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All Day  Saturday & Sunday

SUNDAY NO. A1102-xxx May 8
AT section hike: Iron Mountain Gap to Hughes Gap 8:00 AM
Hike 9.1, Drive 120, 2400 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Paul Benson, cell: 828-273-2098, pdbenson@charter.net
Let's join the north-bound thru-hikers on the A.T. if only for 9 miles. This up and down section tracks along the state line ridge with continuous good views since the leaves should only be beginning to come out, and outstanding views at Little Rock Knob. We'll plan on lunch at the Clyde Smith shelter. (Who is Clyde Smith? Come on the hike and find out!) Car shuttle. NatGeo. map #783, ATC Offical NC-TN Map #2.

SATURDAY NO A1102-611 May 14
Big Ivy - Walker Ridge Loop 10:00 AM
Hike 8.2, Drive 34, 1950 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
We'll start our hike on the Walker Creek and Perkins Trails. Most of the altitude gain is accomplished during the first hour of the hike. The ascent will be at a moderate pace. Our next two miles is a stroll on the meadow-like Laurel Gap Trail, before heading back down to the cars, using the Bear Pen and Staire Creek Trails. These trails are rocky and steep in spots. There are several stream crossings on this hike. We walk near lovely creeks on part of the trails. Topo: Mt Mitchell, Craggy Pinnacle, Montreat; also South Toe/Big Ivy FS map RG355 and NatGeo map #779

SUNDAY NO. A1102-726 May 15
Tanbark Tunnel to Folk Arts Center *9:00 AM
Hike 9.9, Drive 16, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Kathleen Hannigan, cell: 828-230-4883, Kathleen.hannigan@pgnmail.com
*Only meeting place is back parking lot of Folk Arts Center. After a short climb up to the historic Rattlesnake Lodge site, this hike will be a generally moderate stroll on the MST through nice woodlands. After the hike, hikers are invited to join the leader for wine and cheese at her home. Car shuttle. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle

SATURDAY NO. A1102-727 May 21
Wilderness Walk-through 8:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 77, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Paul Dickens, 828-476-0010, psdicken@charter.net.
We’ll hike south to north through the Shining Rock Wilderness to check trail conditions and introduce CMC members to wilderness trail maintenance work and standards. This hike will do no work other than clearing minor blowdowns and collecting trash. Starting at the Black Balsam parking lot at end of FS 816 off BRP, we’ll hike Investor Gap Trail (FS 101) to Ivestor Gap, then Greasy Cove Trail (FS 362) down to Pigeon River, and out Big East Fork Trail (357) along Pigeon River to the Big East Fork parking lot. Two stream crossings may be wet crossings. Car shuttle. Wilderness area hike, limit ten; contact leader for reservation. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at 8:40 AM. Topos: Sam Knob, Shining Rock; also NatGeo map #780

SUNDAY NO. A1102-218 May 22
Cataloochee Divide 8:00 AM
Hike 12, Drive 85, EB: 1800 ft. ascent, Rated AA-A, or WB: 2800 ft. ascent, rated AA-AA
Lisa Hart, 828-450-6986, tiw.south@gmail.com and Paul Benson, 828-251-1909, pdbenson@charter.net
900M If it is clear, we will experience some of the most spectacular views in WNC as we hike over Hemphill Bald and the Swag. Wildflowers should be wonderfully abundant. Key swap hike, with half the group starting from each end. Second meeting place: K-Mart parking lot in Waynesville at 8:30 AM, but call leader beforehand. Topos: Cove Creek Gap, Dellwood, Bunches Bald; also NatGeo. Map #316

SUNDAY NO. A1102-444 May 29
Avery Creek Loop *8:00 AM
Hike 10, 1700 ft. ascent, Drive 80, Rated A-A
Michael and Kathy Cornn, cell: 828-458-1281 or 828-458-1282, mcornn@aol.com
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 8:35 AM. A scenic hike featuring waterfalls and a beaver dam. We’ll first climb to Buckhorn Gap via Twin Falls, then follow the Black Mtn. Trail to Club Gap, with our return downhill on the Avery Creek Trail.. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Shining Rock; also NatGeo. map #780

MEMORIAL DAY NO. A1102-728 May 30
Chimney Tops Loop (Joint hike with SMHC) *7:45 AM
Hike 11.5, Drive 150, 2700 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Becky Smucker, cell: 828-231-2198, bjsmucker@gmail.com
900M *Note earlier start time. From the Chimney Tops Trailhead, we will climb 3.3 miles to the A.T. via the Chimney Tops and Road Prong trails, a historic route formerly part of the Oconaluftee Turnpike which was heavily used during the Civil War. Along the way we will pass a reported Indian cemetery, Beech Flats, Indian Grave Flats, several waterfalls, and a few stream crossings. After 2.5 miles along the A.T., we will turn down the Sugarland Mountain trail. At 3.2 miles down this trail, we will take the unmaintained Chimneys Manway 0.4 miles over to the Chimney Tops. After enjoying the views from here, we will take the Chimney Tops Trail back to the trailhead. Second meeting place: back of Maggie Valley Post Office lot at 8:30 AM, but contact leader first. Topos: Clingmans Dome, Mt. LeConte; also NatGeo map #317

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Half Day Sunday

HALF-DAY NO. H1102-102 May 8
Coontree Loop *12:30 PM
Hike 3.7, Drive 65, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader: Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, cell: 828-674-1374, ashok.kudva@att.net
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at the Pisgah Ranger station at 1:05 PM. Moderate loop hike going along Coontree Creek and over Coontree Mtn. Hike is steep in places. Topo: Shining Rock

HALF-DAY NO. H1102-101 May 15
Lower Big Laurel Creek 12:30 PM
Hike 6, Drive 60, 286 ft ft. ascent, Rated B-C
Nonmembers, call leader: Tom Crook, 828-545-8545, tmc3017@gmail.com
Stroll along a beautiful stream with white water, rocks and surrounding high cliffs. Visit Runion Logging Camp. Over 250 species of vascular plants have been identified along this trail, including five endangered species. Topo: Hot Springs

HALF-DAY NO. H1102-718 May 22
Little Sam Loop from Black Balsam Parking Lot *12:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 75, 650 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader: Lee Belknap, 828-698-9394, rivergypsy@sprintmail.com
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at 12:40 PM. We will start at the Black Balsam Parking lot, hike across the MST to Little Sam trail and return via Flat Laurel Creek trail. Many spectacular views. Topo: Shining Rock; also NatGeo map #780

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All Day Wednesday

WEDNESDAY NO. W1102-033 May 11
Ramsey Cascades 8:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 165, 3055 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA
Janet Martin, cell: 502-494-9309, jaykaymartin@msn.com
900M, WC100 This hike meanders through diverse forest and features abundant wildflowers in late April and early May. A group of old growth tulip trees remains near the mid-point of the trail. The sixty-foot drop of Ramsey Cascades is a popular destination in the Smokies. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop off Exit 24 of I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topo: Mt. Guyot;also NatGeo map #317

WEDNESDAY NO. W1102-249 May 18
Buckeye Gap and Haywood Gap Trails Circuit 8:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 85, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Jim Ariail, 828-505-0443, jimariail@yahoo.com
P400 Starting east on the MST, we make a left onto Buckeye Gap Trail, a steep descent onto Haywood Gap Trail, and proceed to our lunch spot at river. We then climb the Haywood Gap Trail back to the MST and back to the starting point. NOTE: Wilderness area, Hike limited to 10 hikers; contact leader to reserve a space. Hiking poles and long pants recommended. Second meeting place: Cold Mountain Overlook on the BRP at 8:40 AM. Topo: Sam Knob

WEDNESDAY NO. W1102-275 May 18
Roundtop Ridge and AT *9:00 AM
Hike 9, Drive 70, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Barbara Morgan, , 828-738-3395, bcmorg@hughes.net
*Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at corner of US 25/70 and NC 208 at 9:40 AM. From Tanyard Gap we will hike south on the A.T. to Hot Springs, then up beautiful Roundtop Ridge, then down the A.T. to Tanyard Gap. Please e-mail leader to let her know if you plan to do this hike. Topo: Hot Springs

WEDNESDAY NO. W1102-636 May 25
Coontree-Bennett Gap-PressleyCove Lollipop *9:00 AM
Hike 8.4, Drive 75, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, cell: 828-674-1374, ashok.kudva@att.net
P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station at 9:35 AM. This hike goes up Coontree loop then follows Bennett Gap and Pressley Cove Trails, returning on right branch of Coontree Loop. Pace will be below average, faster hikers may proceed up to the next trail intersection. Topos: Shining Rock, Pisgah Forest; also NatGeo map #780

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 Bonnie Allen, 828-645-0357, bonnie@allencats.com

Wednesday Hikes are submitted by Charlie Ferguson, 828-625-2677 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.