. The Tanawha is a really great trail. An extreme amount of variety. From Julian Price Park amphitheatre parking lot (MM 291 on the Parkway) the trail begins (or ends) and travels south 13.5 miles to Beacon Heights, which is about 1.5 miles south of the Linn Cove Viaduct (and travels through the Linn Cove parking area and visitor center). The trail is easy to moderate, except for the area around rough ridge which is strenuous. Overall a moderate hike from my perspective. The trail has a tremendous amount of variety and some spectacular views. The trail traverses some fragile and ancient ecosystems and leads hikers through a surprising range of biological and geological terrains. Some sections tunnel through thickets of laurel and rhododendron. It dips down into remote hardwood coves and then ascends into evergreen glens. Boulder fields and cascading streams punctuate the landscape. The first third of the trail has a meandering path through meadows and glens, the second third through wooded areas, and the final third through rough boulder strewn terrain around Rough ridge and the viaduct. The views of Grandfather Mountain, boulder formations on Rough Ridge and the viaduct (which the trail goes under) are fantastic. I would suggest that we meet at the Beacon Heights parking area which is right on the Parkway where US 221 intersects (MM 305—about 1+ mile south of the viaduct). We can then take a car (or two) depending on the number of cars and hikers and drive north on the Parkway to the Julian Park parking area where we will begin the hike. This way most hikers will be at the Beacon Heights parking area and can then just head south towards home (Asheville). IN any case someone will have to drive back to Julian Price Park to pick up the cars at that end of the trail. I am trying to avoid most hikers from having to drive back to Julian Price Park to save them a little time in beginning the drive home at the end of the hike. Now, as to the best way to get to the starting point. There are two routes. (1) 19 out of Asheville to Mars Hill and on to Spruce Pine, and then work your way over to the Parkway and then north on the Parkway to the starting point. (2) I-40 to Marion, north out of Marion on 221 to the Parkway and then north to the starting point. Anyway you cut it it is a good drive to get to the starting point, but well worth it. The hike in my estimation is different then the hikes west of Asheville and in the Smokies. A variety that I think most hikers would enjoy. Please call me at 828-754-4067 (home), 828-757-5221 (work) or 828-493-1127 (cell) or email me if any questions. Best Regards, Don Gardner. And FYI, the plans are for Tom Sanders to meet the hikers at Westgate, and lead them to the trailhead where Don will meet them.

I finished my 40th South Beyond 6,000 Peak Sunday. This was not nearly as interesting as Sherman Stambaugh was along on the hike. Sherman is not our oldest, longest or hardest hiking member but this was an A-AA++ hike that was very difficult for anyone. Sherman 83 years young was with us all day. This should be an inspiration to us all. Don Walton

ALL DAY No. A0302-214 May 25 Standing Indian Circuit 7:30 AM Hike 10, Drive 150, 2300 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Bill Ross 299-7637 wrossmath@cs.com Note earlier starting time. The Standing Indian area in the Nantahala National Forest is known for its beautiful forest, rushing streams and excellent vistas. Our lunch spot, Standing Indian, with outstanding views into Georgia at 5498 ft., is the highest mountain on the AT south of the Great Smoky Mountains. Strenuous, but good grades on well kept trails. Second meeting place: Rest Stop beyond Waynesville on US 23/74 at 8:00 AM. Topo: Rainbow Springs

Don, The hike went very well. We hiked 12 miles. Up the Kimsey Creek trail to the AT. Then up to Standing Indian Mt. Then down the Lower Ridge Trail. Marcus Wohloon from Blue Ridge Outdoors, an outdoor newspaper , came and took notes and photos. The story will be printed in the July issue and distributed through out western NC. He said it was the best hike he's taken all year. We had 7 people go on the hike. The weather started out like it would rain, but it cleared. Bill

Seven hikers enjoyed a loop hike from Standing Indian Campground to the summit of Standing Indian. We climbed up on the often muddy Kinsey Creek Trail to Deep Gap, from where we took the AT up to our lunch spot atop Standing Indian Mountain. The scenery was spectacular as usual from this vantage point. After lunch we descended on the Lower Trail Ridge Trail (unusual name but that is the way it is listed on the topo map). Weather was cloudy all day, but the rain held off until we were back inside our cars. A list of different wildflowers was made, and a grand total of 54 different types was recorded. Bruce

MEMORIAL DAY JOINT HIKE WITH SMOKY MOUNTAIN HIKING CLUB No. A0302-215 May 26 Mt. Cammerer via Low Gap 7:30 AM and Lower Cammerer Trails Hike 15.5, Drive 140, 2600 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA CMC contact: Barbara Passmore 230-2670 bpsss354@aol.com SMHC contact: Cindy Spangler 865-584-3512 spangler@utk.edu Note earlier starting time. One of our most popular and beautiful Spring hikes. From Cosby campground we will ascend to the AT, then follow the AT to Mt. Cammerer. After lunch, we will stroll down the flower-laden Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail to our starting point. Additional meeting places: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I-40, at 8:30 AM, and Cosby Campground at 9:00 AM. Topos: Luftee Knob and Hartford

Five CMC members and fifteen SMHC members participated in a joint Memorial Day Hike which ascended Mt. Cammerer via the Low Gap Trail. The hike was challenging, steep at the beginning and long in distance, but it was well worth the effort because it had much variety in terrain. More impressive were the wildflowers, shrubs, and trees which bloomed in lush profusion all along the trail. Everywhere was delicious green, most arresting and refreshing in its elaboration and vitality. Lunch was atop Mt. Cammerer with views somewhat limited by the fog. The damp, cool weather was perfect for hiking although it limited long-distance views. No matter, the blooms, greenery, and "smoke" provided vision enough. At trail's end, hikers were tired, but exhiliarated by their accomplishment

HALF DAY #8049 MAY 25 Balsam Gap to Pt Misery 1:00 PM Hike 6, Drive 70, Rated BB Jorge Munoz - 658-0606 jmunoz@buncombe.main.nc.us Note early start time. This in & out hike begins at Balsam Gap (milepost 359.7) on BRP & follows the ridge crest to Point Misery with superb views of Mt. Mitchell & the Blacks. 2nd meeting place at Craven Gap at 1:15 pm.

This was a special hike I was really looking forward to lead. I do have a special attachment and rapport with this Big Butt trail that offers so much and ask for so little. It is a natural trail in a sense that it has not been disturbed too much by maintaining work, though this time it was necessary to spend about forty man-hours work to get rid of over thirty blowdown trees and a lot of looping of offensive weeds. Though we had two hikers in their shorts, they came out unscracht. We were a group of thirteen hikers mainly newcomers well fit and ready. This group managed get interconnected so easy and fast and therefore made for the most happy and entertaining body of hikers that I have seen in a long time. I do give full credit of this to the ambiance and attraction of the trail. To start with we were greeted by a sea of False Salomons Seals in full bloom. What an impression. We had also the pleasure of some Wake Robin Trillium, as well as some huge white ones. Other variety of plants were just getting ready to provide. Due to the altitude and therefore temperature they were not quite ready. The weather cooperated fine. Though it was not a real clear day the group was much impressed with the extraordinary view of the "Blacks" right across us. We had an extended chatting good time at the rock ledge. We pushed back faster on our way back to beat the weather and luckily so. Five minutes driving on the Parkway and we hit a downpour. I have never gotten so many thanks and appreciation for the hike such as this one. It was full of rewards, fun and excitements. In other words the Full Package" was there. Jorge

ALL DAY #8037 May 21 Shut In (MST) and 9:00 am Bent Creek Trails Hike 7, drive 1, rated B-B Siro A. Del Favoro 277-2546 Beginning at the Shut In Trail, via the Bent Creek Trail, we will connect with the Hard Times Road, and then loop around through the magnificent blooms of the Arboretum gardens, and then hike back to the overlook. Meeting place: French Broad Overlook on the Parkway.

Six CMC members (hardy, bring on the steep stuff, not-afraid-to-be-wet) semi-bushwhacked a primitive trail from Blue Ridge Pinnacle to Greybeard in the Sunday fog. What's a little moisture to a dedicated hiker? Acres of Canada Mayflower and blue beaded Clintonia were in full bloom, and we spotted a rare treat - Rose Mandarin. This ridge hike from the BRP toward Montreat ascends Blue Ridge Pinnacle, elev 5665'; Rocky Knob; and Greybeard 5260'. The six mile hike takes five hours(+) to complete. Tommie Boston

Five members of the CMC, plus Cave Dog, had a highly successful trip climbing peaks over 6000 feet in the Northeast Smokies. During the 3 days we hiked 40 miles, ascended nearly 10,000 feet, and bagged 8 peaks, 7 of them bushwhacks. The route for this trip was different from what we originally planned and from previous such expeditions. The original agenda called for an in-and-out from Pin Oak Gap and the ascent of 6 peaks, but with the Balsam Mountain Road access to the Gap closed, we began at Cosby Camp Ground and ended at the Big Creek Camp Ground. Since the route passed by Old Black and Guyot, we climbed them on our way to Tricorner Shelter and after supper took on Tricorner Knob. The next day we ascended Sequoyah and Chapman in the morning, Marks Knob in the early afternoon, and Luftee on the way to our second night at Laurel Gap Shelter. The third morning we climbed Big Cataloochee, where Cave Dog, Kent Wilson, and Nancy Wilson celebrated finishing the 40. Don Walton, Joe Cirvello, and Tom Sanders were the other participants in what turned out to be a very congenial hiking group. This expedition contributed in several ways to future peak-bagging trips in the area. 1. It demonstrated that we could climb 8 peaks, rather than the usual 6, in 3 days. However, participants will have to be good hikers to climb 3500 feet with packs at the outset on the Snake Den Ridge Trail. The third day is also long, at least 13 miles, but down the beautiful Gunter Fork and Big Creek Trails. 2. We continued our ongoing exploration of the best ways to get up the peaks. Incredibly, perhaps because of Cave Dog’s leading, less growth in the spring, and the ongoing process of beating down the brush on the old Hiatt Ridge Trail, we did Marks Knob in 2 ½ hours, about an hour less than usual. 3. Thanks to Don and Kent, our GPS techies, we did some measuring of relative high spots on Sequoyah and Marks Knob, which essentially confirmed the summits that we normally accept. It was a great trip! Even though Asheville seems to have had considerable rain during the period, we experienced only minor drizzle. And congrats to Nancy, Kent, and Cave Dog for completing the requirements! Tom Sanders