This section of the at runs from i 40 to max patch. Hot springs to erwin is alright but not my favorite. Home appalachian trail at continental divide trail cdt pacific crest trail pct. Appalachian trail hike max patch to hot springs day 2. One thru hiker came back down and put on his rain gear before attempting the summit. Jan 10, 2016 the trail was smooth and wide, evidence that this is an ofttravelled but wellmaintained section of the at, and with good reason.
I didnt think about it before, but someone commented that smaller ones would be more convenient. For much of its remaining length within the state, the appalachian trail passes through pisgah national forest near the tennessee border. On june 2, 2018, national trails day, more than 100 volunteers chopped, pruned, drilled, sawed, shoveled, hacked, planted and hammered a 2mile section of the appalachian trail that crosses max. Standing bear to hot springs, nc coronavirus update. Max patch on the appalachian trail in madison county. Max patch on the appalachian trail in madison county, north. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is accessible yearround.
This was a great day trip however we were given directions at waynesville chamber to i 40 and exit 7 and once near max patch we fortunately met a nice group from. This particular loop branches just off of the appalachian trail at. The nearest major access points for the appalachian trail are. This program calculates the approximate walking distance in miles between two points along the appalachian trail. After planning my at hike for almost a year, i finally took my first step with my friend, jenni, the morning of saturday, september 12, 2015. Learn more and become a member today by clicking here. Undulation reaches its first crescendo over the faa tower, an orb, alienlike federal building with beautiful views. The trail goes along an elevated, open, grassy ridge line with amazing views. Max patch tnnc border the appalachian trail white blazes you right over the top of max patch mountain. 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. I40 to hot springs nc whiteblaze appalachian trail. Jun 04, 2019 max patch mountain in north carolina has been on our hiking bucket list forever, both because of its famed beauty and because we heard it was great for little legs.
Parked my car in hot springs nc and got dropped off at i40 waterville exit to pick up the. Zach robbins contact zach max patch mountain, simply known as max patch, is hands down one of the most beautiful summits in the southeast. I am hoping to do an overnight trip from max patch to hot springs over the memorial day weekend 2018 and needing a place to leave my vehicle in hot springs and get a shuttle to max patch. Our family finally experienced hiking to max patch bald and it was everything we had hoped for. Appalachian trail gsmnp to max patch segment hiking. Mar 22, 2020 lost mountain shelter to wise shelter. 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. Jun 11, 2011 and after all, max patch shouldnt be hurried its a place to wander and wonder to breathe the air and let the mountains extract the worries. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easytomoderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n.
Either way, this is one of the souths most scenic sections of the at, and it is well worth your. The appalachian trail conservancy explore by state north. I cant wait to go again and tackle another section. Max patch to hot springs, nc miles 255275 appalachian. Max patch hiking hot springs, nc blue ridge mountain life. Appalachian trail hike max patch to hot springs day 1. Max patch, max views, max adventure how i introduced my friend to backpacking with incredible views and juuuuuuust a wee bit of snow 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 with the extra free time my friend emily and i headed off to. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The insiders guide to the appalachian trail in tennessee.
Once youve completed the great smoky mountains national park section, youll cross interstate 40 and begin the long climb to the summit of max patch. There are 8 shelters after i 81 and the trail crosses one wilderness, the beartown. The appalachian trail passes through the middle of town, and many of the businesses cater to backpackers. Appalachian trail max patch to hot springs, nc march 2627, 2011. October 2526, 2014 its hard to imagine a better coupling for a weekend hike.
Eventually the day began to warm some and the trail took on the brown tones of any winter wandering in the appalachian mountains on a day without snow. If it werent for her, i never would have accomplished this. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch mountain, one of our favorite, cantmiss hikes in north carolina. Appalachian trail from max patch to the smokies our day began extremely early as we drove to standing bear hostel to catch our shuttle to put us on trail at max patch somewhere around 8.
Hidden in north carolina is a beautiful slice of nature called max patch. At the t junction, turn left and continuing to max patch. Max patch is a local favorite in the southwest mountains of north carolina. Rising 4629 feet, max is a rolling, sprawling stretch of mountain meadow that offers plentiful sunshine, incredible views, and an ontopoftheworld feeling. My son and his gf are hiking the trail, so im mail dropping them each a patch whenever they complete a state. 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 i 40 up to max patch mountain. Posts about max patch on the appalachian trail jasonscreations added a new photo at max patch on the appalachian trail. This trail is located in the appalachian ranger district area. This is max patch, a popular, iconic, almost idyllic bald summit on the appalachian trail thats beloved by hardcore at thruhikers, casual day hikers and frisbeeflingers alike. Jake wheeler on the northeast side of the park, the at exits the smokies, crosses interstate 40, and begins a 15 mile climb up to max patch. We could take the easy way and hike around the base of the bald and catch the at on the edge near the treeline. 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 trail rolls elevation through the shady forest, meandering through switchbacks, crossing. White blazes are painted on fence posts to lead the way across this huge bald.
Lemon gap to max patch hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. Max patch on the appalachian trail in madison county, north carolina take in the most beautiful view on the at in madison county. And while thats a short distance, its not without its difficulties. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easy to moderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n.
Officially finished my first section hike of the appalachian trail. Feb 14, 2017 with a 300acre field of masters tournamentquality grass capping its rounded, 4,629foothigh summit, max patch begs for loungers. The appalachian trail conservancy is always looking for dedicated volunteers to help maintain the a. The summit elevation is just a little over 4,600 hundred feet, and the appalachian trail crosses right over it. I do agree with them that these are pretty big to have 14 sewed on an item. The appalachian trail crosses max patch from south to north or viseversa. Max patch road to hot springs or other hot springs, north carolina hiking trails. Just enough to create an enchanted forest with light filtering through moisture. Hiking the max patch appalachian trail the adventurerr. I tried to include plugs for campsites and shelters along the trail. Although camping isnt allowed on max patch, you may camp just prior to the bald or just after the bald on the appalachian trail. Calculate the exact distance between any two points located along the appalachian trail at. Its one of the most spectacular settings youll experience in the blue.
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. The responsiblity for 162 miles of trail maintainance are the mount rogers trail club, piedmont appalachian trail hikers, outdoor club of virginia tech, and the roanoke appalachian trail club. The appalachian trail crosses the summit of max patch, about 20 miles west of hot springs at mile 251. Good places to hike on the appalachian trail in north. Even though it was raining this was still a great hike. Im guessing that today, hot springs is better known as a trail town. Appalachian trail davenport gap to max patch sweetwilder. Sitting on the border of north carolina and tennessee, max patch features 360 mountain range views and sits along the appalachian trail. 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. Im leaning towards starting around max patch and hiking northbound as far as damascus possibly. Appalachian trail long trail and side trails on state land closed 472020 as of april 3, the appalachian trail long trail and side trails on state lands are closed by the vermont department of forests, parks, and recreation.
Later, i stop to trim my toenails and head up to max patch. These distances are based on the appalachian trail data book for 2020, a publication of the appalachian trail conservancy, all rights. Max patch via brown gap pisgah national forest, nc. I 40 to max patch this weekend last saturdays hike was a blast, and my dad and i plan to hike the section adjacent to it this saturday. Was just wondering if any of you would like to join us, or if youd already be on the trail. If you are someone in hot springs that can provide this service or know someone or hostel owners in hot springs that can provide this please reply. Max patch, max views, max adventure how i introduced my friend to backpacking with incredible views and juuuuuuust a wee bit of snow. S tanding guard along the state line, max patch mountain is a grassy bald with fabulous panoramic views of the surrounding north. There are many opportunities for shorter hikes on the at near asheville. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from march until november. 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.
Jun 29, 2016 cool places to stumble across on the southern a. Today, its a 350acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360degree views. For a list of all the trails in that area, see the appalachian ranger district trails list page. I knew the day would be a short one because my goal. Hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. Davenport gap to max patch road or other waterville, north carolina hiking trails. 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. Well, we made it to our first trail town on the appalachian trail.
Southerly views open up as the trail descends a series of rustic wooden stairs as the trail switches back to the southeast. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david m allen. Regardless, it is one of the mostvisited peaks in the area. Appalachian trail davenport gap to max patch on hikewnc. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david. Max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot springs. The summit and surrounding area on max patch is the highlight of this hike.
Mitchell at 6,684 feet, the highest peak east of the mississippi to the east. The appalachian trail conservancy s 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. Dec 28, 2016 max patch max patch is one of the most popular spots along the entire trail. Visit the vermont state parks covid19 updates page for more information. Roan highlands is a small section that contains the longest stretch of grassy bald on the entire trail. On max patch, you are at 4,629 feet and, on a clear day, have a 360 degree panoramic view of the great smoky mountains to the south and a glimpse of mt. There are also many campsites along the forest roads that lead to max patch. Aside from the ends one can get resupply in adkins and bland. The appalachian trail conservancy is a 501c3 organization. Hike across the grassy summit with 360degree mountain views all around. Max patch short loop hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. It passes over max patch mountain, a very popular day hike, and then descends to the town of hot springs, where it goes directly through town and back into.
At the t junction, turn left and continuing to max patch parking area on the right. At the t junction, turn left and continuing to max patch parking. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from april until october. By zachary robbins in appalachian ranger district, appalachian trail, bald mountains and newfound mountains, best hikes, best summits in ncva, greater asheville, half day hikes, moderate hikes, north carolina hikes, pisgah national forest, popular trail systems, site content. The appalachian trail crosses right over the summit running north and south. Thruhikers hike the entire length of the trail in one season. This dog friendly and family friendly hike is great for picnics, star gazing, and is accesible year round. Me and my dad are hiking from i 40 to hot springs in the week of july 1. Loved the views and the opportunity to to hike some of the appalachian trail. After you have your soundofmusicmoment at max patch, its a mere 9. In a region home to almost 40 peaks over 6000 feet, max patch stands a humble 4629. Hot springs, nc is one of the most popular trail towns. Max patch on the appalachian trail pisgah forest, north.
Max patch is by far the most popular destination for hiking in the immediate area, and for good reason. Max patch via brown gap pisgah national forest, nc zachs. Simply choose a selection from each of the list boxes below, then click on the submit button. Its a scenic drive west from hot springs, and a moderately short adventure to a grassy bald thats drenched in sunshine and covered in. Make sure you have good directions, dont think your gps will work here. After max patch, i head down to roaring fork shelter where i run into the beatles, spotter, and muon, sign of. From time to time, the forest service uses mowing and prescribed burns to keep these breathtaking vistas open for hikers to enjoy. Mitchell on the east to the great smoky mountains on the south. This trail also crosses into these trailhead areas. The hot springs mountain club was formed to build and maintain trails near hot springs, north carolina. Over the past three years, i had heard various people mention the at occasionally. The elevation of hot springs is 1,326 feet, and by the appalachian trail, is 20 miles from the max patch summit.
Appalachian trail max patch to hot springs youtube. There are several famous grassy balds like hump mountain and max patch here as well. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. 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. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n.