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Johnson City Hikers Club Schedule –April to June 2007
Guests are welcome on all hikes, and at meetings. We request
that newcomers select hikes within their capabilities. If in doubt, contact hike
leaders for more information about terrain. Please bring rain gear, food, plenty
of water, gas money and appropriate clothing on all hikes. We request that no
pets be brought on hikes. Persons interested in joining the Johnson City
Hikers Club and receiving the schedule should contact Faye Guinn at 753-4072.
*Kroger location at Brown’s Mill Road and North Roan, in Johnson City
**Long John Silver’s at corner of University Pkwy and S. Roan in Johnson
City, behind bldg.
***Meadowview Conference Center – meet at entrance of parking lot closest to
I-181
| 4-07 |
Strenuous 10-mile hike on the Straight Ridge and
Devil’s Fork Trails to the Devil’s Bathtub in Scott County, VA. This route
involves only two minor stream crossings. Meet at the Meadowview Conference
Center*** at 8 AM or meet the leader at McDonalds at the first Big Stone Gap
exit on US 23 at 8:45 AM. Leader: Bill Strang 276-523-2120,
strang@yahoo.com |
| 4-14 |
Strenuous 9-mile hike from Street Gap to
Big Bald Mountain on the Appalachian Trail. Meet at the Jonesborough Post
Office at 8 AM. Leader: Luke Carter 737-6428 |
| 4-21 |
Moderate 9-mile hike from Bays Mountain Park to
Laurel Run. There is a gate fee at Bays Mountain Park. There are two creek
crossing. Leave Meadowview Conference Center*** at 8:30 AM. Leader:
Gabrielle Zeiger 378-3623, gzeiger@chartertn.net |
| 4-28 |
Moderate 5-mile hike on the new Lone Oak Trail. Meet
at Long John Silvers** at 9:00 AM, Leader: Tom Dosser 282-6682 or 755-9907 |
| 4-28 |
Alternate Hike
Strenuous 13-mile hike starting on the AT from Devil
Fork Gap past the Flint Mountain Shelter to High Rock. After High Rock
we will leave the AT and after six miles on old logging roads reach
Rocky Fork Road. There are 4 stream crossings and the last 2 are
boot-soakers (More info on this hike is on the web site). Bring extra food
and water as this is a long hike. It may be 6 PM before we reach the cars.
If in doubt or questions call the leader Kendall Harris 423-952-0285. Leave
Long John Silvers** at 8 AM. We will be joining MAH hiking club for this
hike.
Alternate Hike
Strenuous 13-mile hike starting on the AT from Devil
Fork Gap past the Flint Mountain Shelter to High Rock. After High Rock
we will leave the AT and after six or more miles reach Rocky Fork Road.
(More info on this hike is on the web site). Bring extra food and water as
this is a long hike. It may be 6 PM before we reach the cars. If in doubt
call the leader Kendall Harris 423-952-0285. Leave Long John Silvers** at 8
AM.
Sat. April 28 Around and Within the Rocky Fork Basin
Hike: 13 miles Drive: 32 miles (including shuttle) Depart
Arby's 8:00 AM
Leader: Kendall Harris Phone:
952-0285
Rating: Moderate to Difficult Topos: Flag Pond,
Greystone
This is a joint hike with the Johnson City Hiking Club. The hike
provides an overview of the scenic Rocky Fork Watershed, which is claimed
to be "the last unprotected area of its size and extraordinary natural
features existing in the southern Appalachians." There is a serious threat
of this exceptionally beautiful area being purchased and then developed as
a sprawling, gated community. If possible, view the color slide show, map,
etc. at
www.saverockyfork.org.
We will start on the "southbound" AT at Devil Fork Gap, proceding 6.7
miles to Big Rocks. The only parts of the hike that are difficult are two
moderately steep portions, each about a quarter mile long on the way to
Big Rocks. (We will be considerate about the extra rest-stops that those
who are less fit require, but please do not attempt this hike if you are
not reasonably fit and capable of a long day of hiking.) Not long after
passing the Flint Mountain Shelter (at mile 2.7) we will often be hiking
on or near the southwest border of the threatened Rocky Fork Watershed
-- on our right as we hike toward Big Rocks. After taking in the view from
on top of Big Rocks (with the best view yet to come), we leave the AT for
good, proceeding northeasterly across first a grassy bald and then a large
heath bald on a level ridge top with views. We soon reach a short side
trail that takes us to the perfect view point. From a wide flat projecting
rock you will be awed by the sweeping view of pristine beauty stretched
out below you -- a panoramic view of most of the 10,000 acres of the
Rocky Fork Basin. On logging roads we will descend from the crest of Rich
Mountain to follow Rocky Fork Creek from its headwaters to where it
finally leaves the wilderness upon meeting Rocky Fork Rd., the end of our
hike. The last 6 miles of the hike are entirely downhill on hiker-friendly
logging roads, excepting 4 stream crossings. The last two crossings are
probable boot-soakers but could be easily waded with flip flops. It may
well be 6:00 or 6:30 PM when we reach the car(s) we have at Rocky Fork Rd
for our shuttle.
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| 5-05 |
Strenuous 9-mile hike on Pine Mountain to Bad Branch
Falls and High Rock ending at US 119. Last year at this time there were
Showy Orchis, Trilliums and Pink Lady slippers in bloom and Susan found a
Whorled Pogonia Orchid in bloom. Meet at Meadowview*** at 8 AM or at
McDonalds at Big Stone Gap exit on US 23 at 8:45 AM. Leader: Bill Strang
276-523-2120, strang@yahoo.com. You might want to call Bill if you are going
to meet him at McDonalds. |
| 5-12 |
Strenuous 10-mile loop hike at Clark Creek. We will
take the Sills Branch Trail to the waterfall, then on to FS 5066 and then
down the Longarm Branch Horse Trail. There are creek crossings that we
should be able to rock hop. Leave the Jonesborough Post Office at 8 AM.
Leader: Howard Guinn 753-4072, wegonehiking@earthlink.net.
The MAH hiking club will be joining us for this hike. |
| 5-19 |
Strenuous 11-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail from
Spivey Gap to the Nolichucky River, Leave the Jonesborough Post
Office at 8 AM. Leader: Debbie Mosier 423-913-4219. |
| 5-26 |
Moderate 6-mile hike loop hike at the North Carolina
Arboretum. After parking at the Hardtimes Trailhead we will hike into the
rear of the Arboretum. We will stop at the Visitors Center and spend some
time looking at the gardens there and having an early lunch. There is a café
there that serves fresh sandwiches, salads and desserts, or bring your own
lunch as usual. We will then take the Nature and Owl Ridge trails back to
our cars. Leave the Jonesborough Post Office at 9 AM. Leader: Howard Guinn
423-753-4072, wegonehiking@earthlink.net. |
| 6-02 |
Moderate 9-mile hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway
on the Mountains to the Sea Trail from Bent Creek Gap down to the French
Broad River. Leave the Jonesborough Post Office at 8 AM. Leader: Howard
Guinn 423-753-4072, wegonehiking@earthlink.net. |
| 6-09 |
Strenuous 10-mile hike on the AT from Walnut Mountain
Road down to US19E. We will pass the new Mountaineer Shelter and Jones
Falls. Leave Long John Silvers** at 8 AM. Leader: Marcia Pruner
276-889-5714, Marcia.pruner@singular.com |
| 6-16 |
Strenuous 10-mile hike on the Pine Mountain Trail
near Clintwood, VA. Leave Meadowview Conference Center *** at 8 AM or meet
the leader at McDonalds at the first Big Stone Gap exit on US 23 at 8:45 AM.
Questions? Call the leader Bill Strang 276-523-2120, strang@yahoo.com. |
| 6-23 |
Strenuous 11.2-mile hike from Cades Cove to Gregory
Bald. On this beautiful hike in the Smokies we hope to catch the many
colored azaleas on the bald in bloom. It is a two hour drive of 120 miles to
the trailhead and a 2,500 foot elevation gain in five miles. Bring extra
food and water for a long day. Leave the Jonesborough Post Office at 8
AM promptly. Questions? Call the Leader Joy Cook 423-676-6490 or
joyfulgardner@aol.com. The MAH
club will be leaving at 2pm on Friday the 22 to camp at Cades Cove and ride
bikes around the loop on Saturday morning before they join us to hike. If
you would like to join them call Roy Holcomb at 926-1313 |
| 6-23 |
Alternate Hike
Moderate 5-mile hike on the new Lone Oak Trail. Meet
at Long John Silvers** at 9:00 AM, Leader: Tom Dosser 282-6682 or 755-9907 |
| 6-30 |
Moderate 6.5-mile loop hike to John Rock for lunch
with a Great view. This hike is in the Pisgah area near Asheville. Leave the
Jonesborough Post Office at 8:30 AM. Leader: Howard Guinn 423-753-4072,
wegonehiking@earthlink.net |
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