Newcomers are welcome, but non-members MUST call the leader before the hike to determine the requirements. Half-day hikes submitted by Lucy Prim, lucette32@mchsi.com, 828-693-6580. Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All hikes assemble at the east end of the Westgate Shopping Center parking lot near CVS (Exit 3B off I-240) UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes will have second meeting places as described in hike listings. Please phone the hike leader if you are not sure of the meeting location.

HALF-DAY NO. H0803-463 July 6
Big Ridge Overlook to Elk Pasture Gap *1:00 PM
Hike 4.4, Drive 50, 600 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Barry Fletcher, 828-299-4776, Hmflet@aol.com
P400 *Note early start time. We will do a moderate hike from the Big Ridge Overlook to Elk Pasture Gap and return on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. If we're lucky we will see lots of Turk's Cap Lilies in bloom at that time near the Mills River Valley Overlook. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: BRP French Broad River Overlook at M.P. 393 at 1:10 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0803-346 July 13
Folk Art Center to Haw Creek Overlook on MST *1:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 15, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Lucy Prim, 828-693-6580, lucette32@mchsi.com
*Note early start time. This favorite moderate hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is rewarded with great views of the Haw Creek Valley. Short car shuttle. Second meeting place: Back parking lot of Folk Art Center off the Blue Ridge Parkway at 1:15 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0803-434 July 20
Laurel Mountain Trail *1:00 PM
Hike 4-5 miles, Drive 40, C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Greg Goodman, 828-684-9703, greggoodman@bellsouth.net
P400 *Note early start time. Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at the North Mills River parking area at 1:30 PM. This loop hike will start at FS 1206, go along a ridge trail toward Black Mountain, and return via the Laurel Mountain Trail. There should be good views of the Mills River Valley.

HALF-DAY No. H0803-578 July 27
Flat Laurel Creek, Little Sam Knob, MST Loop *12:30 PM
Hike 6.5, Drive 80, Rated B-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Gerry McNabb, 828-274-0057, gerrymcnabb@charter.net
P400 *Note early start time. This is a pleasant loop trail with views of Big Sam Knob, Fork Ridge and the lovely Flat Laurel Creek. We’ll begin on the Flat Laurel Creek Trail, which ascends gradually until we are hiking next to the creek, where we will stop for a snack. Little Sam Knob Trail, with views of Little Sam Knob and Sam Knob, connects to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, which will take us back down to our starting point at NC 215. Second meeting place: Pisgah Inn, north end of parking lot, at 1:00 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0803-046 Aug. 3
Bent Creek Loop #12, MST side *1:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 20, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net
P400 *Note early start time. This loop hike will pass by Lake Powhatan and ascend to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail via the Sherman Stambaugh Trail. We will then descend on the Sleepy Gap Trail and wander along the Explorer and Pine Tree Trails.

HALF-DAY No. H0803-222 Aug. 10
Montreat Loop #3 *1:00 PM
Hike 5, Drive 40, 1200 feet ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Gail Lamb, 828-350-0450, galmb46@aol.com
*Note early start time. We will ascend by the Graybeard Trail to the Old Trestle Road at Pot Cove Gap, then follow a recently cleared and opened section of the Old Trestle Road (not on most Montreat trail maps yet) to Graybeard Falls. We will return to Pot Cove Gap by a short steep section of the Graybeard Trail, and then retrace our path to the parking area. There are ten dry-foot stream crossings on rocks and/or logs. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonalds off I-40 at Exit 64 at 1:20 PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0803-587 Aug. 17
Catawba Falls *1:00 PM
Hike 4, Drive 40, 600 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Becky Elston, 828-749-1886, belston@cytechusa.com
*Note early start time. Since the 1870s when Rufus Morgan photographed the Catawba Falls, people have hiked along the Catawba River to view these spectacular waterfalls. After years of being off-limits, the falls are now on their way to becoming open to the public. Second meeting place: Parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at Exit 73 (Old Fort) off I-40 at 1:30 PM. Topo: Black Mountain.

HALF-DAY No. H0803-437 Aug. 24
Slate Rock Creek - Slate Rock Ridge – Pilot Cove *1:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 40, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated C-B
Nonmembers, call leader, Lee Belknap, 828-698-9394, rivergypsy@sprintmail.com
P400 *Meet at Westgate at 1:30 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pisgah Ranger Station, US 276 at 2:05 PM. This is a moderate hike up beautiful Slate Rock Creek and along Slate Rock Ridge. The hike includes waterfalls and a great view of Pilot Rock from the ridge top. Short car shuttle.

HALF-DAY No. H0803-490 Aug. 31
Craven Gap to Folk Art Center *1:00 PM
Hike 5.4, Drive 11 miles, 750 ft. ascent, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Renate Rikkers, 828-298-9988, rerikkers@aol.com
*Note early start time, and that the only meeting place is the back parking lot of the Folk Art Center off the BRP. A pleasant hike along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, with a gradual 1640 ft. descent.

HALF-DAY No. H0803-615 Sept. 7
Black Balsam Loop via Graveyard Ridge Trail & ALT *12:30 PM
Nonmembers, call leader, Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, mwbromberg@yahoo.com
P400 *Note early start time. Begin at FS 816, north on MST to Graveyard Ridge Trail. Left on Graveyard Ridge Trail to Ivestor Gap. Return on Art Loeb over Tennant and Black Balsam. 6 miles. We should see blueberries along the way. Also, great views! Second meeting: Pisgah Inn, north end of parking lot, at 1:00PM.

HALF-DAY No. H0803-407 Sept. 14
Dill Falls *12:30 PM
Hike 5, Drive 85, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Bonnie Allen, 828-645-0357
P400 *Note early start time. We will hike to Dill Falls, a magnificent 70 ft. waterfall, then hike up the west side of Tanasee Creek from the point where Charles Creek Road crosses the creek. There will be two stream crossings that require wading. Second Meeting Place: Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo (intersection of NC 280 & US 64) side parking lot at 1:00 PM.

HALF-DAY NO. H0803-533 Sept. 21
Looking Glass Overlook to Wagon Road Gap on the MST *1:00 PM
Drive 70, Hike 5, 1500 ft. Ascent, Rated C-A
Nonmembers, call leader, Bruce Bente, 828-692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net
P400 *Note earlier start time. Meet at Westgate at 1:00 PM to form carpools, and meet leader at BRP Wagon Road Gap Overlook (M.P. 412) at 1:40 PM. Although this hike is only 5 miles in length, please note that it will ascend a total of 1500 ft. It features great views from Green Knob as a payoff for the climb. Short car shuttle. Possible supper afterwards at Pisgah Inn.

HALF-DAY No. H0803-318 Sept. 28
Big Ridge Overlook to Beaver Dam Overlook *1:00 PM
Hike 4.4, Drive 35, Rated C-C
Nonmembers, call leader, Paula Robbins, 828-281-3253, paularww@bellsouth.net
P400 *Note early start time. This in-and-out hike along the MST near milepost 403 of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a good one for beginners. It will feature some fall wildflowers and good views. Second meeting place French Broad Overlook of the Blue Ridge Parkway at M.P. 393 at 1:10 PM.