The planned hike to the Smokies has been cancelled due to potentially bad weather/thunderstorms.

The weather locally looks better tomorrow.  I have pulled a hike scheduled for 28^th August. This will be a shuttle hike starting from the Art Loeb at Gloucester Gap, then over Chestnut Mountain to the Cedar Rock Mountain and continuing on the Art Loeb to John Rock and down to Cat Gap to our shuttle at the Fish Hatchery. 9.5 miles 2,100 ft of rise. If you are interested in doing this just turn up at the Pisgah Ranger Station for an 8.30 am departure. 

Note the early start times due to the drive time. Janet will be leading this weeks hike to Charlie Bunion. This will be a shuttle hike, leaving a car at the Kephart Prong trail end on Rt. 441 before leaving other vehicles at Newfound Gap.

There are two meeting places: Pisgah Forest Walmart at 7:30 am and Mills River Ingles at 7:45 am. Cars will reconvene at the Ocanaluftee Visitor Centre just north of Cherokee where drivers can purchase a daily parking pass. Passes can also be purchased online at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm if you know that you may be driving. On the return there will be an option to have dinner in Cherokee. Please RSVP Janet at jelute@princeton.edu to sign up and indicate your meeting place and if you are willing to drive.
If a cancellation or hike location change is necessary, an update will be sent around 7:00 am Friday morning.

Weather: 65% chance of rain and possible thunderstorms beginning around noon. High temps around 85° with a light breeze.