Southerly views open up as the trail descends a series of rustic wooden stairs as the trail switches back to the southeast. The hike continues following the white blazes of the AT across the summit, and then begins a descent along its southern slope. Birds chase, dive and soar in the nearly constant breezes. Insects chirp loudly in the grass-filled wonderland. Vast panoramas open in all directions, with views stretching 360 degrees around the grassy mountain. The Appalachian Trail summits Max Patch at. (And, on a clear day, Mount Mitchell, Mount Craig and the Black Mountains’ other prominent peaks can be seen in the distance.) Nearby mountains of the Pisgah National Forest roll in the distance and stretch far onto the horizon. Wildflowers and grasses blanket the mountain’s rolling expanses and end abruptly at the base in a dense forest of trees. In the absence of trees on this sun-drenched bald, wooden posts with the AT’s iconic white rectangular blaze mark the trail. The route turns right, traveling southbound and climbing to the green summit. The hike exits the forest canopy, the sky opening widely as the trail treks through a grassy meadow, meeting the Appalachian Trail at. Ferns line the sides of the trail, and a spring trickles beneath the spindly hardwoods. The spur trail dives into a young forest at. Wild blueberries, blackberries, and wildflowers grow in abundance along the trail in warm-weather months. The hike trails to the northeast, skirting the mountain and beginning a continuous, moderate climb. The bald, wide, rolling expanses of the mountain rise to the east. 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). (If the trailhead is full, or you’re up for a longer, scenic route, hike the Appalachian Trail from Lemon Gap to Max Patch, exploring a creek-filled valley and visiting the Roaring Fork Shelter along the way.) It’s a mile and a half, round trip, and solidly full of scenic beauty. The hike meets the Appalachian Trail at a half mile, making a narrow loop across the summit before looping back to the trailhead. This adventure hikes a spur trail from the mountain’s parking area, west of Hot Springs, NC, catching views of the iconic bald after trailing through a shady forest. There are few mountaintops summited by the AT, though, that are as strikingly beautiful, and beautifully unique, as this one. Departing its southernmost blaze at Springer Mountain in Georgia, the Appalachian Trail (“AT”) meanders across the crest of the Appalachian Mountains and traverses more than 2,000 epic miles from Georgia to Maine. The mountain is likely THE single most popular and well-loved Appalachian Trail hike in North Carolina. It’s set under expansive skies and framed in seemingly endless mountains. Rising 4629 feet, Max is a rolling, sprawling stretch of mountain meadow that offers plentiful sunshine, incredible views, and an on-top-of-the-world feeling. This is Max Patch, a popular, iconic, almost idyllic bald summit on the Appalachian Trail that’s beloved by hardcore AT thru-hikers, casual day hikers and frisbee-flingers alike. Catch incredible 360-degree panoramas of surrounding mountain summits in North Carolina and Tennessee. Hike through miles of wildflowers, wild blueberries, and blackberries, and wispy, tall grass. Lay on the expansive, grassy summit and cloud gaze during the day or stargaze at night. Soak up an incredible sunrise or stunning sunset. Bring a frisbee, blanket, camera, or picnic.
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