ATTEND THE ANNUAL DINNER MEETING ON October 19th!

All are welcome.  Bring a covered dish, (or uncovered) to share.

SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER/October, 2006

Mon Sept 4 Labor Day. Buffalo Mountain. We will hike to High Ridge via Trillium Cascades and decide whether to return the Lady Slipper Trail or the White Rocks Trail. 4-6 miles. A hefty ascent and then downhill a lot. Leader, CB Willis, 282-3325.

Wed Sept 6 8-mile hike from Sleepy Gap on the BRP just south of the Asheville exit, to Lake Powhatan where we can have lunch and then take the MTS back to the cars. This loop hike is mostly easy with a moderate to strenuous on the 2-3 mile MTS part. Leader, Howard Guinn, 753-4072.

Mon Sept 11 Work day on the AT. Please support this; we are all needed. We will cut some trees across the trail and clear the mud out of several water bars. Hopefully, we can also work on refreshing the blazes as we are seriously behind on this. This will be a fun day. Leader, Trail Supervisor, Mike Hupko, 929-2626.

Wed Sept 13 Hike on the new trail between Bay’s Mountain and Laurel Run, about 6 miles with a sizeable elevation gain the first 3-miles and then mostly downhill to Laurel Run. Most of us haven’t hiked this trail since the re-locations were completed. I believe they’ve corrected some of the steep places with switch-backs. Leader, Dave McMillin, 913-2345.

Mon Sept 18 A 5-mile hike, or thereabouts, on the Virginia Creeper Trail. It’s a mystery but will be a beautiful and easy hike. Leader, Bob Miller, 245-1465.

Wed Sept 20 Walnut Mountain Road to 19E. A 10-mile side trail leads to Jones Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the AT. Another good reason to take this hike is to see the new Mountaineer Falls shelter the TEHCC has just built near the site of the old shelter which was burned about 20-years ago. This hike has some strenuous parts, but we’ve done it before and we can do it again. My 1986 AT Guide book shows 6 ½ miles for this hike but there have been extensive re-los during the last three years adding some mileage, but not a lot. Could drop car at Campbell Hollow if we want to shorten the hike. Leader, Mike Hupko, 929-2626.

Mon Sept 25 A 5-mile, bushwhacking opportunity on a flagged, but not maintained trail in Little Dark Hollow. Bring loppers and bow saws if you wish to help open the trail. Don’t be scared away; this will be an adventure we will all want to share. No shuttle. Leader, Dave McMillin, 913-2345.

Wed Sept 27 Glen Burney Falls Trail, Blowing Rock. This is a 3-mile roundtrip hike, moderate to strenuous in sections. An old trail in Johns River Gorge with 3 scenic waterfalls. Non-hikers are welcome to join us for lunch at Storie Street Grille, Main Street, Blowing Rock. Leader, Loretta Arnold, 538-6472.

Mon Oct 2 Doe River Gorge, walk along the RR track for 2+ miles and back. Lunch along the river or top of the second tunnel. Easy, pretty walk. Leader, CB Willis, 282-3325.

Wed Oct 4 We meet Powell Foster, the leader, cell 963-1971 at 5:00 PM, for a moonlight hike on the Osborne Farm. Those who have hiked this area know how beautiful the farm meadows are in the daylight; imagine how much more beautiful they will be at moonrise. There will be a full moon rising at 7:15 PM; the sun sets at 6:15 PM. It will be great. Bring your supper, and your Significant Other. This is an easy hike. The moonlight walk will take only about 15 minutes, one way. Meet at the Church 4:09 PM; return by 9:09 or so. CB will lead from the Church to meeting with Powell. 282-3325. Lots of Old Timers would really enjoy this evening. Come on.

Mon Oct 9 Grassy Gap Creek Trail on Beech Mountain; a new hike for our club. 4 ½ miles, approximately 4-hours, an easy descent through the forest from Hawthorne Road down to Buckeye Lake for lunch under the picnic pavilion. After lunch we’ll take a short walk to the Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary, then a moderate to strenuous hike back up to Hawthorne and an optional stop at Fred’s Mercantile for coffee/snack after the hike. Leader, Loretta Arnold, 538-6472.

Wed Oct 11 9-mile, strenuous hike on the AT from Hughes Gap to Iron Mountain Gap. Shuttle or swap keys. The southern 4-miles of this section is adopted for maintenance by Howard and Faye, the leaders today, 753-4072.

Mon Oct 16 Work Day. Mike, 929-2626, will advise what and where. Refreshing blazes? Please be there.

Wed Oct 18 Walnut Mountain Road to Bitter End and return; just 5+ miles of beautiful forest and creek bank walking. Leader, CB Willis, 282-3325.

*Thur Oct 19 ANNUAL DINNER MEETING, at Covenant Church, 6:30 PM, drinks, bread and entrée will be furnished; attendees bring a covered dish, salad, vegetable or desert. Please prioritize this, bring spouses, significant others and potential members. Working on a program of real interest to hikers. RSVP with number to CB, 282-3325. How about doing that today? Thanks.*

Mon Oct 23 Linear Trail in Erwin. 5+ miles of easy walking. If you want, dine for lunch at Clarence’s or bring your own. A genuine wimp hike. Leader, Bob Miller, 245-1465.

Tues Oct 24 Planning Meeting at Shoney’s, JC. 8:00 am. Please attend and contribute ideas for hikes and events. The club needs you.

Wed Oct 25 Linville Wilderness area, hike downhill to the Tower of Babel, and along the Linville River. Very steep hike out, but entire hike not over 5-miles. Leader, Rick Culbertson, 246-7298.

Mon Oct 30 Hughes Gap to Greasy Creek. 6-miles, leaving shuttle car on Greasy Creek Road and AT from Hughes Gap to Greasy Creek Gap. Long (over 1-mile) ascent to start, then rocky downhill; after that nice forest walk. Leader, Tim Shipley, 753-6123.

Meet each Monday and Wednesday at Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Bring food, water and seasonal gear. Everyone is welcome.