Max Patch can be and is climbed in all seasons. The Harmon Den area is as well-known to equestrians as Max Patch is to hikers, and is a very popular place for horseback riding. Max Patch Mountain is one of the most visited, most photographed, and most well-loved mountaintops on the Appalachian Trail in the South. There are camping spots along the road on the way in and a designated campground as well. Get an ad-free experience, support The Outbound, and snag a bunch of other perks by subscribing for only $29.99/year. The 1-mile trail goes through different types of vegetation and forest cover. Gain: Parking: 3 hours and 30 minutes with 45 minutes of breaks 2,061 ft Park where the Appalachian Trail crosses FR 148A at Brown Gap. The problem is that it is another 6.6 miles from Garenflo Gap to Hot Springs (3.4 miles from where the description ends to Deer Park Shelter and then 3.2 miles to Hot Springs). The sun-drenched, domed summit is home to broad, grassy meadows filled with abundant wildflowers and enormous, epic views in every direction. Although I understand the appeal and temptation to camp on the summit (I would have loved to do so when I hiked over it), it is vital that all of us obey the rules and regulations which are designed to protect sensitive areas such as Max Patch from damage or overuse. Recreation. Yeah, neither do we, but it keeps the lights on. Max Patch is an iconic, grassy bald near the North Carolina-Tennessee 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. This 6.9-mile route traces the NC/TN border along birch- and larkspur-lined paths. Max Patch. Sitting on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, Max Patch features 360 mountain range views and sits along the Appalachian Trail. Some of the best camping sites in the Blue Ridge Mountains lie in Pisgah. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is accessible year-round. Max Patch. Leaving camping equipment unattended for more than 24 hours without permission. Max Patch Mountain via Brown Gap – Pisgah National Forest, NC Length Difficulty Streams Views Solitude Camping 7.1 mls N/A Hiking Time: Elev. Max Patch, located in Haywood County and along the Appalachian Trail, is popular for its 360-degree vistas and easy accessibility, lying just a quarter-mile walk from the road. Max Patch - 1.4 miles - Easy. Today, it's a 350-acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360-degree views. This is a good description of the 12.5 miles from Max Patch to Garenflo Gap. Posted on January 20, 2021 by onlinesprint. Blog, Camping Will bathrooms, more parking and camping restrictions come to Max Patch this year? Max Patch is part of the Bald Mountains Range. The trails on Max Patch are fairly well-signed, although a few confusing spots do exist - so bring a map and pay attention. Fires and camping are prohibited however. Learn More. A trio of route options leads to Max Patch from Asheville. Distance: 5.9; Waypoints. If you've always wanted to camp alone, this is the perfect place! Since then there has been homestead, a logging mill, and an air strip on the mountain. There is no access fee for the trailhead. Feb 6, 2021 - Rent from people in Max Patch, NC from $20/night. Max Patch Trail Details Difficulty: Easy Moderate Length: 1.4 or 2.4 mile round trip on each trail Region: Near Hot Springs, Madison County Duration of hike: About 20 minutes to the top by the short trail, 25-30 on the longer loop Elevation gain: About 430 feet, from 4,300 to 4,630 feet Type: Loop Blazes: Appalachian Trail Markers Facilities & Parking: Gravel parking lot; no facilities Pisgah National Forest surrounds the Asheville area with 500,000 protected acres of wilderness bliss. When To Climb. Venture just past the summit for the prime locations. Camping is allowed in nearby areas but is prohibited on the summit itself. At the 4,629-foot summit, the hiker is rewarded by a large expanse and a 360-degree view of the mountains beyond. Good Morning. Location: 35.7731018066406, -82.995849609375 Wind will be generally light. Max Patch Mountain's 360 degree views offer exceptional sky watching as well when the weather is clear. It was once forested, but legend has it that Indians burned it, apparently for visibility. Rocky Bluff Recreation Area This developed camping and picnicking area provides a nature trail to Spring Creek. Great Smoky Mountains National Park makes an ideal day trip from Harmon Den. 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 6,000-foot peaks in every direction. PORTABILITY and STRENGTH in one LIGHTWEIGHT Package. If you chose to tackle these routes in winter come prepared with an emergency kit and a snow-worthy vehicle. You can camp overnight at the top. According to the National Forest Service French Broad Ranger District, camping on the summit of Max Patch is forbidden. If you have a PDF copy of the Supervisor/Regional Forester order detailing these camping restrictions (assuming they … 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. Camping rules at Max Patch Camping is allowed at Max Patch, though it’s not recommended due to danger from lightning and high winds, and several restrictions apply. Hike a section of the famous Appalachian National Scenic Trail (or A.T.) on top of Max Patch Mountain near Hot Springs.This 4,600-ft. bald mountain was cleared and used as pasture in the 1800s. Location: Marshall, NC, in Pisgah National Forest; Length: 10.6 miles out-and-back; Difficulty Rating: Difficult; Best For: A challenging route culminating in iconic views from Max Patch; Dogs: Leashed Restrictions and Permits: Dispersed camping allowed in designated areas only. When hiking, I always try to camp well away from public roadways, just to have that extra in Its summit, at 4,630 feet, is in North Carolina. The Appalachian Trail crosses right over the summit running north and south. Mild temperatures (max 7°C on Wed morning, min 3°C on Thu night). Don't like ads? There is a reservation-only horse group camping area along Cold Springs Creek. No camping is allowed within 100 feet of a water source but you may camp anywhere else, as long as it is not on a trail. It is a good … We did the loop hike and it was an easy hike with an awesome view at the top. Camping on Max Patch Before the day could really be said to have started, I awoke to the sound of a car pulling into the trailhead parking at around 5am. Max Patch Mountain (part of the Pisgah National Forest) is a bald mountain roughly equidistant from Knoxville, TN and Asheville, NC (about a 1.5 hour drive). This dog friendly and family friendly hike is great for picnics, star gazing, and is accesible year round. If hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail appeals, head to Max Patch. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The summit of Max Patch might be the best picnic spot for a Blue Ridge sunset. Camping on Max Patch - 16 Miles - From Davenport Gap To Max Patch - Before the day could really be said to have started, I awoke to the sound of a car pulling into the trailhead parking at around 5am. MPM001. Camping. Max Patch is an open bald area with panaramic views and other trials for hiking include the Appalachian Trail, Cherry Creek and Groundhog Creek. Solo Camping on Max Patch Mountain. No camping is allowed on Max Patch. Pisgah National Forest Camping: Campendium has 77 reviews of 17 Campgrounds in Pisgah National Forest. Designed for hiking, camping, tailgating, BBQ, picnics, concerts, sporting events, the beach. 35.77318, -82.9957 When hiking, I always try to camp well away from public roadways, just to have that extra insurance against becoming victom to a Saturday night pickup truck full of beer and poor judgement. At only 2 pound the CoraJohn Max Patch chair is ready to go When you are! Trail Facts. This particular loop branches just off of the Appalachian Trail (AT). Max Patch is a 4,629-foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360-degree mountain vista just 20 miles from Hot Springs. Max Patch is a mountain on the Tennessee — North Carolina border. – Citizen Times. (Days 3-6): Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Camping near Asheville is easy thanks to the numerous national forests and state parks. By: Julia P + Save to a List. Lemon Gap to Max Patch. Either way, this is one of the South's most scenic sections of the AT, and it is well … Parking: Parking is available in the parking lot below the bald. This area, Harmon's Den is administered by the Forest Service and is camp at will. It is free to access and visit. It’s a grassy mountaintop that’s feverishly loved by thru-hikers on the epic-length AT and day hikers alike. Max Patch Loop is a 1.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Hot Springs, North Carolina that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. Belong anywhere with Airbnb. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from April until October. Take a load off and relax, no matter where you decide to go. However, visitation seems to have exploded of late — while the parking lot is only big enough for eight to 10 cars, Jones Decker said she counted 140 cars Sept. 19. As with the other peaks in this area winter tends to be less busy but I doubt you will ever have the summit to yourself on a sunny day. On a clear day, you can see from Mt. Would love to see the sunrise or sunset. Appalachian Trail: Davenport Gap to Max Patch is a 13.3 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Hartford, Tennessee that features a river and is rated as difficult. The road to Max Patch is a State Road- … Max Patch is part of the French Broad District of the Pisgah National Forest. Mitchell on the east to the Great Smoky Mountains on the south. backpackers, car camping or anywhere you travel! Max Patch Weather (Days 0-3): Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. As always when using public lands, if the parking lot is full it’s best to leave and find a less crowded spot. Max Patch is about a 40 minute drive from Hot Springs, half of that traveled on a gravel road. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 5°C on Fri afternoon, min -1°C on Sun morning). Find unique places to stay with local hosts in 191 countries. If you are going to backpack it, starting at Max Patch makes the most sense as there are good camping sites close to Lemon Gap including the shelter about 2 miles from the trailhead. Could you please confirm whether or not dispersed camping is prohibited on the Max Patch Bald as I believe is the case. Failing to remove all camping equipment or personal property when vacating the area or site.