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All Day  Saturday & Sunday

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

SUNDAY NO. A1101-137 Feb. 6
Roans in Snow 8:00 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 7 or 12, Drive 150, 1000 or 1900 ft. ascent, Rated B-B or A-A
Lisa Hart, 828-450-6986, tiw.south@gmail.com and Jim Reel
SB6K The leader intends to lead a snowshoe hike. The Roans experience heavy snow, and snowshoes or traction devices will be required if snow/ice is present. Please email the leader in advance to check conditions. If snow/ice are present or forecast, leader approval is required to join the hike. From Carver’s Gap we’ll go north past Grassy Ridge (6160 ft.) to a scenic overlook for lunch, then return to Carvers Gap. Optional side hike up to Roan High Knob (6285 ft.) and Roan High Bluff (6267 ft.), with return on either the road or the AT. Topo: Carvers Gap; also NatGeo. map #783

SUNDAY NO. A1101-636 Feb. 6
Coontree-Bennett Gap-Pressley Cove Lollipop 9:00 AM
(moderate)
Hike 8.4, Drive 75, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Bob Hysko, cell: 828-243-3630, rhysko@yahoo.com
P400 This hike is an extension of the popular half-day Coontree Loop hike. We ascend the left branch of Coontree trail, proceed in and out on Bennett Gap and Pressley Cove trails and descend on the right branch of Coontree trail to the cars. We will visit an old homestead chimney, a remnant of the farming community between Pressley Cove and Maxwell Cove. Topo: Pisgah Forest; also NatGeo. map #780

SATURDAY NO. A1101-256 Feb. 12
Moore Cove Figure-8 Loop *10:00 AM
Hike 7, Drive 70, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Jan Onan, cell: 828-606-5188, janonan@bellsouth.net
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 10:35 AM. This moderate double-loop trail follows two old USFS paths. There are a couple of short steep sections and two minor creek crossings. There is one good view of Looking Glass Rock, several waterfalls, and other views visible only in the winter. Topo: Shining Rock; also NatGeo. map #780

SUNDAY NO. A1101-535 Feb. 13
Indian Creek – Sunkota Ridge loop *7:30 AM
Hike 12, Drive 135, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Mike Knies, 828-628-6712, knies06@att.net
900M, WC100 *Note early start time. We’ll make a loop using Indian Creek and Martin’s Gap trails, then down Sunkota Ridge and Deep Creek Trails, admiring three waterfalls and winter views of Noland and Thomas Divides. Second meeting place: US 23/74 rest area past Waynesville at 8:00 AM. Topos: Bryson City, Clingman’s Dome; also Nat Geo. Map #317

SUNDAY NO. A1101-276 Feb. 20
Street Gap to Big Bald 8:30 AM
Hike 10, Drive 80, 2300 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Paul Benson, 828-251-1909, pdbenson@charter.net
The leader intends to lead a snowshoe hike. This ridgeline experiences heavy snow, and snowshoes or traction devices will be required if snow/ice is present. Please e-mail the leader in advance to check conditions. If snow/ice are present or forecast, leader approval is required to join the hike. This is an in-and-out hike on the Appalachian Trail, heading north. Depending on whether the access road is drivable, mileage and ascent may vary. We will have panoramic views of the Blacks, Smokies and other ranges in WNC and TN from the higher elevations. Topos: Sams Gap, Bald Creek

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Half Day Sunday

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.

HALF-DAY NO. H1101-431 Feb. 6
Chestnut Cove to MST to Sleepy Gap to Explorer Trail 12:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 20, 900 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader: Joe Burchfield, 828-298-8413, burchfield@niu.edu
This loop hike begins with a moderately steep climb from the Bent Creek Gap Road to the MST, but is otherwise an easy walk. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot across from Biltmore Square Mall on NC 191 at 12:45 P.M. Topo: Dunsmore; also USFS Bent Creek Trail Map

HALF-DAY NO. H1101-182 Feb. 13
Green River Cove Trail *11:00 AM
Hike 5.5, Drive 73, 500 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader: Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, c798-9905, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
*Note early start. This is a scenic winter hike along the lovely Green River. We'll begin with an early lunch/snack on the bank of the river, then hike as far as the junction with the Pulliam Creek Trail. We'll return by the same route. This hike includes a few steep, but short uphills. Second meeting place: Cracker Barrel at Exit 53 off I-26 at 11:30 AM. Topo: Cliffield Mt; also Green River Gamelands Map

HALF-DAY NO. H1101-686 Feb. 20
Shope Creek Ramble 12:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 25, 750 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader: Gail Lamb, 828-298-8413, galmb46@bellsouth.net
This is a short ride for a winter walk in the woods, partly along Shope Creek in the Riceville Rd. area. It has been recently opened to hikers and has some unmarked trails, some of which are near, but not connecting to the Parkway. Possible wet stream crossing. Second meeting place: Ingles across from V.A. Hospital on Rt. 70, Tunnel Rd. at 12:45 PM.

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All Day Wednesday

WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-031 Feb. 2
South Mountains Loop 8:00 AM
Hike 9.3, Drive 170, 2300 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Charlie Ferguson, 828-625-2677, ccf108@gmail.com
WC100 South Mountains State Park south of Morganton has outstanding views, a beautiful waterfall, and a new visitor center. We’ll climb to Jacob Fork River Gorge Overlook and then continue to Chestnut Knob Overlook, a rocky outcropping with outstanding views toward the Kings Mountain Range and on a clear day, Charlotte’s skyline. Later after another climb, we’ll reach the top of High Shoals Waterfall – truly awesome. Awesome too is the wooden staircase and platform, which allows a close look at the falls and the jumble of rocks in Jacob Fork. Since this is a state park, the trails are meticulously maintained. Possible supper after the hike. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot at Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:20 AM. Topo: Benn Knob; South Mountains SP map

WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-236 Feb. 9
Dupont Forest- Fawn Lake & Bridal Veil Falls 8:30 AM
Hike 8, Drive 95, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Paula Massey, 828-299-0226, massey.paula@gmail.com
WC100 A moderate hike featuring beautiful waterfalls and lakes. We'll see Corn Mill Shoals, Bridal Veil Falls, Lake Julia and Fawn Lake, hiking at an easy pace. Second meeting place: Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:05 AM. Topo: Standingstone Mtn,; also Dupont Forest trail map

WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-374 Feb. 16
Good Road to Bald Knob 8:30 AM
Hike 9.5, Drive 90, 2500 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Barbara Morgan, cell: 828-460-7066, bcmorg@hughes.net
Park on Good Road in McDowell County off US 221. Hike on MST to N Fork of Catawba River, cross bridge, and ascend to top of Bald Knob. A steep hike, but spectacular winter views. Return by same route. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot at Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:50 AM. Topo: Little Switzerland

WEDNESDAY NO. W1101-271 Feb. 23
Chestnutwood Mountain 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 70, 2700 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Rich Sampson, 704-453-9059, sampson_r@bellsouth.net
We will do our major climbing before lunch on this pleasant hike past streams, two nice cascades, a glimpse of the Black Mtns., and a 20 yr. old timber harvest in the Grandfather District. Some bushwhacking and hiking on over-grown trails. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot at Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:20 AM Topo: Old Fort

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.