This off-trail adventure is the third annual installment of the ever-popular women-led hikes. This year the girls will lead us to The Spire, a rugged prominence rising sharply from the western end of the ridge that bisects the upper Water Camp Prong watershed just southeast of Anakeesta Knob. From its intercept with US 441, they will have everyone rock-hopping Walker Camp Prong a half mile upstream to the confluence of the stream’s left and right forks where they will direct us up a climb of a knife-edge ridge immediately west of The Spire. From this vantage point, we will be able to survey the vast watershed defined by the state-line divide, the Boulevard, and Anakeesta Ridge as well as the rugged steepness of The Spire. After descending the knife-edge, a hand-over-hand climb through sand myrtle and over exposed slate leads to the summit of The Spire with its exceptional panoramic views. The return may be either a continuation of the climb from The Spire to the AT on the state-line divide or a descent to Walker Camp Prong by way of a recovering landslide scar on the ridge’s north face. The hike is fairly short, but rated difficult in deference to the creek scrambling and strenuous ridge climbing.

Pre-registration with the leaders is required. Masks are now required for all those participating in carpools, shuttles or key swaps, regardless of vaccination status. You may also choose to drive your own vehicle to the trailhead.

Contact Cindy McJunkin, mcjfive@aol.com, 828-712-9646 to pre-register and obtain meeting location and time.

Leaders: Kindel, Kamrin, Kinsey and Cindy