Our last order of business was to find a shuttle from hot springs to max patch in the morning. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easytomoderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. Located about 40 minutes from hot springs, nc is max patch mountain, located in pisgah national forest. Appalachian trail hike max patch to hot springs day 1. Max patch offers fantastic 360 degree views, mount mitchell is visible to the east and the great smoky mountains are visible to the west. 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. Curtis has agreed to shuttle us up to max patch where we will begin our hike southward back to his hostel where we have left the car. Food, accommodation, etc according to a couple people i talked to hostel owners, hikers, etc, this area remains terribly busy until about midmay. In between the soaring mountains of the great smokies and the rolling hills of hot springs the a. It is a big spacious bald about 45minutes drive from hot springs. This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river.
The trail eventually climbs back up out of the gorge and back to the campground. Vacation rental cabin just 4 miles from the max patch bald and the appalachian trail. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. The manmade meadow on top of the mountain was once home to large herds of grazing cattle. Max patch is a local favorite in the southwest mountains of north carolina it is one of the mostvisited peaks in the area. The trail was otherwise non eventful and had few running water sources. Max patch is a mountain on the tennessee north carolina border. The appalachian trail crosses max patch at its 4,629. With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family and dog. To get there follow rte 209 out of town, with the smokey mountain diner on your right.
But, we werent quite to our destination for the day just yet, and according to the little mapdana elevation profile map i was carrying, the shelter. Zion camping big bear camping backpacking list california beach camping camping in north carolina hiking places camping. Max patch mountain hot springs, north carolina hiking. Make a weekend trip from max patch to hot springs n.
Calculate the exact distance between any two points located along the appalachian trail at. Click here for a video link of the sunrise and sunset from the top of max patch bald. My pace today is pretty good and i hit 18 miles around 4. The elevation of hot springs is 1,326 feet, and by the appalachian trail, is 20 miles from the max patch summit. Max patch mountain is a 4,600 foot bald that provides 360 degree views of the surrounding blue ridge and smoky mountains. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david m allen.
The martingale at max patch, hot springs, north carolina. I donned my pack, grabbed my trekking poles, and headed up the loop trail. Max patch and hot springs is a hiking adventure located in or near asheville, nc. If you hike north from max patch, hot springs is only a 20 mile hike away and has a lot of stuff for hikers. Max patch hiking hot springs, nc blue ridge mountain life. Or follow the appalachian trail from hot springs along the scenic french broad river, climbing to towering. With that task complete, we headed over to hot springs and checked into a small cabin in the campground then hit the iron horse station for a great pre hike dinner. Hiking the max patch appalachian trail the adventurerr. Hike max patch mountain, max patch mountain trailhead. I hate to give it a two star but the only good thing about this hike was max patch and hot springs that you can drive to.
Max patch sits in northern haywood county, north carolina less than a mile from the tennessee state line. Max patch hot springs 2020 what to know before you go. The appalachian trail follows the crest of the appalachians along the north carolina and tennessee state line. See photos and hiking guide for max patch bald mountain along the appalachian trail near hot springs and asheville north carolina in pisgah national forest. Autumn is past its peak here, but hiking in the woods was quite beautiful and easy compared to my last section in. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, a grassy, bald mountain thats covered. As well, we were starting out on top of max patch, one of the most beautiful areas that i have been to on the at so far, and we were finishing up in hot springs, a great little trail town where we were guaranteed a warm, delicious, celebratory breakfast at the famous smoky mountain diner. Standing bear to hot springs, nc coronavirus update. This morning we left the smoky mountain best western hotel in waynesville, nc to drive to the standing bear hostel at waterville school road. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. Explore more in our professional, high quality trail.
You can use the shelter, which also has water nearby and a privy. Hike a scenic alternate route to the ultrapopular max patch mountain, following the appalachian trail. Google map to max patch reminder dont rely solely on your gps in this. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina. 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. See photos and hiking guide for max patch bald mountain along the appalachian trail near hot springs and asheville north. We met at hot springs the night before our backpack so as to get an early start the next day. I only wish i could be there for every sunrise and sunset. Max patch to hot springs appalachian trail information. Hidden in north carolina is a beautiful slice of nature called max patch. The trip to the parking lot at max patch takes about an hour from hot springs. This program calculates the approximate walking distance in miles between two points along the appalachian trail. Well car pool to the max patch parking lot and then hike about 1. Appalachian trail hike max patch to hot springs day 1 october 29, 2015 december 2, 2019 starpulp 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.
The appalachian trail passes through the middle of town, and many of the businesses cater to backpackers. Max patch and hot springs follow me on instagram at current pct. I just got back from a short section hike on the connecticut appalachian trail where i finished the northern half of the state, hiking from bear mountain to rt 7. Max patch, located near hot springs, north carolina is a 2. Beware of october as that must be bear hunting season. Max patch and hot springs, located near asheville, north carolina is a 20. Theres a large communication station or some kind of large piece of technology on the top of snowbird mountain south of max patch. Among other things, he took the lead role in hanging the bear bag and patiently dipping water from a trickle of a. Sign up for facebook today to discover local businesses near you. Visit max patch on your trip to hot springs or united states. The bald, wide, rolling expanses of the mountain rise to the east. The small town of hot springs, nc is the only place in north carolina where the at goes directly through the center of town.
I hiked an area of the at to lemon gap, max patch bald and into hot springs, nc and was more concerned with getting shot at by the many many bear hunters we came upon the trail with shotguns in their arms, dogs barking and us shaking. Max patch mountain, simply known as max patch, is hands down one of the most beautiful summits in the southeast. The hike up to the top is more than worth the spectacular view. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before you. Highlights included the hostel, vor aircraft nav, max patch, and the town of hot springs. Max patch to hot springs fall backpacking strenuous. Enjoy panoramic smokies views on blueberry and rhododendronlined trails on the way to french broad river, where relaxing hot springs. 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. The appalachian trail crosses right over the summit running north and south. Things to do in hot springs nc laughing heart lodge. Simply choose a selection from each of the list boxes below, then click on the submit button. Backpacking 101 clinic max patch to roaring fork shelter.
Nat geo 782 trails illustrated map find it at trailful outdoor co. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from march until november. 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 to groundhog creek shelter blazing trails with. The hike trails to the northeast, skirting the mountain and beginning a continuous, moderate climb. It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina and cocke county, tennessee. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. Was planning to hike from newfound gap to standing bear hostel but storms caused road to be closed. These distances are based on the appalachian trail data book for 2020, a publication of the appalachian trail conservancy, all rights. The headwaters of spring creek are to be found up in bluff, max patch and meadowfork and these waters converge with the french broad river in hot springs. Iron horse station is a beautifully restored 19th century hotel.
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