Welcome Spring!
Day Hike Trip
March 25-26, 2023
Backpacking isn't for you, but you want to spend a weekend hiking with us? This trip is for you! Join us for two of our favorite hikes to usher in spring. These hikes are both moderate difficulty, 6-8 miles long. Because the Blue Ridge Parkway isn't reliably open in late March, we've chosen low elevation hikes that don't require the Parkway to access. And, because they're low elevation, they're a good place to see early season wildflowers!
This trip is designed for hikers age 50 and older.
"The group leader was great! As a hiker of our age group, she was a great role model, fun and knowledgeable fearless
leader. Certainly a beautiful, challenging, and memorable trip." - P.Q., Women's 60+ Backpacking Trip, May 2022
Cost:
$235 per person
Payment Plans, Scholarships, and Sliding Scale Fees are available for this trip. Please contact our office at trips@blueridgehikingco.com for more information.
This trip will run if there are a minimum of 3 participants signed up. If the minimum has not yet been met, we'll contact participants two weeks before the trip to discuss options. The maximum group size is 6 participants.
The price includes 2 guided Full Day hikes, transportation between the meetup location and the trailhead each day, and a picnic lunch each day. This trip does not include lodging! We recommend staying somewhere near downtown Asheville.
Sign-Up Details:
In order to sign up for this trip, please go to our trip calendar and select the trip start date (March 25, 2023). You will find the trip listed there.
A few weeks before the start of the trip, we will be in contact via email with an information packet for you to fill out. This includes a waiver and health form. Please complete and return this form at your earliest convenience. At that time we will also send a detailed packing list, and any trip-specific information.
Itinerary:
This trip meets at 9am each day at our location in downtown Asheville, NC.
Walker Knob and Greybeard Falls, 8 miles
Located just outside Black Mountain, NC, a short drive east of Asheville. This hidden gem starts in a deep valley before climbing steadily up Greybeard Mountain. Along the way, you'll pass Greybeard Falls, down a short side trail. Group will stop at Walker Knob shelter for lunch and to enjoy the breathtaking views before returning to the trailhead. This hike has several creek crossings and the trail is often wet between Greybeard Falls and Walker Knob, so hikers should be prepared to get their feet wet!
Drive time to the hike is 30 minutes, and the hike will take approximately 6-8 hours. The group will return to our shop in downtown Asheville at the end of the day.
Looking Glass Rock, 6 miles
This out-and-back hike up the iconic Looking Glass Rock is one of our most popular day hikes! Looking Glass Rock is a pluton (granite dome caused by a magma intrusion) in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, NC. This hike climbs steadily up to the top of Looking Glass Rock, where you'll see fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys in Pisgah National Forest!
Drive time to the hike is about an hour, and the hike will take approximately 5-6 hours. The group will return to our shop in downtown Asheville at the end of the day.
Elevation profiles created with Gaia GPS.
Guide:
Your guide for this trip will be Bev MacDowell. Hike with a contemporary! Bev has been a hiking and backpacking leader for adults and youth for more than 10 years. She is an AT Trail Maintainer for the Max Patch section, she has completed Educator Outward Bound, and recently hiked 200 miles of the Spanish Camino del Santiago. She feels most alive when she is active in the forest; it is so empowering! It brings her great joy to introduce others to the wonder of outdoor life in Western NC.
What we Provide:
We provide a picnic lunch and transportation between downtown Asheville and the trailhead. Trekking poles, hiking umbrellas, and day packs can be provided upon request, at no additional charge. We also provide footwear traction devices for all hikers if weather necessitates them.
What to Bring:
Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Because temps can drop at night (even during the summer!), we recommend you bring a spare warm layer and a waterproof or windproof jacket. Each person should pack 1 liter of water.
COVID Safety Information:
We follow all local, state, and federal COVID safety guidelines. As those guidelines change, our policies may change. If you're feeling unwell or have a recent known exposure to someone with COVID, please don't come! We'll work with you to reschedule or refund your hike.
If you have questions about our procedures or would like specific precautions to be taken, please contact our office at 828-713-5451 or trips@blueridgehikingco.com.
Cancellation Policy:
Payment in full is required to register. Trip cost includes a 15% non-refundable administrative fee. Hike may be cancelled up to 2 weeks before the trip for a refund (minus the 15% fee). Within 2 weeks, a 50% refund will be offered. Within 48 hours, a refund will only be offered if Blue Ridge Hiking Company cancels the trip due to severe weather.
We hike rain or shine! While it is incredibly rewarding, backpacking is an endurance sport, and it can be challenging and/or uncomfortable at times. Maintaining a positive mindset, even when you are uncomfortable, is key to enjoying your time in the wilderness. With our focus on lightweight gear, our goal is for your pack to weigh around 25lbs (or no more than 25% of your body weight).
If your guide does an exceptional job, please show your appreciation with a tip. Our team of highly trained professional guides never expects but always appreciates a tip. Industry standard gratuity for a guided backpacking trip is 15-20% of trip price.
If you have any questions regarding this trip, you can reach our office by phone at 828-713-5451 or by email at trips@blueridgehikingco.com.