Craven Gap North Out-and-Back -- 5.6 mi, 850 ft. elev. gain
Details
[Sign-ups open Sunday, May 31st, 8:00 PM]
This segment of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail was devastated by Hurricane Helene and closed for more than 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 is a hilly trek that goes north on the Mountain-to-Sea Trail from the Craven Gap Parking lot. You should have experience on comparable or more strenuous hikes to be sure 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
What was a large parking area at Craven Gap became small after Hurricane Helene. Please carpool with us for this one. We'll rendezvous at Ingles supermarket at 29 Tunnel Rd., the one closest to downtown Asheville. We'll gather in the parking area nearest to the gas pumps. Look for my silver Hyundai and me.
Click here for the carpool location on Google Maps.
We'll depart the Tunnel Rd. Ingles at 8:45 AM, and arrive at the trailhead parking lot at 9:00.
Trailhead parking is at the intersection of Town Mountain Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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.