The appalachian trail follows the crest of the appalachians along the north carolina and tennessee state line. The mountain views from the more barren patch are spectacular. Max patch in pisgah national forest, appalachian trail get. Later on, in the 1920s, the peak even served as a landing strip for pilots who gave air tours of the peak and surrounding area. Mixed forest, potential oldgrowth areas within the roadless areas and extensive earlysuccession habitats make this a diverse site. Nov 04, 2015 max patch is a high grassy bald located on the tennessee north carolina state line. View more property details, sales history and zestimate data on zillow. A bald is a mountaintop covered by thick grasses or shrubs, instead of a heavy forest. Max patch mountain in nc boasts a 360degree view of the appalachian mountains including the blue ridge and the smokies. It is a 6 mile drive down a maintained but bumpy u. In a region home to almost 40 peaks over 6000 feet, max patch stands a humble 4629. This particular loop branches just off of the appalachian trail at. Max patch mountain will cool you down as temperatures tend to be 1015 lower than in the valley.
Well worth the detour, the hike to the top is part of a small loop that is well marked. Hiking on top max patch mountain with my fiance and my puppy. Volunteer members of the carolina mountain club have rehabilitated the popular max patch area and the. 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. Some drizzle, heaviest during wed nightfreezethaw conditions max c on thu morning, min 1c on mon nightwinds decreasing strong winds from the nw on mon night, light winds from the wnw by tue morning. You can visit for a picnic or take a allday trek up the trail. Stay off the appalachian trail as access points are. 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.
Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county. Today, its a 350acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360degree views. We are drawn to the majesty of max patch a gorgeous bald in. Max patch is a bald, the southern appalachian name for a hilltop without a single tree. Hidden in north carolina is a beautiful slice of nature called max patch.
Climbing photos at max patch uploaded by users of mountain. The hike up to the top is more than worth the spectacular. Max patch mountain was cleared of trees back in the 1800s so it could be used as pasture for cattle and sheep. Max patch mountain, madison county, north carolina tenting. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david m allen. Mitchell on the east to the great smoky mountains on the south. Make sure you have good directions, dont think your gps will work here. While max patch isnt naturally this way it was cleared for grazing in the 1800s it still makes for a more than idyllic getaway.
At 4629 feet elevation, max patch is not the highest summit in its immediate vicinity, but this grassy bald. Max patch history there were some abandoned tourist cabins near the crest, and most interesting to me, there was a landing field and a. Max patch short loop running trail, marshall, north carolina. It was once forested, but legend has it that indians burned it, apparently for visibility. From over the misty blue hills, by ruth webb odell page 37 max patch, a mountain airport, is named for a family of mcmahans who once owned the peak. Although there are variations in the story and features between the three locations, each installation begins with a peaceful outdoor. This beautiful bald lies on the nctn border and is a favorite spot amongst at thruhikers. Internet, tv, parking, no smoking, heater bedrooms. The hike trails to the northeast, skirting the mountain and beginning a continuous, moderate climb. Make a weekend trip from max patch to hot springs n. If weather permits i would recommend this location to anyone as an ideal day hike or even an better place to camp but be sure to practice leavenotrace guidelines as this is a very popular. Geological survey publishes a set of the most commonly used topographic maps of the u.
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. Bring a picnic, a frisbee or a kite and plan on practicing yoga in the idyllic scenery here near hot springs. This amazing area was cleared and used historically as a pasture for cattle and sheep back in the 1800s. In the 1920s, a small airstrip on top of the mountain was used to take tourists up to view the area.
Hike max patch mountain, max patch mountain trailhead. All later geographical results follow this spelling. It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina. Can be used to summit max patch over a much more difficult route. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easyto moderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. In the 1920s, there was even a landing strip for airplanes offering thrill rides. In between the soaring mountains of the great smokies and the rolling hills of hot springs the a. Max patch, north carolina, united states facts, photos, maps, weather, trip reports, and links. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround.
Max patch mountain is covered by the lemon gap, nc us topo map quadrant. I was intrigued so i started looking around for some info on the history of max patch. Max patch, appalachian trail get a whole new look with muchneeded rehab and repair. Splash mountain is a log flume at disneyland, tokyo disneyland, and the magic kingdom at the walt disney world resort, based on the characters, stories, and songs from the 1946 disney film song of the south. Weather for max patch at weather and snow national weather service forecast noaa snow depth map ascent info total successful ascents logged by registered users.
The appalachian trail crosses right over the summit running north and south. While this mountain isnt naturally bald it was cleared for grazing in the nineteenth century, its certainly naturally beautiful. Max patch short loop hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. Endless ridges and peaks fill in the panorama everywhere else. Forested max patch was first cleared in the 1800s and used as pasture for sheep and cattle. Max patch mountain part of the pisgah national forest is a bald mountain roughly equidistant from knoxville, tn and asheville, nc about a 1.
To the east, 50 miles distant, rises the dark ridgeline of the black mountains. The unaka, black, great balsam, plott balsam, and great smoky mountain ranges are home to the highest peaks in the east and can all be seen from max patch. Forest service and encompassing some 655,598 acres 2,653. Max patch is a local favorite in the southwest mountains of north carolina. At 4629 feet elevation, max patch is not the highest summit in its immediate vicinity, but this grassy bald is certainly one of the prettiest. View 21 photos for 5922 max patch rd, clyde, nc 28721 a 3 bed, 1 bath, 1,036 sq. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, one of north carolinas most popular at hikes, on a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in wildflowers. Catch a gorgeous sunrise, sunset or afternoon picnic on this moderate two mile loop with stunning 360degree views and seemingly endless sunshine. Max patch mountain is covered by the lemon gap, nc us. The bald, wide, rolling expanses of the mountain rise to the east. 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 is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from april until october. At 4629 feet, it provides a sweeping vista of the entire area, including the black mountains to the east, the. The manmade meadow on top of the mountain was once home to large herds of grazing cattle.
Although there are variations in the story and features between the three locations, each installation begins with a peaceful outdoor floatthrough that leads to indoor. Weather for max patch at mountain weather and snow national weather service forecast noaa snow depth map ascent info total successful ascents logged by registered users. Max patch, at hike hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before.
The carolina mountain club maintains the popular hiking area, max patch, a large grassy bald near the north carolinatennessee border. Since then there has been homestead, a logging mill, and an air strip on the mountain. Max patch is a mountain on the tennessee north carolina border. Cherokee national forest the cherokee national forest is a large national forest created on june 14, 1920 and managed by the u. Max patch weather forecast 1411m mountain forecast. I found some info saying that the mountain was cleared for grazing in the 1800s and was later used as an air strip for tourists, and later even some air shows before it was transferred to the usfs. Take exist 24 off i40, climb to max patch by gravel road, once at the parking, just a short hike to one of the most incredible views you will ever see. Max patch mountain topo map in madison county, north carolina. Max patch is a high grassy bald located on the tennessee north carolina state line. Hike across the grassy summit with 360degree mountain views all around. In addition to snow history, you can also view the mountains base depth by selecting it from the dropdown.
Max patch history there were some abandoned tourist cabins near the crest, and most interesting to me, there was a landing field and a sign indicating it was the highest landing field in the east. Max patch mountain, madison county, north carolina hiking. National forest in north carolina, georgia, tennessee, virginia. But, i havent been able to come up with anything solid. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in wildflowers, and one of north carolinas most popular at hikes. Hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. A short walk will take you to the top of max patch. Jun 07, 2018 max patch, appalachian trail get a whole new look with muchneeded rehab and repair. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee. History deserves to be remembered recommended for you. He brushed mountain soil from his hands and started hiking up to see.
A journey to higher elevations on the summit of 4,629. Regardless, it is one of the mostvisited peaks in the area. Max patch mountain at 4,629 feet is not close to being the tallest peak in the region, but you are surrounded by countless 5,000 and 6,000foot peaks in every direction. Max patch is a littleknown scenic place in north carolina. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina alltrails. Fall, colors last a month or more fall in hot springs. But a very nice hike into the wilderness from there, including an overnight rest stop at one point. Max patch mountain closed north carolina alltrails. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. Some call it the crown jewel of the appalachian trail, the famous footpath which crosses it at the top. Exploring max patch mountain december 18, 2016 december 20, 2016 harolorenzo adventure, lifestyle, max patch, road trip, travel living just outside of chattanooga, tennessee has afforded me with several opportunities to. Sitting just inside north carolina along the boundary with tennessee, the mountain is considered by some to be the crown jewel of the appalachian trail.
Its one of the most spectacular settings youll experience in the blue. With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family and dog. This is a steep forest trail with rock outcrops and tight switchbacks. This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river. Several grassy balds extend from max patch northward to the bald mountains roadless areas.