View Full Version : One More question about Max Patch
misterfloyd
06-19-2017, 11:08
Hello to all,
Hope all are getting a chance to get outside!
Quick question: My son and I want to go spend some time at max patch.
I hiked through the area on the AT, and was in a zone, so I really was just following blazes. So I have to ask these question.
Are there any campsites near the bald? I know Roaring ForK Shelter is right down the AT, but we wanted to pitch a tent close by.... still working though an injury. Know you cannot camp on the top of the bald
I have the trails illustrated map and see several trails. Any recommended?
Any recommendations? or help?
It has been 3 years since doing a LASH through the area so my memory is hazy.
Just want to get my son out on the AT. He is ready......the old man, well, will be soon.
Any help is gratefully accepted, and very much appreciated as always.
Best to all,
Misterfloyd
Puddlefish
06-19-2017, 11:15
I vaguely recall that there was a tentsite off to the left in the trees, about a quarter mile north? It was kind of crowded and noisy on the day I went by, so I continued further downhill and set up a tent a few hundred feet off in a field by myself, among the raspberry canes. Watch for those thorns!
yeah.....
if you go into the treeline going northbound----theres some campsites.....
Know you cannot camp on the top of the bald
i think they have changed this.....
at one time----camping was not allowed.............but i think they have changed that.....
if not----tons of people still camp up there.....
saltysack
06-19-2017, 11:29
Didn't realize wasn't legal...it's been a few years back since I camped on top with my son. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170619/0f33758b23c8f4bc8d75dea92abf5e86.jpg
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ScareBear
06-19-2017, 12:47
There is no law, regulation, order, directive or official edict that forbids camping atop Max Patch.
The USFS brings mechanical mowers to the top of Max Patch a few times every season AND MOWS THE SUCKER FLAT.
Feel free to camp atop. Be forewarned that after sunset, wind speeds commonly exceed 25mph. There is no windbreak and the surrounding area acts like a giant funnel...there is also no water on top...
Be forewarned that after sunset, wind speeds commonly exceed 25mph.
also beware of lightning....
there was a strike a couple of years ago that killed someone......
doingtime
06-19-2017, 13:37
The last time I was there we saw 10+ tents on the bald. Beautiful site at dusk and I was wishing I would have been prepared (we were camping at another location). This was one of those rare low winds evenings!
We stopped for a snack just north of Max Patch while Section hiking the AT this year. There were a couple of camping sites just within the tree line. It's my understanding that people are camping on the patch itself.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170619/105fe203d3684f41631ef87cea6ca9a8.jpg
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Teacher & Snacktime
06-19-2017, 13:43
Does anyone know what it's like camping there in mid-late November?
misterfloyd
06-19-2017, 14:04
Thank you all who have replied. I seem to remember as I was going south to north that there was a trail that was parallel to the AT. Could not find it on a map, just seems to stick in my head.
I prefer to not camp at the top. Rather just leave it alone. I saw that it was not permitted on a website, cannot remember the one. My son stumbled on it this morning.
Thanks,
Misterfloyd
saltysack
06-19-2017, 14:57
Does anyone know what it's like camping there in mid-late November?
Yea....cold![emoji51]
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BuckeyeBill
06-19-2017, 15:53
Yea....cold![emoji51]
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Beat me to it!!!! :p
PatmanTN
06-19-2017, 16:13
These are from Oct 24th of last year. I wasn't sure if i was early or late for the best colors but it was a little muted.
https://photos.smugmug.com/2016/OCt-21-24-Smokies-Max-Patch/i-dkM4rhr/0/a8e470a8/L/DSCN0426-L.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/2016/OCt-21-24-Smokies-Max-Patch/i-z3HTS52/0/63c3713b/XL/DSCN0416-XL.jpg
Tennessee Viking
06-19-2017, 16:19
Roaring Fork Shelter is right off the trail along the creek. There is room for tenting. This is a bear shelter so hang your food.
misterfloyd
06-19-2017, 21:03
Viking,
Now I do remember that shelter cause I stayed at it during the time I LASHED through the area. Might stay there again but I just might tent on the bald. I hope it is not a parking lot by the time I get there. I just wished I remembered more of the area.
Thank you everyone
misterfloyd
Teacher & Snacktime
06-19-2017, 21:11
These are from Oct 24th of last year. I wasn't sure if i was early or late for the best colors but it was a little muted.
https://photos.smugmug.com/2016/OCt-21-24-Smokies-Max-Patch/i-dkM4rhr/0/a8e470a8/L/DSCN0426-L.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/2016/OCt-21-24-Smokies-Max-Patch/i-z3HTS52/0/63c3713b/XL/DSCN0416-XL.jpg
On my birthday!....Well now, of course, those autumn colors are calling to me!
yeah.....
if you go into the treeline going northbound----theres some campsites.....
i think they have changed this.....
at one time----camping was not allowed.............but i think they have changed that.....
if not----tons of people still camp up there.....
Don't know if regulations have changed but I did camp on Max Patch summit in 2011; don't remember any prohibitions then. One of best sunsets and sunrises I have experienced.
We hiked it October of last year. It was cloudy, threatening rain and really windy. There were a few tents set up just off the peak. I would have hated to be there in that. There isn't much if you go south off the bald. Once you get into the trees I don't recall much flat or open.
Going north though, there's a good spot to the left. It's close enough that you could pitch camp, wait for Darkness, and then walk back to the peak and lay under the stars.