Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before you. The road to get there is not marked well at all, but once you do arrive its pretty easy to know you are in the right spot. Max patch to hot springs backpack shuttle on appalachian. 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. I hiked 20 miles into hot springs after and amazing night at max patch where i saw the sun set and a stary sky. If youre coming in from the north, it makes more sense to come via the town of hot springs than i40. Come enjoy hot springs, nc and leave in a better state of mind. Find free public parking for hikers along andrews avenue turn right. Hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. Or hike the scenic route to max patch, following the appalachian trail from lemon gap on a tenmile adventure through a stream and wilflower. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from march until november.
Max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot springs. Appalachian trail hike max patch to hot springs day 1 starpulp elena says. Max patch is a birding, hiking adventure located in or near hot springs, nc. The appalachian trail passes through the middle of town, and many of the businesses cater to backpackers. Max patch road to hot springs or other hot springs, north carolina hiking trails. This 4,600foot mountain was cleared and used as pasture in the 1800s. Good places to hike on the appalachian trail in north. I took a day to rest and went to a free hiker feed and listened to a band play. About 20 minutes to the top by the short trail, 2530 on the longer loop elevation gain. About 20 minutes to the top by the short trail, 2530 on the longer loop.
Max patch to groundhog creek shelter blazing trails with. This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river. Coronavirus leads forest service to close appalachian. 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. Max patch is a local favorite in the southwest mountains of north carolina it is one of the mostvisited peaks in the area. 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. This trail has panoramic views from open fields of max patch, follows both trail and old road. The appalachian trail crosses right over the summit running north and south. We drove into town then out toward max patch we stopped first at rocky bluff recreation area to use the restrooms. Its one of the most spectacular settings youll experience in the blue. Max patch hiking hot springs, nc blue ridge mountain life.
Before the world was forever changed max, joey and i spent 4 days backpacking along the appalachian trail in ncs pisgah national forest. Highlights included max patch, bluff mountain, hot springs, french broad river, lovers leap and rich mountain fire tower. Meet at bluff mountain outfitters in hot springs for shuttle. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch mountain, one of our favorite, cantmiss hikes in north carolina. Popular access sites are affected by these changes include max patch and roan mountaincarvers gap, both in the cherokee and pisgah national forests, lovers leap in hot springs, and wayah bald and. Hike a short twomile adventure through town and along the rivers banks, and to the summit of lovers leap, a rocky precipice that offers beautiful views of the french broad and the town of hot springs. Appalachian trail section hike day 1 max patch to bluff mountain duration. Max patch trail, north carolina, hot springs, north carolina.
Today, its a 350acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360degree views. There are plenty of golf courses for the golf enthusiasts. 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. Lunch on top of max patch and ended the day at walnut mtn shelter. 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. Lovers leap hike, hot springs, nc romanticasheville. 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. Turn right onto little creek road and yield left along the good gravel road. Appalachian trail section hike day 1 max patch to bluff mountain. From hot springs, drive south on nc 209 for 7 miles. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. Theres a large communication station or some kind of large piece of technology on the top of snowbird mountain south of max patch. We covered 34 miles from max patch through hot springs up to rich mountain fire tower then finished back down in hot springs. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is accessible yearround.
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. It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina. My favorite is to hike from the lower loop of max patch to lemon gap and resting at the roaring fork shelter for lunch. Make a weekend trip from max patch to hot springs n. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david.
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. Mar 28, 2020 popular access sites are affected by these changes include max patch and roan mountaincarvers gap, both in the cherokee and pisgah national forests, lovers leap in hot springs, and wayah bald and. The appalachian trail crosses the top of the grassy bald. Hiking the max patch appalachian trail the adventurerr. At an elevation of 4,629 feet, max patch boasts a 360degree view of the appalachian mountains including the blue ridge and the smokies. 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. 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. Appalachian trail hike max patch to hot springs day 1. With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family and dog. Appalachian trail hike max patch to hot springs day 2. From here the trail drops steadily, losing more than 3,000 feet along its 10mile descent into hot springs. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david m allen. The mini max patch hike starts deep in the pisgah national forest near hot springs.
Head north and the road almost immediately becomes gravel. Hike to max patch, swim at the bottom of a waterfall called rattlesnake gap a local favorite, fish in the local stocked pond or venture off the mountain for a gourmet meal at the sweet onion in downtown waynesville, or enjoy all that asheville has to offer. Enjoy panoramic smokies views on blueberry and rhododendronlined trails on the way to french broad river, where relaxing hot springs. 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. The following day i did a 5 day resupply and headed toward erwin tennessee. Day 3 lunch at bluff mtn summit and walked into hot springs around 5 p. From the parking area, go left on the blueblazed trail up an incline until the trail connects with the whiteblazed appalachian trail.
We covered about 34 miles and experienced nearly every form of weather imaginable. We had the amazing crew over at bluff mountian outfitters in hot springs, nc shuttle us to the top of max patch. This is a steep forest trail with rock outcrops and tight switchbacks. You can break this up however you like, this is just a general list. 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. 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 elevation of hot springs is 1,326 feet, and by the appalachian trail, is 20 miles from the max patch summit.
Turn right onto meadow fork road and continue for 5 miles. Im guessing that today, hot springs is better known as a trail town. Hike max patch mountain, max patch mountain trailhead. Max patch mountain is a 4,600 foot bald that provides 360 degree views of the surrounding blue ridge and smoky mountains.
Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. Coronavirus leads forest service to close appalachian trail. Turn right and follow the at up a short but steep distance to the summit. The good folks at bluff mountain outfitters can shuttle you to dp gap from hot springs so you can walk to your car. Appalachian trail section hike video trip report max. Highgrass and wildflowers along your entire journey.
Located about 40 minutes from hot springs, nc is max patch mountain, located in pisgah national forest. The trail climbs max patch on log steps carved into the hillside and then crosses the grass to the broad summit of the mountain. Wildflowers bloom there in the spring and fantastic leaf color can be seen in the fall. Mitchell on the east to the great smoky mountains on the south. The appalachian trail passes through the middle of town, and many of the businesses cater to. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. I donned my pack, grabbed my trekking poles, and headed up the loop trail. Max patch trail, north carolina hot springs, north. Then we hiked 21 miles to hot springs back to our car which was parked in hot springs.
Max patch mountain hot springs, north carolina hiking. We met at hot springs the night before our backpack so as to get an early start the next day. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee. Section hike question davenport gap, tn to 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. Apr 11, 2016 located about 40 minutes from hot springs, nc is max patch mountain, located in pisgah national forest. The meet up we met at hot springs the night before our backpack so as to get an early start the next day. Nov 08, 2016 we had the amazing crew over at bluff mountian outfitters in hot springs, nc shuttle us to the top of max patch. After completing this hike, i have now completed the at all the way from amicalola falls to hot springs, or 274. The trip to the parking lot at max patch takes about an hour from hot springs. This usually wellgraded road climbs steadily but never steeply 6.
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