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
3
MST: Lane Pinnacle, 8 miles
Folk Art Center, MP 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, nc, USTrailhead is Tanbark Tunnel on the BRP. From Tanbark Tunnel, we take the MST spur trail up to Rattlesnake Lodge and then the MST over Rich Knob, Wolf Den, and then up to Lane Pinnacle where we have views of the North Fork Reservoir and its surrounding watershed. Then we turn around and head back down.
Distance out and up is approximately 4 miles (8 miles round trip), and the elevation out and up is approximately 2,000 feet.
2,000 feet elevation gain is no mean feat. Most of the gain up to Rich Knob, about 1,700 feet, is in the first 2 miles--gives new meaning to the term "unrelenting." The rest is up and down to Lane Pinnacle. So . . . 2,000 feet up and 2,000 feet down over 8 miles.
Car pool: Meet at Folk Art Center, lower parking level at 8:30. Limited parking at the trail head.
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 of Service: https://help.meetup.com/hc/en-us/articles/360027447252-Terms-of-Service#h_9e385395-a405-4361-8afc-854a4f586c82.
Trail profile credit: Walt Weber'sTrail Profiles and Maps, 2nd ed.
12 attendees
Folk Art Ctr. - Lunch Rock, 5 mi. 800ft. Elev. Gain
Southern Highland Craft Guild, Folk Art Center, 382 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Asheville, NC, US[Sign-up opens Sunday, Sept. 6, 8:00 PM]
This is an out-and-back hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Looking past the hurricane damage, there's the usual wooded beauty we've come to expect. As a bonus, this one's capped off with a lovely view at the turnaround point. Nearly all the elevation gain is in the first half of the trek -- not advisable unless you know you can handle an 800-ft climb spread across two miles. Difficulty level 3.5 out of 10 on my highly subjective scale.
We'll keep a humane pace on the uphill, take a 15-minute snack break at the vista point midway, and then head back for an easy downhill return.
Dogs are welcome but must be leashed according to Forest Service regulations.
MEETING TIME & DIRECTIONS
We'll head out from the parking lot at 9 AM at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The entrance road is near Milepost 383. Please arrive a few minutes early for sign-in and introductions.
On Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/85AQ8VhC1pByMCSC8
You'll pass the front of the building on your right. Keep going to the second parking area furthest from the building. Look for me and my car -- a silver Hyundai.
COURTESY TO WAIT-LISTERS (Please!)
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. (The same goes if you're on the waitlist and know you can't attend. Please change to "Not Going.") And please please PLEASE don't be a no-show.
WEATHER
I'll watch the weather and post a cancellation message by 7:30 AM if the forecast is >50% chance of precipitation.
GUESTS
If you'd like to bring a guest, please have them join the Asheville Hiking Group and sign up for the hike on their own.
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.
17 attendees
Past events
4043
