Posted by Leann Greene on January 10, 2007 at 10:29 PM
Many thanks to Lori Kincaid! Here are directions to the Max Patch trail head Via I40-exit 7 NC side. Best way up if not socked in with snow and has a stream to shoot as well.
From I-40, Exit 7 in North Carolina: Get off at Exit 7, Harmon Den. At the bottom of the exit, turn left (from the west) or right (from the east), up the mountain, onto Forest Service Road 148, Cold Springs Creek Road. (If you find yourself downhill at the Pigeon River crossing, you are going the wrong way; turn around!) The road has a gravel surface after about 100 yards. Follow the creek up FS 148 for app. 3 miles, where you will pass FS 148A, the Harmon Den parking area, and a stone toilet facility, all on the left. At app. 3.5 miles, the road makes a "Y"—take the left-hand fork (it’s still FS 148). For the next 3 miles, the road winds upward to Robert Gap, where it dead-ends into Max Patch Road (NC 1182), also gravel. There is a brown sign straight ahead of you at this "T" which says "Max Patch 1.75" and "Fines Creek Road". Turn left and proceed to Max Patch. Approx. 30 minutes driving from I40
Alternative route is Exit 24:
2. From I-40, Exit 24 in North Carolina: Get off at Exit 24, Lake Junaluska/Hot Springs. At the top of the exit, turn right (from the east) or left (from the west) onto NC 209, Iron Duff/Crabtree Road, toward Hot Springs, passing the Pilot truck stop on your right. Continue on NC 209 through Iron Duff/Crabtree to Ferguson’s Supply and BP station, app. 8 miles on the newly paved highway. At Ferguson’s, NC 209 turns right toward Hot Springs and Max Patch Road (paved) begins, straight ahead. Take Max Patch Road, with Ferguson’s on your right. After one mile, you will cross a small bridge at Fine’s Creek, and Max Patch Road makes a 90-degree turn to the right; take this right turn and follow Max Patch Road for app. 5 miles, where it bears slightly to the left and turns to gravel at Belmont Church. Take the winding gravel road upward about 8 miles to Max Patch. Approx. 1 hr driving time from I40.
Saturday 1/20/07 trail head @ 6am..Who's up for it?
Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria @ 3pm:
This is from dierction of Canton,NC....
1. Merge onto I-40 E. 8.4 miles Map
2: Merge onto I-240 E via EXIT 46B on the LEFT toward ASHEVILLE. 3.0 miles Map
3: Merge onto I-240 E via EXIT 3B toward ASHEVILLE. 1.9 miles Map
4: Take the MERRIMON AVE / US-25 exit- EXIT 5A. 0.1 miles Map
5: Turn LEFT onto US-25 / BROADWAY ST. Continue to follow US-25. 0.4 miles Map
5: End at Barley's Taproom:
42 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, US
Well unfortunately/fortunately I have a paying gig that weekend. So I won't be able to make it. I was looking forword to meeting everyone. Hopefully I can make the next one.
Posted by Lori Kincaid on January 12, 2007 at 8:15 AM
I'll be there if I'm in town. Might not make it to the trailhead by 6 a.m., but I'll see y'all on the mountain.
BTW, for those who haven't been to Max Patch, there are three trails to the summit. The middle trail is the shortest, steepest way up, but it's closed to halt erosion. I recommend the left trail (an old grassy road bed). It's an easy 0.5 miles to the summit.
Exit 7 is a good way to come up unless there's a LOT of snow. It isn't plowed in the winter like the road up from exit 24. Either way you'll need chains or 4WD if there's snow.
Lori
Posted by Leann Greene on January 13, 2007 at 9:04 AM
Looking forward to it.
Posted by Leann Greene on January 17, 2007 at 2:41 AM
Discussion
10 repliesFrom I-40, Exit 7 in North Carolina: Get off at Exit 7, Harmon Den. At the bottom of the exit, turn left (from the west) or right (from the east), up the mountain, onto Forest Service Road 148, Cold Springs Creek Road. (If you find yourself downhill at the Pigeon River crossing, you are going the wrong way; turn around!) The road has a gravel surface after about 100 yards. Follow the creek up FS 148 for app. 3 miles, where you will pass FS 148A, the Harmon Den parking area, and a stone toilet facility, all on the left. At app. 3.5 miles, the road makes a "Y"—take the left-hand fork (it’s still FS 148). For the next 3 miles, the road winds upward to Robert Gap, where it dead-ends into Max Patch Road (NC 1182), also gravel. There is a brown sign straight ahead of you at this "T" which says "Max Patch 1.75" and "Fines Creek Road". Turn left and proceed to Max Patch. Approx. 30 minutes driving from I40
Alternative route is Exit 24:
2. From I-40, Exit 24 in North Carolina: Get off at Exit 24, Lake Junaluska/Hot Springs. At the top of the exit, turn right (from the east) or left (from the west) onto NC 209, Iron Duff/Crabtree Road, toward Hot Springs, passing the Pilot truck stop on your right. Continue on NC 209 through Iron Duff/Crabtree to Ferguson’s Supply and BP station, app. 8 miles on the newly paved highway. At Ferguson’s, NC 209 turns right toward Hot Springs and Max Patch Road (paved) begins, straight ahead. Take Max Patch Road, with Ferguson’s on your right. After one mile, you will cross a small bridge at Fine’s Creek, and Max Patch Road makes a 90-degree turn to the right; take this right turn and follow Max Patch Road for app. 5 miles, where it bears slightly to the left and turns to gravel at Belmont Church. Take the winding gravel road upward about 8 miles to Max Patch. Approx. 1 hr driving time from I40.
Saturday 1/20/07 trail head @ 6am..Who's up for it?
Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria @ 3pm:
This is from dierction of Canton,NC....
1. Merge onto I-40 E. 8.4 miles Map
2: Merge onto I-240 E via EXIT 46B on the LEFT toward ASHEVILLE. 3.0 miles Map
3: Merge onto I-240 E via EXIT 3B toward ASHEVILLE. 1.9 miles Map
4: Take the MERRIMON AVE / US-25 exit- EXIT 5A. 0.1 miles Map
5: Turn LEFT onto US-25 / BROADWAY ST. Continue to follow US-25. 0.4 miles Map
5: End at Barley's Taproom:
42 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, US
Sounds like a plan to me!!
I will be there. Looking forward to meeting everyone.
BTW, for those who haven't been to Max Patch, there are three trails to the summit. The middle trail is the shortest, steepest way up, but it's closed to halt erosion. I recommend the left trail (an old grassy road bed). It's an easy 0.5 miles to the summit.
Exit 7 is a good way to come up unless there's a LOT of snow. It isn't plowed in the winter like the road up from exit 24. Either way you'll need chains or 4WD if there's snow.
Lori
Looking forward to it.