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
4
Scenic AVL #7: Scott Mountain
Pisgah Forest Access Road - Baldwin Field Branch, G89X+44, Candler, NC, USThe weather looks like it will be okay tomorrow. Yeah!
There is very limited parking at the trailhead. Please plan to meet at Lake Hills Church parking lot at 10 minutes before the start to condense cars.
Lake Hills Church Parking Lot is pictured above.- https://maps.app.goo.gl/X1TctrhYv3gihmh66
*Call the hike leader at 828-290-0886 if you cannot find us. Do not text.
Rating: Moderate
Elevation: 800
Distance: 5 miles
Surface: Trail
Pace: 3 mph
Dogs: on leash.
Gear: Long pants recommended, bug spray, water. The ticks are bad on this trail. Bring your bug spray !
Features: wooded trail, interesting plants and fungi. Bears are shy, but we may see them, also deer and squirrels. 3 miles uphill, 2.25 down.
All Trails Route:
Scott Mountain Loop on AllTrailsScenic Asheville Series: there are 9 hikes in the series, plus a few wild cards. Hike 9 of them and receive an attractive badge for your backpack. If you have a badge , you can always come on
a hike , even if you are on the waiting 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.
*Please note that there is never cell coverage at the start of the hike, so please change your RSVP as soon as you know you can't make it. - Notes and comments are genuinely appreciated.
Guests: Make sure your guests are fit enough to complete the hike. if someone is a guest, their hike will not count toward a badge because there will not be a record of their name .
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/terms10 attendees- https://maps.app.goo.gl/X1TctrhYv3gihmh66
AT South at Devil's Fork Gap to the Historic Shelton Graves site: Fitness Hike.
Location not specified yetThis is a pretty out & back 11.5 mile forest hike on the Appalachian Trail with about 2,600' of elevation gain, with some views throught the trees. We will take a short spur trail to the Civil War era Shelton Grave site and stop for a snack before returning.
Pace: We will hike at a brisk pace averaging approximately 3mph adjusting for steepness of grade and rugged trail conditions. Please be comfortable with this distance, elevation and pace.
Dogs; Friendly dogs ok.
Car Pool or Follow to the Trailhead: Meet at the Park and Ride parking lot, Exit 17 I-26 at 8:30am. Please post if you plan to carpool, or to meet at the trailhead at 9:00 am. .
Directions: Drive I-26 W from Asheville to the Flagpond, TN exit.. Take a left at the end of the ramp then go right when you reach a T intersection at Flag Pond. Continue until you see a left turn onto HWY 352W. If you miss the turn you will see the entrance to Rocky Fork State Park a short distance after. If so, turn around and go back. Follow 352W for approx. 4 miles to the State line (Devil's Fork Gap). There's a fairly big parking area on the left side of the road where U will see hikers / dogs gathering.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8FzB5VkWmLivhBvE8Hike Levels: Level (1) Up to 600 feet; Level (2) 600'- 900'; Level (3) 900' - 1200'; Level (4) 1200' - 1500'; Level (5) 1,500' - 1,800'; Level (6) 1,800' - 2,100'; Level (7) 2,100' - 2,400'; Level (8) 2,400' - 2700'; Level (9) 2700' - 3000' Level (10) 3000' - 4000'; Ultimate Hikes are > 4,000'.
Hike Cancellation: IF YOU SIGN ON THIS HIKE AND CHANGE YOU MIND (EVEN IF ON THE WAITLIST) GO BACK TO THE RSVP LINK AND CHANGE YOUR HIKE STATUS TO FREE UP YOUR RESERVED SPOT.
If the hike is cancelled due to weather, we will post the cancellation before 7:00am on the day of the hike.
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 acknowledge that you agree to the Meetup terms: https://www.meetup.com/terms12 attendees
Graybeard Falls -- 6 mi, 1,200 ft. gain
Ingles Market - Black Mountain, 550 NC 9, Black Mountain, NC, US[Sign-up opens Sunday, Aug. 9th at 8 PM]
The Mt. Graybeard Trail is a favorite of many, myself included. We’ll do an out-and-back, around 3.1 miles up, then the same coming back. There's a clearing by Graybeard Falls where we'll take a little break before heading down.
This is not an easy hike! Because of the long uphill segment and lots of heads-down walking over roots & rocks, I’m giving this a solid 5.0 difficulty level on a 10-point scale. We'll move at a fairly good pace, averaging around 2.3 mph. If you're a first-timer and unsure if you're good with 1,000'+ elevation gains, it's best not to attend this one and risk holding back the group.
If you ever use hiking poles, they'd be useful here. Prepare for a trio of stream crossings with some potential rock-hopping depending on water levels. The trail can be muddy in parts, too. Yes, this hike can be a bit sloppy, but it's worth it!
Wear good hiking shoes, bring some water, and a little snack if so inclined.
Dog Policy: Dogs are welcome but must be leashed.
Guest Policy: If you'd like to bring a guest, they'll need to join the Asheville Hiking Group and sign up for the hike on their own. Alternatively, if you've made it onto the "Going" list, contact me in advance and ask if it's okay to bring a "+1". Depending on timing and demand, I may be able to add your guest.
MEET-UP TIME & PLACE
Parking at the trailhead is very tight, so carpooling is a must. Let's meet promptly by 9:00 AM at the Black Mountain Ingles at 550 Route NC-9. It's near Exit 64 off I-40. We’ll gather at the north end of the Ingles parking lot toward McDonald's (but not in the McD's lot), which is toward the right when you enter the Ingles lot. Look for my car, a silver Hyundai sedan.
On Google Maps: https://bit.ly/3TLR4yG
We'll organize into as few vehicles as possible, then drive the 15 minutes to the Graybeard Trailhead.
COURTESY TO WAIT-LISTERS
Only sign up if you definitely plan to come. If you must cancel, please change your status to "Not Going" as soon 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 through the evening before the hike. We often get last-minute dropouts. Also, if you know at some point that you won't be able to attend even if someone drops out, please remove yourself from the waiting list.
WEATHER
I'll watch the weather and post a cancellation message by 7:30 AM if the forecast is >50% chance of precipitation.QUESTIONS?
You can message me through MeetUp until 8:00 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.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 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 assure your safety nor eliminate all risks. Participants assume full responsibility for any injuries, damages, or losses.15 attendees
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