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SATURDAY No. A0502-095 June 25 Hemphill Bald from Polls Gap 8:00 AM Hike 9.5, Drive 95, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Carroll Koepplinger 828-667-0723 carrollkoepp@cs.com 900M Beginning with a stroll through hardwood forests, the trail emerges into open fields stretching along the GSMNP boundary, with exceptional views. Lunch spot in open field at Hemphill Bald. Topos: Bunches Bald, Dellwood; also Nat’l. Geographic GSMNP map

ALL DAY No. A0502-449 June 26 Bald Mtns. Loop 8:00 AM Hike 9.7, Drive 135, 2750 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA+ Les Love 828-658-1489 lesrlove@aol.com This is a beautiful Tennessee hike only 1 1/4 hours away and never before done by CMC. We'll hike from the Horse Creek Rec. Area to Pete's Branch Falls, then up Sarvis Cove along the creek to the AT at Cold Spring Mountain for lunch. We'll go back down an old jeep road that has great views. This hike is strenuous and has seven rock-hop creek crossings that may involve wading, so come prepared. Topo: Greystone; also Nat’l. Geographic French Broad & Nolichucky Rivers map

No Hike Scheduled July 3 No hike is scheduled because the Appalachian Trail Conference biennial meeting is being held July 1-8 in Johnson City, TN, with CMC as a co-host.

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. H0502-155 June 26 Picklesimer Fields 1:30 PM Hike 5, drive 40, Rated C-C Tom Sanders 828-252-6327 mel&tgs@main.nc.us P400 This moderate in-and-out hike will start at the Fish Hatchery, take part of the Cat Gap Loop, go through Picklesimer Fields on the Butter Gap trail, and return.

No Hike Scheduled July 3 No hike is scheduled because the Appalachian Trail Conference biennial meeting is being held July 1-8 in Johnson City, TN, with CMC as a co-h

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

WEDNESDAY No. W0502-137 June 29 Roans above 6000’ 8:00 AM Hike 9, Drive 150, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116 bbente@cytechusa.com SB6K A beautiful AT hike with some of WNC’s finest views. Expect Flame azaleas and Gray’s Lilies to be in bloom. From Carver’s Gap we’ll go north to Grassy Ridge (6160 ft.), then double back south to Roan High Knob (6285 ft.) and the vista from Roan High Bluff (6287 ft.). Topo: Carvers Gap

WEDNESDAY No. No. W0503-249 July 13 Buckeye Gap and Haywood Gap Trails Circuit 8:00 AM Hike 9.5, drive 80, 1400 ft. Ascent, Rated A-B Susanna Whitaker, 828-684-5948, susannwhit@earthlink.net P400 Our hike is in the Middle Prong Wilderness area, limited to 10 hikers. Please call the leader for reservations. Buckeye Gap, Haywood Gap, partly on MST. Several stream crossings. Trailhead will be Rough Butt Bald. Second meeting place: Cold Mtn. overlook, BRP M.P. 412 at 8:40 AM.

WEDNESDAY. No. W0503-447July 20 MST Mt. Pisgah to Beaverdam Overlook 8:30 AM Ray Sanow231-7669, raysray@charter.net P400 This moderate hike will start with a round trip up and down Mt. Pisgah, will then follow the MST northbound to Beaverdam Overlook. Good views. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: BRP French Broad Overlook at 8:40 AM. Topos: Cruso, Dunsmore Mtn. and MST profiles, pp 53-55.

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. A0502-354 June 12 Hump Mtn. from Elk Park 7:30 AM Hike 8, Drive 140, 3200 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA+ Bob Byrd 828-299-7681 bbyrd@charter.net Note early start time. Come and enjoy this beautiful hike to one of the jewels of the AT, Hump Mtn. See the fantastic 360 degree views from the summit and Gray’s lilies which should be in bloom. The hike will continue to Little Hump Mtn., but hikers wishing a shorter hike may remain on the first summit and wait for the leader’s return. Topos: Elk Park, White Rocks Mtn., Carvers Gap

Post Hike Report: With rain threatening, only three people showed up at Westgate for the 7:30 departure for the Elk park to Little Hump Mtn. hike..Bob Byrd, Bruce Bente,and Arnie Lingle decided to abort the Hump mtn. hike and hike closer to Asheville. We hiked the AT from Sams Gap to the base of Big Bald and returned to the trailhead. We did not do the final ascent of Big Bald because it was fogged in,,we had an early lunch at the 5000' elevation contour and then began our descent back toward Sams Gap..we had a second lunch break back at Street Gap.. After returning to Sams Gap we decided to try to access Street Gap from the TN side..thus we proceeded the end of R.fork of Higgins Branch road(From the first Interstate exit on the Tennessee side) then walked .06 mi up the road to Street Gap. For future reference,Bruce decided we could begin hikes at the beginning of the dirt road leading to Street Gap,however 4X4 wheel drive high profile vehicles should be able to drive to Street Gap with minimal concern..There is space at Street Gap to park about 5 cars. Bruce may want to add additional comments to this relative to future use of this access possibility to Big Bald . we were all amazed that we did not get wet...the clouds were beautiful , the winds light to moderate, and the views from the ridgelines were spectacular..We hiked a total of approximately 11-12 miles....Bob Byrd

ALL DAY No. A0502-165 June 19 Mt. Le Conte via Boulevard, Alum Cave Trails 8:00 AM Hike 13, Drive 150, 2600 ft. ascent, Rated AA-AA Don Gardner 828-754-4067 gardog3@charter.net SB6K, 900M This hike features 6593 ft. Mt. Leconte and great views from the AT, Boulevard Trail, our lunch spot on the summit, and the Alum Cave Trail. Topos: Clingman’s Dome, Mt. Le Conte

Post Hike Report: The day dawned somewhat dark and damp, but the by the time we got to Newfound Gap and did our car swap to the Alum Cave parking area, it was clear and sunny. Our group totaled five, including a new hiker to the Club, Pam Jaillet. This was a nostalgic hike for me, as this was the very first hike that I did with the Club back in 1998 (and my first hike ever), and to have Pam along as her first hike with the Club was great.

We started out on the AT, being warned by bikers in the parking lot at Newfound Gap to beware of bears. We hiked the 2.7 miles to the Boulevard trail and turned northwest to begin the climb to Mt. Le Conte. The weather gradually turned a little darker, but we never encountered rain—just some low cloud cover in several areas. We did have some views, but not as many as we had hoped for. We ventured out to Myrtle Point where you watch the Sunrise if you are staying at the Lodge, then on to Mt. Le Conte and finally to the Lodge. At the summit of Le Conte, we each put a stone on top of the rock pile to contribute to the effort of making Le Conte (eventually) higher than Clingman’s Dome (or so the story goes)!!

We wandered around at the Lodge for a short while, checking out the Office (library), the mess hall and of course the privies. After chatting a few other hikers, we began our descent on the Alum Cave trail. We encountered a number of hiking groups ascending and descending Alum Cave. This is the most popular route to Le Conte since it is the shortest distance, but it is also a challenging climb. We passed Alum Cave bluffs, where during the Civil War mining supposedly occurred to extract sulfides and saltpeter out of the mountain side which were instrumental in the manufacture of gunpowder.

The final descent of 2 miles brought us to the parking area. We had an elevation gain for the hike of 2220’ and a descent of 3260’. It was a most enjoyable Fathers’ Day. Don

HALF DAY No. H0502-008 June 12 Bee Tree Gap Road to Rattlesnake Lodge 1:30 PM Hike 5.7, Drive 35, Rated B-B Don Walton 828-654-9904 donwalton@bellsouth.net This moderate hike will feature good views and a variety of trees and wild flowers in bloom. Car spot. Second meeting place: Folk Art Center Lower Parking Lot at 1:45 PM.

HALF DAY No. H0502-453 June 19 Max Patch Ramble 1:30 PM Hike 4, Drive 75, Rated C-C Gail Lamb 828-275-4500 gllamb@bellsouth.net Awesome panoramic views and summer wildflowers make this moderate hike a favorite. We will go up Max Patch to the AT and north through meadows, woods and past a small stream. Then we will loop back on a side trail.

Post Hike Report: Fourteen eager souls rambled around the Max Patch area exclaiming over the wildflowers , views, variety of habitat and the hike. Sunshine and scattered clouds alternated with threatening clouds and a drop of rain but overall beautiful weather. From the Max Patch parking lot we started to the left on short loop and hiked to summit via AT. Then we went down opposite face and north on Buckeye Ridge Trail , through meadows and woods to another intersection with the AT. We proceeded north a short distance on the AT and took a break at stream crossing . Our return was on the AT and a second summit look. Our hike was about 3 hours and over 5 miles. We counted at least 15 varieties of blossoms, and identified many with the help of Cherie Pittillo's knowledge and her book .Everyone liked this hike and several suggested annual repeat. Gail Lamb

WEDNESDAY No. W0502-459 June 8 MST: NC 128 to Greybeard overlook 8:00 AM Hike 5 or 8.9, Drive 80, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387 cowbonetail@yahoo.com . We head up into old growth Balsam and Spruce forests just south of Mt Mitchell. This is a scenic hike with dramatic views and several rocky climbs. Naturalist Taylor Barnhill will be coming along to enlighten anyone interested along the way. Hikers wishing a shorter trek can stop after 5 miles at Balsam Gap, if desired. Car shuttle. Optional post-hike drive to the view and lodge at Mt Mitchell. Second meeting place: Craven Gap on BRP at 8:20 AM. Topo: Mt. Mitchell, Montreat; also MST Profiles, pg. 66-69

WEDNESDAYNo. W0502-460 June 15 Pilot Mt to Courthouse Falls 8:00 AM* Hike 8, Drive 60, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Larry Ballard, 828-891-4318 leballard@cytechcis.net P400 This in-and-out hike begins with a short bushwhack below Pilot Mt. and follows FS 140A through interesting forest to FS 140 and on to Courthouse Falls. This route affords a different view of Devils Courthouse. There is one easy stream crossing (Kiesse Creek). Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topos: Shining Rock, Sams Knob; also Nat’l. Geographic Pisgah Ranger District map

CMC FONTANA 2005 HIKING WEEKEND

Rev. 1.0 issued 6-20-05

In response to popular demand, CMC has scheduled a weekend hiking trip to the Lake Fontana area over the weekend of October 1-2, 2005.

We will stay in Fontana Village or nearby campgrounds on Friday and/or Saturday nights, and will hike nearby trails on Saturday and Sunday, including some in the Great Smoky Mtns. Natl. Park.

Details of the trip are:

Lodging:

Make your reservations directly with Fontana Village (1-800-849-2258), and ask for the CMC discounted rate. A block of different room and cottage types will be held for CMC until 8/1/05.

Fontana Village offers a range of accommodations. They have quoted the following rates for CMC attendees:

•hostel-type beds: (bare bed frames, no mattress, with kitchen) (approx. $15/night)

•Camp Cabins: 2BR, 1BA, with kitchen (without bed linens or kitchen utensils) ($43/night/cottage)

•Dogwood Cottage: 2BR, 1BA with kitchen (with bed linens and kitchen utensils) ($58/night/cottage)

•New Dogwood Cottage: 2BR, 1BA with kitchen (with bed linens and kitchen utensils) ($68/night/cottage)

•Laurel Cottage: 2BR, 1BA with kitchen, with bed linens, utensils, TV, air cond.) ($75/night/cottage)

Azalea Cottage: 2 or 3 BR, 2BA with kitchen, bed linens, utensils, TV/VCR, air cond. ($145/night/cottage for 3BR)

•Fontana Inn: 2 double beds ($68/night/room)

•Campground with hookup ($18/night/campsite)

•Campground w/o hookup ($13/night/campsite)

CMC will have use of the swimming pools and other Fontana Village facilities. Mountain bikes and horses are available for rental. Fontana Village has an indoor swimming pool, free for people staying at the Village. Bring your swim suit!

Please look at their website www.fontanavillage.com for more information.

Campgrounds are also available, as follows:

•Fontana Village Campground next to Little Tennessee River (see rate schedule above)

•Cable Cove Campground five miles north of Fontana Village (approx. $8 / night/campsite)

Check-in at Fontana Village:

We will have a CMC table set up in back of the Fontana Village registration counter.

This table will have sign-in sheets for each of the planned hikes (The hikes that people sign up for will be the ones hiked)

Please sign in and make your hike selections after you register.

Our central “Information Center” will be Bruce Bente’s cottage. The cabin number will be posted at the CMC table by the registration counter.

Meals:

Friday:

A number of people are going over earlier on Friday to do some early hiking and to explore the area. We will get together Friday for supper at the Fontana Village Inn restaurant. CMC invites anyone who will be at Fontana by 6 PM to join us.

Meals are available at the Fontana Village restaurant in the Lodge (breakfast $8.95; lunch $7.95, supper entree $13-15). New for 2005: The restaurant is under new management and has upgraded its menu. It also has a full liquor license to serve beer, wine and cocktails.

The Fontana Village restaurant will prepare box trail lunches for $7.95 with advance notice. If you want a box lunch, tell Bruce Bente so he can place an order with the restaurant.

Saturday:

We will make supper reservations at the restaurant in the Lodge for 7 pm Saturday night, so CMCers can eat together and exchange stories about the day’s hikes. (See note above about Friday night supper.)

For a nice Sunday night supper on the way home, the historic Jarrett House in Dillsboro is recommended. Meals are served family-style and the food is good and plentiful. Take US 74 north to the US 23 South exit, go one mile, then turn left at the first traffic light and Jarrett House is immediately to your left.

Hiking:

NOTE: This list is preliminary only and will be revised as plans progress. Check at the CMC table on Friday to learn of any additional changes.

Saturday 10/1 strenuous hike Haw Creek, Tali Gap, Little Fork. Come see the other copper mine, the one on Haw Creek. Many know of it, but few have ever been there. If time permits, we will return via the larger group of mines on Little Fork. Some moderate bushwhacking. Ferry trip across Fontana Lake.

Saturday 10/1 strenuous hike Shuckstack – Lost Cove – Lakeshore Trail loop 13 mls

This hike goes 3.5 miles north on the AT from the trailhead just over Fontana Dam, to the magnificent view of Lake Fontana and the surrounding mountains from the summit of Shuckstack. After Shuckstack, descend on Lost Cove trail and return to cars via Lakeshore Trail.

Saturday 10/1 moderate hike AT from Yellow Creek Gap to Fontana 7.5 mls

Saturday 10/1 Easier hike Twentymile loop trail from Twentymile trailhead 6.5 mls.

Sunday 10/2 10 am at Marina, returning about 4 pm Lance Holland will lead a boat excursion to the head of Hazel Creek and a hike around the abandoned townsite of Proctor and the Proctor Cemetery. Afterwards, the boat will travel to the head of Eagle Creek and will hike around the abandoned Ecoah Branch copper mine. Cost is $10. This excursion was very popular when we did it in 2003. This year there will be a limit of 35 people on the trip (25 in the big boat and 10 on a second smaller boat if needed.)

In addition, Fontana Village has 20 miles of trails around the village for those who want to hike nearby on their own. A trail map will be available at the CMC table next to the registration counter.

Transportation:

The driving time to Fontana Village from Asheville is about 2 hours via I 40 - US 23/74 - US 19/74 - NC 28. It’s all 4-lane divided highway except the last 18 miles of NC 28.

Ferry service across Lake Fontana is available from the Marina, near Fontana Dam. The 20-minute ride across to the hike trailhead will cost about $10-12 per person (round trip), depending on the number of passengers and the time of return.

The Marina opens at 8:00 am, and the last scheduled pickup for return is 3:30pm. However, they will pickup as late as 5:30pm, for an extra charge of $40/boat for overtime. (for example, if the Saturday Hazel Creek hike has 15 people, the round trip, returning at 5:30pm, will cost

$12/person.)

Misc :

For anyone wishing to learn more about the history of the Fontana area, you are invited to look at the following websites:

www.worldisround.com/articles/9485

http://aam.wcu.edu/hogue/index.html

http://aam.wcu.edu/livingston

www.ncroads.com/nc200+/nc288.htm

http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/photo/austin_brooks/default.htm

http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/photo/austin_brooks/pages/ab639b.htm

www.appalachianhistory.com

I just returned from a meeting hosted by the Blue Ridge Parkway to discuss the final segment of the NC Mountains to Sea Trail. In attendance were Lisa Slobodzian (GRSM NC District Ranger), George Minnigh, Don Walton (representing the Carolina Mountain Club), Bambi Teague (Blue Ridge Parkway Res. Mgt. Spc.), Larry Hultquist (Blue Ridge Parkway Trails Coord.), Alan Dehart (and another gentlemen whose name I did not get) from the Friends of the Mountain to Sea Trail, Dwayne Stutzman, and me. Dick Ketelle offered to join us by phone, but that was not possible.

In question was the MST route between Wolf Laurel Gap (where the road to Balsam Mtn. Campground turns off the BLRI) and Cherokee. The meeting was called because the Cherokee Tribe indicated they did not want the MST to cross the Res., the route originally envisioned.

That left about nine alternatives, including following the A.T. from Clingmans Dome to Tricorner Knob.

The general consensus at the end of the meeting was that there are two preferred alternatives: 1. Follow an old fire road from Wolf Laurel Gap west to Big Witch Gap then build new trail within the BLRI right-of-way to US441; 2. Follow the old fire road from Wolf Laurel Gap west to Big Witch Gap then follow a gravel road down to Big Cove Road, then Big Cove Road to US441. Don Walton

Charlotte National Trails Day Event “Hiking For Health In The Carolinas” June 4, 2005

American Hiking Society Ambassador, Bill Gupton, hosted a very successful event on National Trails Day in Charlotte, NC at Jesse Brown’s Outdoors, a local outdoor retail store. The event was promoted with a radio interview on the WBT Carolina Outdoors weekly radio show and prominent display of NTD posters and banners.

Bill partnered with the Park and Recreation department to provide local Greenway maps and maps of county parks, fitness centers, nature centers and other facilities that offer walking and hiking activities on the local level. Working with the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Nurses group and the Fit City Challenge organization, event participants received Fit City Challenge water bottles and information on the benefits of walking and hiking from two registered nurses that are avid hikers.

All of the 42 participants received a National Trails Day “Day Hike Check List” bookmark developed by Bill for the event. In addition to the usual things to bring, the list stresses a Leave No Trace philosophy as well as supporting your local and national hiking organizations.

Information and membership materials for the Carolina Mountain Club, Foothills Trail Conference, and Mountain To The Sea groups were displayed. The use of the “Long Distance Trails of the Southeast” map from the Southern Appalachians Initiative helped to show the working relationship and scope of area hiking opportunities. American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacations and NTD materials were displayed and discussed. Gift packages were developed form the NTD Organizers Kit materials and donated items from Jesse Brown’s producing some highly sought out items. These were made available to anyone joining the American Hiking Society. The results, 7 new AHS members!

Bill Bartee, owner of Jesse Brown’s, expressed his satisfaction with the event. “We were very pleased to work with Bill and the American Hiking Society in supporting National Trails Day. Our customers and our employees gained some valuable information and you can count on us supporting this event for many years to come”.

One final program success, Jesse Brown’s Outdoors is joining the American Hiking Society as a corporate member. Make that 8 new members!