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All Day  Saturday & Sunday

NEW YEARS DAY NO. A1101-281 Jan. 1
Green River Gamelands *8:00 AM breakfast, 9:15 AM hike
Hike 6.5 or 8, Drive 70, 1300 or 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116 (cell: 828-699-6296), bbente@bellsouth.net
*Form carpools at Westgate (it takes 30 minutes to drive to Cracker Barrel), and meet leader at times above at the Cracker Barrel in Hendersonville (Exit 53 on I-26). Park at the NE corner of the parking lot. After breakfast, we’ll do our traditional New Year’s Day hike on a series of trails around the Green River Gamelands. We’ll hike down to and along the Green River, with a late lunch at the big rocks on the Green River, and then hike up and out on the Pulliam Creek trail. Short car shuttle. Topo: Cliffield Mtn.; also Map of the Green River Gamelands Trails

SUNDAY NO. A1101-305 Jan. 2
Dupont Forest Lake Imaging P.L. #1 9:00 AM
Hike 12, Drive 82, 2300 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Jay Bretz, 828-658-1220, williambretz1220@gmail.com.
This low-altitude hike will traverse a loop on the northern side of Dupont Forest, from Lake Imaging to Stone Mtn., including Grassy Falls, the Thomas Cemetery and Wintergreen Falls. Second meeting place: Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:30 AM. Topo: Standingstone Mtn.

SUNDAY NO. A1101-001 Jan. 9
Case Camp – Seniard Ridge Loop 8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Mary Beth Gwynn, 828-545-6487, mbgcmc@gmail.com
P400, WC100 This loop hike is scheduled for our coldest month to see 50-ft. frozen cascades along the closed BRP. We’ll do a two-mile climb up to the MST and some gentle MST hiking before our lunch spot with great views of the mountains. After lunch, we’ll hike downhill through beautiful woods on the Seniard Ridge trail. Second meeting place: Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:00 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also pg. 36-39 of MST Trail Profiles book and NatGeo. map #780

SATURDAY NO. A1101-330 Jan. 15
Raven Cliff Falls 10:00 AM
Hike 7.5, Drive 95, 1450 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Kathleen Hudson, 828-698-5208 (cell: 828-329-6939), mstish1325@gmail.com
WC100 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 10:30 AM. . Call leader if you plan on meeting at Westgate. We’ll do a pleasant walk to the pedestrian bridge over the top of a beautiful 250 ft. waterfall in Caesar’s Head St. Park in S.C. The hike will follow the Raven Cliff Falls Trail and a portion of the Foothills Trail to the bridge, and return on the same trails. Topo: Table Rock; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area trail map

SUNDAY NO. A1101-634 Jan. 16
High Top Tower Site 8:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 65, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Charlie Ferguson, 828-625-2677 (cell: 828-778-2431), ccf108@gmail.com
P400 This hike was a longtime favorite of the scouts at Camp Daniel Boone years ago. From the camp we will ascend to High Top with its excellent views, and then follow the Fork Mtn. ridge before descending to the rushing Little East Fork of the Pigeon River. Car shuttle. Wilderness area hike, limit ten; contact leader for reservation. Topo: Shining Rock; also NatGeo. map #780

SUNDAY NO. A1101-186 Jan. 23
Little Pisgah Mountain 9:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 36, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Janet Martin, cell: 502-494-9309, jaykaymartin@msn.com
A pleasant nearby hike for the shorter winter daylight hours. We’ll hike from US 74A through the Florence Preserve and up into an open meadow to the summit of Little Pisgah Mtn. If the weather is clear, the view doesn’t get any better. The leader invites hikers to her home for hot soup after the hike. Topo: Bat Cave

SATURDAY NO. A1101-268 Jan. 29
Hospital Rock – Rainbow Falls *8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 95, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Brenda Worley, 828-684-8656 (cell: 828-280-2564), clworley@bellsouth.net
WC100 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Cracker Barrel at Exit 53 of I-26 at 9:00 AM. This is a challenging hike in Jones Gap State Park in S.C. Hiking up past Hospital Rock, we will enjoy a great view at lunchtime from Pretty Place. After lunch we will walk along a road for a short distance, then turn downhill past beautiful Rainbow Falls onto a trail down to the river and back to our cars. NOTE: $2/person parking fee at trailhead. Topos: Cleveland, Standingstone Mtn.; also Mountain Bridge Wilderness map

SUNDAY NO. A1101-141 Jan. 30
Rock Jock Loop – Linville Gorge (strenuous) 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 120, 2500 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Jacob Cox, 828-584-0395, jcox@mfgnc@com
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Deal Barn at Exit 90 of I-40 at 8:45 AM Very technical hike. Begin with a steep descent into Linville Gorge via Pinch-In Trail. Hike upstream beside the Linville River to Conley Cove Trail, and return along western rim via Rock Jock Trail. Rock Jock is very difficult terrain, seldom used, and provides spectacular views. Short car shuttle. An alternate hike will be arranged if conditions are snowy or icy. Wilderness area hike limited to ten people; please contact leader for reservations. Topo: Ashford; also NatGeo map #779

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Half Day Sunday

HIKE CANCELLED – no hike leader available Jan. 2

HALF-DAY NO. H1101-295 Jan. 9
Tanyard Gap/Pump Gap Loop 12:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 66, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader: Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary.avl@gmail.com
Hike the AT from Tanyard Gap, then the whole Pump Gap Loop and back via AT.

HALF-DAY NO. H1101-320 Jan. 16
Swannanoa River Stroll to Old Farm School Rd. *12:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 12, 100 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader: Bobbi Powers, 828-667-5419, bobbipowers@live.com
*First meeting place: Folk Art Center back parking lot. This in-out-hike begins at Owen Park and follows the Swannanoa River to Old Farm School Road, returning to the park. We will see the Warren Wilson College farm, a stand of giant bamboo, and enjoy the scenic river. Second meeting place: Charles D. Owen Park at 12:50 PM. Topo: Oteen; also Warren Wilson College Trails Map

HALF-DAY NO. H1101-172 Jan. 23
John Rock Loop 12:30 PM
Hike 5.7, Drive 73, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader: Lee Belknap, 828-698-9394, rivergypsy@sprintmail.com
P400 This moderate loop hike, with good views from the top, starts at the Fish Hatchery parking lot. Second meeting place: Fish Hatchery parking lot, off FS 475, at 1:15 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H1101-623 Jan. 30
Old Fort to Kitsuma Peak 12:00 PM
Hike 6, Drive 60, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated C-A
Nonmembers, call leader: Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, rerikkers@aol.com
This popular but somewhat strenuous hike begins near Old Fort and ascends Young's Ridge to Kitsuma Peak, overlooking and continuing on to Ridgecrest. Outstanding views along the way. Car shuttle. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot at Exit 64 of I-40 at 12:20 PM.

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All Day Wednesday

New Wednesday Hikes--The MST Series

Barth Brooker, the president of the CMC, will be leading a series of relaxed pace, medium length hikes of the MST on Wednesdays.  The series will cover most of the MST which the CMC is responsible for maintaining - from Mount Mitchell to Balsam Gap near Waynesville.  It is expected that it will take a number of months to complete the series.  There will be a pause in the winter while the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed.  The meeting place for each hike will be at the Folk Art Center - milepost 382 on the Parkway at 10:00 AM.  Meeting at the trailhead for each hike may be possible.  The distance covered will be of easy to medium difficulty. The pace will be relaxed so the hikes will end anywhere from 2:00 - 3:30.   Most hikes will involve a short car shuttle.  These hikes will not be announced in the Let's Go newsletter so check the Wednesday hike schedule on the Web site for updates.  Great for those who want a short relaxed hike or would like to see what hiking is like.  Hikes will be added on each Wednesday as they are developed and experience with the first ones are evaluated.

WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-305 Jan. 5
Dupont Forest North Loop 8:30 AM
Hike 12, Drive 82, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Jay Bretz, 828-658-1220, jbretz1220@gmail.com
This low-altitude hike will traverse a loop on the northern side of Dupont Forest, from Lake Imaging to Stone Mtn., including Grassy Falls, the Thomas Cemetery and Wintergreen Falls. Second meeting place: Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:05 AM. Topo: Standingstone Mt.

WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-001 Jan. 12
Case Camp – Seniard Ridge Loop 8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Mary Beth Gwynn, 828-545-6487, mbgcmc@gmail.com
P400 This loop hike is scheduled for our coldest month to see 50-ft. frozen cascades along the closed BRP. We’ll do a 2 mile climb up to the MST and some gentle MST hiking before our lunch spot with great views of the mountains. After lunch, we’ll hike downhill through beautiful woods on the Seniard Ridge trail. Second meeting place: Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:05 AM. Topo: Shining Rock; also pg. 36-39 of MST Trail Profiles book and NatGeo. map #780

WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-550 Jan. 19
Paris Mountain State Park *8:00 AM
Hike 9.9, Drive 130, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Kathleen Hudson, 828-698-5208 (Cell: 828-329-6939), mstish1325@gmail.com
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at NE corner of Cracker Barrel parking lot at exit 53 of I-26 at 8:30 AM. Call leader if you plan on meeting at Westgate. Located between Traveler’s Rest and Greenville, Paris Mountain State Park is one of the oldest protected areas in South Carolina. Originally, the lakes were the source of Greenville’s water supply. We will walk on well-maintained trails, enjoying good views of Greenville. $2 per person entrance fee. Topo: Paris Mtn.

WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-186 Jan. 26
Little Pisgah Mountain *9:00 AM
Hike 10, Drive 30, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Keiko Merl, 828-628-2396
*Only meeting place: Folk Art Center back parking lot A pleasant hike, close to home for our coldest month. We’ll hike from US 74A through part of the Florence Preserve and up into an open meadow to the summit of Little Pisgah Mtn. If the weather is clear, the view doesn’t get any better. Topo: Bat Cave

Email your hike reports to Dave Wetmore.The deadline for reports is 9:00 p.m. on the Tuesdays before an eNews comes out. Reports for Wednesday hikes during the eNews publication week will appear in the following eNews--The Editor.

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All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net . 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 Lucy Prim 828-693-6580 lucette32@mchsi.com.

Wednesday Hikes are submitted by Charlie Ferguson, 828-398-0213 ccf108@gmail.com and Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387, gleason.ann@gmail.com .

The meeting place for each hike will be designated by the hike leader and appears in the hike description. Driving mileage is round trip, based on the first designated meeting place. Meet at Westgate unless otherwise noted.