A short hike from the parking area takes you to the top. While max patch isnt naturally this way it was cleared for grazing in the 1800s it. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before you. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Max patch hike the appalachian trail at max patch, one of north carolina s most popular at hikes, on a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in wildflowers. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison. Well worth the detour, the hike to the top is part of a small loop that is well marked. Max patch is an iconic, grassy bald near the north carolinatennessee border reached by an easy hike up the last bit of the mountain from a forest service parking lot or via the appalachian trail, which crosses the bald. The appalachian trail crosses right over the summit running north and south. At an elevation of 4,629 feet, max patch boasts a 360degree view of the appalachian mountains including the blue ridge and the smokies. A short trail takes you up quickly to the summit with its spectacular 360degree views. This particular loop branches just off of the appalachian trail at. Hike across max patch bald in pisgah national forest on the appalachian trail near asheville.
National forests in north carolina max patch usda forest service. While this mountain isnt naturally bald it was cleared for grazing in the nineteenth century, its certainly naturally beautiful. Opensky camping across north carolina our state magazine. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. You can pack chairs up and set up there all day if youd like. Make a weekend trip from max patch to hot springs n. To get here you just have to drive on a gravel road for a bit, but once you get to the parking lot, its only a little over a mile to get up to the summit of max patch mountain where youll get gorgeous 360 degree views of north carolina and tennessee. We are drawn to the majesty of max patch a gorgeous bald in madison county, 4,600 feet above sea level, where forest ends and 350 acres of open land begin to gather lifechanging memories. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee. In the mountains of north carolina, you dont have to climb very high to see the stars. Max patch mountain part of the pisgah national forest is a bald mountain roughly equidistant from knoxville, tn and asheville, nc about a 1. Max patch mountain, simply known as max patch, is hands down one of the most beautiful summits in the southeast. You can see the smokies and mount mitchell from the top of max patch. Smoky mountains to the southwest and the bald mountains to the northeast.
A little known place in north carolina thats perfect to get away from it all. Max patch mountain in nc boasts a 360degree view of the appalachian mountains including the. Good places to hike on the appalachian trail in north carolina. I only wish i could be there for every sunrise and sunset. 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 trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. Max patch is a littleknown scenic place in north carolina. Mitchell on the east to the great smoky mountains on the south. From the parking area at max patch, the trail starts off going north. 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 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. At 4629 feet elevation, max patch is not the highest summit in its immediate vicinity, but. On top youre standing on a bald mountain so be prepared for a breeze.
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. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina alltrails. With a 300acre field of masters tournamentquality grass capping its rounded, 4,629foothigh summit, max patch begs for loungers. The bald is not an entirely natural phenomenon, however. Max patch, at hike hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. In fact, one of the best spots for stargazing is max patch mountain, a 4,629foot bald summit on the north carolinatennessee border called the crown jewel of the appalachian trail.
Our family finally experienced hiking to max patch bald and it was everything we had hoped for. It is a 6 mile drive down a maintained but bumpy u. 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. The appalachian trail and bartram trail cross at wayah bald. Max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot springs. It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina. The appalachian trail crosses max patch and is three miles away as the crow flies, about a 1520 minute drive. Max patch, a bald mountain on the north carolina tennessee border, is popular for the 360 degree panoramic view of the appalachian mountains. 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. Today, its a 350acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360degree views. Max patch is a birding, hiking adventure located in or near hot springs, nc. This easy and beautiful hike at max patch should be added to your north carolina winter bucket list this year. Hidden in north carolina is a beautiful slice of nature called max patch. Making blue ridge memories on max patch our state magazine.
The carolina mountain club trail maintenance crew members, the appalachian trail conservancy, the pisgah national forest appalachian ranger district, rei, and farm to feet are partnering to offer a unique opportunity to spend the day assisting in the rehabilitation of the at as it traverses max patch bald in the pisgah national forest. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easytomoderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. Max patch is a grassed bald with amazing 360 degree views into the great smokies, a great place for a sunset picnic or the jumping off point for a day hike along the appalachian trail. At thruhikers often oblige, saying its one of the finest rest spots on the entire trail, and so do readers like michael wright, who hikes the 2. Catch a gorgeous sunrise, sunset or afternoon picnic on this moderate two mile loop with stunning 360degree views and seemingly endless sunshine. My favorite spot on the southern 300 miles of the appalachian trail.
The wayah bald observation tower is located at the areas highest point 5,385 feet. The trail rolls elevation through the shady forest, meandering through switchbacks, crossing several small creeks over rustic wooden. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, one of north carolinas most popular at hikes, on a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in wildflowers. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina and cocke county, tennessee. Camping at max patch, north carolina all you need to know max patch is still one of the most magical places ive visited. Sitting just inside north carolina along the boundary with tennessee, the. At 4,629 feet this bald offers 360degree vistas of mount mitchell to the east and great. Max patch, pisgah national forest carolina outdoors guide. Max patch is one of the most easily accessible and therefore most visited.
Max patch perfection hidden in north carolina is a beautiful slice of nature called max patch. At the 4,629foot summit, the hiker is rewarded by a large expanse and a 360degree view of the mountains beyond. This 4,600 foot mountain bald offers acres of wide open clearings with amazing, unobstructed views of surrounding mountains. Hike max patch trail in winter for great views in north. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easyto moderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. Play, picnic or practice yoga on this appalachian bald. It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the max patch, appalachian trail, nc left a little bit of my heart there the time i visited. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina. Even after traveling to the maldives, hiking through the agafay desert in morocco, and summiting schrecksee in the german alps. Several balds exist in the chain, and all offer exceptional vantage in every direction. Forest service, appalachian trail conservancy and others will reveal a.
Wildflowers bloom there in the spring and fantastic leaf color can be seen in the fall. The hike up is very easy, something the whole family can enjoy. 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. It is a highlight of the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail. Max patch in pisgah national forest gets national trails. Max patch mountain is a mountain summit in madison county in the state of north carolina nc. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. Max patch is a bald, the southern appalachian name for a hilltop without a single tree. Review highlights max patch perfection hidden in north carolina is a beautiful slice of nature called max patch.
Welcome to north carolina appalachian trail conservancy. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in wildflowers, and one of north carolinas most popular at hikes. Here are the top 3 things we loved about the hike to max patch. Camping at max patch, north carolina, all you need to know. The sky there is so big that if feels like its twice the size. Sitting on the border of north carolina and tennessee, max patch features 360 views and sits along the appalachian trail. There is a parking area near the top of the bald where you can park and walk the approximately 14 mile trail to the summit.
Max patch mountain in north carolina has been on our hiking bucket list forever, both because of its famed beauty and because we heard it was great for little legs. Fishing in max patch pond, madison county, north carolina. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county. My husband and i actually took us a blanket, food and had us a lovely picnic. Wayah bald is a highaltitude treeless open area in nantahala national forest, near franklin, 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, pisgah national forest max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county. 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 appalachian trail crosses the summit of max patch, about 20 miles west of hot springs at mile 251.
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