This is a cross posting with the Outdoor Adventure Club South - Asheville, and the Hiking, and Mountain Biking Groups of Asheville! I as the organizer will be hiking this one...I have biked it and it will be a good workout coming back up! No Mud!!! Share this with your Roadie Friends!!!

This is an 8+ mile down and back up walk along the abandoned route of Old Hwy 70. The grade of the old roadway is very moderate. We will start from the Kitsuma Parking lot off of the Ridgecrest Exit of I-40 and follow a portion of road till we get to the gated/closed to all traffic portion that takes us about 3.5 miles down to the gate at the bottom. When all are ready will will begin our accent back up. There are great views along a lot of this route as it traverses the mountain side.

Please bring plenty of water and a snack.

We will meet at the Ingle's in Oteen across from the V.A. Hospital at 1:00pm (leaving at 1:15 ) and carpool to the Ridgecrest Kitsuma Trail parking area at the end of king George Road. Anyone wishing to meet us at the Kitsuma parking area...please do so...We will see you there at about 1:35-1:40 and head out from there!

The Picture: Lookout Point
Abandoned section of old U.S. Highway 70 converted to hiking and bike path in McDowell County, NC. This scenic point was site of a gas station and restaurant. nearby I-40 relieved traffic of its twisted two lane route up the mountain. Original concrete roadway shows and the recent asphalt path for hikers and bikers.That's a NC state flag underneath the U.S. flag.