Paul Dickens and the Wilderness Crew

FOURTH QUARTER 2012 Quarterly News Bulletin and Hike Schedule

P.O. Box 68, Asheville, NC 28802 • www.carolinamountainclub.org • e-mail: [email protected] Paul Dickens and the Wilderness Crew Becky Smucker and Bill Newton formed a team leader and important cog in through the Middle Prong Wilderness new maintenance crew in the spring of 2008. the machinery. We thought the best in 2007, I hiked other trails in the Since then it has evolved a great deal, and way to update the progress of this Middle Prong that were becoming Paul Dickens has become Becky’s back-up innovative crew was to talk with Paul overgrown and almost impassible Dickens. from years of maintenance neglect. How did you get involved in trail Something had to be done. I start- maintenance and the CMC? ed by recruiting family members to In summer of 2007, my wife and help brush out the Green Mountain I hiked the Big Butt Trail near Mt trail that connected to my section of Mitchell. Parts of that trail were ter- the MST. At about the same time, ribly overgrown with blackberries, Becky Smucker started the Saturday almost impassible. I found the CMC Wilderness Crew to meet two needs website and made a trail problem – to provide an opportunity for CMC report. Shortly afterwards, I received members who work weekdays to do an e-mail from the Asheville Friday trail maintenance on Saturday and Trail Crew asking if I would like to to address the serious need for trail help them clear the blackberry mess. reclamation in the Middle Prong and I took a day off from work, went out Shining Rock Wilderness areas. and helped clear the Big Butt Trail I met Becky and the Wilderness and really enjoyed it. That led to join- Crew in the fall of 2008 on a trip to ing the CMC and then signing up as a brush out the Haywood Gap trail in section maintainer on the MST in the the Middle Prong. I was hooked and Middle Prong Wilderness. have participated in the Wilderness How did you get involved in the Crew since then. Wilderness means CMC Wilderness Crew? hand tools only – no weed eaters or The Wilderness Crew, all certified crosscut sawyers, It was a confluence of opportunity chain saws. We use hedge shears, from left are Wayne Steinmetz, Becky Smucker, Mike and need. After I became the sec- swing blades, loppers, axes and cross Goodman and Paul Dickens. Mike is holding a cross- tion maintainer of part of the MST continued on page 7 cut saw. COUNCIL CORNER

It seems like I just paid for the annual dinner online port from Nathan and Lynn Ebanks from a very long time and renewed my membership there as Stratos Digital. But the biggest reason for ago when our well. I was immediately sent two email the success of our website is the same reason club decided that receipts for those transactions. The new we have been a successful hiking club since we needed a new system should help our hike schedulers 1923. We have a great base of dedicated, website and we avoid some of the tedious, repetitive and hardworking volunteers that have made it set out on that error-prone aspects of the job and focus happen. Sometimes a hike is too long and course. After more on finding good hikes and match- tough to be done alone. A group of people some growing ing them up with hike leaders. It’s going working together can make that hike seem pains, we feel to be very easy for hike leaders to turn in easy. Individually we seem to be a group that our web- hike reports. They will appear immedi- of many disparate personalities. But we can site is becoming the functional, user ately online, as do the hours and issues work together and accomplish great things. friendly, colorful wealth of informa- reported by trail maintainers. We’ve been doing it almost 90 years. tion that we hoped it would. We have received excellent tech sup- – Stuart English

1 Club historian Pete Steurer keeps our records Pete Steurer is one of our most important members that perhaps not many people know. Archival Let's Go hike report Becky Smucker arranged an evening event several years ago that involved visiting the An excerpt from the 1st Quarter Let's Go from 1977… CMC history collection at the UNCA library. We need to retain our awareness of this. We “Heartbreak Ridge Lives Up to its Name” recently got in touch with Pete and he had This was a half-day hike in December near Andrews Geyser in McDowell these words for us: County. Five hikers were ahead of the rest and went beyond the regular stop- ping point at the top of the ridge. It seemed safe enough and the trail was well Harry Truman once said, “The only thing defined. The rest…returned to their cars at 5:30 and eight remained after the new in the world is the history you do not other cars left. Five members were still unaccountable for: Ray Ertzberger, know.” You may get to know some new Jim Roddy, Dottie Burton, Don Harrison, and Dana Smith. Only Smith had things by discovering our Club’s rich and an adequate coat. Ed Dunn and Gerry McNabb walked in the dark partway diverse history. back up the trail at 7 PM to do some shouting when the others were not back CMC was organized in 1923. In these nearby then. The decision was made to call the Rescue Squad. They made their ly 90 years, our Club has been a significant headquarters in Brookside Church. By 10:45 all 23 members of the squad part of our local heritage and has also been a were on hand ... McNabb and Dunn were ready to lead a group of rescuers up national influence in promoting and protect- the ridge where the five had last been seen. As soon as they started they were ing the mountains of North Carolina. Four called back … it was 11:20. The lost five had gotten off the return trail and of our members were so prominent that they had dropped off the opposite side of the ridge which took them 7-10 miles have mountains over 6,000 feet named in further than they had planned. Although they had no matches or flashlights, their honor. Others have major trails named there was a full moon, there was no wind, the temperature was only 30, and for them. Some have done so many things they had plenty of snacks. The incident can serve to remind us how danger- over many years and have carried us on their ous our mountains can be… shoulders for the next generation. We are currently a thriving Club of more than 1,000 members. membership could have sat in some- and “family” feuds. But we have also struggled. One time the one’s living room. Several times we The large majority of our Club’s history Club shut down for almost three years. Two had declining membership due to is preserved in the Special Collections times our Club was so small that the entire national issues, changing club goals, room at the D. Hiden Ramsey Library at UNCA. If you have access to the internet, you can search their systems to dis- cover what is available and even look at scanned documents and photographs from years past. Or you can arrange to visit UNCA and look at the actual documents. A smaller portion of our history can be found on the shelves of the North Carolina Reference section of Pack Library and in their Special Collections archive. This year marks my 30th year as a member of CMC. I became the unofficial club historian in 1992, when on my second duty as a CMC councilor, I was asked to research and write a history of the Club to celebrate our 70th anniversary. I became the official historian in 2002 when long- time member Bernard Elias had the fore- sight to arrange for the safe preservation of our collection at UNCA. Check out our history at: http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findin- gaids/mss/CMC/default_carolina_moun- tain_club.htm Maybe your future will be From the Skinny Dip Falls hike earlier this summer, this is a view from Graveyard changed by what you learn there from the Ridge. Always respect your environment out here, never take it for granted. past.

2 TRAIL MAINTENANCE See the Hike Schedule on the CMC website for leader for reservation. This new one-way CMC All members are encouraged to participate more complete and timely information, including hike in the MST month hopes to capture peak fall in trail maintenance activities. Non-members scout reports, at www.carolinamountainclub.org. color in addition to mountain vistas from Devil's are invited to try it a few times before deciding Courthouse Overlook, Mt. Hardy, an open meadow if they want to join the Club and be a regular CHALLENGE PROGRAMS and a scenic walk along an unmaintained but part of a crew. We train and provide tools. SB6K For hiking all 40 peaks above 6000’. reasonable path on Fork Ridge. We will park cars Below is a general schedule of work days. Contact Peter Barr, [email protected] at Devil's Courthouse Overlook and Rough Butt Exact plans often are not made until the last P400 For hiking every trail in Pisgah Ranger Overlook on BRP and the leader will decide the minute, so contact crew leaders for details. District. Contact Dave Wetmore, dwetmore@cit- hike direction based on morning weather condi- Crews marked with an * are currently seeking com.net tions for views. Car shuttle. Topo: Sam Knob, also new members. MST and AT section maintain- 900M For hiking every trail in GSMNP. Contact NatGeo Map #780 and USFS Shining Rock & ers work on their own schedule. Dave Wetmore, [email protected] Middle Prong map Monday LTC For hiking all 24 lookout towers in WNC. Barth Brooker, [email protected] Contact Peter Barr, [email protected] WEDNESDAY NO. W1204-437 Oct. 17 Monday Burnsville Crew WC100 For hiking to the 100 best waterfalls Slate Rock Creek - Pilot Cove *8:30 AM John Whitehouse, in the mountains of WNC, SC and the Smokies. Hike 5, Drive 40, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated C-B [email protected] Contact Jack Fitzgerald, 828-685-2897, suejack- Jack Fitzgerald, 828-685-2897, Wednesday Waynesville West* [email protected] [email protected] Larry Sobil, [email protected] P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet Thursday Asheville Crew leader at Pisgah Ranger Station at 9:05 AM. A Bill Falender, [email protected] WEDNESDAY HIKES moderate hike up the beautiful Slate Rock Creek Friday Asheville* Wednesday hikes submitted by Ann Gleason, trail, then to overlook on Pilot Cove Loop Trail for Skip Sheldon, [email protected] 828-859-9387, [email protected]. Driving lunch. Lots of fall colors. Short car shuttle. Topo: Friday Pisgah distance is round-trip from Asheville. All hikes Shining Rock Pete (R) Petersen, [email protected] assemble at the far rear (north end) of Westgate Wilderness Crew (Saturday bimonthly)* Shopping Center near I-240 exit 3B unless other- WEDNESDAY NO. W1204-089 Oct. 24 Becky Smucker, [email protected] wise noted. Some hikes will have second meeting AT: Max Patch to Lemon Gap Saturday quarterly* places as described in the schedule, and start times and Return 8:00 AM Les Love, [email protected] may vary. Times listed are departure times – arrive Hike 11, Drive 100, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated A-A MST sections early. Brenda Worley, 828-684-8656, Barth Brooker, [email protected] [email protected] Les Love, [email protected] WEDNESDAY NO. W1204-383 Oct. 3 We’ll see the new AT shelter built by the CMC, Pete (A) Petersen, DuPont State Forest - Fawn Lake *8:30 AM along a beautiful section of the AT, beginning and [email protected] Hike 8, Drive 25, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B ending at Max Patch with one of WNC’s most Larry Sobil, [email protected] Sawako Jager, 828-687-2547, [email protected] stunning views. Second meeting place: Pilot AT sections *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet hike Truck Stop at exit 24 off I-40 at 9:00 AM. Topo: Tim Carrigan, [email protected] leader at Pisgah Bi-Lo at 9:00 AM. Have you Lemon Gap hiked the Reasonover Creek Trail recently? The trail is improved and no more wet creek-crossing WEDNESDAY NO. W1204-142 Oct. 31 HIKE SCHEDULE is necessary. Here is an opportunity to hike to two Jerry Miller Trail to AT Fourth Quarter 2012 lakes, Lake Julia and Fawn Lake and a side trip to to Fork Ridge Trail *8:30 AM Bridal Veil Falls. An ideal hike destination to see Hike 10.5, Drive 92, 3300 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+ Hike Ratings the autumn colors! Bring your camera with you. Tish Desjardins, cell: 828-380-1452, First Letter Second Letter Topo: Standingstone Mountain [email protected] Distance Elevation Gain *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader AA: Over 12 miles AA: Over 2,000 ft. WEDNESDAY NO. W1204-779 Oct. 10 at US 25/NC 208 intersection at 9:15 AM. We’ll A: 9-12 miles A: 1,500-2,000 ft. Devil's Courthouse – Mt Hardy – hike up the Jerry Miller Trail to Bearwallow Gap B: 6-9 miles B: 1,000-1,500 ft. Buckeye Gap *9:00 AM and right on the AT to Andrew Johnson Mtn., then C: Under 6 miles C: Under 1,000 ft. Hike 7, Drive 90, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B right on the Fork Ridge Trail down to FS 111 and Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, cell: 828-674-1374, a short walk to the cars. Topo: Greystone; also All hikes assemble at the far rear (north end) [email protected] NatGeo map #782 of Westgate Shopping Center near I-240 exit 3B SB6K, P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and unless otherwise noted. meet leader at BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at 9:40 WEDNESDAY NO. W1204-308 Nov. 7 Hike cancellations are announced on the CMC AM. *Wilderness hike, limited to ten hikers—call Ox Creek Road to Rich Knob 9:00 AM website in the “Breaking News Box.” Hike Leaders Hike 8.5, Drive 75, 1850 ft. ascent, Rated B-A will announce a cancellation or significant change SATURDAY WORK DAY Laura Frisbie, 828-337-5845, at least a few hours before the hike meeting time. For the Saturday MST Trail Building Work [email protected] Hikers that do not have internet access or live Days in 2012 meet at 8:30 at the Home Depot at A pleasant gradual climb in the peaceful woods. hours away from the meeting place: call the hike We'll hike the MST from Ox Creek Road and climb leader to ensure that you are informed about hike the Enka-Candler Exit 44 off of I-40. The last workday of the year is October 27. As in the to Rich Knob via Rattlesnake Lodge. Second changes. meeting place: Craven Gap at 9:20 AM. Topo: past, we will be back in Asheville by 3:00. Call If it's not possible for a hiker to go on the regu- Craggy Pinnacle larly scheduled hike, it may be possible to accom- Les Love at 828-658-1489 (lesrlove55@ pany the leader when the hike is scouted. Call or gmail.com) to verify date. email the hike leader. 3 WEDNESDAY NO. W1204-327 Nov. 14 afternoon walk back to the cars is approximately The third in the series of car camping weekends Ridgecrest Ramble 9:00 AM 2 miles. Topo: Asheville; also NatGeo map #780 will feature eight hikes into a cluster of nearby Hike 6.5, Drive 40, 1600 ft. ascent, Rated B-A and Bent Creek Trail Map. Mountain Treasures. Four Inventoried Roadless Ruth Hartzler, 828-251-0886, Areas will be explored. We will camp at the Curtis [email protected] ALTERNATE HIKE Creek Campground, just east of Old Fort, N.C. A good cold weather hike in the Ridgecrest area, WEDNESDAY NO. W1204-492 Dec. 12 There will be a group Bar-B-Que supper Saturday following the Rattlesnake, Rhododendron and Cookie Hike, shorter version *10:00 AM night, for which reservations are required. The Adventure Trails as they meander along ridge- Hike 4, Drive 10, Rated C-C campground cannot be reserved, but we request lines, offering a number of scenic overlooks, Diane Stickney, 828-254-9054 you let Ted know if you plan to camp. For including Rattlesnake, Copperhead and Lookout *Only meeting place: Ingles parking lot on NC details go to the CMC website and look under Mtns. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot 191 across from Biltmore Square Mall. We will “Hiking” for “Camporees.” The website gives off Exit 64 of I-40 at 9:20 AM. Topo: Montreat start on the Lake Powhatan Connector and hike to driving directions, hike descriptions, and plans the picnic area to meet the other group for lunch for the Bar-B-Que. Any questions should be put WEDNESDAY NO. W1204-778 Nov. 21 and to share cookies. After lunch we will return to Ted or Jim. Bracken Mtn. - Brushy Creek *9:00 AM to the cars. Hike 7.5, Drive 70, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B SATURDAY NO. A1204-779 Oct. 13 Stu English, 828-883-2447, [email protected] WEDNESDAY NO. W1204-282 Dec. 19 Devil’s Courthouse – Mt. Hardy – *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader Black Mountain – Buckhorn Gap – Buckeye Gap *10:00 AM at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:30 AM. This will be Twin Falls *8:00 AM Hike 7, Drive 80, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B CMC’s first hike in the new Bracken Mountain Hike 9, Drive 62, 3000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+ Ashok Kudva. 828-698-7119, cell: 828-674-1374, Recreation Area near Brevard. This hike will Brenda Worley, 828-684-8656, [email protected] include the Bracken Mtn. and Brushy Creek [email protected] SB6K, P400 *Form carpools at Westgate and Trails. Topo: Rosman P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet meet leader at BRP Cold Mtn. Overlook at leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 8:30 AM. From 10:40 AM. Wilderness area, limit 10, so contact WEDNESDAY NO. W1204-307 Nov. 28 the trailhead we will climb steadily up to 4286 leader for reservation. This new one-way CMC MST around Asheville/West Portion 9:00 AM ft Black Mtn and Clawhammer Mtn and then to hike in the MST month hopes to capture peak fall Hike 10.7, Drive 15, 1450 ft. ascent, Rated A-B Buckhorn Gap and Twin Falls, ending at FS 477. color in addition to mountain vistas from Devil's Barbara Morgan, 828-738-3395, A great winter hike. Car shuttle. Topo: Pisgah Courthouse Overlook, Mt. Hardy, an open mead- [email protected] Forest, Shining rock; also NatGeo. map #780 ow and a scenic walk along an unmaintained but We will hike on the MST around Asheville, a reasonable path on Fork Ridge. We will park cars pleasant MST section that is often overlooked. WEDNESDAY NO. W1204-279 Dec. 26 at Devil's Courthouse and Rough Butt Overlooks We’ll hike from the Blue Ridge Parkway Montreat Trestle Grade – and the leader will decide the hike direction based Destination Center to French Broad Overlook. Pot Cove Trail 10:00 AM on morning weather conditions for best views. Car shuttle. Topo: Asheville Hike 8, Drive 35, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated B-A Car shuttle. Topos: Sam Knob, also NatGeo Map Heidi Swann, cell: 828-280-6527, #780 and USFS Shining Rock & Middle Prong WEDNESDAY NO. W1204-780 Dec. 5 [email protected] map Montreat, Slatey Cliffs, Greybeard *8:10 AM A partial loop hike over Lookout Rock and along Hike 5, Drive 44, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated C-A the East Ridge and Trestle Road Trails to Pot SUNDAY NO. A1204-364 Oct. 14 Ames Tryon, [email protected] Cove. Return along the Mitchell Road and Trestle Buckhorn Gap – Club Gap Loop 8:30 AM *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader Road Trails. A moderately strenuous beginning Hike 11, Drive 80, 1320 ft. ascent, Rated A-B at Ingles parking lot off Exit 64 of I-40 at 8:30. followed by a very gentle return. Good winter Carroll Koepplinger, 828-667-0723, This will be a new hike in Montreat that will views. Second meeting place: Ingles parking lot [email protected] explore the old Slatey Cliffs trail. The hike will off Exit 64 of I-40 in Black Mountain at 10:20 P400 This will be a loop from the Pink Beds follow the Greybeard trail and ascend steeply up AM. Topo: Montreat; also Montreat Trail Map. parking area to the gauging station, then over the a bushwhack to connect with the West Ridge trail S. Mills and Buckhorn Gap Trails to Buckhorn and go to Greybeard and down to the parking Gap for lunch at the shelter. Next we’ll follow area. Weather could be a factor. Topo: Montreat ALL DAY SATURDAY the Black Mtn. Trail to Club Gap and back to our cars. Topos: Pisgah Forest, Shining Rock; also WEDNESDAY NO. W1204-492 Dec. 12 AND SUNDAY HIKES NatGeo map #780 All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 828-692- Annual Cookie Hike, 0116, [email protected]. Driving distance Bent Creek Ramble *8:30 AM SUNDAY NO. A1204-781 Oct. 21 is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Hike 7, Drive 10, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Shinbone Trail 8:00 AM Sunday hikes assemble at the far rear (north Ken and Carol Deal, 828-281-4530, Hike 9, Drive 110, 1700 ft. ascent, Rated A-A end) of Westgate Shopping Center near I-240 exit [email protected] Jeff McGurk, cell: 864-921-6469, 3B UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Some hikes P400 *Only meeting place: Ingles parking lot [email protected] will have second meeting places, and starting on NC 191 across from Biltmore Square Mall. Near Erwin, Tennessee, we will drive about nine times may vary. Moderate loop hike in the Bent Creek area. We miles up a gravel road to the trailhead near Indian will start from the parking area for Cold Knob Grave Gap. This hike follows old logging roads WEEKEND NO. A1204-776 Oct. 5-7 Road (FS 479H off Bent Creek Road beyond in various forms of repair and disrepair and is a Mountain Treasures Camporee #3 Lake Powhatan). Using a variety of short sections loop with the first 1.5 miles repeated on the way Ted Snyder, 864-638-3686, of trails, we will hike up to the MST, follow it back. This trail will lead us to a rock outcropping [email protected] past Sleepy Gap, and descend by the Stambaugh known as Eagles Nest, where we will have first and Jim Reel, 828-738-0751 (cell), 828-443- Trail to the Lake Powhatan picnic area for lunch class views of the Nolichucky River and Gorge 2532, [email protected] and a cookie feast. Bring cookies to share. The from 900 feet above the river. The view should be 4 spectacular with the fall foliage. Topo: Huntdale; SATURDAY NO. A1204-295 Nov. 10 Grogan Creek and Picklesimer Fields. Topo: also NatGeo map #783 Pump Gap Loop and AT 9:30 AM Shining Rock; also NatGeo map # 780 Hike 7, Drive 80, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B SATURDAY NO. A1204-372 Oct. 27 Bev MacDowell, cell: 828-777-5806, SUNDAY NO. A1204-778 Dec. 2 Big Fork Ridge – Rough Fork Loop 8:30 AM [email protected] Bracken Mtn. – Hike 9.3, Drive 95, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated A-A From Silvermine parking area, we’ll follow the Brushy Creek Trails *9:00 AM Holly Demuth (NC Director of Friends of the Pump Gap loop to the second AT crossing, then Hike 7.5, Drive 70, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated B-B Smokies) and Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, follow the AT past Lovers Leap down to and along Stu English, 828-883-2447, [email protected] [email protected] the French Broad River back to our cars. Second *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader 900M Cataloochee was one of the most success- meeting place: trailhead at 10:15 AM. Topo: at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:30 AM. One of ful communities in the Smokies. From the end of Hot Springs CMC’s first hikes in the new Bracken Mountain the Cataloochee Valley, we’ll hike up Big Fork Recreation Area near Brevard. This hike will Ridge Trail, then turn right onto Caldwell Fork SUNDAY NO. A1204-214 Nov. 11 include the Bracken Mtn. and Brushy Creek Trail. We’ll pass by record-size tulip poplar trees, Kimsey Creek Trail – Trails. Topos: Rosman, Shining Rock then go downhill on Rough Fork Trail. About a Standing Indian Circuit 8:00 AM mile from the end of the hike, we’ll stop at the Hike 11, Drive 170, 2800 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA SUNDAY NO. A1204-783 Dec. 9 Woody House, a well-appointed framed house. Janet Martin, cell: 502-494-9309, Lickstone Bald *8:00 AM On the way out of the valley, we’ll stop at the [email protected] (Mountain Treasures hike #24) Palmer Chapel Cemetery. Second meeting place: This great hike in the Nantahala National Forest is Hike 11, Drive 90, 3000 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA+ Pilot Truck Stop, Exit 24 off I-40 at 9:00 AM, known for its beautiful forest, rushing streams and Brent Martin, 828-587-9453, but contact leader first. Topo: Dellwood; also excellent vistas. We’ll hike up the Kimsey Creek [email protected] NatGeo. map #317 Trail to the AT at Deep Gap, and then along the *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader AT to our lunch spot, Standing Indian. At 5498 ft., at Jukebox Junction on US 276 at NC 215 SUNDAY NO. A1204-782 Oct. 28 it is the highest mountain on the AT south of the at 8:30 AM. Beginning at FS 97 and NC 215 Thomas Divide – Mingus Mill 8:00 AM Great Smoky Mountains, with outstanding views. (Sunburst), we will follow a series of logging Hike 11.5, Drive 125, 1400 ft. ascent, Rated A-B From the summit, the hike will be down Lower roads before bushwhacking to the summit of Mike Knies, 828-628-6712, [email protected] Trail and Ridge Trail to loop back to the Standing Lickstone Bald. Topos: Sam Knob, Waynesville 900M A scenic fall hike on the Thomas Divide, Indian Campground. Second meeting place: rest Newton Bald and Mingus Creek trails. Should stop beyond Waynesville on US 23/74 at 8:30 SATURDAY NO. A1204-751 Dec. 15 be good leaf color along the way. Note: 4000 ft. AM. Topo: Rainbow Springs; also NatGeo map Bent Creek Loop #13 (sunny side) 10:00 AM descent. Second meeting place: Maggie Valley #784 Hike 6.5, Drive 15, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B P.O. at 8:30 AM, but contact leader first. Topo: Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, Clingmans Dome, Smokemont; also NatGeo map SUNDAY NO. A1204-326 Nov. 18 [email protected] #317 Pump Gap (non-AT) loop *8:00 AM P400 This moderate hike on the sunny side Hike 9.3, Drive 66, 2000 ft. ascent, Rated A-A of Bent Creek will combine Ledford Branch, SATURDAY NO. A1204-204 Nov. 3 Tish Desjardins, 828-380-1452, Sidehill, Ingles Field Gap, Boundary, Green’s Max Patch Ramble 9:00 AM [email protected] Lick and Laurel Branch roads and trails. Expect a Hike 7.5, Drive 100, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated B-B *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader steep downhill on parts of Green’s Lick. Short car Lenny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, [email protected] at parking lot on US 25 at intersection with shuttle. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn. We will do a scenic hike around Max Patch, fol- NC 208 at 8:45 AM. After the hike there will lowing the AT north to visit the Roaring Fork be a potluck supper in the nearby Bear River SUNDAY NO. A1204-271 Dec. 16 shelter recently built by CMC, then returning on Community Lodge. Hikers are requested to Chestnutwood Mountain *8:00 AM the Buckeye Ridge Trail and AT over Max Patch contribute food for the supper. Food will be Hike 9, Drive 70, 2700 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA and back to our cars. Expect spectacular views taken to a refrigerator before the hike. Please Jim Reel, 828-738-0751, cell: 828-443-2532, from the summit of Max Patch. Mark Wenger, the phone the leader to coordinate what food to [email protected] Executive Director of the ATC, will join us on this bring. This will be a moderate low-altitude ram- *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader hike. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck Stop at ble through the area between Tanyard Gap and at McDonald’s parking lot at Exit 73 of I-40 Exit 24 off I-40 at 9:30 AM, but contact leader Pump Gap. The hike won’t include any of the AT; at 8:30 AM. We will do our major climbing first. Topo: Lemon Gap instead, we’ll do all of Pump Gap Trail, connect- before lunch on this pleasant hike past streams, ing through woods roads and manways north and two nice cascades, a glimpse of the Black Mtns., SUNDAY NO. A1204-427 Nov. 4 south of the AT. Topo: Hot Springs and a 25-yr.-old timber harvest in the Grandfather Soapstone Ridge *8:30 AM District. Some bushwhacking and hiking on over- Hike 10, 1200 ft. ascent, Drive 90, Rated A-B SUNDAY NO. A1204-399 Nov. 25 grown trails. Short car shuttle. Topo: Old Fort Les and Catherine Love, 828-658-1489, Loop around John Rock and [email protected] Cedar Rock Mtn. *8:30 AM SUNDAY NO. A1204-361 Dec. 23 P400 *NOTE: This is the first day of EST. We Hike 9, Drive 70, 1900 ft. ascent, Rated A-A Bent Creek Loop #8 – Stradley Mtn. 9:00 AM will begin at the gauging station and follow a Charlie Ferguson, 828-625-2677 cell: Hike 9.8, Drive 15, 2100 ft. ascent, Rated A-AA mild bushwhack up Soapstone Ridge to the Black 828-424-0464, [email protected] Martyn Easton, cell: 828-228-0136, Mountain Trail, which we’ll follow to our lunch P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet [email protected] spot at Buckhorn Gap Shelter. We’ll then take the leader at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:00 AM. Starting at the Wolf Creek parking area, we will Buckhorn Gap trail down to the S. Mills River Follow the Horse Cove Trail around John Rock to do a loop with a couple of variations from the trail and back to our cars. Second meeting place: Cat Gap, then the Art Loeb Trail through Sandy #361 map, following the Wolf Creek and Ledford Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 9:05 AM. Topos: Pisgah Gap. Climb to Cedar Rock Mtn., then down to trails to the N. Boundary Rd.; then descend- Forest, Shining Rock; also NatGeo. map #780 Butter Gap, and return to the Fish Hatchery via ing via the Side Hill Trail, Lower Side Hill and

5 Campground connectors to Lake Powhatan and elevation gain occurs, this is a lovely fall stroll on HALF-DAY NO. H1204-153 Dec. 9 the Hardtimes connector back to the starting an old forest service road. We should see lots of Cove Creek /Caney Bottom *11:20 AM point. Topo: Dunsmore Mtn. color and have long views. Short car shuttle. Due Hike 5 Drive 75, 300 ft. ascent, Rated C-C to relatively steep rocky ascent at the beginning of Tom Joyce, 828-885-2152, SUNDAY Dec. 30 the hike this is not one for beginners. Topos: Mt. [email protected] NO HIKE SCHEDULED. NO HIKE LEADER Mitchell, Montreat P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet AVAILABLE. leader at Pisgah Fish Hatchery at 12:00 PM. HALF-DAY NO. H1204-054 Nov. 4 This is a pleasant walk in the valley below HALF-DAY SUNDAY John Rock 12:30 PM Looking Glass Rock. The trail follows a moder- Hike 4, Drive 72, 900 ft. ascent, Rated C-C ate grade as it wanders through the woods along HIKES Jim Ariail, 828-505-0443, cell: 828-778-8355, a number of streams and cascades, and includes Newcomers are welcome, but non-members [email protected] Cove Creek Falls as its feature attraction. Topo: MUST call the leader before the hike to deter- P400 This hike goes up Old Horse Cove Trail Shining Rock mine the requirements. Half-day hikes submit- to the top of John Rock. At the top there is a ted by Bonnie Allen, 828-645-0357, bonnie@ great view of Looking Glass Rock and the Fish HALF-DAY NO. H1204-534 Dec. 16 allencats.com. Driving distance is round-trip from Hatchery. Second meeting place: Fish Hatchery Turkey Pen, Pounding Mill, Asheville. All hikes assemble at the far rear Parking lot off FS 475 at 1:10 PM. Topo: Mullinax Loop *11:00 AM (north end) of Westgate Shopping Center near Shining Rock Hike 6.5, Drive 55, 1200 ft. ascent, Rated B-B I-240 exit 3B unless otherwise noted. Some hikes Charlie Ferguson, 828-625-2677, will have second meeting places as described HALF-DAY NO. H1204-102 Nov. 11 [email protected] in the schedule, and start times may vary. Times Coontree Loop *12:30 PM P400 *Form carpools at Westgate and meet listed are departure times – arrive early. Hike 3.7, Drive 65, 1100 ft. ascent, Rated C-B leader at Turkey Pen Trailhead at 11:30 AM. Ashok Kudva, 828-698-7119, cell: 828-674-1374, This is a nice late-fall hike, with low elevation and HALF-DAY NO. H1204-717 Oct. 7 [email protected] close to Asheville. We’ll cross the S. Mills River Sunburst to Waterfalls *12:00 PM P400 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet footbridge, then do a loop on the scenic Pounding Hike 6.2, Drive70, 600 ft. ascent, Rated B-C leader at the Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 1:00 PM. Mill and Mullinax trails. Topo: Pisgah Forest Bobbi Powers, 828-667-5419, This moderate loop hike going along Coontree [email protected] Creek and over Coontree Mtn. is steep in places. HALF-DAY NO. H1204-786 Dec. 23 *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader An optional extension to Saddle Gap with a Bracken Mtn. – Brushy Creek *12:00 PM at Dollar General Store on US 19/23, off Exit panoramic mountain vista of John Rock, Looking Hike 5.5, Drive 70, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated C-B 37 of I-40 at 12:20 PM. We will experience a Glass Rock and Cedar Rock would make this hike Stuart English, 828-883-2447, burst of fall color as we walk along beautiful FS 5.2 miles and 1400 ft ascent (Rated C-B). Topo: cell: 828-384-1759, [email protected] 97, with side trips to two waterfalls. Topos: Sam Shining Rock *Form carpools at Westgate, and meet leader Knob, Waynesville at Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 12:30 PM. One of HALF-DAY NO. H1204-785 Nov. 18 CMC’s first hikes into the new Bracken Mtn. HALF-DAY NO. H1204-325 Oct. 14 Duckett Fire Tower *12:45 PM Preserve near Brevard. Great winter views and Rich Mountain Fire Tower *12:30 PM Hike 4.5, Drive 70, 1500 ft. ascent, Rated C-B several stream crossings over bridges. Should Hike 5.2, Drive 52, 1300 ft. ascent, Rated C-B Jack Dalton, 828-622-3704, be spectacular views without leaves on the trees. Russ and Heather Cooper, 828-484-9562, cooper. [email protected] Topo: Pisgah Forest [email protected] LTC *Form carpools at Westgate, take Patton LTC *Only meeting place: Rose’s parking lot Ave. west, then right on NC 63 (New Leicester HALF-DAY NO. H1204-170 Dec. 30 (opposite McDonalds), off Exit 19 of I-26 in Highway) to Trust, and meet leader at Trust Butter Gap Trail to Weaverville. This moderate in-and-out hike fea- Store at junction of NC 63 & NC 209 at 1:45 Pickleshimer Fields 12:30 PM tures great views from the Rich Mtn. Fire Tower PM. This in-and-out hike is a joint hike with Hike 7, Drive 40, 1000 ft. ascent, Rated B-B near Hot Springs. We follow the AT and then a the Hot Springs Mountain Club. An uphill hike Laura Frisbie, 828-337-5845, short side trail to the fire tower and return via the to Duckett Fire Tower. with 360-degree views [email protected] AT. Topo: Hot Springs; also ATC TN-NC map #4 of surrounding mountains, including Max Patch, P400 From the Fish Hatchery parking lot, we will Turkey Mtn. and Spring Creek Mtn. Bring maps follow the Cat Gap Trail to its junction with the HALF-DAY NO. H1204-453 Oct. 21 and compass. Topos: Spring Creek, Sandy Mush Butter Gap Trail for this in-and-out hike along Max Patch Loop 12:30 PM Grogan Creek. Second meeting place: Fish Hike 5.4, Drive 104, 800 ft. ascent, Rated C-C HALF-DAY Nov. 25 Hatchery at 1:10 PM. Topo: Shining Rock Gail Lamb, 828-275-4500, [email protected] NO HIKE SCHEDULED — NO LEADER Awesome 360 degree panoramic views of fall AVAILABLE color from summit of Max Patch make this a favorite hike. Second meeting place: Pilot Truck HALF-DAY NO. H1204-035 Dec. 2 Stop I-40 off Exit 24 at 1:00 PM, but call leader Looking Glass Rock 11:00 AM first. Topo: Lemon Gap Hike 5.8, Drive 70, 1800 ft. ascent, Rated C-A Jane Laping, 828-277-7342, HALF-DAY NO. H1204 784 Oct. 28 [email protected] Dogs Big Ivy Ramble 12:30 PM P400 A moderately difficult, well-graded trail are not allowed Hike 5.2, Drive 55, 670 ft. ascent, Rated C-C on CMC hikes leads to the top of this mountain with beautiful Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, views along the way. In-and-out hike. Second [email protected] meeting place: Pisgah Forest Bi-Lo at 11:30 Except for the first 1.2 miles where all of the AM. Topo: Shining Rock

6 Annual Dinner November 2nd at Pack's Tavern

Our annual dinner and meeting will be held again this year in the Century Room at Pack's Tavern, 20 Spruce Street in Asheville, on Nov. 2nd. The Social Hour will start at 5:30, followed by the dinner at 6:30 and the meeting at 7:30. Will one of these hikers win an award this year at the annual dinner? Mark Wenger, Executive Director of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, will be our guest Award nominations are now open speaker. Inserted in your newsletter this quarter are two documents. One is the renewal of Our website has been updated membership and annual dinner reservation form; the other is the Nominations Form to allow members to pay for the for CMC members who have made a difference in the club. The CMC Distinguished dinner and membership renewal Service Award is for someone who over their membership has made consistent and with a credit card. Just log in on cumulatively extraordinary contributions to the operation of the Club. The other is the our home page and you will see award of appreciation. This award is made to any member who, during the calendar year an “Annual Dinner” tab. Click on prior to the annual meeting, has rendered such exceptional service to the operation of the the tab and it will take you to a club that its goals were significantly advanced. Please enter your nominations and send screen that will allow you to pay them to the Awards Committee at for yourself and guests. On the Carolina Mountain Club same page you will see a tab to PO Pox 68 renew membership. Asheville, NC 28802 Wilderness Crew learns special skills to do work continued from page 1 Service land requires training and certifi- conforming to Forest Service stand- cut saws. It is good physical and mental cation. In the fall of 2009, a group of four ards. There is sharing, learning and activity and an opportunity to give back Wilderness Crew members including me teaching with others. There can be long and save Wilderness trails so that others can participated in a two-day Forest Service hikes in and out carrying tools to clear enjoy the Middle crosscut saw certification class. I was a downed tree or other problem. What I Prong and certified as a B crosscut sawyer and set really like is seeing immediate results. Shining Rock out to learn how to restore and maintain Unlike my day job, on Wilderness Crew without having the technology of these old saws that are I can do a hard day’s work and have the to wade through used for Wilderness trail work. I have satisfaction of seeing a job done and a thick brush, fall gotten to meet and work with other more trail problem fixed. And there is a sense on bad tread experienced sawyers and have learned a of stewardship – helping maintain sus- or climb over lot of practical details to safely use these tainable trails in the important public downed trees. traditional tools for trail maintenance. resource of Wilderness. What about In May 2012, I attended the Wilderness crosscut saws? Skills Institute at the Pisgah Cradle of How to join the CMC As the Forestry and achieved C certification as a 1. Go to www.carolinamountainclub.org Wilderness crosscut saw trainer. CMC sponsored my 2. Click on Join (top left) or Join CMC! Crew evolved, participation in the C sawyer class. (right center). we worked with Paul Dickens What do you enjoy about the CMC 3. You will see instructions Wilderness Crew? for joining online or via mail. the Forest Service to understand their or ... write to us at standards for Wilderness trails and also The Wilderness Crew is great exercise CMC, PO Box 68, conform to Forest Service safety rules. Any and stress relief for both mind and body. Asheville, NC 28802 use of axes or saws larger than a pruning There are technical aspects to trail work, and we'll mail you an saw for trail maintenance work on Forest especially around safe use of tools and application

7 Hiking as a Gateway Drug Carolina Mountain Club By Stuart English P.O. Box 68 If you don’t want to activate your body, wake up your mind, Asheville, NC 28802 stimulate your senses – make sure you don’t hike. If you don’t want to meet people from all walks of life, all occupations, all nationalities, all economic backgrounds, and probably have some of these people become your friends – just don’t hike. If you don’t want to learn the physical geography of your area, the names of all the mountains as well as what they look like on top, where the streams and rivers go and what the water in them feels like on your feet – you’d better not hike. If you don’t want to learn about all the trees, flowers, plants, mosses, lichens, mushrooms, insects, and animals – then hiking is probably not for you. If you don’t want to learn all the back roads that go through places like Cruso, Springdale, Loafers Glory, Beuladean, Micaville, Walnut, Trust, Luck, Elk Park, Cranberry, and Pensacola – don’t hike. If you don’t want to get involved, start leading hikes, start maintaining trails, and accept NEXT CMC COUNCIL MEETING all the personal satisfaction that involves – don’t start hiking. If you don’t want to one day meet all the challenges, climb all the When: October 4, 2012 mountains, hike all the trails, and see all the waterfalls and fire Where: West Asheville Library meeting room towers – don’t go on that first hike. If you don’t want to leave Time: 6:00 - 9:00 PM all your troubles and worries at home behind the door and let Info: Call Marcia at 505-0471 if you would like to attend. your world open up to become the splendid, spectacular place All CMC members are welcome. that it really is – then it’s up to you. Don’t take that first step.

HIKING INFORMATION: CMC hikes are open to Further on hikes or trail maintenance activities. Each participant all and we welcome guests. Non-members need information about agrees to hold harmless and free from blame event to call or email the hike leader to introduce leaders and the CMC, its officers and members, themselves and find out more about the hike. All regulations is available at www. for any accident, injury or illness which might be hikers are encouraged to call or e-mail the leader carolinamountainclub.org sustained from participating in Club hikes and other if they have questions about the hike or the loca- activities. tion of the meeting place. Hikes may be canceled by the leader due to adverse weather or dangerous roads. Minors are welcome CONSERVATION: CMC works with other organizations concerned about on CMC hikes, if accompanied by a responsible adult. Dogs are not allowed the protection of our natural heritage to protect trails and the hiking experi- on CMC hikes. ence in our hiking area. Phone the Councilor for Conservation for details. Hikers will carpool from the meeting places to the trailhead and back. Passengers are expected to contribute 10 cents per mile towards the driver’s MEMBERSHIP: Everyone is eligible for CMC membership by completing operating expenses. Most CMC hikes do not require reservations. However, a Membership Application Form and paying dues. Membership Application check the hiking schedule to determine whether a reservation is required, and Forms are available on the Club website or by mail. Annual dues are $20 if so, call or e-mail the leader to reserve your space. for individuals and $30 for families. Applications should be sent to Carolina Hike leaders have the right to reject participants who are not properly Mountain Club, P.O. Box 68, Asheville, NC, 28802. Hikers are expected to equipped for the hike or who are unlikely to be able to complete the hike. join CMC after participating in a few hikes. Some trail maintenance activities All hikers are expected to follow the leader's instructions. No one should get are only open to members. ahead of the leader, or lag behind the sweep, without specific permission. Hikers should obtain the leader’s permission if they wish to leave the hike CAROLINA MOUNTAIN CLUB OFFICERS before its completion. President: Marcia Bromberg, 828-505-0471, [email protected] Vice-President: Don Gardner, 828-754-4067, [email protected] CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT: CMC’s website (www.carolinamountain- Secretary: Danny Bernstein, 828-236-0192, [email protected] club.org, click on Hiking) has a full list of day hiking needs. Most critical are Treasurer: Jim Ariail, 828-505-0443, [email protected] water, footwear, rain gear and a first aid kit. Carry at least two quarts of liq- Immediate Past President: Barth Brooker, 828-299-0298, [email protected] uid (water, Gatorade, juice) for a full day hike, no matter what time of year. Councilor for Communication: Stuart English, 828-883-2447, [email protected] Hiking boots are recommended for all hikes. They should be broken in before Councilor for Conservation: Tish Desjardins, 828-656-2191, [email protected] the hike. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Even if there is no sign Councilor for Education: Jim Spicer, 828-891-1026, [email protected] of rain in the morning, you need to be prepared for an afternoon shower. Councilor for Hiking: Jim Reel, 828-738-0751, [email protected] Your first aid kit should include any personal medication, including allergy Councilor for Membership: Barbara Morgan, 828-738-3395, [email protected] medication, if needed. Wear layered clothing – you’ll want to take layers off Councilor for Trail Maintenance: Pete Peterson, 828-692-7813, during a strenuous climb or as the day proceeds, then put them back on in [email protected] cooler conditions. Councilor at Large: Lee Silver, 828-668-7147, [email protected]

RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFETY: Each CMC member and guest agrees to Editor: Stuart English, 828-883-2447, [email protected] accept personal responsibility for his or her own safety and for the safety of Deadline next issue: November 15, 2012 accompanying minors. The Club cannot ensure the safety of any participant