View Full Version : Max Patch
Graywolf
03-21-2011, 22:07
I know you cant camp on Max Patch, but what about nearby? looks like a fine place to catch a Sunset...or sit up and stair at the Stars...
Graywolf
ChinMusic
03-21-2011, 22:23
Since when can't you camp on Max Patch?
Old graymare
03-21-2011, 22:27
The front cover of ATC magazine has someone camped and watching a sunset from Max Patch, this months issue. LNT meaning no fires or litter.
johnnyblisters
03-21-2011, 22:30
The only time I WOULDN'T
Ox97GaMe
03-21-2011, 22:31
if the weather is bad (lightning or high wind) on the summit, then you have the option of camping about .2 N of the summit. There is no ban on camping, just a ban on open fires on the summit.
johnnyblisters
03-21-2011, 22:32
Stupid computers...
Didn't see anything about not camping up there.
wornoutboots
03-21-2011, 22:45
Hoping to cowboy up there next weekend!! I hope the weather is calm : O )
58starter
03-22-2011, 08:49
I hope to be at Max March 30 to see the Sunset, hope there is no snow on the ground.
curtisvowen
03-22-2011, 10:47
Went up there today, nice! No snow.
mlkelley
03-22-2011, 12:20
Gosh, I hope it was ok to camp there.......file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/user/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/GoodAT08/tj6770_061608_201700_344233.jpg
Graywolf
03-22-2011, 21:11
Ok, well, I gures you can.. I have been told many times and read somewhere you cant camp there because of environmental reasons.. BUT since all you pretty much clearified that you can camp there, I guess I will.. Right on top!!!
Thanks..
Graywolf
03-22-2011, 21:14
http://www.summitpost.org/max-patch/155063
Here is one article stating it is prohibited....
Graywolf
03-22-2011, 21:23
Another site that says camping is prohibited...
http://hikingthecarolinas.com/max_patch.php
However this site did give some closeby alternatives...
ChinMusic
03-22-2011, 21:32
I believe those sites are just misinformed. I have never heard of Max Patch being off limits for camping. On the contrary, I have read of tons of folks camping up there. You just have to know the weather before camping or it could get ugly.
Graywolf
03-22-2011, 21:37
I believe those sites are just misinformed. I have never heard of Max Patch being off limits for camping. On the contrary, I have read of tons of folks camping up there. You just have to know the weather before camping or it could get ugly.
Thank Chin, Thats just what Im going to do...I want to see a sun set damn it!! And I want a 360* panaroma.....:D
ChinMusic
03-22-2011, 21:43
The two times that I have crossed Max Patch, I didn't camp. Once the weather was bad and the other time I was dropped off at Max Patch road at noon at it was just too early to camp.......
I have a thru planned for 2013. I would hope to camp at Max Patch after staying at Standing Bear the night before......weather/health permitting of course
Hypothetically, even if camping were prohibited on Max Patch, which it's not, who's to stop you if you do? There's no Max Patch police. Go ahead, camp and enjoy the view, but watch out for the weather.
LoneRidgeRunner
03-22-2011, 21:54
I've never camped on Max Patch but I've been there when the summit was covered with tents. Didn't look like a no camping zone to me....
ChinMusic
03-22-2011, 21:59
I will say that Max Patch is a place I would hope I would attempt to clean up, within reason, if I see junk left up there. It is a special place.
Sierra Echo
03-22-2011, 22:04
I have yet to make it up to max patch. its on my to-do list. Perhaps next month!
Graywolf
03-22-2011, 22:08
So we have made the dicison that Max Patch is safe... Thanks again.. Im camping.. Heck, I might even get some good storm pictures as welll.. This is going to be fun.. Bringing my kite with me..
ChinMusic
03-22-2011, 23:02
This is going to be fun.. Bringing my kite with me..
My buddy brought his kite all the way to Alaska for our trip in 2009.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b186/ChinMusicIHSS/Backpacking/Alaska2009/1024/Alaksa2009-1232.jpg
There's a large tenting area on the AT just North of Max Patch. Many of the people that stay there walk up to Max Patch at night to view the moon and stars. It's only a 10-15 minute walk from the tenting area back up Max Patch. It's very grassy at the top so prepare yourself for chiggers.
There is a wonderful lodge about 20 minutes from the summit of Max Patch, the finest mountain lodge experience Ive had, bar none, but it is little known among the hiking community. It is called Kana'ti lodge. Check it out online
Graywolf
03-25-2011, 09:38
My buddy brought his kite all the way to Alaska for our trip in 2009.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b186/ChinMusicIHSS/Backpacking/Alaska2009/1024/Alaksa2009-1232.jpg
I bet that will be a blast....
Max Patch summit is one of my top choices for viewing meteor showers. Great place to camp.
Max Pach was the best place I saw in my thourght hike, you can't camp on it but just off the top is a camping area but no water &bears was a problems. Would like to go back sume time.
jbsbestfan
03-29-2011, 23:31
I have been there 4 times and never seen tents on top, but have often thought that I would like to camp there. I have seen some tents up on the small hill just over Max, (on the side opposite of the parking lot) but I believe that this is south of Max by a few hundred steps. I was there in December when it was 13 degrees and had horizontal snow because of the wind. Total whiteout. It was fun driving up there, but I have a new appreciation when people say whiteout conditions now.