JOIN THE SVM’S MEMBERS ONLY HIKING CLUB!
These will be moderate monthly hikes of approximately 5-7 miles on weekdays in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. They will be loop or out and back hikes within a 1-hour drive of Black Mountain in areas like The Craggies, Big Ivey, Old Fort, Pisgah National Forest, Bent Creek, Florence Preserve, Shope Creek, North Mills Recreation Area and others. All you need to do to join us is to maintain your active museum membership and pay a $30 annual club fee.
During the middle of each month, we will send out an email to our hiking club members with the date and details for the hike which will take place during the following month. The days that the hikes are on will vary so more people have a chance to hike.
For more information and hike details, please email svmhikes@gmail.com.
What: Monthly Weekday Hikes for Swannanoa Valley Museum Members.
Cost: Current Swannanoa Valley Museum Membership Plus $30 Annual Hiking Club Fee.
Hikes: Moderate Hikes – 5 to 7 miles.
Where: Western NC including The Craggies, Big Ivey, Old Fort, Pisgah National Forest, Bent Creek, Blue Ridge Parkway Trails, Florence Preserve, Shope Creek, North Mills River Recreation Area, and others.
When: One weekday per month.
UPCOMING HIKES (click date below to register)
SVM Club Hike 3 – Friday, March 27th at 10:30 am – Appalachian Trail – Sams Gap to Hog Back Shelter
10:30 AM-2:45PM
Appalachian Trail – Sams Gap to Hogback Ridge Shelter – This 5.2-mile out and back moderate hike with 1081 feet of climbing will take us on a beautiful and little-known section of the Appalachian Trail. With its views from the ridges and High Rock this is a great hike that is easy to access with only a 44-minute drive from Black Mountain. From the parking, you can hike North or South on the Appalachian Trail to explore beautiful coves, ridges, and balds depending on how far you want to go. While the hike is moderate, it is a gradual uphill climb most of the way out and does have a couple of steeper sections with steps so be prepared for a bit of a workout. The good news is that the return to the cars is mostly downhill.
Meet: 10:30 am – Sams Gap Parking: From Black Mountain/Asheville area take I-26 West from Asheville toward Weaverville for 24 miles. Take Exit 3 for US-23A toward Wolf Laurel. Turn Right onto US-23A Alt S for 0.1 miles. Turn left at the stop sign to stay on Alt. 23. Go 3.1 Miles and the parking will be on your right. If the parking is full there is additional parking on the left and right after you go under the bridge. You can google 4460 Flag Pond Road; Mars Hill, NC and it should get you there. You can also google “hikes from Sams Gap NC” and it should bring up a hike from Sam’s Gap to Big Bald for All Trails, and you can click on the directions. This hike starts at the same parking area.
Estimated Return Time to Cars: 2:45 pm
Post Hike Celebration: Salt Face Mule Brewing (450 Weaverville Road; Asheville, NC 28804) New Stock Road Exit from I-26 as we head back toward home.