Arboretum Hard Times Loop - 6.5 Miles, 700 Ft Elevation Gain

RSVP opens Sunday, Jun 7th, 8:00 pm

I will be leading Barry's hikes for the next 4 weeks and will do my best to select some hikes similar to what he normally does. This hike will start inside the Arboretum but don't worry if you don't have a membership. We will have enough cars that do. We will start by the Education Center and head down Bent Creek Rd and over to the Hard Times Rd by Lake Powhattan. We will go up Hard Times and eventually back into the Arboretum by the guard house and then back up Wesley Branch to the main parking lot. Total distance is around 6.5 miles with an elevation gain of just under 700 ft. The trails are mostly wide and good for visiting. We'll do a moderate pace of around 2.4 mph. It's not an easy hike for many of us. I'd give it a 4 out of 10, while many of my other hikes are in the 2 - 3.5 range with half the elevation gain.

There is no need to carpool as there is plenty of parking but if you don't have an Arboretum pass, we will meet at the Asheville Outlet parking lot behind the Waffle House. I listed that as the hike location. We will leave the parking lot right at 9:15 so please be a bit early.

Wear sensible hiking footwear, and bring an ample water supply. Around 2/3 of the way through, we'll find a spot for a short snack break.

The Arboretum has a nice Bistro if anyone wants to stay for lunch after the hike.

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
Please either meet at the Arboretum Education Center at 9:30 or the Asheville Outlet Mall parking lot behind the Waffle House at 9:15.

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 8:00 AM the day of. Cell reception may be sketchy on the trail, but you can try to text or call me up to the start of the hike: 508-965-2333.