Max Patch

Max Patch is a bald mountain on the North Carolina-Tennessee border in Madison County, NC and Cocke County, TN. It is a major landmark along the TN/NC section of the Appalachian Trail. Max Patch is known for its 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. From the summit you can see the Bald Mountains in the vincinity, the Unakas to the North, The Great Smokies to the south and the Great Balsams and Black Mountains to the southeast. The parking lot at Max Patch is very small which is why we could not stop and hike the trail to the top. We will return to Max Patch in the next couple of weeks to hike the trail but it will be on a week day. The trail is about a 1.4 mile hike to the top which is 4629 ft in elevation. It has been called the "crown jewel" of th Appalachian trail. I think Max Patch will be a regular hike for us especially when the seasons change. Spring and Summer will be great but I am looking forward to the fall. Since the road to Max Patch is a little tricky I think we will skip winter if it snows. Max Patch did suffer some damage in 2012 when someone in atvs broke through the wire gate and drove all over the bald mountain creating deep ruts that today are still recovering. Keep coming back and see how our hike went. I do want to take this opportunity to wish my brother Craig a very Happy Birthday!