Hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. 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. Enjoy panoramic smokies views on blueberry and rhododendronlined trails on the way to french broad river, where relaxing hot springs await. Today, its a 350acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360degree views. 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.
Iron horse station is a beautifully restored 19th century hotel. The summit and surrounding area on max patch is the highlight of this hike. Or hike the scenic route to max patch, following the appalachian trail from lemon gap on a tenmile adventure through a stream and wilflower. Each trail has its own printable page with all the information and links, including where available. I am hoping to do an overnight trip from max patch to hot springs over the memorial day weekend 2018 and needing a place to leave my vehicle in hot springs and get a shuttle to max patch. The appalachian trail on max patch max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot springs. It was the only high elevation, openbald hiking we would have for the entire trail until we got to. The last 3 miles of the hike were entirely downhill.
Trails in the hot springs trailhead area here is a list of all trails in the hot springs trailhead area. Or hike the scenic route to max patch, following the appalachian trail from lemon gap on a tenmile adventure through a stream and wilflowerfilled forest. The appalachian trail conservancy is always looking for dedicated volunteers to help maintain the a. Hiking along this part of the appalachian trail leads to the top of a 4,600foot mountain where you can see mount mitchell to the east and the great smoky mountains to the south. Aside from the gsmnp, this section of the appalachian trail was some of the most enjoyable. Make a weekend trip from max patch to hot springs n. This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river. The summit elevation is just a little over 4,600 hundred feet, and the appalachian trail crosses right over it.
Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. At an elevation of 4,629 feet, max patch boasts a 360degree view of the appalachian mountains including the blue ridge and the smokies. 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. The appalachian trail passes through the middle of town, and many of the businesses cater to.
The following day i did a 5 day resupply and headed toward erwin tennessee. 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. The appalachian trail conservancys mission is to preserve and manage the appalachian trail ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. Description this long section of trail runs 20 miles from max patch road to the town of hot springs, nc. The appalachian trail crosses the summit of max patch, about 20 miles west of hot springs at mile 251. These distances are based on the appalachian trail data book for 2020, a publication of the appalachian trail conservancy, all rights. We had the amazing crew over at bluff mountian outfitters in hot springs, nc shuttle us to the top of max patch. Hiking the max patch appalachian trail the adventurerr. The elevation of hot springs is 1,326 feet, and by the appalachian trail, is 20 miles from the max patch summit. Planning on going from max patch to hot springs starting at daybreak this friday and arriving sometime saturday. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from march until november.
Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david m allen. Mar 18, 2020 my pace today is pretty good and i hit 18 miles around 4. Max patch hiking hot springs, nc blue ridge mountain life. Sep 15, 2015 derek, tony, william, bishop, doug, frank, josh and i had a great weekend on the a.
If you are someone in hot springs that can provide this service or know someone or hostel owners in hot springs that can provide this please reply. See photos and hiking guide for max patch bald mountain along the appalachian trail near hot springs and asheville north carolina in pisgah national. This program calculates the approximate walking distance in miles between two points along the appalachian trail. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch mountain, one of our favorite, cantmiss hikes in north carolina. Trails heads are well marked, but the drive up the mountain is treacherous. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina alltrails. Along the way it passes the roaring fork shelter, lemon gap, walnut mountain shelter, garenflo gap, deep park shelter, and a jesuit hostel. 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. Simply choose a selection from each of the list boxes below, then click on the submit button. Mitchell on the east to the great smoky mountains on the south.
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. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easy to moderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. 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 birding, hiking adventure located in or near hot springs, nc. As soon as we made it back to the trail, we ran into a new friend. Enjoy panoramic smokies views on blueberry and rhododendronlined trails on the way to french broad river, where relaxing hot springs. The hot springs mountain club was formed to build and maintain trails near hot springs, north carolina. Apr 27, 2019 i hiked 20 miles into hot springs after and amazing night at max patch where i saw the sun set and a stary sky. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david.
Calculate the exact distance between any two points located along the appalachian trail at. Before the current pandemic situation a couple buddies and i had the good fortune to set off for a 4day backpacking trip along the appalachian trail in north carolinas pisgah national forest. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. 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. Max patch loop via appalachian trail 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. Appalachian trail section hike video trip report max. 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. The appalachian trail crosses right over the summit running north and south. Im guessing that today, hot springs is better known as a trail town.
I took a day to rest and went to a free hiker feed and listened to a band play. Learn more and become a member today by clicking here. From the south, the trail enters the edge of town from the base of deer park mountain and literally runs down the main street for about a mile before climbing out of the river valley up lovers leap mountain. The appalachian trail passes through the middle of town, and many of the businesses cater to backpackers. We covered 34 miles from max patch through hot springs up to rich mountain fire tower then finished back down in hot springs. The appalachian trail crosses the top of the grassy bald. Visit the vermont state parks covid19 updates page for more information. Hot springs, nc the only town in north carolina where the appalachian trail travels directly through town. Be forewarned the curvy, partly dirt road from hot springs to the max patch parking lot is challenging, but well worth the effort. Wildflowers bloom there in the spring and fantastic leaf color can be seen in the fall. Appalachian trail hike max patch to hot springs day 1. Standing bear to hot springs, nc coronavirus update the trek.
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. A short hike from the parking area takes you to the top. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. Mar 28, 2020 the nantahala and pisgah national forests have closed trailheads to the appalachian trail to protect public health and safety during coronavirus pandemic. Appalachian trail long trail and side trails on state land closed 472020 as of april 3, the appalachian trail long trail and side trails on state lands are closed by the vermont department of forests, parks, and recreation. Good places to hike on the appalachian trail in north. Hike a scenic alternate route to the ultrapopular max patch mountain. Appalachian trail max patch to hot springs sweetwilder. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. Coronavirus leads forest service to close appalachian trail. 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.
The trail was otherwise non eventful and had few running water sources. Jun 11, 2017 the spiders had disppeared and we got an early start eagerly heading down the final 3 miles towards hot springs. Max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot springs. 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. Feb 05, 2019 aside from the gsmnp, this section of the appalachian trail was some of the most enjoyable. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in. The nantahala and pisgah national forests have closed trailheads to the appalachian trail to protect public health and safety during coronavirus pandemic.
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