Yesterday i was invited on an adventure with my friends to check out max patch a little hike off the beaten path. Apr 11, 2016 located about 40 minutes from hot springs, nc is max patch mountain, located in pisgah national forest. It is known for its 360degree views of the surrounding mountains, namely the bald mountains in the immediate vicinity. This dog friendly and family friendly hike is great for picnics, star gazing, and is accesible year round. 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. Since the famous appalachian trail at goes through the tiny town of hot springs, you can hike from the center of downtown for a very scenic 2mile loop. Since i live close by, i agreed to check it out during his book research its nice, and an easy hike. This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easytomoderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. Sitting on the border of north carolina and tennessee, max patch features 360 mountain range views and sits along the appalachian trail.
Either way, this is one of the souths most scenic sections of the at, and it is well worth your journey from wherever you are coming from. Waynesville is located about 30 miles 48 km or 50 km southwest of asheville between the great smoky and blue ridge mountains. Max patch short loop hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. Max patch mountain is a 4,600 foot bald that provides 360 degree views of the surrounding blue ridge and smoky mountains. Max path area in pisgah national forest, near the nc tn border roundtrip distance. Max patch mountain is covered by the lemon gap, nc us topo map quadrant.
This video is about our trail ride to max patch in nc. Plus, you can combine this with a trip to max patch mountain and have a very rewarding day. From hot springs, nc take highway 209 to meadow fork road also called state road 1175. Pine grove united methodist church find a church the.
Take exist 24 off i40, climb to max patch by gravel road, once at the parking, just a short hike to. Either way, this is one of the souths most scenic sections of the at, and it is well worth your. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee. From hot springs, nc take highway 209 to meadow fork road also called state road. Max patch mountain is a mountain in north carolina and has an elevation of 4616 feet. 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. Fyi, nc 1182 becomes tn 107 a few miles past max patch at lemon gap. Max patch and hot springs is a hiking adventure located in or near asheville, nc. A trio of route options leads to max patch from asheville.
They are also happy to provide directions to many nearby attractions. The bald, wide, rolling expanses of the mountain rise to the east. Birds chase, dive and soar in the nearly constant breezes. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolina tennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee. The trail rolls elevation through the shady forest, meandering through switchbacks, crossing several small creeks over rustic wooden bridges, and. Max patch is a cleared patch of land that sits on a 4,600foot mountain with a 360degree breathtaking views. It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina. You can start at buffalo creek park in lake lure or register for a parking space in the small parking area near eagle rock. About 20 minutes to the top by the short trail, 2530 on the longer loop elevation gain. This usually wellgraded road climbs steadily but never steeply 6. Each trail has its own printable page with all the information and links, including where available.
If you chose to tackle these routes in winter come prepared with an emergency kit and a snowworthy vehicle. Incredible high elevation 360 degree scenic views, access to the appalachian trail directions. Make a weekend trip from max patch to hot springs n. The appalachian trail crosses right over the summit running north and south. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Geological survey publishes a set of the most commonly used topographic maps of the u. Vast panoramas open in all directions, with views stretching 360 degrees around the grassy mountain. 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. Take exist 24 off i40, climb to max patch by gravel road, once at the parking, just a. Max patch is a local favorite in the southwest mountains of north carolina. The hike departs from the trailhead on a gravel forest service road, roughly an hour and a quarter northwest of asheville view maps and driving directions. Since the famous appalachian trail at goes through the tiny town of hot springs, you can hike from the center of downtown for a very scenic 2mile. Max patch weather forecast 1411m mountain forecast. View 21 photos for 5922 max patch rd, clyde, nc 28721 a 3 bed, 1 bath, 1,036 sq. One thing i love is things off the beaten path and road trips. Lovers leap is a rock outcropping on the appalachian trail in hot springs that offers a spectacular panoramic view of the french broad river and pisgah national forest. Max patch and hot springs, located near asheville, north carolina is a 20. Also, as you may already be aware, i40 will be slower than normal due to landslides near the nctn border both directions diverted to the west bound lanesone lane each direction.
A designated public mountain trout water and managed under hatcherysupported regulations, max patch pond is stocked with trout march through may. Since then there has been homestead, a logging mill, and an air strip on the mountain. Feb 28, 2016 this video is about our trail ride to max patch in nc. Lots of other folks like it too and there were lots of people. National forests in north carolina max patch usda forest service. At the top of the mountain, turn right onto state road 1182 and max patch parking is 3 miles. Lemon gap to max patch hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. From downtown hot springs, go south on bridge street until it turns into highway 209. Regardless, it is one of the mostvisited peaks in the area. Sterchi lodge is located on a mountaintop along the tennessee north carolina state line about 80 miles from. With its long view west, max patch happens to be an utterly awesome place to take in the sunset. Please submit any useful information about climbing max patch that may be useful to other climbers. Nestled among national forests, the campground is just minutes away from max patch, a popular spot on the appalachian trail.
Max patch things to do near asheville, north carolina. At 4629 feet elevation, max patch is not the highest summit in its immediate vicinity, but this. Sterchi lodge is located on a mountaintop along the tennesseenorth carolina state line about 80 miles from. Max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot springs. 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. The easiest directions to the area involve coming in via i40. In a region home to almost 40 peaks over 6000 feet, max patch stands a humble 4629. Insects chirp loudly in the grassfilled wonderland. Max patch is a mountain on the tennessee north carolina border. The trail rolls elevation through the shady forest, meandering through switchbacks, crossing several small creeks over rustic wooden. Waynesville is a town in and the county seat of haywood county, north carolina, united states.
However, be aware that you have to drive 5 miles on a gravel road coming from hot springs direction, or 10 miles from the northern side. Take a right on cold springs road, and the road almost immediately becomes gravel. Hidden in north carolina is a beautiful slice of nature called max patch. Mitchell on the east to the great smoky mountains on the south. Pond has a large, universally accessible fishing pier accessed from the parking area. At the bottom of the exit, turn left from the west or right from the east, up the mountain, onto forest service road 148, cold springs creek road. Max patch hiking hot springs, nc blue ridge mountain life. The new weed patch mountain trail offers exciting backcountry adventures for hikers, mountain bikers, and rock climbers. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. Its recommended that drivers take a 4wd vehicle in inclement weather, as handling may prove difficult. It was once forested, but legend has it that indians burned it, apparently for visibility.
Camping is allowed in nearby areas but is prohibited on the summit itself. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina alltrails. Make sure you have good directions, dont think your gps will work here. Max path area in pisgah national forest, near the nctn border roundtrip distance. Consider things such as access and accommodation at the base of max patch, as well as the logistics of climbing to the summit. Max patch mountain in nc boasts a 360degree view of the appalachian mountains including the blue ridge and the smokies. Continue straight about 12 miles onto max patch road. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina. It is the largest town in haywood county and the largest in western north carolina west of asheville. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before you. 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. The store and campground are located in the mountains of western north carolina. To get here you just have to drive on a gravel road for a bit, but once you get to the parking lot, its only a little over a mile to get up to the summit of max patch mountain where youll get gorgeous 360 degree views of. Filmed on max patch bald, clyde nc during the fall season, the foliage.
Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from march until november. Max patch mountain topo map in madison county, north carolina. 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.
With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easyto moderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. This area is loaded with wildflowers, especially trilliums. Find free public parking for hikers along andrews avenue turn right. It is a major landmark along the tennessee north carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, one of north carolinas most. Lovers leap hike, hot springs, nc romanticasheville. May 23, 2011 wolf creek falls 30 feet high is located just inside the tennessee border in cocke county. Turn right onto meadow fork road at the max patch sign.
878 471 124 1483 1094 794 344 1205 931 432 1270 1294 1474 579 1254 1205 1191 492 1282 1237 864 754 508 565 321 1140 1155 566 20 849 311 395