Max patch mountain part of the pisgah national forest is a bald mountain roughly equidistant from knoxville, tn and asheville, nc about a 1. It is possible to hike from max patch to dancing sun cabins. Directions to the max patch retreat from us 2570, del rio. We made it to lemon gap and just dave had great trail magic. This section is between max patch and lemon gap near the roaring fork shelter, which may be our base for operations, tbd. This is a steep forest trail with rock outcrops and tight switchbacks. It was once forested, but legend has it that indians burned it, apparently for visibility.
Max patch on the appalachian trail in madison county. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee. Max patch via lemon gap on the appalachian trail lemon gap trailhead campsite campsite shelter campsite max patch mountain summit max patch main trailhead cross through wooden fence signed intersection. Register on the home page of the cmc member website. I hiked from max patch to lemon gap and back about 12 miles and finished the hike in the dark which is always. Planning hike between max patchdavenport gap i need to finish up a section between max patch and davenport gap. Libert 11 months, 1 week ago lemon gap to max patch round mountain road to long branch. A huge meadow where we set up our tent for the night and watched the sunset peak from behind the clouds for a beautiful sunset. Lemon gap to max patch view trail info, photos and directions. The appalachian trail crosses the summit of max patch, about 20 miles west of hot springs at mile 251. Insects chirp loudly in the grassfilled wonderland. Max patch is a mountain on the tennessee north carolina border. The beauty of the remoteness makes it worth the drive.
For parking access, you have to travel on almost 4 miles more of gravel road beyond max patch. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. We hiked this section on july 18, 20 as a key exchange hike. Hike north on the appalachian trail to lemon gap 6. This outandback hike takes you from lemon gap deep in the woods to the peak of max patch and back, making for an awesome long day hike or a great. Birds chase, dive and soar in the nearly constant breezes. Max patch and the at to lemon gap will be a 6mile moderate hike to catch the fall colors. Lemon gap to max patch and back 11 miles difficult. Head toward hot springs, turning south on 209 there will be signs directing you. I hiked an area of the at to lemon gap, max patch bald and into hot springs, nc and was more concerned with getting shot at by the many many bear hunters we came upon the trail with shotguns in their arms, dogs barking and us shaking.
Camp ground and rattlesnake gap, both on the left, and through lemon gap, where you cross the state line into north carolina. As we were driving to lemon gap, we saw a young bear in the road where the. The trail rolls elevation through the shady forest, meandering through switchbacks, crossing several small creeks over rustic wooden bridges, and. It is a nice hike from max patch to lemon gap if you have 2 vehicles. Max patch can be cold and windy this time of year, so come prepared for any type of weather. Im trying to decide whether to hike south or hike north. In this video, i hike on the appalachian trail from lemon gap to max patch. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. Turn left and you will soon come to a parking lot on your right where the hike begins.
Lemon gap to max patch hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. 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. Except for the dramatic approach to max patch, this section of the at is mainly rolling soft hills that a novice hiker would not realize the 11 miles or so you would log at the end of. Simply choose a selection from each of the list boxes below, then click on the submit button. There is a loop trail of 1 mile just for max patch but to reach lemon gap use the left side of the loop and it will connect to the at. The hike veers right at the sign, retracing the outbound route on the at to lemon gap, enjoying the nearly continuous descent to the trailhead. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county. Max patch is always a wonderful hike and the views are hard to beat. Appalachian trail access points in madison county nc. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david. Some friends are hiking max patch to hot springs in a few weeks. Can be used to summit max patch over a much more difficult route than the.
Max patch short loop hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. You have an unobstructed view in all directions and the stars are amazing at night. This particular loop branches just off of the appalachian trail at. The carolina mountain club trail maintenance crew members and the appalachian trail conservancy atc are partnering to offer a unique opportunity to spend the weekend assisting in the rehabilitation of the at as it traverses north of max patch in the cherokee and pisgah national forests. You can walk around the base of the mountain and then up to the top for an incredible 360 degree view. Appalachian trail lemon gap to max patch north carolina.
The road going up to lemon gap is a long gravel road and there is a small parking area where the at crosses at this point. Mileage is given, in miles, as one heads north from springer for mileage from katahdin simply subtract 2178. This section is between max patch and lemon gap near. We were told this was the best place in the smokies to see a beautiful sunset and a beautiful sunrise in the same location. Max patch mountain via appalachian trail north carolina. About 20 minutes to the top by the short trail, 2530 on the longer loop elevation gain. Big creek is a campground in the smokies, not far from davenport gap. Lemon gap on the appalachian trail in madison county, north. From the parking lot, there are several trail choices. Either way, this is one of the souths most scenic sections of the at, and it is well worth your. Vast panoramas open in all directions, with views stretching 360 degrees around the grassy mountain. This program calculates the approximate walking distance in miles between two points along the appalachian trail. It is located between max patch and walnut mountain shelter.
These distances are based on the appalachian trail data book for 2020, a publication of the appalachian trail conservancy, all rights. Zach robbins contact zach max patch mountain, simply known as max patch, is hands down one of the most beautiful summits in the southeast. Lemon gap access point on the appalachian trail is a bit remote. Head northeast on the at for 4 miles to reach lemon gap or just.
On your left at lemon gap, the appalachian trail white blazes crosses here, too. For more information, contact kate 8655739258 or ray 8653142279. This is a moderate one way trail to max patch mountain in pisgah national forest. Turn left onto max patch road, the parking area is about 2. Finally you will see the kale gap leading to a side trail to the east with a campsite with room for 3 tents 35. The hike to max patch from here is a beautiful one with little elevation change.
Since then there has been homestead, a logging mill, and an air strip on the mountain. Beware of october as that must be bear hunting season. On the hike south to garenflo gap, bluff mountain is about 3. Appalachian trail access points in madison county nc lemon gap nc 1182tn 107p to garenflo gap top of gorenflo gap road 7. Shuttle a second car to the end of the hike at lemon gap about 4 miles down nc 1182.
Somewhat remote, although beautiful once you arrive at the parking. 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. Good places to hike on the appalachian trail in north. It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina. I want to meet up with them at lemon gap and hike to hot springs with them. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from february until october. Lemon gap to smokies, 5day nc hiking and backpacking. Hiking the max patch appalachian trail the adventurerr. Max patch short loop running trail, marshall, north carolina. Lemon gap to max patch backpacking overnight moderate. We will start the hike at lemon gap and hike up to max patch, where we will hang out and have lunch at about 12. After conducting a little research i found bluff mountain outfitters provides a shuttle service for a fee havent inquired yet, however i would prefer to park at lemon gap since i will be arriving late and night hike in. The first day was about a 5 mile, fairly easy hike to a great campsite just below max patch bald north on at.