This cabin experience was far more than we expected to be. Located about 40 minutes from hot springs, nc is max patch mountain, located in. Vacation rental cabin just 4 miles from the max patch bald and the appalachian trail crossing. The trail was otherwise non eventful and had few running water sources. I ended up putting on every article of clothing i had brought and sleeping in that. The hot springs welcome center of madison county is located at 106 bridge street, the main street in hot springs, north carolina. For those in great hiking shape who want a wonderful appalachian trail day hiking experience, this is a perfect route to take. The summit elevation is just a little over 4,600 hundred feet, and the appalachian trail crosses right over it. This is a twonight backpacking trip on the at from max patch to hot springs. The martingale at max patch, hot springs, north carolina.
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 is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina and cocke county, tennessee. Thank you for the detailed info on hiking, waterfalls, etc. Visit max patch on your trip to hot springs or united states. Youll find 11 hotels and other accommodations within a few miles for a convenient home base. Can be used to summit max patch over a much more difficult route than the. From there we will drive to hot springs 262 miles and shuttle to the trail head at max patch. Max patch hot springs 2020 what to know before you go.
Iron horse station is a beautifully restored 19th century hotel. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from march until november. Hiking the max patch appalachian trail the adventurerr. We enjoyed being ourselves, celebrating our honeymoon. Challenging 20 plus mile hike back into town to our car at the trail head. Hidden in north carolina is a beautiful slice of nature called max patch. See photos and hiking guide for max patch bald mountain along the appalachian trail near hot springs and asheville north carolina. In between the soaring mountains of the great smokies and the rolling hills of hot springs the a. Max patch hiking hot springs, nc blue ridge mountain life.
Or follow the appalachian trail from hot springs along the scenic french broad river, climbing to towering heights and beautiful. The view from max patch really cannot be beat it offers 365 degree views of the mountains in all directions, including all the way into smokey mountain national park. Things to do in hot springs nc laughing heart lodge. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david. Today, its a 350acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360degree views. Max patch to hot springs backpack shuttle on appalachian. Max patch and hot springs is a hiking adventure located in or near asheville, nc. It is located directly on the appalachian trail, across the street from the post office and next door to gentry hardware store hours. Im guessing that today, hot springs is better known as a trail town. To get there follow rte 209 out of town, with the smokey mountain diner on your right. After we finished getting our stuff all laid out, we began discussingcomparing gear, collecting fire wood, filling up our water bladders and getting. The manmade meadow on top of the mountain was once home to large herds of grazing cattle. Shuttle to max patch, and hiked back to hot springs perfect day and view for miles high atop max patch. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before you.
Max patch and hot springs, located near asheville, north carolina is a 20. This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river. Max patch mountain is a 4,600 foot bald that provides 360 degree views of the surrounding blue ridge and smoky mountains. See photos and learn more about our max patch hiking adventure. From the parking area you have a choice of going left or right on official trails. 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. While not the tallest peak in the area, its position combined with clear top provide some of the best views available in the blue ridge.
It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina. Sherpa guides north carolina mountains hot springs. The elevation of hot springs is 1,326 feet, and by the appalachian trail, is 20 miles from the max patch summit. The appalachian trail crosses max patch at its 4,629. 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. Native americans were the first to discover the 100plus degree mineral water. The vast majority of the people who visit max patch hike the 2.
Good places to hike on the appalachian trail in north. Water sources were few due to drought, so fill up at every trickle you see. 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. 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. Find free public parking for hikers along andrews avenue turn right. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. 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. My pace today is pretty good and i hit 18 miles around 4. It is a big spacious bald about 45minutes drive from hot springs.
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. From the parking area, go left on the blueblazed trail up an incline until the trail connects with the whiteblazed appalachian trail. If youre looking for a shorter route to the summit, or searching for a quick hike to catch an epic summit sunrise or sunset, follow the 1. The mini max patch hike starts deep in the pisgah national forest near hot springs. This is a steep forest trail with rock outcrops and tight switchbacks. The appalachian trail crosses the summit of max patch, about 20 miles west of hot springs at mile 251. Great place to sit and enjoy the sounds of the rushing water, and to take some photos. 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. We had the amazing crew over at bluff mountian outfitters in hot springs, nc shuttle us to the top of max patch. We will meet friday, may 11 at the harris teeter in chapel hill exit 266 off of rte 40 where we will set up our carpool. Max patch hiking trail asheville the adventure collective. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david m allen. And then, because we were lazy, and partly because we enjoyed hot springs so much that we wanted to end the hike there, we shuttled down to max patch and hiked back, thus avoiding a killer southbound climb leaving hot springs. The bald, wide, rolling expanses of the mountain rise to the east.
Max patch to hot springs appalachian trail information. The hike trails to the northeast, skirting the mountain and beginning a continuous, moderate climb. I surprisingly fell asleep quickly only to wake a few hours later freezing. Hike max patch mountain, max patch mountain trailhead. North carolina mountains the newfound mountains hot springs hot springs fig. The trail climbs max patch on log steps carved into the hillside and then crosses the grass to the broad summit of the mountain. Catch up with day one once in my tent, i snuggled up in my sleeping bag and used my pack as my pillow. Hot springs, nc is noted for its healing mineral springs and scenic mountain setting. It was the only high elevation, openbald hiking we would have for the entire trail. We loved max patch, hot springs and the stars at night. The weather at max patch was like a blizzard with blowing fine snow at wind speeds that discouraged a few. Max patch to hot springs fall backpacking strenuous. Then, walk over max patch and as soon as you leave the bald and get back in the woods theres camping for about at least 20 tents. Geothermal hot springs have been used by humans for centuries.
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. Heading left the trail follows an old logging road along the wooded west slope of max patch. The appalachian trail crosses right over the summit running north and south. Max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot springs. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n.
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 is located in an area of hot springs that travelers like for its hiking and horseback riding. The appalachian trail passes through the middle of town, and many of the businesses cater to backpackers. See photos and hiking guide for max patch bald mountain along the appalachian trail near hot springs and asheville north carolina in pisgah national. Step back in time to when water parks we filled with families having fun, instead of colossal slides and zip lines. Aside from the gsmnp, this section of the appalachian trail was some of the most enjoyable. Mitchell on the east to the great smoky mountains on the south. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easytomoderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. Top 10 hotels closest to max patch in hot springs from. Yep hiking north you can grab water just after you cross the road and start up max patch. 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. Appalachian trail hike max patch to hot springs day 2. The only problem is that its hard, compacted dirt and turns to.
Located about 40 minutes from hot springs, nc is max patch mountain, located in pisgah national forest. Max path area in pisgah national forest, near the nctn border. The appalachian trail follows the crest of the appalachians along the north carolina and tennessee state line. Michael and i plan to cache water near garenflo gap, but be prepared to carry enough water for yourself on the trail saturday. Hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. At approximately 20 miles in distance with a couple of shelters along the way to hot springs, this is a popular section for backpackers.
1438 986 1088 1528 881 1473 1395 371 168 1507 1493 1275 249 583 343 854 1158 1269 1264 1290 1187 433 949 1323 122 237 1273 356 979 1221