According to my appalachian pages theres no camping other than these areas. 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. Appalachian trail hike max patch to hot springs day 1 starpulp elena says. 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. At an elevation of 4,629 feet, max patch boasts a 360degree view of the appalachian mountains including the blue ridge and the smokies. Mitchell on the east to the great smoky mountains on the south.
Jan 27, 2015 max patch to hot springs backpack shuttle on appalachian trail 12315 thru 12515 posted on january 27, 2015 by hikingman68 no comments this was originally going to be a warm weather hike because hot springs, north carolina is supposed to be an awesome place with activities like rafting, tubing and a cool hostel to name a few. If it werent for her, i never would have accomplished this. From hot springs, nc take highway 209 to meadow fork road also called state road 1175. Appalachian trail max patch to hot springs sweetwilder. Along the way it passes the roaring fork shelter, lemon gap, walnut mountain shelter, garenflo gap, deep park shelter, and a jesuit hostel. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from february until october. Its a scenic drive west from hot springs, and a moderately short adventure to a grassy bald thats drenched in sunshine and covered in wildflowers. 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 next day started with a brutal climb up snowbird mountain and ended on top of max patch, a grassy, rounded mountaintop with a view of tennessee from one side and north carolina from the other.
Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. We had the amazing crew over at bluff mountian outfitters in hot springs, nc shuttle us to the top of max patch. Max patch road to hot springs, nc enjoy panoramic smokies views on blueberry and rhododendronlined trails on the way to french broad river, where relaxing hot springs await. Max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot springs. I hiked 20 miles into hot springs after and amazing night at max patch where i saw the sun set and a stary sky. Max patch to hot springs appalachian trail information. Derek, tony, william, bishop, doug, frank, josh and i had a great weekend on the a. These distances are based on the appalachian trail data book for 2020, a publication of the appalachian trail conservancy, all rights. Good places to hike on the appalachian trail in north. Appalachian trail hike max patch to hot springs day 2. Sep 15, 2015 derek, tony, william, bishop, doug, frank, josh and i had a great weekend on the a. The appalachian trail crosses right over the summit running north and south. This program calculates the approximate walking distance in miles between two points along the appalachian trail.
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 parking lot doug max patch parking lot derek by doug max patch bishop leading the charge max patch derek max patch appalachian trail max patch to hot springs roaring. Max patch to hot springs backpack shuttle on appalachian. I took a day to rest and went to a free hiker feed and listened to a band play. The appalachian trail conservancy is always looking for dedicated volunteers to help maintain the a. The nantahala and pisgah national forests have closed trailheads to the appalachian trail to protect public health and safety during coronavirus pandemic. Today, its a 350acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360degree views. Max patch mountain hot springs, north carolina hiking. From here the trail drops steadily, losing more than 3,000 feet along its 10mile descent into hot springs. From hot springs, drive south on nc 209 for 7 miles.
We drove into town then out toward max patch we stopped first at rocky bluff recreation area to use the restrooms. The smokies were behind me, but most of the trail was still ahead. Appalachian trail hike max patch to hot springs day 1. In between the soaring mountains of the great smokies and the rolling hills of hot springs the a. The appalachian trail crosses the summit of max patch, about 20 miles west of hot springs at mile 251. Find free public parking for hikers along andrews avenue turn right. You can break this up however you like, this is just a general list.
Turn right onto little creek road and yield left along the good gravel road. The elevation of hot springs is 1,326 feet, and by the appalachian trail, is 20 miles from the max patch summit. Simply choose a selection from each of the list boxes below, then click on the submit button. Max patch to hot springs backpack shuttle on appalachian trail 12315 thru 12515 posted on january 27, 2015 by hikingman68 no comments this was originally going to be a warm weather hike because hot springs, north carolina is supposed to be an awesome place with activities like rafting, tubing and a cool hostel to name a few. Theres a large communication station or some kind of large piece of technology on the top of snowbird mountain south of max patch. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Trails heads are well marked, but the drive up the mountain is treacherous. Take 1181 for 2 miles and then turn right onto state road 1182.
Learn more and become a member today by clicking here. The appalachian trail crosses the top of the grassy bald. This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river. Max patch hiking hot springs, nc blue ridge mountain life. Nantahala hiking club nhc the nantahala hiking club nhc is one of 31 volunteer appalachian trail at maintaining clubs of the appalachian trail conservancy. See more ideas about max patch, mountain engagement photos and engagement photos. Enjoy panoramic smokies views on blueberry and rhododendronlined trails on the way to french broad river, where relaxing hot springs.
Appalachian trail max patch to hot springs on hikewnc. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. Lovers leap hike, hot springs, nc romanticasheville. The trail was otherwise non eventful and had few running water sources. The manmade meadow on top of the mountain was once home to large herds of grazing cattle. 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. Hike a scenic alternate route to the ultrapopular max patch mountain. Coronavirus leads forest service to close appalachian trail. 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. 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. Iron horse station is a beautifully restored 19th century hotel. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david.
The hot springs mountain club was formed to build and maintain trails near hot springs, north carolina. Max patch to hot springs whiteblaze appalachian trail. Hiking the max patch appalachian trail the adventurerr. Make a weekend trip from max patch to hot springs n. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch mountain, one of our favorite, cantmiss hikes in north carolina. The appalachian trail follows the crest of the appalachians along the north carolina and tennessee state line.
Planning on going from max patch to hot springs starting at daybreak this friday and arriving sometime saturday. 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. Standing bear to hot springs, nc coronavirus update. Hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. We covered 34 miles from max patch through hot springs up to rich mountain fire tower then finished back down in hot springs. A short hike from the parking area takes you to the top.
Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee. My pace today is pretty good and i hit 18 miles around 4. The appalachian trail passes through the middle of town, and many of the businesses cater to. Mar 28, 2020 the nantahala and pisgah national forests have closed trailheads to the appalachian trail to protect public health and safety during coronavirus pandemic. Im guessing that today, hot springs is better known as a trail town. Before the current pandemic situation a couple buddies and i had the good fortune to set off for a 4day backpacking trip along the appalachian trail in north carolinas pisgah national forest. Turn right onto meadow fork road and continue for 5 miles. Officially finished my first section hike of the appalachian trail.
Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david m allen. If youre coming in from the north, it makes more sense to come via the town of hot springs than i40. We covered 34 miles from max patch through hot springs up to rich mountain fire tower then finished back down in. Max patch is a birding, hiking adventure located in or near hot springs, nc. About 20 minutes to the top by the short trail, 2530 on the longer loop elevation gain.
Mar 18, 2020 my pace today is pretty good and i hit 18 miles around 4. Looks like if we stay near a shelter were gonna have to do like 14 miles the first day then 6 the next or 7 the first day and the next. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from march until november. Max patch and lovers leap, hot springs, nc 932011 we had heard what a great area hot springs, nc was for hiking so we planned a day to explore the area. Standing bear to hot springs, nc coronavirus update the trek. Wildflowers bloom there in the spring and fantastic leaf color can be seen in the fall. Description this long section of trail runs 20 miles from max patch road to the town of hot springs, nc. Oct 29, 2015 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. Incredible high elevation 360 degree scenic views, access to the appalachian trail directions. Rising 4629 feet, max is a rolling, sprawling stretch of mountain meadow that offers plentiful sunshine, incredible views, and an ontopoftheworld feeling. The following day i did a 5 day resupply and headed toward erwin tennessee.
It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina. Apr 30, 2020 max patch mountain engagement photos and wedding pictures in the pisgah national forest in north carolina, overlooking the great smoky mountains. Visit max patch on your trip to hot springs or united states. The appalachian trail passes through the middle of town, and many of the businesses cater to backpackers.
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