Max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot springs. Located about 40 minutes from hot springs, nc is max patch mountain, located in pisgah national forest. The at and max patch trail continue straight climbing the mountain. The trail was otherwise non eventful and had few running water sources. Hiking the max patch appalachian trail the adventurerr. 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. We had the amazing crew over at bluff mountian outfitters in hot springs, nc shuttle us to the top of max patch. 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. Come enjoy hot springs, nc and leave in a better state of mind. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from march until november. Best hiking trails near hot springs, north carolina.
The appalachian trail passes through the middle of town, and many of the businesses cater to backpackers. Hot springs, located in the mountains of western north carolina and cuddled along the banks of spring creek and the french broad river, is a town rich in history and beaming with natural charm. If you wish to prolong your journey, there is the option of taking the buckeye ridge trail back to the parking lot instead of continuing on the max patch mountain loop trail. Creekside, private cottage offers outdoor hot tub and indoor jacuzzi garden tub. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. In between the soaring mountains of the great smokies and the rolling hills of hot springs the a. The elevation of hot springs is 1,326 feet, and by the appalachian trail, is 20 miles from the max patch summit. You can break this up however you like, this is just a general list. Max patch and hot springs is a hiking adventure located in or near asheville, nc. Mitchell on the east to the great smoky mountains on the south. Max patch is a birding, hiking adventure located in or near hot springs, nc. Theres a large communication station or some kind of large piece of technology on the top of snowbird mountain south of max patch. Max patch mountain is a 4,600 foot bald that provides 360 degree views of the surrounding blue ridge and smoky mountains. Along the way it passes the roaring fork shelter, lemon gap, walnut mountain shelter, garenflo gap, deep park shelter, and a jesuit hostel.
Standing bear to hot springs, nc coronavirus update. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david. At an elevation of 4,629 feet, max patch boasts a 360degree view of the appalachian mountains including the blue ridge and the smokies. This is a steep forest trail with rock outcrops and tight switchbacks.
Hikes are moderate to easy there is something for everyone easy access to trails great fishing pond it. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee. Rising 4629 feet, max is a rolling, sprawling stretch of mountain meadow that offers plentiful sunshine, incredible views, and an ontopoftheworld feeling. The appalachian trail crosses the summit of max patch, about 20 miles west of hot springs at mile 251.
With more than 3 hot springs trails covering 26 miles, youre bound to find a perfect trail like the arkansas river trail or hot springs creek greenway trail. Planning on going from max patch to hot springs starting at daybreak this friday and arriving sometime saturday. According to my appalachian pages theres no camping other than these areas. Highlights include max patch, roaring fork shelter. Max patch short loop hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. Explore the best trails in hot springs, arkansas on traillink. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch mountain, one of our favorite, cantmiss hikes in north carolina. About 20 minutes to the top by the short trail, 2530 on the longer loop elevation gain. Shortly after passing through this intersection the at leaves the forest behind and climbs up log stairs on the way to the summit. 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. With more than 12 hot springs trails covering 48 miles, youre bound to find a perfect trail like the erwin linear trail or tweetsie trail. 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. 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.
Find free public parking for hikers along andrews avenue turn right. Developed recreation areas are closed, as are trailheads on the appalachian trail. Fortunately, there is an easy loop trail that goes from the parking lot to the mountain summit and back. 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 weather forecast 1411m mountain forecast.
Internet, air conditioning, hot tub, pets welcome, tv, satellite or cable, children welcome, parking, no smoking, heater bedrooms. Description this long section of trail runs 20 miles from max patch road to the town of hot springs, nc. Lovers leap hike, hot springs, nc romanticasheville. Max patch is one of the most popular hiking areas in our region. Make a weekend trip from max patch to hot springs n. Winds decreasing strong winds from the nw on mon night, light winds from the wnw by tue morning. The appalachian trail crosses the top of the grassy bald. Good places to hike on the appalachian trail in north. 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. Explore the best trails in hot springs, north carolina on traillink. The appalachian trail follows the crest of the appalachians along the north carolina and tennessee state line. The manmade meadow on top of the mountain was once home to large herds of grazing cattle. The trail climbs max patch on log steps carved into the hillside and then crosses the grass to the broad summit of the mountain.
Can be used to summit max patch over a much more difficult route than the. Lemon gap to max patch hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river. The max patch loop trail encircles the base connecting to the sr 1182 parking lot and the buckeye ridge trail 304.
Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. My pace today is pretty good and i hit 18 miles around 4. Max patch mountain hot springs, north carolina hiking. Max patch to hot springs backpack shuttle on appalachian. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina.
Wildflowers bloom there in the spring and fantastic leaf color can be seen in the fall. 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. We met at hot springs the night before our backpack so as to get an early start the next day. Directions take exit 7 on interstate 40 and head east on gravel cold spring road, usfs 148, for six miles, then left north on nc sr 1182 to intersection with a. Max patch hiking hot springs, nc blue ridge mountain life. Max patch to hot springs appalachian trail information. Either way, this is one of the souths most scenic sections of the at, and it is well worth your. Visit max patch on your trip to hot springs or united states.
The most popular trails are max patch trail, lovers leap loop trail and max patch trail. 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. The usfs has closed some popular trails in our area, including lovers leap, max patch loop, laurel river and pump gap loop. It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina.
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