Welcome the New Year Wednesday, January 1st, with a hike on Mount Mitchell, the highest mountain east of the Mississippi!  We will hike from the summit of Mount Mitchell to Mount Craig on the Deep Gap Trail.  The hike will be led by a ranger at Mount Mitchell State Park and will be less than two miles in length.  Warm drinks and snacks will be served at the conclusion of the hike at the picnic shelter near the summit.  Should the Park be closed due to weather we will do an alternate hike near Black Mountain Campground of about the same length.  We will meet in the Roses Parking Lot at Noon and carpool from there. Call 682-3102 or e-mail rbranch54@yahoo.com to confirm your interest.  Hikers can also meet at Mount Mitchell summit parking lot at 1 p.m. or, at Black Mountain Campground at 1 p.m if the hike is moved.