CMC Weekly Hike News
03/31/04
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Looking Ahead....
All Day Sunday
ALL DAY No. A0401-337 Apr. 4 Shining Rock from Black Balsam (strenuous #1) 8:30 AM Hike 11, Drive 65, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Lenny Bernstein 828-236-0192 lsberns@worldnet.att.net SB6K, P400 Note change to DST and later start time. We'll hike to Shining Rock via two different routes today. This hike will take the Art Loeb Trail from FS 816 to Shining Rock (6040'), climbing Black Balsam (6214'), Tennent Mtn. (6040') and Grassy Cove Top (6040') along the way. This will be your chance to bag four easy SB6K peaks while enjoying beautiful early spring views covering the area from Pilot Mtn. to Cold Mtn. We'll return via the Ivestor Gap Trail to get a different perspective on the same area. Wilderness area hike limited to 10 people. Please contact hike leader to reserve your place. Second meeting place: BRP Cold Mtn. overlook at 9:00 AM. Topos: Shining Rock, Sam Knob; also Natl. Geographic map of Pisgah Ranger District.
ALL DAY No. A0401-151 Apr. 4 Shining Rock loop via Chestnut Ridge and Shining Creek 8:45 AM (strenuous #2) Hike 8.5, Drive 60, 2600 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA Carroll Koepplinger 828-667-0723 carrollkoepp@cs.com SB6K, P400 Note change to DST and later start time. We'll hike to Shining Rock via two different routes today. This hike will start at the Big East parking area, go up the steep Chestnut Ridge Trail, then over Dog Loser and Old Butt Knobs to lunch at Shining Rock (6040') with its exceptional views. We'll return via a steep descent to the north fork of Shining Creek. Wilderness area hike limited to ten people. Please contact hike leader to reserve your place. Topo: Shining Rock; also Natl. Geographic map of Pisgah Ranger District
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 Sunday
HALF-DAY No. H0401-325 Apr. 4 Tanyard Gap to Rich Mountain 1:30 PM Hike 5, Drive 72, Rated C-B Jorge Munoz, 658-0606, jmunoz@buncombe.main.nc.us After a good and easy climb on the Appalachian Trail, we will be rewarded with an outstanding view of the Hot Springs area from the fire tower. Side benefits: spring flowers showing off all over, besides good company.
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 Wednesday
ALL DAY No. W0401-314 March 31 MST:, Double Top Overlook 8:00 AM To Balsam Gap (US 74) Hike 10, Drive 60, Rated A-C Jack Fitzgerald, 828-685-2897 suejackfitz@bellsouth.net We will hike on a section of the Mountains to Sea Trail, which has been newly renovated by the CMC Asheville Maintenance Crew. The hike is downhill all the way. Car shuttle. Meeting place: Westgate.
ALL DAY No. W0401-315 April 7 Black Mountain Bushwhack 8:30 AM Hike 8, Drive 1, Rated B-A Larry Ballard, 828-891-4318 Eileen McGill, 828-891-4409 dolphins@ioa.com P400 Starting on Yellow Gap Trail, we hike up FS 5051, then bushwhack up Black Mountain, on to Rich Gap, down to FS 5055, and back to Yellow Gap Road. Topo: Dunsmore Mountain; also Nat'l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map. Meeting Place: North Mills River picnic area.
Wednesday Hikes are submitted by Kenneth & Carol Deal, 828- 281-4530, KMCDeal@aol.com and Paula McNabb, 828- 274-0057 gcmcnabb@charter.net. 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.
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Looking Back......
All Day Sunday
SATURDAY No. A0401-335 Mar. 27 Green Ridge/AT/Fork Ridge Loop 8:00 AM Hike 10.5, Drive 90, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA Jorge Munoz 828-658-0606 jmunoz@buncombe.main.nc.us This strenuous hike in the Shelton Laurel-Carmen area climbs alongside Dry Creek with an attractive waterfall. You will be surrounded by beautiful woods and mountains while you climb up to the AT. On the AT, we will see the Shelton gravesites, the views from Big Butt and maybe a few early AT thru-hikers. After lunch at Jerry Cabin Shelter, we'll descend via the Fork Ridge Trail. Topos: Greystone, Flag Pond
ALL DAY No. A0401-336 Mar. 28 Mt. Cammerer from Big Creek 8:00 AM Hike 11.8, Drive 110, 3300 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+ Joe Cirvello 828-627-1797 joec@brinet.com 900AM It has been a couple of years since CMC did this great hike from Big Creek to the historic fire lookout atop Mt. Cammerer. It is a strenuous hike up the Chestnut Branch Trail and AT, but the payoffs are first class: a good early spring workout and superb views. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 off I40 at 8:30 AM. Topos: Waterville and Hartford; also Natl. Geographic Map of Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park
Post Hike Report: When I scouted this hike 5 days ago, snow was falling, there was ice on the trail, and the temp on top was 24 degrees. Today, we had great weather with temp in the 70's! Eighteen of us, including two guys who drove up from Florida, and one from Charlotte, hiked up to the lookout tower on Mt. Cammerer. It is almost worth the climb just to see that unique octagonal stone structure, rebuilt in 1996. A young guy from NY joined us at Westgate with the intention of hiking the AT back to NY. We encountered several thru-hikers while we were on the AT, one of whom, amazingly, was smoking. While the wildflowers weren't abundant, we did pass a section with masses of Spring Beauties, and although there was some haze, the views from the tower were pretty good. Joe
ALL DAY No. A0401-334 Mar. 21 Bull Creek Ramble 9:00 AM Hike 8-9, Drive 25, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Marlene Santa Maria 828-299-9095 marlena98@hotmail.com Note later start time. Marlene's fun hike has become a perennial CMC event that everyone enjoys. The trailhead is at Marlene's home, near Bull Creek Rd. The route will be along old roads and the MST to our lunch spot at Rattlesnake Lodge, where everyone can admire the commemorative plaque. There will be some moderately-paced off-trail hiking. Marlene will have refreshments at her home after the hike. Limited to 25 people, so please e-mail her for reservations or phone if you don't have e-mail. Topo: Craggy Pinnacle
Post Hike Report: We started the hike from my house about 9:45. We headed up on what used to be an old logging road. About a half hour later, we reached the MST near Bull Gap. Following the trail, we eventually reached Rattlesnake Loge. That was our lunch spot. After lunch, we headed out on the trail retracing our steps. We took a different way down to my house, had to bushwhack down the mountain to get to my house. We arrived back at my home at 2:30. It was a very windy day, so the group was moving fast all day. Angelo, my husband, was there to greet us all with hot coffee and plenty of goodies. Fun was had by all! Marlene
HALF-DAY No. H0401-324 Mar. 28 Bent Creek Loop #4 1:00 PM Eugene Jaroslaw, 828-255-9925 Hike 5, Drive 6, Rated C-C P400 Note early start time. A pleasant loop hike starting off the Bent Creek Gap Road, using parts of the Explorer Loop and the Chestnut Cove, MTS, and Sleepy Gap Trails. NOTE: ONLY MEETING PLACE is Ingles across from the Biltmore Square Mall on NC 191 (Take I-26, Exit 2).
HALF-DAY No. H0401-323 Mar. 21 Bent Creek Loop #3 1:00 PM Hike 6, Drive 20, 1250 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886, ruthmtn@aol.com P400 Note early start time. We will use parts of the Sleepy Gap, Explorer and Pine Tree trails and the Homestead Loop and visit the top of Grassy Knob, Sleepy Gap on the MST, and Lake Powhatan. This loop hike was originated by Tom Bindrim.
Post Hike Report: Eleven hikers started at the Hardtimes Trailhead in Bent Creek on a cool, windy but sunny Sunday afternoon. We followed the Holmstead Loop for a short distance and then headed uphill on an unmarked trail, crossing the South Ridge Road, to the MST. We were greeted by the first wildflowers of season, a few bloodworts in bloom and several toothworts not quite blooming. We followed the MST south to the intersection with the Sleepy Gap Trail, but headed uphill on an unmarked trail to the top of Grassy Knob. We enjoyed 360 degree views through the trees before heading down a man-way to the Sleepy Gap Overlook on the BRP. The hike continued down the Sleepy Gap Trail, the Explorer Trail, and the Pine Tree Trail. We had great views around the edge of Lake Powattan. This is a great close-in winter hike with diverse terrain and views. Ruth
HALF-DAY No. H0401-322 Mar. 14 UNC-A Loop; Richmond Hill Park 1:30 PM Hike 4, Drive 10, Rated C-C Paula Robbins, 828-281-325, paularww@bellsouth.net Here's a chance to learn two short hikes in Asheville to take when you don't have time to drive out of town but need a workout. The loop around the University has a lot of ups and downs, and we may see the early bloodroot along the trails at Asheville's newest park.
Post Hike Report: Eighteen folks, half newcomers and half such old-timers as Bernard Elias, showed up for a different kind of CMC hike---within the city of Asheville. This was an opportunity to discover places to walk without driving far afield. We hiked the two-mile Periphery Trail around UNC-A, with lots of ups and downs (maps are available from the mailbox along the entrance road). After a brief visit to the Botanical Garden to view the first of the spring wildflowers, the rare Oconee Bells, and for a snack break, we drove across the French Broad River to Asheville's newest park, Richmond Hill. There we walked through the disc golf course and explored some of the unmarked trails in this 180-acre wooded terrain. Paula
All Day Wednesday
ALL DAY No. W0401-249 March 24 Big Creek 9:00 AM Hike 10, Drive 65, Rated A-B Joe Cirvello, 828-627-1797 joec@brinet.com 900M The Big Creek Trail is described as "one of the most beautiful and interesting walks in the GSMNP." The water rushing around the many huge boulders strewn all along Big Creek make it beautiful in any season, and the early spring flowers should make it spectacular. We will pass the Rock House, Midnight Hole and Mouse Creek Falls, crossing a couple of bridges enroute to Walnut Bottoms. Topo: Waterville. Meeting place: The Pilot Truck Stop at Exit 24 off I-40.
Post Hike Report: The day was already beginning to warm up as we began our hike at 10a.m. up Big Creek in the Smoky Mtn. Nat. Park. Almost immediately, we were welcomed by bloodroot blooming along the trail. Further on we saw violets, and a few phacelia; there were many trillium, but none in bloom. But the beauty of Big Creek more than made up for the lack of flowers. There were 18 of us, and most made the short scramble up the narrow side trail to gaze in awe at the unique formation called the "Rock House", where early settlers were said to have slept. We also made stops at the "Midnight Hole", which would be a great place for a refreshing dip in August, and Mousecreek Falls, where an abundant flow of water created a beautiful scene. For lunch we sat on the bridge or along the creek at Walnut Bottoms with the temperature in the 60's and warm sunshine. We then retraced our steps along Big Creek to the trailhead with more scenic beauty all along the way, like a second helping of ice cream. It's a wonderful place. Joe
ALL DAY No. W0401-313 March 17 ALTERNATE HIKE Hot Springs Area Ramble 9:00 AM Hike 6, Drive 70, Rated B-B Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327 mel&tgs@main.nc.us A mixture of Appalachian Trail, Pump Gap Loop, and woods roads. A relaxed stroll through the woods with good views. Meeting place: Westgate.
Post Hike Report: Five of us met on a damp and overcast morning to hike the south portion of Pump Gap Loop and explore various side trails around the AT. The intention was a moderate trip, in which we took a stroll in the woods for about 3 1/2 hours or 6-7 miles. As the day wore on, weather improved so that we were able to enjoy the diverse and beautiful views in the Hot Springs area. This stint was one of several variations between Tanyard Gap and Hot Springs that Tom has been attempting to develop as accessible and pleasant winter hikes. Tom
HikingNews....
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