Craven Gap North Out-and-Back -- 5.6 mi, 850 ft. elev. gain
Details
[Sign-ups open Sunday, September 27th, 8:00 PM]
Those who attended last week's hike will recognize the trailhead. But this time we'll hike north rather than south.
This segment of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail was devastated by Hurricane Helene and closed for well over a year. But it's back! If you're familiar with this hike, you'll find it was radically altered, changing from mostly shady to mostly sunny with some new vistas along the way.
This hilly trek goes north on the Mountain-to-Sea Trail from the Craven Gap Parking lot. You should have experience on comparable or more strenuous hikes so you won't hold up the group. We'll go out and back, about 2.8 miles each way with a 15-minute break in the middle. Our pace will be around 2.4 mph. We should return to the parking lot soon after noon.
Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are welcome, but Forestry Service regulations require leashes.
MEETING TIME AND PLACE
The Craven Gap Trailhead parking area is at the end of Town Mountain Road where it meets the Blue Ridge Parkway. But what used to be a large parking area at Craven Gap became small after Hurricane Helene. Carpooling is optional, but some of us will meet at 8:30 in the Harris-Teeter parking lot across the street from Trader Joe's on Merrimon Ave. We'll rendezvous at the back left corner of the lot as you're looking out from the store. Look for my silver Hyundai and me.
We'll depart Harris Teeter by 8:35 AM and be at the trailhead before 9:00.
GUESTS
If you'd like to bring a guest, please have them join the Asheville Hiking Group and sign up for the hike independently.
COURTESY TO WAITLISTERS (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. Avoid dropping out within 18 hours of the hike so wait-listers can have sufficient notice. And please please PLEASE don't be a no-show.
We'll watch the weather and post a cancellation message by 7:00 AM on the morning of the hike if the forecast is >50% chance of precipitation.
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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 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.