Hikes from max patch

Our trip back to max patch which was one of my favorite areas of the appalachian trail and probably my favorite bald. View max patch is a highland bald with a 360 degree view of western nc, the great smoky mountains, and eastern tennessee. It is a 6 mile drive down a maintained but bumpy u. On a warm and humid august day, eleven hikers from the chattanooga hiking club set out on a 14mile hike on the appalachian trail at starting at max patch which is halfway between newport, tennessee and waynesville, north carolina. Max patch hiking hot springs, nc blue ridge mountain life. 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. Hidden in north carolina is a beautiful slice of nature called max patch. Max patch mountain part of the pisgah national forest is a bald mountain roughly equidistant from knoxville, tn and asheville, nc about a 1. The view from the summit which is gained by one of those muchsteeperthanitlooksfromthetrailhead type hikes is superb. Hike profile the hike is a loop that tracks along a number of trails but primarily follows the appalachian trail and the buckeye ridge trail. Take exist 24 off i40, climb to max patch by gravel road, once at the parking, just a short hike to. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. Sitting just inside north carolina along the boundary with tennessee, the mountain is considered by some to be the crown jewel of the appalachian trail. I also share some of the history that i just learned about some of the origins.

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. The trails on max patch are fairly wellsigned, although a few confusing spots do exist so bring a map and pay attention. 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. This popular portion on the famous appalachian trail, max patch takes you to grassy balds at the top of a mountain. Good places to hike on the appalachian trail in north.

With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easytomoderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. Max patch is a fantastic hike, and made our list of top family hikes and 25 best places to see fall foliage. About 15 minutes into the hike you will come to a sign that indicates the at to the left and the climb to the top of max patch to the right. It is one of the largest maintained balds in the southern appalachian mountain range and boasts incredible 360degree views of equally beautiful surrounding mountains. From the max patch parking lot its a quick and easy hike up to the bald. Nice hike along a treeless summit of rolling hills. Day hiking a top 10 favorite on the appalachian trail. National forests in north carolina max patch usda forest service.

Max patch sits in northern haywood county, north carolina less than a mile from the tennessee state line. In that sense, it reminded me of the balds on roan mountain where its always 1015 degrees cooler than down below. Places like blood mountain, wayah bald, the smokies and the roan highlands, but there is one more places that easily fits on that listmax patch. Mar 28, 2020 on march 23 the atc urged all hikers to stay off the trail, even those doing short day hikes in the smokies, on max patch or around hot springs. May 10, 2017 dads bucket list included a hike on the appalachian trail.

Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, one of north carolinas most popular at hikes, on a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in wildflowers. 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. Located about an hour outside of asheville, north carolina, max patch mountain is an easy, scenic trail with stunning views. May 30, 2018 max patch restored in honor of 50th anniversary of national trails day. 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. With its long view west, max patch happens to be an utterly awesome place to take in the sunset. Coronavirus leads forest service to close appalachian trail. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easyto moderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. Can be used to summit max patch over a much more difficult route than the. Sitting on the border of north carolina and tennessee, max patch features 360 mountain range views and sits along the appalachian trail. There is a reservationonly horse group camping area along cold springs creek. Thruhikers labor for months to reach this iconic summit. Hiking to the very top of a mountain bald in north carolina is fulfilling for many reasons. 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.

With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family and dog. Max patch is just one of those hikes that everyone should try to do at some point in their life. Today, its a 350acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360degree views. At thruhikers often oblige, saying its one of the finest rest spots on the entire trail, and so do readers like michael wright, who hikes the 2. The best backpacking trails in north carolina rei coop journal. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from march until november.

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. 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. I was thinking of a section hike max patch to hot springs, but timing wasnt good for me. Forest service, appalachian trail conservancy and others will reveal a major restoration at. Max patch restored in honor of 50th anniversary of national trails day. The sky there is so big that if feels like its twice the size. Max patch in pisgah national forest gets national trails. At 4,600 feet, max patch is not a particularly high mountain. 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. From the parking area hop on the trail going left into. The bald, wide, rolling expanses of the mountain rise to the east. May 17, 2017 our trip back to max patch which was one of my favorite areas of the appalachian trail and probably my favorite bald. About 20 minutes to the top by the short trail, 2530 on the longer loop elevation gain. 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.

Turns out the drive to get to the max patch hike and parking was the trickiest part of the whole day. This particular loop branches just off of the appalachian trail at. Max patch in pisgah national forest gets national trails day. 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. Hike max patch mountain, max patch mountain trailhead. This dog friendly and family friendly hike is great for picnics, star gazing, and is accesible year round. Hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. Please obtain the correct, current and official trail map of the area before your hike. 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.

The pastoral setting atop 4,600 max patch is widely considered as the prettiest spot on the entire appalachian trail. If you hike north from max patch, hot springs is only a 20 mile hike away and has a lot of stuff for hikers. On march 23 the atc urged all hikers to stay off the trail, even those doing short day hikes in the smokies, on max patch or around hot springs. Hike max patch trail in winter for great views in north carolina. Five unforgettable at hikes max patch bald, near hot springs, nc distance. With a 300acre field of masters tournamentquality grass capping its rounded, 4,629foothigh summit, max patch begs for loungers. Initially youll follow the appalachian trail northeast through hardwood forests along gentle 4,000foot ridges. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before you. 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.

Appalachian trail max patch to hot springs sweetwilder. This is a very quick hike from the parking area very different than arriving via the at the elevation is intense for just a moment before you crest onto the bald and then the views hit you. Rainstorms will travel thousands of miles, against prevailing winds for the opportunity to rain on a tent. Best hiking trails near max patch mountain north carolina gaia. Make sure you have good directions, dont think your gps will work here. Food, accommodation, etc according to a couple people i talked to hostel owners, hikers, etc, this area remains terribly busy until about midmay. The hike trails to the northeast, skirting the mountain and beginning a continuous, moderate climb. I only wish i could be there for every sunrise and sunset. Forest service, appalachian trail conservancy and others will reveal a. But, i dont believe it necessarily comes from the scenery or toughness. The max patch loop trail encircles the base connecting to the sr 1182 parking lot and the buckeye ridge trail 304. Hiking the max patch appalachian trail the adventurerr.

Follow one of the two easier blue blaze trails to the appalachian trail and summit. Just a short hike to the top youll swear you can hear julie andrews singing the hills are alive. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina alltrails. Lovers leap hike, hot springs, nc romanticasheville.

This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river. Hike up one trail, cross the summit and back down the other for a total of 1. 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. Nov 27, 2019 max patch is a yearround favorite among hikers and those seeking a high spot from which to reconnect with mother nature and inhale some extremely fresh air, albeit, thin air. 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 is a local favorite in the southwest mountains of north carolina it is one of the mostvisited peaks in the area. This easy and beautiful hike at max patch should be added to your north carolina winter bucket list this year.

Catch a gorgeous sunrise, sunset or afternoon picnic on this moderate two mile loop with stunning 360degree views and seemingly endless sunshine. Feb 14, 2017 with a 300acre field of masters tournamentquality grass capping its rounded, 4,629foothigh summit, max patch begs for loungers. Max patch is an open, grassy summit with 360degree views of the surrounding mountains in north carolina and tennessee. Find free public parking for hikers along andrews avenue turn right. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina. Max patch, which is maintained in a grassy state by of periodic mechanical mowing, is readily acessible via dirt road nc 1182 and by the appalachian trail. The temperature can be a good 1015 degrees cooler than in asheville on this windy hilltop, so bring a windbreaker in addition to your camera. The meadow part of the hike on the buckeye ridge trail can be tailored to either a long or a short loop. 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. Well worth the detour, the hike to the top is part of a small loop that is well marked. 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.

The appalachian trail crosses the summit of max patch, about 20 miles west of hot springs at mile 251. From the parking area at max patch, the trail starts off going north. Areas nc west and mountains pisgah national forest. The pastoral setting atop 4600 max patch is widely considered as the prettiest spot on the entire appalachian trail. On our way back from the mother earth fair in ashville we stopped at max patch near hot springs nc for a. Max patch mountain is a peak inside of pisgah national forest. Max patch short loop hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. A variety of trails can be used to access max patch. Dads bucket list included a hike on the appalachian trail. Usually blanketed in snow, youll need a fourwheel drive to get here, but only a good pair of boots to hike the 2. Its one of the most spectacular settings youll experience in the blue.

The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. Shortly after passing through this intersection the at leaves the forest behind and climbs up log stairs on the way to the summit. 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 at and max patch trail continue straight climbing the mountain. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Max patch there are spots on the southern at appalachian trail that are cant miss. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from april until october. Hiking trails near max patch mountain hiking project. This route turns left at the intersection, following the max patch loop away from the nearby parking area and hiking southeast. Make a weekend trip from max patch to hot springs n.

Max patch is by far the most popular destination for hiking in the immediate area, and for good reason. Coronavirus leads forest service to close appalachian. 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. This trail map is provided for information only and should only be used for planning. The experience of the hike itself, combined with the views along the way and from the summit, and the overall accomplishment make the effort. Max patch is popular for winter hikes, but dont attempt one without being sure that the roads are passable in your vehicle.

Gps wasnt very reliable and we followed a winding gravel road for about 6 miles to reach the spot. Hike max patch trail in winter for great views in north. My husband and i love hiking with kids and this recent hike provided a day of wonderful family adventures outside during a visit to asheville brad and i certainly go through seasons where we hike with kids more and this hike seemed to get me back into the spirit of. The most popular and pedestrian of the choices leads hikers to the grassy summit on a short, half mile climb to the top.

This is a steep forest trail with rock outcrops and tight switchbacks. The hike up to the top is more than worth the spectacular view. Max patch, a longtime favorite with at thruhikers and regional folks wanting to escape for a few sunny hours, is a superb example of that appalachain anomoly the grassy bald. This short 100 yard trail to the top brings you to a grand 360 degree view of nc, tn and mt. The at crosses over max patch, and both of these hikers commented on how the views and the cool breezes made their day after hiking through the sweltering heat. To get a few more miles in, walk the nearly 3mile loop that starts at the top of the bald. At 4629 feet elevation, max patch is not the highest summit in its immediate vicinity, but this grassy bald is certainly one of the prettiest. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you.