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 beautiful place to visit and hike in western north carolina. Max patch mountain is a great hiking location and offers stunning high elevation. The route from the turn off at fines creek rd to max patch mountain is approximately 12 miles. Thinking about hiking south, i see in the data book there is camping at davenport gap to stay the night before and possibly park the car. One of the collegiate peaks, princeton is known for symmetry between its summit and the two subpeaks, and for the chalk cliffs and hot springs to the south in the valley below. The elegant, 200room resort hotel at cold springs burned to the ground. This lush and undisturbed habitat also supports deer, coyote, jackrabbit, bobcat, mountain lion and javelina. To access your account, click login and follow the prompts. Protrails dixie mine trail, mcdowell mountain regional park. There is a parking area near the top of the bald where you can park and walk the approximately 14 mile trail to the summit.
The road traverses rural farm communities, rural forested areas, pisgah national forest, then peaks at max patch mountain at around 4500 ft. No one seems to know who max was or why his patch is bald, but everyone knows its beautiful. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee. 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 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 about a 45 minute drive from the lodge. National park service whiskeytown national recreation area. Birds are particularly abundant and varied along the dixie mine trail. This outandback trail can be started from the west coal creek parkway parking lot, east red town trailhead parking lot, or from one of many spur trails along the route. The bangs canyon trailhead lies at the heart of the bangs canyon special recreation management area and provides access to several different trails. Follow the lovers leap trail from the silvermine trailhead. Max patch on the appalachian trail in madison county, north. Wildflowers bloom there in the spring and fantastic leaf color can be seen in the fall. Max patch, a bald mountain on the north carolina tennessee border, is popular for the 360 degree panoramic view of the appalachian mountains.
North carolina mountains hot springs sherpa guides. After approximately 6 miles, the max patch trailhead will be on your right. Well worth the detour, the hike to the top is part of a small loop that is well marked. Regardless, it is one of the mostvisited peaks in the area. The temperature can be a good 1015 degrees cooler than in asheville on this windy hilltop, so bring a windbreaker in addition to your camera. Max patch short loop hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from april until october. The locations and other information in this database have not been verified for accuracy.
Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david. Mines community members may have trouble logging in if their mines email and cwid have not been established for a full week yet. Among sites now closed include max patch pond, graveyard fields, looking glass falls, catawba falls, and the cradle of forestry in america. The massive grassy bald is meticulously maintained by mowing and prescribed burns to preserve stunning 360 views of the tallest appalachian peaks. Max patch is a birding, hiking adventure located in or near hot springs, nc. Please login through trailhead with your multipass credentials. May 10, 2017 dads bucket list included a hike on the appalachian trail. Hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. Then, download expertgps mapping software, which will allow you to print maps of any mine in arizona, view mines on usgs topo maps and aerial photos, and send the mines as waypoints or pois directly to your gps receiver.
Bangs canyon trailhead mica mine trail visit grand. The mica mine trail is a local favorite, and the trail leads to a historic mica and quartz mine. Things to do in hot springs nc laughing heart lodge. I need to finish up a section between max patch and davenport gap. Stony valley trail visit lebanon valley, pennsylvania. A short hike from the parking area takes you to the top. The adventure begins at the lemon gap trailhead on max patch road view maps and driving directions, following the whiteblazed appalachian trail southbound from the border of north carolina and tennessee. Starting from the red town trailhead parking lot, cross lakemont boulevard to the signpost indicating the coal creek park trail. This particular loop branches just off of the appalachian trail at. Max patch, located near hot springs, north carolina is a 2. The renowned max patch trail see max patch is also part of the harmon. A couple of offtrail waterfalls top off the list of. Dads bucket list included a hike on the appalachian trail.
Max patch loop 306 lovers leap 308 overmountain victory trail, from roaring creek to at 308a pump gap loop 309 laurel river 310 groundhog creek 315 mountains to sea 440 hemlock 1003 briar bottom 1006 elk falls. During the civil war the confederate army mined saltpeter out of the cave. Historic gold mines suitable for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians this trail connects to clear creek canal trail features trailhead directions national park service whiskeytown national recreation area trail guide mt. It contains quite a few more hiking trails and attractions to explore. Lignite road is a hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, road biking, trail running, walking adventure located in or near jefferson national forest, va. If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. It is a 6 mile drive down a maintained but bumpy u. At an elevation of 4,629 feet, max patch boasts a 360degree view of the appalachian mountains including the blue ridge and the smokies. On our way back from the mother earth fair in ashville we stopped at max patch near hot springs nc for a. Max patch is a mountain on the tennessee north carolina border. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david m allen. On our way back from the mother earth fair in ashville we stopped at max patch near hot springs nc for a day hike and a meal.
Forest service shuts down many popular spots in pisgah national. The lodge is located adjacent to the appalachian trail at the base of deer park mountain. Since then there has been homestead, a logging mill, and an air strip on the mountain. Hike the lovers leap loop trail, 8 silver mine road. Day hikes by frank and victoria logue and leonard atkins, which you. With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family and dog. Max patch is a local favorite in the southwest mountains of north carolina. 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. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. Protrails dixie mine trail, mcdowell mountain regional. By 1944 the mines were exhausted, the lumber stripped, and the railroad fell into disuse.
See photos and hiking guide for max patch bald mountain along the appalachian. Max patch mountain topo map in madison county, north carolina. October 2, 2016 my friend andy and i ventured out on the sunday afternoon to summit two peaks on the south beyond 6000 challenge. Take a right on cold springs road, and the road almost immediately becomes gravel. Apr 15, 2020 max patch loop 306 lovers leap 308 overmountain victory trail, from roaring creek to at 308a pump gap loop 309 laurel river 310 groundhog creek 315 mountains to sea 440 hemlock 1003 briar bottom 1006 elk falls. Max patch along the appalachian trail in pisgah national forest in. The impact of covid19 in the smoky mountains smoky.
If you drive here from max patch road, by the time you get here, youre more than ready to get out of the car and hike some. Students can create an account to schedule individual 1. Read more about come join us explore the majestic black mountains and scenic toe river valley of western north carolina. Begin from the trailhead, passing v3 after 14 mile on the right, then turks trail after another 0. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina.
Starting from the red town trailhead parking lot, cross lakemont boulevard to. All mine locations were obtained from the usgs mineral resources data system. The trail rolls elevation through the shady forest, meandering through switchbacks, crossing several small creeks over rustic wooden. The bald, wide, rolling expanses of the mountain rise to the east. It should be assumed that all mines are on private property.
Alumni username your email address password forgot password forgot pin change sign in method. This usually wellgraded road climbs steadily but never steeply 6. Each trail has its own printable page with all the information and links, including where available. Mcdowell mountain regional park is located on the east side of the mcdowell mountains in. For the latest information on covid19, please check the website for the north carolina department of health. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easyto moderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. The hike trails to the northeast, skirting the mountain and beginning a continuous, moderate climb. The nearest weather station for both precipitation and temperature measurements is waterville 2 which is approximately 8 miles away and has an elevation of 1,440 feet 3,176 feet lower than max patch mountain. It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina. Years ago, the slopes of mount lincoln rang with picks from miners scraping for gold and silver. Spec mines trail is a singletrack mountain bike trail in roanoke, virginia. Welcome to trailhead trailhead is a secure portal that provide students, faculty, staff and affiliates with access to multiple institutional resources of services and information.
The trail climbs max patch on log steps carved into the hillside and. In a region home to almost 40 peaks over 6000 feet, max patch stands a humble 4629. Grassy ridge mine overlook to almost balsam gap 10. Map and download gps waypoints for 1439 mines in arizona. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. Spec mines trail mountain bike trail in roanoke, virginia.
Oct 04, 2016 october 2, 2016 my friend andy and i ventured out on the sunday afternoon to summit two peaks on the south beyond 6000 challenge. Davenport gap to max patch road or other waterville, north carolina hiking trails. Hiking trails in the blue ridge our top 10 family favorites blue. Max patch road starts at an intersection with fines creek rd at an elevation of around 2600 ft. Max patch is popular for winter hikes, but dont attempt one without being sure that the roads are passable in your vehicle. Panoramic views go on ridge after ridge and mile after mile. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in wildflowers, and one of north carolinas most popular at hikes. It is not easy to get to this trail over the bumpy forest service roads, but the trail is still quite popular. Today, its a 350acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360degree views. Explore more in our professional, high quality trail. At 6,684 foot elevation, mount mitchell is the highest peak east of the mississippi. The appalachian trail crosses the top of the grassy bald. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina alltrails. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Lovers leap rock, one of the most popular at side hikes in the area, offers a grand. The trailhead to bowlens creek is difficult to find. Sleepy hollow farm to visit vermont in the fall was a dream of mine. Im trying to decide whether to hike south or hike north. Both are on the northern end of what is considered the black mountain crest. Hike max patch mountain, max patch mountain trailhead. 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. Max patch mountain, simply known as max patch, is hands down one of the most beautiful summits in the southeast. It was once forested, but legend has it that indians burned it, apparently for visibility. Tutoring center for academic services and advising casa. Max patch trail is a popular dog friendly hike in del rio, tn.
Max patch used to be one of the best kept secrets in the mountains. You will walk through a community follow the feathers on the sidewalk for about 0. The address of the trailhead is 8 silver mine rd, hot springs, nc 28743. Appalachian trail day hikes appalachian trail conservancy. Max patch mountain part of the pisgah national forest is a bald mountain roughly equidistant from knoxville, tn and asheville, nc about a 1. Hike the dixie mine trail, dixie mine trailhead parking. 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. Click on apply to graduate if you have turned in the forms listed above please allow approx.