All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 828-692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net. Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at 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 contact the hike leader if you are not sure of the meeting location.

ALL DAY NO. A0703-181 July 1
Black Balsam & Tennent Mtn. to Graveyard Fields 8:00 AM*
Hike 9, Drive 75, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Janet Onan, 828-698-3237, janonan@bellsouth.net
SB6K, P400 This scenic hike traverses a long stretch of balds with spectacular 360 degree views. From FS 816, we’ll hike over 6214 ft. Black Balsam and 6040 ft. Tennent Mtn. to Ivestor Gap. We’ll then follow an old road south to the Graveyard Ridge Trail and follow it back to our cars. Short car shuttle. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Cold Mtn. Overlook (BRP M.P. 412) at 8:35 AM. Topos: Sam Knob, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-488 July 8
Gabes Mt. Trail 8:00 AM*
Hike 9.6, Drive 150, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Marianne Newman, 828-454-1036, marianneln@msn.com
900M This in-and-out hike is on a mostly gentle trail from Cosby Campground in GSMNP through lovely old-growth forest. Added attractions are a short, steep side trip to the bottom of Hen Wallow Falls and lunch at a shady, streamside campsite. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Pilot Truck Stop at exit 24 of I-40 at 8:30 AM. Topos: Hartford, Luftee Knob; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-574 July 15
Big Creek – Laurel Mtn loop 8:00 AM
Hike 12, Drive 60, 2700 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Michael Cornn, 828-685-3442, mcornn@aol.com
P400 This new CMC hike will start and end at the Trace Ridge Trailhead. It will ascend the Big Creek trail to the BRP, climb over the Buck Springs tunnel to the MST and descend on the Laurel Mtn. Trail and a no-name trail back to the Big Creek trail. One stream crossing may be a wet crossing if it has been raining. Second meeting place: Trace Ridge trailhead at 8:30 AM. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn.; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-211 July 22
MST: Pigeon Gap to NC 151 8:00 AM*
Hike 10.7 Drive 50, 1980 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Stuart English, 828-883-2447, stuengo@citcom.net
P400 A high elevation hike for a hot summer day. We’ll hike the MST past the Pisgah Inn, over the top of Little Pisgah Mountain, and down to Elk Pasture Gap, enjoying mountain views along the way. Car shuttle. *Meeting places: Meet at Westgate at 8:00 AM to form carpools, and meet leader at Wagon Road Gap Overlook (BRP M.P. 412) at 8:35 AM. Topos: Shining Rock, Pisgah Forest; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map and MST Profiles, pg. 52-54

SATURDAY NO. A0703-267 July 28
Horsepasture River 8:00 AM
Hike 8, Drive 105, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Kathleen Hannigan, 828-230-4883, kathleen.hannigan@pgnmail.com
We had so much fun on this hike last year that we thought we’d repeat it. See the waterfalls: Drift, Turtleback, Rainbow and Stairway, ending at Windy, the finale, downstream near Lake Jocassee, if the weather is not rainy. Bring a suit and we will swim at lunch and at another lovely swimmin' hole on the hike back from Windy. Second meeting place: Bi-lo in Pisgah Forest at 8:30 AM. Topo: Reid; Also Sierra Club guide to Jocassee Gorges.

ALL DAY NO. A0703-068 July 29
Big Butt from BRP 8:30 AM*
(moderate)
Hike 7, Drive 55, 2200 ft. ascent, Rated B-AA
Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886, ruthmtn@charter.net
*Note later start time. We will take the Big Butt trail from Balsam Gap on the BRP, following the ridge crest to Big Butt (Yeates Knob), a short bushwhack at just under 6000 ft., and return via the same route. We will stop at Point Misery for lunch and views of the Black Mtns. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 8:45 AM. Topos: Montreat, Mt. Mitchell; also South Toe River PNF map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-396 Aug. 5
Pilot Rock – Mt. Pisgah -Thompson Creek 8:00 AM
(strenuous)
Hike 11, Drive 80, 3000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Tom Sanders, 828-252-6327, tomary2@charter.net
P400 We will hike up the well-graded Pilot Rock and Mt. Pisgah trails to our lunch spot on the summit of Mt. Pisgah, and then down the Thompson Ridge trail. Expect great views along the way. Short car shuttle. Topos: Dunsmore Mtn., Cruso; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-571 Aug. 5
Smokemont Ramble 8:30 AM*
(moderate)
Hike 9, Drive 108, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, ashok.kudva@mchsi.com
900M *Note later start time. This new CMC hike from a popular GSMNP campground includes an in-and-out stroll along the Bradley Fork Trail and a gradual ascent and descent on the Smokemont Loop Trail. We will cross the Bradley Fork on a long and narrow split log bridge with a steel cable hand rail, to complete the loop over Richland Mountain. Second Meeting Place: Maggie Valley Post Office at 9:00 AM, but contact leader first. Topo: Smokemont; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-473 Aug. 12
Mt. Mitchell – Maple Camp Bald loop 8:30 AM*
Hike 8.5, Drive 70, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated B-A
Becky Smucker, 828-298-5013, bsmucker@charter.net
SB6K *Note later start time. We’ll do a moderate loop with great views, starting at Mt. Mitchell, following the MST, Mt. Mitchell and Buncombe Horse Range Trails. We’ll stop at Maple Camp Bald, then take the Big Tom Gap Trail 191-A up to the Crest Trail, and return via Big Tom and Mt. Craig. Second meeting place: Craven Gap at 8:45 AM Topo: Mt. Mitchell; also PNF South Toe River, Mt. Mitchell & Big Ivy trail map

BACKPACK NO. A0703-575 Aug. 18-19
Laurel Falls - Meigs Mtn. Sugarland loop phone leader for time
Hike: 23.7, Drive 185, 3900 ft. ascent, Rated AA+-AA+
Don Gardner, 828-754-4067, gardog3@charter.net
This two-day, one night backpack will start at the Laurel Falls Trail parking lot, and will follow the Laurel Falls, Little Brier Gap, Curry Mtn. and Meigs Mtn. trails to campsite #20 (13.5 mls.). #20 is beautiful and one of the nicest campsites in the park. The next day we will continue on Meigs Mtn. trail to Cucumber Gap and connecting trails, to Sugarland Mtn. Trail and back to our cars (10.2 mls.). Limited to ten people—please call the leader for reservations. Topo: Gatlinburg ; also Nat'l. Geo. GSMNP map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-044 Aug. 19
Lost Cove 8:00 AM
Hike 7.5, Drive 150, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Les Love, 828-658-1489, lesrlove@charter.net
Everyone enjoyed this hike in the Wilson Creek area last year, so we’re offering it again. It features spectacular waterfalls and the best swimming anywhere. Bring your bathing suit. Be prepared for several wet-foot stream crossings. Optional supper afterwards at Little Siena. Second meeting place: parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s off I-40 at exit 64 at 8:20 AM. Topo: Grandfather Mtn.; also USFS Wilson Creek map

SATURDAY NO. A0703-384 Aug. 25
Black Balsam to Skinny Dip Falls via MST 8:30 AM*
Hike 7, Drive 70, Ascend 700 ft., Rated B-C
Janet Onan, 828-698-3237, janonan@bellsouth.net
P400 Starting at Black Balsam, we will follow the MST, with a side trip to the second (lower) falls at Graveyard Fields for lunch. Bring a towel and be prepared for swimming. Then hike on to Skinny Dip Falls, then to Looking Glass Overlook. Car shuttle. *Meet at Westgate at 8:30 AM (note later start time) to form carpools, and meet leader at Looking Glass Overlook, BRP M.P. 417 at 9:15 AM. Topos: Sam Knob, Shining Rock; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-569 Aug. 26
Cold Spring Knob 8:00 AM
Hike 11, Drive 65, 2770 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Dave Wetmore, 828-884-7296, dwetmore@citcom.net
This hike is an interesting mix of old logging roads, cross-country, and surveyor's lines. We will start near Sunburst Campground and climb to Double Spring Gap along old roads, the abandoned Boomer Inn Branch trail and some short but steep off-trail climbs. From Double Spring Gap we'll take a surveyor's cut up the ridgeline to the summit of Cold Spring Knob. The return will be on old but open logging roads. This new hike is a chance to explore the rarely-visited Lickstone Ridge. Topos: Sam Knob, Waynesville; also Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-193 Sept. 2
MST: Bearpen Gap to NC 215 via Mt. Hardy 8:30 AM*
(strenuous)
Hike 9, Drive 85, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated A-B
Carroll Koepplinger, 828-667-0723, carrollkoepp@bellsouth.net
SB6K, P400 *Note later start time. This MST hike leads through a beautiful forest of spruce, birch, rhododendron and maple with mosses and ferns lining the forest floor. A special feature is a short side trip up 6110 Ft. Mt. Hardy, with first-rate views on its north side. Partly through the Middle Prong Wilderness area, limit 10, so call leader for reservation. Second meeting place: Cold Mtn. O/L on BRP (M.P. 412) at 9:10 AM Topo: Sam Knob; also USFS Shining Rock & Middle Prong Wildernesses map and Nat’l. Geo. PRD map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-213 Sept. 2
(moderate)
Rocky Knob & Greybeard from BRP 8:30 AM*
Hike 7-8, Drive 65, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated B-B
Charlie Ferguson, 828-333-5165, ccf108@gmail.com
*Note later starting time. We will hike from the BRP to Blue Ridge Pinnacle, an in-out trail to Rocky Knob and Greybeard. Return using a portion of the old Toll Rd. Two ascents will be steep but short. Topos: Montreat, Mt. Mitchell; also Nat’l. Geo. Linville Gorge Mt. Mitchell map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-250 Sept. 9
Douglas Falls – Locust Ridge Circuit 8:00 AM
Hike 11, Drive 60, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Jim Reel, 828-738-0751, jimr57@yahoo.com
SB6K This popular diversified hike features beautiful Douglas (Carter Creek) Falls, a climb through a hemlock forest to the MST, and a scenic lunch stop at the BRP Greybeard Overlook. Optional climb to Craggy Dome (6080 ft.) during lunch stop. After lunch, we’ll see great views from a high mountain meadow with ripe blueberries, and then bushwhack down Locust Ridge. Topos: Montreat, Craggy Pinnacle

BACKPACK NO. A0703-576 Sept. 15-16
Little River Overnight Loop phone leader for time
Hike: 17.5, Drive 190, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated AA-A
Chip Miller, 828-654-9331, backpacker54nc@bellsouth.net
This two-day, one night backpack will start at the Little River trail for a hike to backcountry campsite #30. On Sunday we will retrace our steps on Little River trail to the Rough Creek trail. At the next junction we will turn left onto the Sugarland Mountain trail which will lead us to the Husky Gap trail. We will hike this trail back to Little River trail and back to our cars near Elkmont. A beautiful hike that will lead us into the heart of the Smokies in the shadow of Clingman's Dome. Limited to ten people—please call the leader for reservations. Topos: Gatlinburg, Silers Bald ; also Nat'l. Geo. GSMNP Map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-577 Sept. 16
Charlies Bunion, Dry Sluice Trail to Smokemont 8:00 AM
Hike 13, Drive 140, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated AA-B
Lenny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, lsberns@worldnet.att.net
900M A pleasant excursion in the Smokies from Newfound Gap to Charlie's Bunion on the AT, then down the Dry Sluice Gap and Bradley Fork Trails to Smokemont Campground, with a short side trip on the Cabin Flats Trail to log some of those hard to get Smokies 900 miles. Beautiful views and late summer flowers. Second meeting place: Maggie Valley Post Office, rear of parking lot, at 8:30 AM, but call leader first. Topos: Clingman’s Dome, Mt. LeConte, Smokemont; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

ALL DAY NO. A0703-074 Sept. 23
Tanawha Trail 8:00 AM*
Hike 13.3, Drive 150, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated AA-A
Don Gardner, 828-754-4067, gardog3@charter.net
One of our best hikes when the weather cooperates. A fragile and ancient ecosystem, rhododendron and laurel tunnels, hardwood coves, boulder fields and great views make this a special hike. It will be a long day, so plan on an optional supper stop. *Meet at Westgate at 8:00 am, stop at second meeting place parking lot adjacent to McDonald’s at exit 64 of I-40 at 8:20 AM, and meet leader at Beacon Heights overlook at 9:30 AM. Topo: Grandfather Mtn.

SATURDAY NO. A0703-095 Sept. 29
Hemphill Bald from Polls Gap 8:30 AM*
Hike 9.5, Drive 95, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated A-A
Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, danny@hikertohiker.com
900M *Note later start time. After a stroll through open forests, the trail emerges into open fields stretching along the GSMNP boundary, with exceptional views all the way to our lunch stop at the big rock on Hemphill Bald. This hike is the CMC contribution to the WNC “Together We Read” program, which this year is reading “On Agate Hill”, by Lee Smith. Second meeting place: Maggie Valley Post Office, rear of parking lot, at 9:00 AM, but contact leader first. Topos: Dellwood, Bunches Bald; also Nat’l. Geo. GSMNP map

ALL DAY NO A0703-385 Sept. 30
Upper Little East Fork - Fork Mt. Slow Loop phone leaders for time
Hike 11-12, Drive 100, 2100 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA
Tom Bindrim & Joan Lemire, 828-273-3880, tjbindire@yahoo.com
A moderately-paced Wilderness Area loop with upper elevation scenery, water and a workout. Expect a late return, bring extra food. This is a wilderness area limited to ten people. Call leaders for reservations and meeting particulars. Topos: Sam Knob, Shining Rock