About us
Interested in taking a short, long, or somewhere in the middle length hike in western North Carolina? Everything from a quick (3-4 hour) hike to a full day of hiking. Check us out and experience the pristine and amazing wilderness of western North Carolina!!!
Everyone is welcome to the group, beginner or expert, 2 legs or 4 (depending on the hike organizer and the location), young and old. Please note that, while the group is open to everyone, not all hikes are appropriate for everyone. Hike organizers reserve the right to limit the hike size and screen potential participants to ensure their own safety and that of others in the group. Hike organizers will also try to post as much information as possible about the hike, however since there are so many trails in the area, we have not always hiked them before and are sometimes relying on published or posted information.
The fee for this meetup group is paid for by the Organizer. Contact the organizer, Tracey, if you would like to donate to the meetup fees. Please remember that our hike leaders are volunteers. We are doing this because we enjoy hiking, and want everyone else to enjoy it too.
Suggestions are GREATLY appreciated! So, come on in, interact, enjoy yourself, and we'll see you on the trail!
Upcoming events
5
Scenic AVL #9 - Downtown to Windswept from First Baptist Church
parking lot of First Baptist Church downtown, 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC, USMeeting Place: Park in the First Baptist Church parking lot between the church and the YMCA.
Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zYYZFLSk7rg4pdrP6
Rating: Strenuous for Pace and Distance
Surface: Road and some trail
Mileage: about 5.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 750
Pace: 3.0 mph flats, slower on steep climbs. We will stop at the top of Windswept for a short break, and we will finish within 2 hours. We walk at a pretty fast pace, so please be aware of your capabilities.
Features: Downtown points of interest, views from Windswept.
After Eats: Taco TempleScenic Asheville Series: There are 10 hikes in the series; hike 9 of them and receive an attractive badge for your backpack. Check your progress HERE.
General Route: Avl Urban Trail to Windswept
Here is the full list of waypoints, but we will not stop for all of them: Downtown to Windswept WaypointsRSVP and On-Time Start:
- If you decide you cannot come, please change your RSVP, so that Wait-listers can move up.
- 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.
- 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/terms23 attendees
Strawberry Gap 5.2 mi., 1,200 ft. elev. gain
Food Lion, 1350 Charlotte Hwy, Fairview, NC, USSign up opens Sunday, March 22nd @ 8:00 PM
This is a somewhat strenuous out-and-back hike, with nearly all of the uphill being on the "out" part. We'll do a moderate pace of around 2.3 mph, with breaks as needed and a 15-minute snack/water break at or near the turn-around point. It's a typical walk in the woods for these parts (which is to say, beautiful!), and the payoff at the top -- Blue Ridge Pastures -- has a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.
Dog Policy: Sorry, but dogs are officially prohibited on this trail.
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.
CARPOOLING TIME & PLACE
There's ample parking at the lot by the trailhead, but let's carpool anyway so that our large group doesn't fill it up.Here's a link to the carpool location on Google Maps.
- We'll meet 9:15 AM at Food Lion parking lot, 1350 Charlotte Highway (Rt. ALT-74) in Fairview.
- Gather at the side of the lot closest to the Highway, furthest from the store. Look for me and my silver Hyundai.
- We depart Food Lion just after 9:15 AM, so please arrive before that time. It's about 10 minutes from there to the trailhead.
Directions from Asheville
- Take Alt 74 East toward Fairview.
- From the intersection with I-40 and I-240, you'll be on ALT-74 for 6.7 miles. Food Lion is on the left.
Directions from Hendersonville
- US 25 North to Fletcher, right turn onto Cane Creek Rd.
- In 8.7 miles, turn left onto Alt-74, Charlotte Highway
- Food Lion is less than a mile on the right
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 possible so wait-listers can 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 the National Weather Service forecast for the hike area. If the forecast calls for a> 50% chance of rain or temps below 25, I'll email cancellation messages by 7:30 AM.QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, message me through MeetUp. Cell reception may be sketchy, but you can try to text or call me up to the start of the hike: (803) 767-3094.--------------------
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.
1 attendee
Wildflower 1 - Green River - Bishop Branch - 10 Miles, 2000 Elevation
Green River Gamelands, Big Hungry Road, Saluda, NC, USThis is a repeat of the hike that Richard Phelps posted for Wednesday, March 18. I have borrowed some of his description and directions, and thank him kindly for his information about the trail. We will avoid the major washouts left by Helene.
Rating: Very Strenuous for Distance (~10 miles) and Elevation (~2,000).
Surface: Natural trail, rocky in spots, normal natural hazards.
Gear: Water, snack, poles for the downhill.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome, but have a leash handy in case we run into other hikers or dogs.
Pace: 3.0-3.2 mph, but I will stop to take pictures of the wildflowers. This is a pretty brisk pace, so be aware of your condition.
Starting Point: Bishop Branch Trailhead in Green River Gamelands on Big Hungry Road
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hbSPcmgk24kKApMq5
Route: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/copy-green-river-from-bishop-branch-ea0a4c2
Note that I plan to hike it clockwise, which is backwards from the direction that Richard's hike went.Features: I have not hiked this route since before Helene, and it is one of my favorite spring hikes. Green River Gamelands has a very nice variety of trilliums and other spring wildflowers. The route includes waterfalls, cascades, and rushing water. There will be a few manageable water crossings.
Any rain cancellation will be posted by 11:30am.
NO GUESTS: If someone wants to come with you, please ask them to read the description and sign up. There have been instances in the past with guests not being able to keep up and/or being unprepared.
CAR POOL: Those who wish to car pool can meet at 16 Regent Park Blvd in front of the NC Lottery office. I will not be at the carpool location because I will be coming from HVL. Please leave a note in the comments indicating where you intend to meet the group: Regent Park (12:40) or Bishop Branch Trailhead (1:30). If you are coming from Hendersonville and want to carpool, message me directly.
Hike Leader Contact: CALL do not text 8282900886.
Do not text me at the start of the hike, because I will be busy checking people in and answering last minute questions.This hike does not count toward a Scenic Asheville badge. I haven't decided if I will do a badge for wildflower hikes..... maybe a fridge magnet....
DIRECTIONS to TRAILHEAD: From Asheville, travel south on I-26 East past Hendersonville to the Flat Rock area. Get off the interstate at Exit 53 and turn left (east) onto Upward Road. Stay on Upward Road for 1.7mi. passing apple orchards. Just past the Upward Holiness Baptist Church turn right onto Big Hungry Road. Stay on Big Hungry Road for almost 5 miles but be alert and follow the signs for Big Hungry. (At times, continuation on Big Hungry looks more like a turn off the main road.) Pass the Pulliam trail head and continue to the next one. Photo is of the Bishop Branch Trailhead.
Release of Liability:
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 acknowledging that you agree to the Meetup terms: https://www.meetup.com/terms12 attendees
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