The Asheville Hiking Group

This "urban hike" takes us through several nice areas of Montford and North Asheville. It's mostly quiet backroads, greenways, and part of the UNCA campus. The route covers 6.3 miles with under 400' elevation gain. Our pace will be in the moderate range, around 2.5 mph. We'll take a short snack break around halfway through.

Dog Policy: Dogs are extremely welcome but must be leashed.

Guest Policy: If you'd like to bring a guest, they should join the Asheville Hiking Group and sign up for the hike on their own. Alternatively, contact me in advance and ask if it's okay to bring a "+1" after you've made it onto the "Going" list. Depending on timing and demand, I may be able to add your guest.

MEET-UP TIME AND PLACE
We'll meet at 9:30 am at the southwest corner of the Harris-Teeter parking lot off Merrimon Ave. That's the far back of the parking lot relative to the store, and at the corner closest to Chestnut St. Please be on time, if not a little early.

DIRECTIONS
The Harris-Teeter parking lot entrance is on Chestnut St. across the street from Trader Joe's. Enter from the street, take an immediate left, and head to the area furthest from the H-T store entrance.
Google Maps Link

COURTESY TO WAIT-LISTERS (Please abide!)
Only sign up if you *TRULY* plan to come. If you must cancel, please change your status to "Not Going" as soon as possible so wait-listers will have sufficient notice. And please please PLEASE don't be a no-show.

If you're on the waiting list, keep checking the evening before. Despite what I wrote above, we always get last-minute dropouts.

WEATHER
I'll monitor National Weather Service forecasts for the hike area and email cancellation messages by 7:30 AM if the forecast is for more than a 50% chance of precipitation.

QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, message me through MeetUp until 8:30 AM the day of. Cell reception may be sketchy, but you can try to text or call me up to the start of the hike: (803) 767-3094.

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LEGALESE

This Asheville Hiking Group event involves hiking and, possibly, transportation to and from the meetup site. Participants are responsible for their own safety and, by joining a hike, affirm that they have the appropriate skills, physical conditioning, equipment, and supplies. Hiking may involve risks to oneself and property. Neither your hike organizer nor Asheville Hiking Group can eliminate all risks or be responsible for your well-being. Participants assume full responsibility for any injuries, damages, or losses.

If you plan to carpool, add a comment below.

Join me for a hike in Bent Creek. We will start at the Hard Times trailhead and hike about 6 miles. We will stop to see the Trolls in the Arboretum

Rating: Moderate
Length: 6 - Hardtimes, Arboretum, bigger loop back to cars. If you want to cut it short after the Arboretum, that's fine, too.
Surface: Trail/Logging Road
Elevation Gain: 400-600 ft
Pace: 3.0-3.2 mph
Dogs: on leash.
Gear: In winter, bring a headlamp or flashlight at night. In the summer, bug spray and water, depending on the heat.
Bears: None so far this year, but now is the season for them.
Features: We will go into the Arboretum and look at the Trolls exhibit, and any other exhibits that interest us.
Cautions: Muddy after rain, with some high grass in summer. Long pants and bug repellent recommended.

Carpool: If you want to carpool, please put a comment below and plan to meet at Papa's and Beer 15 minutes before the start time, in front of the restaurant, two rows back; carpool location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8oGqteNy2X9dnccS9
If there are no comments, I will not stop. CALL ME, NOT TEXT, if you can't find me.: 828-290-0886.

Trailhead Location
Hard Times Trailhead
375 Wesley Branch Rd · Asheville, NC

Spring, summer, fall and winter daytime route:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-march-14-2024-39ae2ed?u=i&sh=ifwm3x
Alternate Winter Route used at night: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/hard-times-alternate-37968ad

Scenic Asheville Series: There are 9 hikes in the series; hike them all and receive an attractive badge for your backpack. Check your progress here: Hiker Spreadsheet. Special perk for badge holders: You can always come on the hike, even if you are on the waitlist.
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RSVP and On-Time Start:

• There is no cell coverage at the start of the hike. If you are late, we will leave on time because we can't see last-minute texts or comments.
• Please change your RSVP as soon as you know you can't make it.

NO Guests: Please ask guests to sign up for the hike themselves.

Disclaimer and Release of Liability:
This activity involves hiking which may be on natural trails with typical hazards or on city streets that may have traffic. Participants are responsible for their safety on streets and trails. The organizer of this trip is a volunteer and not a professional guide. The function of the organizer is only to organize this trip. If you sign up or participate in this event you acknowledge that you freely and voluntarily agree to assume all risks of injuries, illnesses, and damages arising from, as a result of, and associated with this event. In addition, you acknowledge that you agree to the Meetup terms: https://www.meetup.com/terms

Rating: Strenuous (climb up Reynold's is steep)
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 750 up the mountain, and then we'll add some rolling hills to make it to 1000
Surface: Road
Pace: 3.2 mph, best effort on push up Reynolds
Features: Lake views, mountain views
Bears: Not likely
Dogs: On leash
Gear: Bring a snack and carry water. Headlamp or Flashlight in winter.

Meeting Spot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6NQA64Xak3KaFHGr8

Route:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-february-6-2025-ba3c5fe?utm_campaign=memory&showMemory=true&sh=ifwm3x

This route was suggested by Andy B. If you have a route you would like to suggest, please let me know!

Scenic Asheville Series: There are 9 hikes in the series; hike them all and receive an attractive badge for your backpack**.** Check your progress HERE. If you have a badge, you can always come on the hike, even if you are on the wait-list.

RSVP and On-Time Start:

• If you decide you cannot come, please change your RSVP
• If you must cancel, please change your status to "Not Going" as soon as possible so wait-listers can have sufficient notice.
• There are generally 1 or 2 no-shows on my hikes, so we don't wait for people to arrive. If you are late, you'll be left behind. In some hikes, there are "if late" instructions to intercept us.
• Notes and comments are genuinely appreciated.

No Guests: Please ask guests to sign up for the hike themselves.

Disclaimer and Release of Liability:
This activity involves hiking on city streets that may have traffic. Participants are responsible for their safety on streets and trails. The organizer of this trip is a volunteer and not a professional guide. The function of the organizer is only to organize this trip. If you sign up or participate in this event you acknowledge that you freely and voluntarily agree to assume all risks of injuries, illnesses, and damages arising from, as a result of, and associated with this event. In addition, you acknowledge that you agree to the Meetup terms: https://www.meetup.com/terms