On top youre standing on a bald mountain so be prepared for a breeze. Forest service, have put in 3,000 hours since february to. It is well worth the hike up take rest breaks and enjoy the scenery. In the 1800s, this area was cleared and used as pasture, creating the bald, and fortunately for us today, the amazing view. This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river. For a small fee barnstormers would take tourists for a brief flight above the bald. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. Camping at max patch, north carolina, all you need to know. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easytomoderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n.
Make a weekend trip from max patch to hot springs n. In the 1920s, there was even a landing strip for airplanes offering thrill rides. 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. Very mild max 17c on sun night, min 7c on mon night. At an elevation of 4,629 feet, max patch boasts a 360degree view of the appalachian mountains including the blue ridge and the smokies. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before you. Mitchell to the east and the great smoky mountains to the south. Our trip back to max patch which was one of my favorite areas of the appalachian trail and probably my favorite bald. As i was eating, a kid with a huge beard and a kilt came over and asked if i wanted to make a kite with him. While this mountain isnt naturally bald it was cleared for grazing in the nineteenth century, its certainly naturally beautiful. May 02, 2014 i hiked a hot 7 miles to max patch, a huge grassy bald with 360 degree views.
The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. Max patch mountain part of the pisgah national forest is a bald mountain roughly equidistant from knoxville, tn and asheville, nc about a 1. But a very nice hike into the wilderness from there, including an overnight rest. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. Max patch is still one of the most magical places ive visited. This 311 mile section of the appalachian trail features many scenic vistas and a spectacular walk along a ridgeline in great smoky mountains national park.
Hiking to the very top of a mountain bald in north carolina is fulfilling for many reasons. Then, walk over max patch and as soon as you leave the bald and get back in the woods theres camping for about at least 20 tents. 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. Please submit any useful information about climbing max patch that may be useful to other climbers. Hike max patch trail in winter for great views in north carolina. This 4,600 foot mountain bald offers acres of wide open clearings with amazing, unobstructed views of surrounding mountains. 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. You can drive close to the summit on the gravel sr 1182, which is popular but sometimes.
Located about 40 minutes from hot springs, nc is max patch mountain, located in pisgah national forest. Fishing in max patch pond, madison county, north carolina. Max patch is a local favorite in the southwest mountains of north carolina. 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. 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.
Mitchell on the east to the great smoky mountains on the south. Max patch is one of the famous balds of the southern appalachiansa gently sloped mountaintop covered in grass, shrubs, and wildflowers, with no trees to obstruct the view. Fishing in max patch pond, madison county, north carolina if you are planning a day trip to the max patch bald on the appalachian trail, toss your fishing pole in the trunk and take a brief detour to throw a line in. Now this 4600ft bald mountain is a 350 acre tract of open land providing 360 degree views. An abundance of ferns and grasses blanket the bald, making it perfect for picnics. Regardless, it is one of the mostvisited peaks in the area. 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. National forests in north carolina max patch usda forest service.
In between the soaring mountains of the great smokies and the rolling hills of hot springs the a. Beautiful drive up to the parking lot for max patch and then a short. Max patch is well worth the 3 hour trip from charlotte, nc. Hike max patch mountain, max patch mountain trailhead. We decided that if i wanted, i could do max patch bald today before i left since it was the shortest of the 3 hikes that we had planned for this trip a 1. This one might seem obvious, but every time ive spent the night on the top of max patch, 50% of the people are gone right after sunset. See photos and hiking guide for max patch bald mountain along the appalachian trail near hot springs and asheville north carolina in pisgah national. The carolina mountain club maintains the popular hiking area, max patch, a large grassy bald near the north carolinatennessee border. Coronavirus leads forest service to close appalachian. Max patch hiking hot springs, nc blue ridge mountain life. The trail enters the great smoky mountains national park from the south at fontana dam. Make sure you have good directions, dont think your gps will work here.
Aside from the gsmnp, this section of the appalachian trail was some of the most enjoyable. Today, its a 350acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360degree views. Well worth the detour, the hike to the top is part of a small loop that is well marked. 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. Members of the carolina mountain club, the oldest hiking and maintaining club in wnc, working with the u. Sitting on the border of north carolina and tennessee, max patch features 360 views and sits along the appalachian trail this 4,600 foot mountain bald offers acres of wide open clearings.
Although nobody is certain about the origin naked mountaintops aboriginal practice of fire ecology, ice damage, invasion by gall wasps, and grazing pressure by bison. Max patch is a yearround favorite among hikers and those seeking a high. Max patch is a bald located on the tennesseenorth carolina line in the pisgah national forest. The only problem is that its hard, compacted dirt and turns to. Take exist 24 off i40, climb to max patch by gravel road, once at the parking, just a short hike to. The experience of the hike itself, combined with the views along the way and from the summit, and the overall accomplishment make the effort thrilling in more ways than one. On top you re standing on a bald mountain so be prepared for a breeze. It is a 6 mile drive down a maintained but bumpy u. Its a grassy mountaintop thats feverishly loved by thruhikers on the epiclength at and day hikers alike. Jun 10, 20 by the time we finished breakfast, the rain had lessened to a light drizzle. Sep 15, 2019 so, if youre thinking about visiting max patch, even if its a 6hour drive away from you, do it. Day hiking a top 10 favorite on the appalachian trail. I also share some of the history that i just learned about some of the origins.
Very mild max 19c on sat afternoon, min 12c on thu night. The hike, located in pisgah national forest, was only an hour drive west of where we were staying in asheville. Wildflowers bloom there in the spring and fantastic leaf color can be seen in the fall. Sitting on the border of north carolina and tennessee, max patch features 360 views and sits along the appalachian trail. In the 1920s there was an air strip on top of the bald. Take exist 24 off i40, climb to max patch by gravel road, once at the parking, just a. Jun 07, 2018 members of the carolina mountain club, the oldest hiking and maintaining club in wnc, working with the u. The bald is not an entirely natural phenomenon, however. 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. This route turns left at the intersection, following the max patch loop away from the nearby parking area and hiking southeast. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Several balds exist in the chain, and all offer exceptional vantage in every direction.
Max patch mountain is a 4,600 foot bald that provides 360 degree views of the surrounding blue ridge and smoky mountains. It is known for its 360degree views of the surrounding mountains, namely the bald mountains in the immediate vicinity. The sundrenched, domed summit is home to broad, grassy meadows filled with abundant wildflowers and enormous, epic views in every direction. The massive grassy bald is meticulously maintained by mowing and prescribed burns to preserve stunning 360 views of the tallest appalachian peaks.
Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina. Mar 28, 2020 they say its not fair, and that fresh air and hiking are good during these stressful times. Max patch mountain is one of the most visited, most photographed, and most wellloved mountaintops on the appalachian trail in the south. Rising 4629 feet, max is a rolling, sprawling stretch of mountain meadow that offers plentiful sunshine, incredible views, and an ontopoftheworld feeling. Roan mountain state park has roughly 12 miles of hiking trails as well as 2. In a region home to almost 40 peaks over 6000 feet, max patch stands a humble 4629. But here are a few tips to make the most of your trip. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is accessible yearround. The manmade meadow on top of the mountain was once home to large herds of grazing cattle. Max patch mountain via brown gap pisgah national forest, nc. Forest service, have put in 3,000 hours since february to rehabilitate max patch, said. 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. Take the at in either direction and youll find places to camp without going more than a mile or two.
Nov 27, 2019 this easy and beautiful hike at max patch should be added to your north carolina winter bucket list this year. Feb 05, 2019 aside from the gsmnp, this section of the appalachian trail was some of the most enjoyable. Just a short hike to the top youll swear you can hear julie andrews singing the hills are alive when to visit. Hikes are moderate to easy there is something for everyone easy access to trails great fishing pond it. This also means there is potential to campbackpack this area, although not on the max patch bald itself. Max patch is one of the most easily accessible and therefore most visited. Yep hiking north you can grab water just after you cross the road and start up max patch. After a 12mile hike, you crest at max patch which has beautiful views of mountains.
Max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot springs. It was the only high elevation, open bald hiking we would have for the entire trail until we got to. It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina. A short hike from the parking area takes you to the top. The appalachian trail on max patch max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot springs. About 20 minutes to the top by the short trail, 2530 on the longer loop elevation gain. The appalachian trail crosses the top of the grassy bald. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in wildflowers, and one of north carolinas most popular at hikes.
Jun 04, 2019 max patch mountain is called a bald mountain due to the fact it was cleared back in the 1800s. If there was a top 5 hike list, the walk to max patch should be on it. Winds decreasing fresh winds from the s on thu night, light winds from the nne by sat afternoon. Hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. Max patch mountain, simply known as max patch, is hands down one of the most beautiful summits in the southeast. Max patch weather forecast 1411m mountain forecast. As i was eating, a kid with a huge beard and a kilt came over and asked if i. Consider things such as access and accommodation at the base of max patch, as well as the logistics of climbing to the summit. Visit max patch on your trip to hot springs or united states.
The appalachian trail follows the crest of the appalachians along the north carolina and tennessee state line. The summit and surrounding area on max patch is the highlight of this hike. Part of the appalachian trail passes through max patch. Coronavirus leads forest service to close appalachian trail. Getting there wasnt bad until we got off the interstate. Long climbs in and out of gaps will test your hiking legs in this popular section of the at. A section of the appalachian trail crosses right over the bald so keep an eye out for rugged looking looking backpackers who are tackling the at trek. View max patch is a highland bald with a 360 degree view of western nc, the great smoky mountains, and eastern tennessee. The trail to the left is a nice gradual ascent to the top of the bald. I hiked a hot 7 miles to max patch, a huge grassy bald with 360 degree views. Max patch mountain is called a bald mountain due to the fact it was cleared back in the 1800s. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from march until november. Aug 27, 2016 what is max patch and how to get there.
Hikers can take an easy stroll along the doe river, or take a challenging hike up to a ridge that offers panoramic views. Good places to hike on the appalachian trail in north. Buy photo rusty and sara booth, of ohio, take in the 360degree mountain view from max patch march 26. Then go 6 miles up a passable dirt road to the max patch parking lot. The summit elevation is just a little over 4,600 hundred feet, and the appalachian trail crosses right over it. Max patch is a bald, the southern appalachian name for a hilltop without a single tree. From the parking area at max patch, the trail starts off going north. Its one of the most spectacular settings youll experience in the blue.
Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee. This amazing area was cleared and used historically as a pasture for cattle and sheep back in the 1800s. Apr 11, 2016 in the 1800s, this area was cleared and used as pasture, creating the bald, and fortunately for us today, the amazing view. Max patch in pisgah national forest, appalachian trail get. The appalachian trail crosses the summit of max patch, about 20 miles west of hot springs at mile 251. Hike max patch trail in winter for great views in north. Max patch mountain via brown gap pisgah national forest. I stopped at the top and made lunch next to some fresh groundhog dirt mounds and kicked off my shoes in the sunshine. Max patch is one of the most popular hiking areas in our region. Max patch short loop hiking trail, marshall, north carolina.
Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina alltrails. Some call it the crown jewel of the appalachian trail, the famous footpath which crosses it at the top. Roan highlands hiking to grassy ridge bald on roan mountain. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easyto moderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. Even after traveling to the maldives, hiking through the agafay desert in morocco, and summiting schrecksee in the german alps max patch still stands out amidst those magical spots maybe its because its the spot michael and i spent our first anniversary of a marriage, the time we met new friends and shared a meal under the. The appalachian trail crosses right over the summit running north and south.