Rice Pinnacle Lollipop: 5.3 mi., 530 ft. Elev. Gain

[Postponed from Thursday 11/14. Thursday attendees must sign up again if you can still come.]

This lovely hike in the Bent Creek area incorporates segments from the Wolf Branch and Corvair Trails, along with several connectors. At 5.3 miles and a tame 530' elevation gain, I'd rate it 2.5 on a 0-10 difficulty scale. We'll average around 2.4 mph -- not a fitness hike, but you should have enough experience hiking to know you can deal with the mild hills and pace.

We'll stop for a brief snack and water break around halfway around. Wear sensible hiking boots. If you're on the fence about hiking poles, you probably don't need them for this one.

Dog Policy: Dogs are extremely welcome but must be leashed.

Guest Policy: If you'd like to bring a guest, they should join the Asheville Hiking Group and sign up for the hike on their own. Alternatively, contact me in advance and ask if it's okay to bring a "+1" after you've made it onto the "Going" list. Depending on timing and demand, I MAY be able to add your guest.

CARPOOLING TIME & PLACE
We really need to carpool this one as there's limited trailhead parking, and it fills up fast. We'll meet at the Asheville Outlets behind the Waffle House (directions below). Look for me and my silver Hyundai. We'll depart from there by 9:00 AM, so please come five or ten minutes early -- and leave some extra time for morning traffic.

Click this link for the exact location on Google Maps

DIRECTIONS

• From Exit 33 on I-26,
• Head south a short distance on Brevard Rd. (Rt. 191) to the traffic light where Ingles is on the right and Waffle House to the left.
• Turn Left into the Asheville Outlets.
• Drive just past the Waffle House and turn left onto the parking lot access road, NOT into the Waffle House lot.
• Take the first right and we'll park and meet in this area of the lot.

COURTESY TO WAIT-LISTERS (Please abide!)
Only sign up if you *TRULY* plan to come. If you must cancel, please change your status to "Not Going" as soon as possible so wait-listers will have sufficient notice. And please please PLEASE don't be a no-show.

If you're on the waiting list, keep checking the evening before. Despite what I wrote above, we always get last-minute dropouts.

WEATHER
I'll monitor National Weather Service forecasts for the hike area and email cancellation messages by 7:30 AM if the forecast is for more than a 50% chance of precipitation.

QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, message me through MeetUp until 7:30 AM the day of. Cell reception may be sketchy, but you can try to text or call me up to the start of the hike: (803) 767-3094.

--------------------

LEGALESE

This Asheville Hiking Group event involves hiking and, possibly, transportation to and from the meetup site. Participants are responsible for their own safety and, by joining a hike, affirm that they have the appropriate skills, physical conditioning, equipment, and supplies. Hiking may involve risks to oneself and property. Neither your hike organizer nor Asheville Hiking Group can eliminate all risks or be responsible for your well-being. Participants assume full responsibility for any injuries, damages, or losses.