This 4,600 foot mountain bald offers acres of wide open clearings with amazing, unobstructed views of surrounding mountains. Sitting on the border of north carolina and tennessee, max patch features 360 views and sits along the appalachian trail. Max patch is one of western north carolinas best kept secrets, and it is located about 40 miles north of asheville in the hot springs area. She spent more than two decades living on the coast in south carolina and currently lives in the mountains of north carolina although she still makes it back to see family in south carolina quite often.
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. About 20 minutes to the top by the short trail, 2530 on the longer loop elevation gain. Among sites now closed include max patch pond, graveyard fields, looking glass falls, catawba falls, and the cradle of forestry in america. With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family and dog. I only wish i could be there for every sunrise and sunset. This particular loop branches just off of the appalachian trail at.
Richland balsam, 8th highest mountain in north carolina. With panoramic views of the great smoky mountains and balsam mountains, it is on the tennessee and north carolina state border. 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. Hot springs, north carolina, population 567 is perhaps best known for its hot mineral springs, but you can certainly find many other things to do. The appalachian trail runs through it, and there are 360 degree views of the surrounding blue ridge mountains.
Max patch mountain is one of the most visited, most photographed, and most wellloved mountaintops on the appalachian trail in the south. While max patch isnt naturally this way it was cleared for grazing in the 1800s it still makes for a more than idyllic getaway. Max patch is a littleknown scenic place in north carolina. Max patchor the patch, as its sometimes simply called in the local areais a magnificent example of a southern appalachian bald, those expansive high clearings dominated either by grasses as in this case or shrubs that make unusual glades in a mountain chain otherwise dominated by forest and too low for a climatically controlled. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. Max patch madison county, north carolina hikers on the at. Visit max patch on your trip to hot springs or united states. The hike up to the top is more than worth the spectacular view. Max patch mountain hot springs, north carolina hiking. Surrounded by the pisgah national forest, hot springs is a haven for. The 20 highest summits of north carolina with at least 160 feet of topographic prominence. These cozy romantic honeymoon cabins are nestled in the western nc mountains, surrounded by pisgah national forest, just off the appalachian trail near lemon gap and max patch.
Its a grassy mountaintop thats feverishly loved by thruhikers on the epiclength at and day hikers alike. The natural beauty and moderate climate of hot springs allows for a beautiful wedding during every season. Our property is very special and we enjoy sharing it with you. Join one of our certified guides for a full day hike to max patch on the appalachian trail, near asheville in the state of north carolina. The manmade meadow on top of the mountain was once home to large herds of grazing cattle. In between the soaring mountains of the great smokies and the rolling hills of hot springs the a. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county.
This village in madison county is located just 40 minutes north of asheville at the junction of the appalachian trail goes right through downtown and the french broad river. In the 1800s, the mountain was cleared and used as pasture. Enjoy walking one of our labyrinths or just wandering in the woods. Max patch is one of the most easily accessible and therefore most visited. Hidden in north carolina is a beautiful slice of nature called max patch. Find a campground in max patch mountain, north carolina, explore nearby outdoor activities, and get inspired for your next trip using rei s camping directory. Max patch trail north carolina mountains forum tripadvisor. Max patch bald on the appalachian trail max patch madison county, north carolina max patch is a bald on the at that provides amazing views and sunsets. Forest service shuts down many popular spots in pisgah. With panoramic views of the great smoky mountains and balsam mountains, it is on the tennessee and north carolina border. Max patch is a yearround favorite among hikers and those seeking a high spot from which to reconnect with mother nature. Max patch via brown gap pisgah national forest, nc. It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina.
Max patch short loop hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. 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 with amazing, unobstructed views of surrounding mountains. Come to the north carolina mountains near max patch and enjoy hiking, waterfalls, or just sitting on the front porch with the one you love. Wildflowers bloom there in the spring and fantastic leaf color can be seen in the fall. Hike max patch mountain, max patch mountain trailhead. Max patch is located high atop the pisgah national forest near hot springs, north carolina. Max patch is a bald, the southern appalachian name for a hilltop without a single tree. This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river. The newfound mountains surround max patch and the bald mountains to the east and southeast. Campgrounds near max patch mountain, north carolina rei. The mountains of western north carolina are a popular location for a destination wedding. Max patchor the patch, as its sometimes simply called in the local areais a magnificent example of a southern appalachian bald, those expansive high clearings dominated either by grasses as in this case or shrubs that make unusual glades in a mountain chain otherwise dominated by forest and too low for a climatically controlled alpine timberline.
The bald, wide, rolling expanses of the mountain rise to the east. Located in the pisgah national forest, max patch is near hot springs, north carolina. Old black, mount kephart, mount guyot and mount chapman, 9th, 16th, 4th and 7th highest mountains respectively in north carolina. Further northeast on clearer days you may be able to spot big bald, the highest peak in the bald mountains. Hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. The regions landscapes have starred in tv and film, and the area is a favorite among culinary travelers and outdoor enthusiasts alike for its adventure, waterfalls and craft beer. 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 appalachian trail crosses the summit of max patch, about 20 miles west of hot springs at mile 251. Bring a picnic, a frisbee or a kite and plan on practicing yoga in the idyllic scenery here near hot springs. Waterrock knob, 12th highest mountain in north carolina.
Several balds exist in the chain, and all offer exceptional vantage in every direction. Mountain magnolia inn in hot springs, nc, is a familyrun mountain inn perfect for romantic getaways, weddings, celebrations, reunions, retreats, and fun family vacations. Max patch mountain is an amazing open bald located about an hour outside of asheville and hot springs, north carolina. Some call it the crown jewel of the appalachian trail, the famous footpath which crosses it at the top. Good places to hike on the appalachian trail in north carolina. Please submit any useful information about climbing max patch that may be useful to other climbers. Intersecting at the top, max patch is referred to as a bald, a southern appalachian term to refer to a hilltop without a single tree. The adventure begins at the lemon gap trailhead on max patch road view maps and driving directions, following the whiteblazed appalachian trail southbound from the border of north carolina and tennessee. The appalachian trail follows the crest of the appalachians along the north carolina and tennessee state line. The hike trails to the northeast, skirting the mountain and beginning a continuous, moderate climb. We met up with brittany, adam and aj in the parking lot and hiked up the mountain to take them to our spot. It is 300 acres of a grassy bald that is 4,629 feet at its highest point, and from which, on clear days, one can see mount mitchell to the east and the great smokies far off in the west.
The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from april until october. A short hike from the parking area takes you to the top. Max patch day hike on the appalachian trail, near asheville, nc. The appalachian trail crosses the top of the grassy bald. Consider things such as access and accommodation at the base of max patch, as well as the logistics of climbing to the summit.
Winds decreasing fresh winds from the s on thu night, light winds from the nne by sat afternoon. 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. While this mountain isnt naturally bald it was cleared for grazing in the nineteenth century, its certainly naturally beautiful. In the 1800s, the mountain was cleared and used as pasture, so its a popular location for. Hike max patch trail in winter for great views in north. Some balds are naturally occurring areas in the mountains where. Nestled in the blue ridge mountains of western north carolina, hot springs is located on the banks the french broad river and spring creek with great locations for swimming. Max patch weather forecast 1411m mountain forecast. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, one of north carolinas most popular at hikes, on a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in wildflowers. At an elevation of 4,629 feet, max patch boasts a 360degree view of the appalachian mountains including the blue ridge and the smokies. Interested in hiking max patch, but the info im finding is a bit confusing in terms of length and difficulty. You can see the smokies and mount mitchell from the top of max patch.
Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee. The bald mountains straddle the nctn border and are visible north, east, and south. The trail rolls elevation through the shady forest, meandering through switchbacks, crossing several small creeks over rustic wooden bridges, and. The bald is not an entirely natural phenomenon, however. It is known for its 360degree views of the surrounding mountains. Catch a gorgeous sunrise, sunset or afternoon picnic on this moderate two mile loop with stunning 360degree views and seemingly endless sunshine. Nc elopement photographer wedding photography asheville. Its one of the most spectacular settings youll experience in the blue ridge. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. Today, its a 350acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360degree views.
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