Join us for an early-morning walk in Bent Creek and lunch at the Bent Creek Bistro on Wednesday, Nov. 11. We will meet in West Asheville at 8:30 a.m. This will be a two-part hike:
LOOP ONE: We will hike about a quarter-mile from Hard Times trailhead to Old Bent Creek Gap Road, turn right, and do a 2-mile loop that takes us along Bent Creek to Lake Powhatan, around the lake, then along the Pine Tree loop where we will take a shortcut to the other side of the loop and return on the other side of the lake. There will be wonderful views of the stream, lake, and woods!
LOOP TWO: When we arrive back at the turn to Hard Times trailhead, you can either head up to your car OR do a second loop from there (this one is also about 2 miles). We will go along Bent Creek Gap Road to Cedar Mountain/Carolina Mountain Trail loop and then back on the Creekside Trail (next to Bent Creek) to the Hard Times parking lot. Both loops are well maintained and gentle with maybe a total of 200 feet elevation gain.
LUNCH: In the middle of the 2nd loop, we will be at the Arboretum and have a chance to look around as well as have lunch at the Bent Creek Bistro. If you prefer to bring lunch that’s fine!
If you do both loops your total hike will be ~5 miles. With lunch and some time at the Arboretum, we can expect to be back at the parking area around 2:30 p.m.
Please plan to bring rain gear regardless of the forecast, snacks and water, and your own lunch if you don’t want to buy lunch at the bistro.
If anyone is feeling sick, and/or has a fever, they should not attend this outing. Families are welcome! Any children should be accompanied and supervised by parents or other adult family members. No dogs on this hike please
To register for this hike and/or to ask questions please do the following two things:
- Go to the Sierra Club Campfire website and sign up.
- Email or text Ed Maggart - edmaggart@gmail.com - 828-713-0541 with any questions about the trip and find out about meeting locations and the possibility of carpooling.