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SATURDAY No. A0403-375 Sept. 25 AT: Sams Gap to Rice Gap 9:00 AM Hike 7.5, Drive 60, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Neal Andreae 828-698-2546 nandreae@gowebway.com Note later start time. We’ll have an opportunity to look at the AT relocation around the new I 26 at Sams Gap, then hike an in-and-out trip in the beautiful open forest from Sams Gap to Rice Gap. We’ll have lunch at the Hog Back Ridge shelter and see the new closer water source at this shelter. Topo: Sams Gap

ALL DAY No. A0403-376 Sept. 26 Mt. Le Conte via Rainbow Falls and Bullhead Trails 8:00 AM Hike 14, Drive 180, 3000 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA Carroll Koepplinger 828-667-0723 carrollkoepp@cs.com SB6K, 900M From Cherokee Orchard near Gatlinburg, Carroll will lead us up the Rainbow Falls Trail, named after the falls we pass, then to the summit of 6593 ft. Mt. Le Conte. We’ll enjoy the spectacular view from Cliff Top, perhaps seeing some of the deer that graze in this area, and then return via the Bullhead Trail. A beautiful hike over good well-graded trails. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop, Exit 24 off I 40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Mt. Le Conte

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 No. H0403-382 September 26 Three Tree Ridge 1:30 PM Hike 3, Drive 65, 700 ft. ascent, Rated C-C Lewis and Jane Blodgett, 828-274-7863 From Lake Logan Center we will hike the Gazebo Trail, a steady though not steep ascent on an old logging road to the end of the ridge. There are good views of the lake and surrounding peaks.

Half Day hikes submitted by Paula Robbins 828-687-1651 paularww@bellsouth.net and Pat Elias 828-281-3253 peliasy@aol.com . Leaders: Mail please mail your sign-up sheets. Meet at Westgate unless otherwise noted.

ALL DAY No. W0403-112 Sept. 22 Ivestor Gap 9AM Hike 8-9, drive 12, rated A-B Siro Del Favero, 277-2546 Let us welcome the autumn foliage by ascending Black Balsam Knob and Tennant Mountain on the Art Loeb Trail for a 360° panoramic view. Lunch at Ivestor Gap. Return via Graveyard Ridge Trail to view Dark Prong Falls. Last chance for green foliage. Car shuttle. Only meeting place: Blue Ridge Parkway Cold Mountain Overlook, MP 412.

ALL DAY No. W0403-242 Sept. 29 Sam Knob – Devils Courthouse Loop 9:15 AM Hike 9, Drive 75, ascend 800 ft., Rated A-B Ruth Hartzler 251-0886 ruthmtn@aol.com SB6K, P400 Note later starting time. Hike in the cool elevations. From FS 816 we will ascend Sam Knob (6040 ft.) with its 360 degree views, then hike through high meadows on the Flat Laurel and Little Sam Trails and the MST via Devils Courthouse (with its wonderful views). We then return via the MST across FS 816 and up to the summit of Black Balsam (6214 ft.), then down a short, steep manway to our cars. Meeting place: Cold Mtn. overlook on BRP. Asheville group may self-organize a car-pool at Westgate Shopping Center at 8:30. Topo: Sam Knob; also Nat’l. Geographic map of Pisgah Ranger District

Wednesday Hikes are submitted by Paula McNabb, 828- 274-0057 gcmcnabb@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.

ALL DAY No. A0403-374 Sept. 19 MST: NC 221 to Bald Knob 8:00 AM Hike 10-12, Drive 80, 2500 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Don Walton 828-298-5084 walt7258@bellsouth.net We’ll go north of our usual hiking area to hike the MST north from NC 221 to the North Fork of the Catawba River. After seeing the site of the proposed MST bridge over the river, we’ll rock hop the river and hike north towards Bald Knob. Our goal is to reach the summit of Bald Knob, but the scouting trip will determine if this is feasible. Second meeting place: McDonalds at exit 64 of I 40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Little Switzerland

Post Hike Report: I think that sensible people thought "rain and river" do not go together and stayed away from this hike. I also think that sensible people don't leave home after a major hurricane goes through their area. Whatever, 4 insensible people made their way to the river and each quietly debated whether they were going to cross the 300 foot span of rushing water. Almost out nowhere Stuart started straight across the river as we watched him sink almost up to his waist as he steadily crossed the first part to the island to the middle of the river. We all proclaimed we could not do that and proceeded to find a less wild looking crossing. We soon caught up with Stuart and all proceeded across the last span of water. It is one thing to cheat death and be able to think that I am glad that I don't have to do that again. But alas we had to think all day while climbing the big bad Bald Knob that late in the day when we were tired we had to do this all over again in reverse!! We all eagerly climbed over the 60 blow downs and up the 33 switchbacks to lunch at 1:15pm on Bald Knob. We had just crystal clear and gorgeous views of the "Blacks" from Clingmans to Celo. For several of the last miles back down to the river I had myself convinced that the water level surely had receded probably 6" while we were gone. It had not but we had an uneventful crossing and a pleasant trip was had by all. We all now take great pleasure that in about a month a $250,000 foot bridge is to be installed across this area of the MST by the Forest Service and we were the last of the pioneers to cross the old fashion way!! This is a new hike that all should do.

HALF-DAY No. H0403-381 September 19 Snowball Trail 1:30 PM Hike 5.5, Drive 50, Rated C-B Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.org A nice, steady climb to High Rocks (Hawkbill Mountain) for outstanding views. We will continue beyond Hawkbill and snack at Snowball Gap. Second meeting place: Craven Gap on BRP at 1:45 PM.

Post Hike Report: I had scouted Snowball after Hurricane Frances. I was ready for leading this hike but then Ivan came through. We lost power, which was much better than losing water. And CMC hikers called. Would there be a hike? Was the BRP closed? What was the condition of the trail? By Sunday, the day was sunny, the sky was blue and we needed to get out. The BRP was closed from Craven Gap north and our trailhead was not accessible. But we drove to Craven Gap, parked and picked up the MST. Eight hikers, coincidentally all women, started going up the MST heading east. The trail had suffered from the storms. We cleared as much as we could by hand, but that was mere cosmetic. Trees were down and the CMC trail crew is going to have a lot of work. We went over and under and around the downed trees. Some people were concerned about the footing but I was more worried about yellow jackets springing up from the mess of tree limbs and leaves. We reached Ox Creek Road and met other walkers who had parked on that road and were strolling towards the Parkway. After a snack break, we followed them. We continued up the Parkway for a little while, and then walked back to Craven Gap. It was like a party on the Parkway. The day was outstanding and people were enjoying the car-free atmosphere. A father and son sat on the yellow medium line just to say that they could do it. Cyclists also took advantage of the freedom. The damage was obvious; large trees had snapped. They had not yet been cleared and were just pushed off the road. North of Craven Road, for the few miles we walked, the road had not been damaged. But we all have all seen pictures of the destruction further down around Graveyard Fields. It is going to be a while until we can go back to our favorite places. In the meantime, we will think outside our scheduled hikes to places we can substitute. How are Upstate South Carolina, Dupont Forest, and Linville Area? Danny Bernstein

ATTENTION ALL HIKERS--The infamous "Death March" is coming up on October 3, 2004.

This is a great opportunity to achieve many of those tough to get 6,000 foot peaks. We will attain seven(7) of those peaks on this hike--Celo, Gibbs, WinterStar, Potato Hill, Balsam Cone, Mt. Craig and Mt. Mitchell. As hike leader for this hike I NEED YOUR HELP. The logistics for this hike are challenging due to the starting point (Bowlen Creek trail in Pensacola--outside of Burnsville) and ending at the Mt. Mitchell parking lot. For this reason, I need to know as soon as possible who plans to participate on this hike so we can work out the car park and transit arrangements in advance of the hike. Please call me at 828-754-4067 (home), 828-757-5221 (work) or email me at gardog3@charter.net

We will meet at 7:30 AM at Westgate, and depending on the number and logistics worked out in advance, will determine our approach to the travel and parking logistics.We will have a secondary meeting place at 8:15 AM at the Ingles located in Burnsville.

This hike will provide a tremendous workout for everyone hiking with a long initial climb and then a lot up and down between the peaks. The views are spectacular. You will definitely feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the hike. I look forward to having a large group for this hike and please call or email at your earliest opportunity.

The CMC Education and Training committee is organizing a Wilderness First Aid Course on Nov. 13 and 14, 2004. This is a 16 hour course, led by professional trainers and held at Warren Wilson College. CMC offered it two years ago and it was a great success. To stay certified, you should take the course every two years. (Hopefully, you don't need to use the information too much. So they feel that the course needs to be taken every two years. This will be my 5th time taking it and I learn something new each time.) The cost to the participant is $75, which is not the full cost of the course. CMC is also contributing to the costs. **This is the last year, CMC will contribute to the costs.** All participants must be members, We only have room for 30 people. I know that the course is a long time from now. However I encourage you to sign up now with all your details (name, address, telephone number, email) *and* a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check for $75 made out to Carolina Mountain Club. Send it to me Danny Bernstein 36 Sunset Summit Asheville, NC 28804

An electronic version of the CMC hike sign-up sheet has now been added to the CMC website. To open it, click carolinamtnclub.com/data/CMC Sign-up Sheet.pdf This will be helpful to the hike schedulers, and also for the hike leaders if they don't receive the sheet mailed by the scheduler. (Recently, the mail got lost and one of the hike leaders did not receive his copy.)