Max patch is one of the truly legendary landmarks along the truly legendary appalachian trail, and its no secret why. S tanding guard along the state line, max patch mountain is a grassy bald with fabulous panoramic views of the surrounding north. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, one of north carolinas most popular at hikes, on a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in wildflowers. These distances are based on the appalachian trail data book for 2020, a publication of the appalachian trail conservancy, all rights. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Volunteer members of the carolina mountain club have rehabilitated the popular max patch area and the.
Max patch in pisgah national forest, appalachian trail get makeover. If you find that something is broken, please be patient. Thinking about hiking south, i see in the data book there is camping at davenport gap to stay the night before and possibly park the car. From time to time, the forest service uses mowing and prescribed burns to keep these breathtaking vistas open for hikers to enjoy. This dog friendly and family friendly hike is great for picnics, star gazing, and is accesible year round. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easytomoderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. In between the soaring mountains of the great smokies and the rolling hills of hot springs the a. Sitting on the border of north carolina and tennessee, max patch features 360 mountain range views and sits along the appalachian trail. Initially youll follow the appalachian trail northeast through hardwood forests along gentle 4,000foot ridges. Part of the farm to feet appalachian trail collection, the max patch 3quarter crew sock features an infinite loop of mountain tops around its ankle, much like the view from the mountains grassy summit. The trail starts by walking through the front gate. 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. The appalachian trail passes through the middle of town, and many of the businesses cater to backpackers. Our trip back to max patch which was one of my favorite areas of the appalachian trail and probably my favorite bald.
Just enough to create an enchanted forest with light filtering through moisture. Max patch hiking hot springs, nc blue ridge mountain life. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina. The site is at the top of max patch mountain, just under 5,000 feet. At 4629 feet elevation, max patch is not the highest summit in its immediate. The drive to the trailhead goes nearly to the top, and the at runs right through it. The appalachian trail follows the crest of the appalachians along the north carolina and tennessee state line. Southerly views open up as the trail descends a series of rustic wooden stairs as the trail switches back to the southeast. Max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot springs. Max patch on the appalachian trail pisgah forest, north.
The appalachian trail crosses right over the summit running north and south. Max patch day hike on the appalachian trail, near asheville, nc. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the national park service, us forest service, appalachian trail conservancy. Max patch is a terrific day hike right on the appalachian trail, easily accessible, with one of the best views of the mountains. The first will be at carolina hemlocks campground on may 17, 2014. Join one of our certified guides for a full day hike to max patch on the appalachian trail, near asheville in the state of north carolina. This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river. Max patch, max views, max adventure how i introduced my friend to backpacking with incredible views and juuuuuuust a wee bit of snow.
Hiking the max patch appalachian trail the adventurerr. The massive grassy bald is meticulously maintained by mowing and prescribed burns to preserve stunning 360 views of the tallest appalachian peaks. Max patch, appalachian trail get a whole new look with muchneeded rehab and repair. Hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. Hidden in north carolina is a beautiful slice of nature called max patch. The adventure begins at the lemon gap trailhead on max patch road view maps and driving directions, following the whiteblazed appalachian trail southbound from the border of north carolina and tennessee. The summit elevation is just a little over 4,600 hundred feet, and the appalachian trail crosses right over it. Come celebrate it by volunteering your time on max patch, one of the iconic jewels of the appalachian trail, and a highlight of all trails in western north carolina. Max patch short loop hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. Im guessing that today, hot springs is better known as a trail town.
Planning hike between max patchdavenport gap i need to finish up a section between max patch and davenport gap. The appalachian trail conservancys mission is to preserve and manage the appalachian trail ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. The good thing is that we didnt get far before realizing it and turning around to find the actual trail. Max patch is one of the most popular hiking areas in our region. Simply choose a selection from each of the list boxes below, then click on the submit button. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. Day hiking a top 10 favorite on the appalachian trail. The elevation of hot springs is 1,326 feet, and by the appalachian trail, is 20 miles from the max patch summit. Hikes are moderate to easy there is something for everyone easy access to trails great fishing pond it. National forests in north carolina max patch usda forest service. We had a few days off work on march 16 and 17 rumor has it we got those days off because of the start of the ncaa tournament, so. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from march until november. The nantahala and pisgah national forests have closed trailheads to the appalachian trail to protect public health and safety during coronavirus pandemic. Jasonscreations added a new photo at max patch on the appalachian trail.
If you are going to backpack it, starting at max patch makes the most sense as there are good camping sites close to lemon gap including the shelter about 2 miles from the trailhead. June 1st is the 51st anniversary of the national trails day systems act. Follow one of the two easier blue blaze trails to the appalachian trail and summit. Alternatively, you could drive about 5 miles further past max patch parking area to reach lemon gap parking and start there and hike to max patch eat lunch on top of the world and hike back or to share just the views with those of ages 7 to 70 you could just hike the 1mile loop trail.
Max patch in pisgah national forest, appalachian trail get. Max patch, located just west of asheville, nc, is one of the most popular spots on the appalachian trail for its 360 degree views. Fishing for kids at max patch pond in nc appalachian trail. At the moment, wikitrail only has information about the appalachian trail, but if this site proves to be useful, then other longdistance trails will be added. Once we started descending from max patch a bit more, the wind began dying down, and as we. Im trying to decide whether to hike south or hike north.
Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. This grassy mountaintop bald provides an absolutely sensational panoramic view of the highest mountains in the southern appalachians. You can also hike north or south on the appalachian trail once at the top. The usda forest service announced that it will sponsor two fishing days for local children. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina alltrails. 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. It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina. 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.
Max patch is a littleknown scenic place in north carolina. Hike up one trail, cross the summit and back down the other for a total of 1. Can be used to summit max patch over a much more difficult route than the. Mitchell on the east to the great smoky mountains on the south. From hot springs, nc, it is about a 45 minute drive south. You will emerge from the woods to the open fields of max patch with an impressive 360 degree view of the blue ridge and smoky mountains. This particular loop branches just off of the appalachian trail at. Hike a scenic alternate route to the ultrapopular max patch mountain, following the appalachian trail from lemon gap to exceptional summit. Max patch mountain part of the pisgah national forest is a bald mountain roughly.
This program calculates the approximate walking distance in miles between two points along the appalachian trail. Appalachian trail hikers probably dont think of kids fishing when max patch comes to mind, but theres more to the area near the famous bald hilltop than meets the eye. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david. Appalachian trail on max patch summit grassy slope of max patch mountain. The summit and surrounding area on max patch is the highlight of this hike. Make a weekend trip from max patch to hot springs n. Neither trail is marked, but its somewhat hard to get lost here. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. The appalachian trail conservancy is a 501c3 organization. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee. Lemon gap to max patch hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easyto moderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n.