View max patch is a highland bald with a 360 degree view of western nc, the great smoky mountains, and eastern tennessee. Heading left the trail follows an old logging road along the wooded west slope of max patch. Max patch hiking hot springs, nc blue ridge mountain life. Max patch and lovers leap, hot springs, nc 932011 we had heard what a great area hot springs, nc was for hiking so we planned a day to explore the area. The bald, wide, rolling expanses of the mountain rise to the east. Since then there has been homestead, a logging mill, and an air strip on the mountain. Take exist 24 off i40, climb to max patch by gravel road. Dads bucket list included a hike on the appalachian trail. To get a few more miles in, walk the nearly 3mile loop that starts at the top of the bald. Max patch mountain via appalachian trail north carolina. Max patch to hot springs posted on january 14, 2015 by stick last thursday morning a buddy that i have been talking to for the last several months about backpacking made his way to my house around 8 am. From the parking area at max patch, the trail starts off going north.
It was once forested, but legend has it that indians burned it, apparently for visibility. The beauty of the remoteness makes it worth the drive. The appalachian trail crosses the top of the grassy bald. This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river. A warning if visiting max patch from knoxville tripadvisor.
If youd like to incorporate max patch into a longer hike and ditch some of the crowds who throng the summit baldconsider incorporating the famous view into the roughly 2. If you chose to tackle these routes in winter come prepared with an emergency kit and a snowworthy vehicle. Feb 16, 2020 max patch is a terrific day hike right on the appalachian trail, easily accessible, with one of the best views of the mountains. From hot springs, nc, it is about a 45 minute drive south. Nov 15, 2016 the hike follows the max patch spur trail to the appalachian trail, and then climbs through the mountains expansive fields of golden grasses, wildflowers and wild berries in a steady climb to the. From the max patch parking lot its a quick and easy hike up to the bald. Backpacking 101 clinic max patch to roaring fork shelter. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. Max patch is a fantastic hike, and made our list of top family hikes and 25 best places to see fall foliage. About 20 minutes to the top by the short trail, 2530 on the longer loop. Well worth the detour, the hike to the top is part of a small loop that is well marked. If you hike north from max patch, hot springs is only a 20 mile hike away and has a lot of stuff for hikers.
The hike trails to the northeast, skirting the mountain and beginning a continuous, moderate climb. Max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot springs. Directions since max patch is deep in pisgah national forest, dont rely on your gps. The initial part of the hike is a short easy climb to the summit of max patch followed by a gentle descent to a field and meadow hike that returns to the summit of max patch via the at which entails a moderate climb. It is possible to hike from max patch to dancing sun cabins. Hike max patch mountain, max patch mountain trailhead. Max patch is a mountain on the tennessee north carolina border. Around the 1st of may, you will see hundreds of trillium along cold springs creek rd before the turn to the waterfall, then on up the road a ways on the way to max patch. Wildflowers bloom there in the spring and fantastic leaf color can be seen in the fall. Today, its a 350acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360degree views. The trail rolls elevation through the shady forest, meandering through switchbacks, crossing several small creeks over rustic. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina alltrails. This usually wellgraded road climbs steadily but never steeply 6. Once we started descending from max patch a bit more, the wind began dying down, and as we warmed up a little, we began loosening up.
Views, appalachian trail my pintrest printable map east coast fire towers here is some of what you need to know. Review of max patch with directions and photos smoky mountains. A must hike along the blue ridge parkway milepost 420. It is a little over a half a mile down a road from the parking area to the start of the trail head. You can use the shelter, which also has water nearby and a privy.
Max patch mountain at 4,629 feet is not close to being the tallest peak in the region, but you are surrounded by countless 5,000 and 6,000foot peaks in every direction. There is a reservationonly horse group camping area along cold springs creek. With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family and dog. The site is at the top of max patch mountain, just under 5,000 feet. About 4 miles into this hike, youll see an opening. Take exist 24 off i40, climb to max patch by gravel road, once at the parking, just a short hike to one of the most. Well car pool to the max patch parking lot and then hike about 1. Its one of the most spectacular settings youll experience in the blue.
It is a 6 mile drive down a maintained but bumpy u. Head north and the road almost immediately becomes gravel. The summit and surrounding area on max patch is the highlight of this hike. It is a nice hike from max patch to lemon gap if you have 2 vehicles. The summit elevation is just a little over 4,600 hundred feet, and the appalachian trail crosses right over it. Take exist 24 off i40, climb to max patch by gravel road, once at the parking, just a short hike to one of the most incredible views you will ever see. On our way back from the mother earth fair in ashville we stopped at max patch near hot springs nc for a day hike and a meal. The pastoral setting atop 4600 max patch is widely considered as the prettiest. You can break this up however you like, this is just a general list.
The vast majority of the people who visit max patch hike the 2. Another great thing about max patch is its only about a 1. There are nearly 40 miles of trails available in the area, including the appalachian trail, which runs along the spine of the mountains along the state line from i40 up to max patch mountain. It is known for its 360degree views of the surrounding mountains, namely the bald mountains in. Max patch is by far the most popular destination for hiking in the immediate area, and for good reason. Max patch is a terrific day hike right on the appalachian trail, easily accessible, with one of the best views of the mountains. Make sure you have good directions, dont think your gps will work here. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina. Sitting on the border of north carolina and tennessee, max patch features 360 mountain range views and sits along the appalachian trail. Camping is allowed in nearby areas but is prohibited on the summit itself. Initially youll follow the appalachian trail northeast through hardwood forests along gentle 4,000foot ridges. Apr 11, 2016 max patch is a fantastic hike, and made our list of top family hikes and 25 best places to see fall foliage.
Max patch great views of the smokies appalachian trail. We found that the trail was covered in anywhere between an inch or 2 of snow for the most part, and the streams were also mostly frozen. Max patch short loop hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. Hike profile the hike is a loop that tracks along a number of trails but primarily follows the appalachian trail and the. Appalachian trail gsmnp to max patch segment hiking. Davenport gap to max patch road or other waterville, north carolina hiking trails. The trail arcs to the north, passing a campsite in a grassy meadow before crossing a trickling creek and arcing back to the west. The unaka, black, great balsam, plott balsam, and great smoky mountain ranges are home to the highest peaks in the east and can all be seen from max patch. May 10, 2017 dads bucket list included a hike on the appalachian trail.
From the parking lot, there are several trail choices. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david m allen. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easyto moderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. Hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. I wrote a couple weeks ago about the very difficult hike up wolf creek from the hot springs side post here. Each trail has its own printable page with all the information and links, including where available. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from march until november. The trails on max patch are fairly wellsigned, although a few confusing spots do exist so bring a map and pay attention.
This short 100 yard trail to the top brings you to a grand 360 degree view of nc, tn and mt. The view from max patch really cannot be beat it offers 365 degree views of the mountains in all directions, including all the way into smokey mountain national park. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee. Visit max patch on your trip to hot springs or united states.
Complete searchable hike map with ratings for all hikes including length, difficulty, streamsfalls, views, solitude and camping. It can be a absolutely gorgeous winter hike after a snow. Food, accommodation, etc according to a couple people i talked to hostel owners, hikers, etc, this area remains terribly busy until about midmay. From the parking area you have a choice of going left or right on official trails.
There are two other view spots on the meadow on buckeye ridge that afford a great view of max patch from the base of the knob. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before you. If youd like to incorporate max patch into a longer hikeand ditch some of the crowds who throng the summit baldconsider incorporating the famous view into the roughly 2. Lemon gap to max patch hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. Nice hike along a treeless summit of rolling hills.
These treeless mountaintops in the pisgah national forest draw people. This dog friendly and family friendly hike is great for picnics, star gazing, and is accesible year round. We drove into town then out toward max patch we stopped first at rocky bluff recreation area to use the restrooms. Prepare your quads and climb on up to one of the most amazing views. You can walk around the base of the mountain and then up to the top for an incredible 360 degree view. The easiest directions to the area involve coming in via i40. The meadow part of the hike on the buckeye ridge trail can be tailored to either a long or a short loop. Max patch mountain was once cleared for pasture land, leaving an expansive flat summit that now serves as the ideal location for a picnic hike, flying a kite, or laying in the sun surrounded by the great smoky mountains. Max patch to wolf creek falls here again is wolf creek falls, a 30 waterfall just over the border into tennessee near hot springs, nc. Like i said earlier, this area has a wide variety of wildflowers. Jun 11, 2011 max patch to wolf creek falls here again is wolf creek falls, a 30 waterfall just over the border into tennessee near hot springs, nc. It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina.
While not the tallest peak in the area, its position combined with clear top provide some of the best views available in the blue ridge. Mitchell on the east to the great smoky mountains on the south. At the t junction, turn left and continuing to max patch parking area on the right. At an elevation of 4,629 feet, max patch boasts a 360degree view of the appalachian mountains including the blue ridge and the smokies.
About 20 minutes to the top by the short trail, 2530 on the longer loop elevation gain. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, a grassy, bald mountain thats. With its long view west, max patch happens to be an utterly awesome place to take in the sunset. The appalachian trail crosses right over the summit running north and south. From the parking area you will climb over a small fence ladder and then have a choice of going left or right the trail straight ahead is closed for rehabilitation. A trio of route options leads to max patch from asheville. The hike follows the max patch spur trail to the appalachian trail, and then climbs through the mountains expansive fields of golden grasses, wildflowers and wild berries in a steady climb to the. A short hike from the parking area takes you to the top. Whether you take the long trek up to max patch or a short jaunt for an afternoon picnic, its worth the trip. A musthike along the blue ridge parkway milepost 420. The drive to the trailhead goes nearly to the top, and the at runs right through it. We strongly suggest following the loop trail to the left to the summit, in a clockwise direction, and then hike down the steeper part of the trail back to the parking area.