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The Chargers & Rechargers Hiking Club is an informal loose-knit group of hiking enthusiasts in the western and northwestern mountains of North Carolina. Most of the membership lives in the area stretching from Burnsville and Spruce Pine up to Boone.
The Club schedules hikes year round in the surrounding areas in locales such as Linville Gorge, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, Roan Mountain (Tennessee), and the Virginia Creeper Trail (Virginia). Most hikes are held on Saturday and Wednesday and last four to five hours. Hikes range in difficulty from easy to strenuous.
These hikes are a great way to experience the beautiful natural features of the area and to meet new friends while enjoying the outdoors. We hope you will join us for an outing. Both Club members and nonmembers are welcome on hikes.
You may join the Club by sending a check for $7 PER HOUSEHOLD (the dues primarily pay for publication and mailing of the newsletter; only one copy is sent to each household) made out to "Chargers & Rechargers Hiking Club" to the club Treasurer listed in the Club Contacts section below. Include your name and address and optionally your phone number and email address. Membership entitles you to receive our quarterly newsletter with Club news and the upcoming hiking schedule and to be listed in the Club membership roster. You are also entitled to a 10% discount on some items at the Boone Mast General Store and the Boone Footsloggers.
- 423-772-4280 Carol Ann Mitchell, Wednesday Hike Coordinator - camitchell21 @ gmail . com
- 704-708-5249 Susan Smith, Treasurer, Dues Collector - storyhiker @ aol . com
9607 Watergate Rd, Charlotte NC 28270- 828-355-9088 Bob Heath, Saturday Hike Coordinator - plumbob309 @ yahoo.com
- 828-260-6146 Dave Johnson, President - djohnson6146 @ charter . net
- 828-262-9779 Pam Hoffman, Newsletter - hoffmanpw @ yahoo . com
- 828-963-5188 Frank Young, Calendar of Events - pictureman @ skybest . com
- 828-262-0357 Gloria Marquez - Membership Coordinator - hasumati1 @ juno . com
- 828-297-4080 Jack James, Membership Records & Web - jj28692 @ yahoo . com
- Friends of the Mountain-to-the-Sea Trail (FMST) www.ncmst.org
MST is a very special project Chargers & Rechargers helps with and strongly supports- Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club (TEHCC), Kingsport TN www.tehcc.org
- Hiking & Backpacking Clubs www.hikingandbackpacking.com/hiking_clubs.html
- Catawba Valley Outing Club (CVOC), Hickory NC cvoc.cvcc.edu/index.html
- Carolina Berg Wanderers, Charlotte NC carolinabergs.com/thebergs.html
- Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club, Greensboro NC www.piedmonthikingandoutingclub.org
- Carolina Mountain Club, Asheville NC www.carolinamtnclub.com
- Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, Knoxville TN smhclub.org
- Nantahala Hiking Club, Franklin NC www.maconcommunity.org/nhc
- Mid-Appalachian Highlands Club, Tri-Cities TN appalachian.hiking.tripod.com
To reach people mentioned here, see Club Contacts above.
Renewals. Don’t know if it’s time to renew?? Check the mailing label on your newsletter. Above your name you will find the date your renewal is due. If you are due NOW or are PAST DUE, this information will be highlighted. To continue receiving the newsletter, you must send your dues to the club Treasurer listed in the Club Contacts section - the dues monies are what keep the newsletter coming. ….No $$, no newsletter. And remember, dues are $7 PER HOUSEHOLD.
Emails. We do occasionally need to contact the membership when a change occurs and the easiest way to do that quickly is through email. If your email address is not listed on the membership roster and you would like to be notified of hike changes and updates by email, please send your email address to Jack James.
Photos on the Web. Jack James has set up a photo section which is accessible from this Chargers and Rechargers website. Just go to the top of this page and click on Photos. Dave Johnson is currently managing the site but we're looking for someone to take it over. If you are interested or want to find out more, contact Jack or Dave.
Club Patches. Patches are available for $3 each from Nancy Benson (828-295-0096), Dolly Rose (828-264-5884), or Frank Young (828-963-5188).
Monday hikes all begin at 9:30am and are almost always completed by noon. Restaurant lunch following is optional.
All the hikes are a very short driving distance from Boone and Blowing Rock. The hikes vary mostly in terms of meeting place, which is always the trailhead of the particular hike. Distance hiked varies from 3 to 7 miles. Hikes are done at a relaxed pace.
Wear sensible walking or hiking shoes and bring at least 16 oz water or sports drink and a snack if desired. We generally stop halfway for a break, a view, a snack, and some fellowship.
Dress for the day. Wear or bring light weight rain gear as needed. Fanny packs or small backpacks are helpful. Bring your inhaler or epi-pen if you use one. Higher elevations can be cooler and windier than you might expect. A light weight rain or wind jacket is a very good multi-purpose garment. Sun block, hat, toilet paper, and Motrin or your choice of pain reliever are all useful items.
Any person capable of walking a trail for a few miles is welcome to participate. Do not call. Just show up. All trailheads are accessed via the Blue Ridge Parkway.
If you have never hiked before, and/or do not spend several hours a day on your feet, it would be a good idea to test yourself before joining a hike. The loop trail around Bass Lake (Blue Ridge Parkway Mile Post 293) is a good place for beginners to try on their own. This trail is flat and uniformly surfaced. You can park right beside the trail. The distance around the trail is 0.85 miles. If you can loop the Bass Lake Trail say three times at a brisk pace without undo discomfort, you should be OK on a beginner hike. If not, start with one loop and over several weeks pickup the pace and increase your number of loops. As another exercise, park on 221 above the lake and walk down and around and then back up. This is 1.35 miles with a little climb. Keep it up and slowly but surely you will become a hiker and will be ready to join us on beautiful hikes covering a number of miles, often with breath taking views, and with outstanding fellowship.
Hike Leader Release Form (PDF) - Click here for Page 1 - Click here for Page 2
AT Journey Magazine Article on the Roan Mountain Baa-tany Project (PDF) - Click here
Free Adobe Reader: - Click here
The detailed schedule is below the Notes.
Our next member/planning meeting is listed at or near the end of the schedule.
NOTES
Special Notice to Prospective Hikers. We have had cases where hikers have arrived at the original meeting locations and missed hikes because of changes in arrangements. If you intend to go on a particular hike, call the hike leader no later than the night before the scheduled day. Be sure to provide your name and phone number. In the event the weather conditions or other circumstances cause the cancellation of a hike or an adjustment in the starting place or time, you can be notified.
"Terrain" Ratings are defined below. Unless indicated the hike is believed to have no water crossings without footbridges. Dress appropriately for the weather and terrain (hiking boots are strongly recommended). Bring enough water and a light lunch or snack for everyone in your party. Estimated hiking time includes all breaks and stops. As a general rule our hikes are not suitable for children (check with leader prior to the hike). Dogs are not permitted on most hikes; please check listings below. A "relaxed hike" has a slow pace and a flexible route and times. BRP = Blue Ridge Parkway.
Terrain Ratings are based on the most difficult part of the trail (unless that segment is very short in which case a special note is added to the listing). Easy: flat or very limited ascents/descents with clear, easy and often wide trails. Easy/Moderate: easy to moderate ascents/descents, trail is usually clear and not too rocky. Moderate: ascents/descents steeper than easy hikes but less severe than strenuous hikes, paths can be difficult in places. Moderate/Strenuous: some sections have strenuous ascents/descents, paths often have difficult footing sections and can include such things as ladders. Strenuous: ascents/descents can be very difficult, path can be overgrown, narrow, rocky or otherwise provide difficult footing.
A Note to Hike Leaders: You are the backbone of the club. Without hike leaders we can’t hike as a club. It’s like a covered dish supper without anybody bringing any food. The process is pretty simple and some of the experienced hikers are available to help. First, select a hike you feel comfortable leading. Then let the hike coordinator know before the next meeting if possible or come to the meeting. During the days before the hike take phone calls from those coming (take their names and phone numbers so you can notify them in case of hike changes) and make arrangements for a meeting place and time. Arrange for spotting cars if necessary. Have everyone sign the release form at the beginning of the hike. As you lead the hike make sure to account for all the hikers. Use another hiker as a rear sweep to make sure that nobody is left behind if you think it’s necessary. Have fun and return the signed release forms to the president.
----- Please, no calls to hike leaders after 9:00pm. -----
***** December *****
Monday, December 21, Bass Lake (Substitute Hike for Inaccessible Boone Fork) Access from US221 west of Blowing Rock at 9:30 AM.
Wednesday, December 23, Christmas holiday – no hike
Saturday, December 26, Christmas holiday - no Hike
Monday, December 28, Rich Mountain: Meet in parking area of Trout Lake at 9:30 AM.
Wednesday, December 30, Mountain-to-Sea Trail **** A Change Due to BRP Snow ****. Meet at BRP MP256. Approx. 5 miles. No dogs. Leader: Curly Perzel, 336-982-8591.
***** January *****
Saturday, January 2, Bass Lake Carriage Trails **** Cancelled due to weather **** Dress for subzero weather. We will determine the route and length based on weather conditions. Don't call, just show up at 9:30 at the Bass Lake parking lot just off US221 South of blowing Rock. Bass Lake can be reached via Parkway, US221, and Shulls Mill Road. No dogs. Leader: Bill Barksdale 828-898-6977.
Monday, Jan 4: Bass Lake to Cone Manor loop **** Cancelled due to weather ****. Meet at Bass Lake lower parking area next to the lake, 9:30 AM
Wednesday, January 6, Mountains to Sea Photo hike, MTS leisurely hike along the BRP through the woods, looking for tree faces to be photographed. Easy, 5 miles. Bring your camera. This time no get-together at Curly's afterward. Dress warmly. Meet at 10:00am. Call Curly for location. No dogs. Hike Leader: Curly Perzel, 336-982-8591.
Saturday, January 9, Mt. Jefferson (Ashe County) Hike from road parking lot up to the fire tower at the top of Mt. Jefferson and then along the crest trails. No dogs. Hike Leader: Pam Hoffman, 828-262-9779.
Monday, Jan 11: Flat Top Observation Tower. Meet at Cone Manor House in front of the Carriage Barn, 9:30 AM
Wednesday, January 13, Glen Burney Trail Picturesque out-and-back trail that follows New Year’s Creek and goes to 3 waterfalls. Easy 1.6 mile hike to the bottom of the gorge, moderate to strenuous uphill return. No dogs. Hike Leader: Pam Hoffman, 828-262-9779.
Saturday, January 16, Rough Ridge Parking area to Beacon Heights, 4.5 mi., moderate to strenuous. This hike covers some of the most picturesque sections of the Tanawha Trail, featuring spectacular views and huge rock formations. We will meet at Beacon Heights at 9:00 a.m. and carpool to Rough Ridge to start the hike. Bring lunch/snack to enjoy upon arrival at Beacon Heights. No dogs. Hike Leader: Bob Heath, 828-772-0471.
Monday, Jan 18: Price Lake plus. Meet at Boat Ramp Parking at Price Lake, 9:30 AM
Wednesday, January 20, Leader’s Choice Hike No dogs. Hike Leader: Gloria Marquez, 828-262-0357.
Saturday, January 23, Bear Wallow at Roan Mountain also known as the Fred Behrend Trail. 3 miles of steady ascent and descent with some switchbacks running along the Doe River in places. Rated: easy to moderate. Meet at Roan Mtn State Park, Rt 143 off of Rt 19E. Go approximately 7 miles into the park to trail head on right near picnic shelter. The trail ends at Shelter #2, an easy walk to the starting point for those who do not want to hike further. The hike will continue across the road by the cabins to the old logging road to raven rocks, about 3 more miles--easy to moderately difficult. No dogs. Hike leader: Carol Ann Mitchell 423-772-4280.
Monday, Jan 25: Rich Mountain: Meet in parking area of Trout Lake, 9:30 AM
Wednesday, January 27, Doughton Park hike. Over Bluff Mt to the lean-to and on the MTS to the Fodder Tr. looking down at Caudill Cabin. Returning to the start a different way, length of hike 5-6 miles, moderate. No dogs. Hike Leader: Curly Perzel, 336-982-8591.
Saturday, January 30, Fifteen mile hike from Bass Lake to Rich Mountain and return (Watauga County). Hike a surprising distance at a moderate pace on an even foot bed. Six to seven hours. It is also easy to complete only 5 or 10 mile sections of this hike. Anticipate 6+ hours, carry lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. No dogs. Leader: Dave Johnson, 828-260-6146.
***** February *****
Monday, Feb 1: Green Knob: Meet at Sims Pond Overlook, 9:30 AM
Wednesday, February 3, Mountain to Sea Trail from Old Johns River Road to Rich Mountain Trail **** Cancelled due to weather ****. Approximately 4 miles, moderately strenuous (steady ascent most of the way). Beautiful wooded hike. No dogs. Hike leader: Lois Evans 828-265-1960.
Saturday, February 6, Doughton Park **** Moved to February 10 due to weather ****. Hike Leader:Allmuth "Curly" Perzel 336-982-8591.
Monday, Feb 8: The Maze and Apple Barn at Cone Manor **** Cancelled due to weather ****. Meet at Bass Lake lower parking area, 9:30 AM
Wednesday, February 10, Doughton Park (a change from Mt Jefferson) (Ashe County). Over Bluff Mt to the lean-to and on the MTS to the Fodder Trail looking down at Caudill Cabin. Returning to the start a different route. Length of hike 4-5 hours, 5-6 miles, moderate. Bring your cameras to try to match photos Curly previously took. No dogs. Hike Leader: Curly Perzel 336-982-8591
Saturday, February 13, Stone Mountain (Wilkes County). Climb up and over a 600 foot granite mound, stop for lunch at top with extraordinary views. Experience the cascading 400 foot Stone Mountain Falls, and the beautifully restored Hutchinson Homestead. Climbers are often viewed climbing or rappelling the 600 foot near vertical face of Stone Mountain. Easy to moderate – lots of stair climbing. No dogs. Hike Leader: Lois Evans, 828-265-1960.
Monday, Feb 15: Old John's River Road to Boone Fork. Meet at Sim's Pond Overlook, 9:30 AM
Wednesday, February 17, China Creek Loop Trail (Caldwell County) Moderate 5.5 mile trail along Thunderhole Creek to waterfalls. Some stream crossings. No dogs. Hike Leader: Pam Hoffman, 828-262-9779
Saturday, February 20, Leader’s Choice No dogs. Hike Leader: Roger Bodo, 828-964-2079
Monday, Feb 22: Flat Top Observation Tower. Meet at Cone Manor House in front of the Carriage Barn, 9:30 AM
Wednesday, February 24, Tramway Hike (BRP) – Starts at Devils Garden on the BRP. We will explore the old aerial tramway at its cement landing-platform. From there we will hike to Mahogany Knob, where the cable car aerial tramway originated and ran from 1967-1971. 6-8 easy to moderate miles, some climbing. No dogs Leader: Curly Perzel, 336-982-8591.
Saturday, February 27, Appalachian Trail from US 321 to Watauga Dam (Carter/Johnson Co., TN). 5.4 miles, 4 hrs. Rated moderate. Views of Watauga Lake and Dam. Behind the dam spillway one can see an interesting ecological phenomenon: Iron Mountain Fault. Old sediments slid up and over limestone, bending the fault downward so that it appears as a great diagonal slash in the cliff. No dogs . Hike leader: Carol Ann Mitchell 423-772-4280.
***** March *****
Monday, Mar 1: Tanawha Trail to Holloway Mountain Road. Meet at Boat Ramp Parking at Price Lake, 9:30 AM
Wednesday, March 3, Progressive Lake Hike - We will begin at Price Lake, then travel to Bass Lake, and end with another small hidden lake on Moses Cone estate. Easy Hikes. Dress for the weather, bring water and picnic lunch/snacks. . No dogs. Hike leader: Sandy Sisson, 828-295-8055
Saturday, March 6, Story Teller Rock via the Tanawha and Nuwati, return via Cragway and Daniel Boone Scout Trails. Bring a story to tell on the Rock and a snack/lunch at Flat Rock. 5.9 mi. loop, approximately 1100 ft. net elevation gain. Rated moderate to strenuous. Meet at 9:00 at Boone Fork Parking Area on the BRP (just before mile marker 300). No dogs. Hike Leader: Bob Heath - 828-773-0471
Monday, Mar 8: Old John's River Road to Price Lake. Meet at Sim's Pond Overlook, 9:30 AM
Wednesday, March 10 Elk Knob Trail 3.6 mile round trip with 900 ft. elevation gain . Spectacular views at the summit. The last 400 ft. elevation gain is very strenuous and rocky, while the first section is a moderate, but steady incline. No dogs. Hike Leader, Bob Heath, 828-773-0471.
Saturday, March 13, Quarterly Meeting for members and guests. 11:00 AM at Linville Land Harbor Golf House. Bring a dish to share.
Monday, Mar 15: Thunder Hill loop. Meet at Thunder Hill Overlook, first overlook on BRP north of 321, 9:30 AM
Wednesday, March 17, Colbert’s Ridge Rated strenuous 7.8 miles From Colbert Road to Black Mtn. Crest Trail. Ascends gently, then steeply . Two overlooks provide spectacular views. No dogs. Hike Leader: Susan Smith, 828-675-1827
Saturday, March 20, Roan Mt. from Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge – 6 miles, 4 hours. Rated moderate/strenuous. Meet at the Carvers Gap parking area which is on the NC/TN line at the top of NC 261 (143 on the TN side). Spectacular 360 degrees views along part of the AT that crosses the bald .Great valley views from Grassy Ridge. Trail is rocky with 3 steep slopes to climb in each direction. Hike is above 5,000 ft elevation, which will make weather a significant factor. No dogs allowed. Hike leader: Carol Ann Mitchell 423-772-4280.
Monday, Mar 22: Boone Fork Trail: Meet at Price Picnic Grounds near the restrooms, 9:30 AM
Wednesday, March 24, Caudill Cabin via Basin Creek 9.6 moderate to strenuous miles. This unusual hike crosses the creek 18 times until it comes to the Caudill Cabin, which is the only one remaining after the terrible flood of 1916. We walk slowly uphill gaining approx 1500 ft elevation over 3.3 miles. Pass by several remaining chimneys. The return is the same but going down hill. Basin Creek will provide a wonderful display of water wonders. No dogs. Leader: Curly Perzel, 336-982-8591.
Saturday, March 27, Fifteen mile Stealth Hike on easy to moderate trail. No dogs. Hike Leader: Dave Johnson, 828-260-6146.
Monday, Mar 29: Rich Mountain: Meet in parking area of Trout Lake, 9:30 AM
Wednesday, March 31, AT/Virginia Creeper (Washington County, VA) 9.4 miles. Begin at Bear Tree Lake Recreation area (7 miles east of Damascus, VA), and continue on t he AT to the Virginia Creeper trail Part of the hike goes through scenic Taylor Valley. Easy to moderate. No dogs. Leader: Gloria Marquez, 828-262-0357.