Max Patch Bald (4,629 feet) is the one hike that everyone must do, even if you're not a hiker. Max Patch is located off of exit 7 on I-40 in North Carolina heading into Tennessee. It's about 6 miles, or a 20 minute drive up a winding gravel road to the base of the summit once you get off the interstate and enter the Harmon Den Area of Pisgah National Forest. The summit affords 360 degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Smoky Mountains, and the Black Balsams.
Once you get to the base of the mountain, it's but a short hike to the summit, less than 1/4 mile. However, there is a longer, more gradual assent to the top that wraps around the summit, about 1.5 miles, if that better suits you. The Appalachain Trail crosses the spine of the bald and is blazed by posts with the infamous white blazes that run the length of the bald. Although I have not spent a night there yet, I hear that the star gazing from atop Max Patch is amazing!
Lisa, Mallory (aka, the dog) and I made this hike on 7/11/09 and the temperature remained in the 60's even though we were there in the middle of the afternoon. If you're ever headed to Tennessee from North Carolina via I-40 and have a little time, definitely don't pass up the opportunity to see Max Patch.
No comments:
Post a Comment