Max Patch to Hot Springs

**ShellD** · 05-13-2012, 22:43

Hiking from Max patch to Hot Springs the 18th-20th with my backpacking group and we have room for a couple more. If you're interested shoot me a pm. The plan is to meet in Hot Springs at 7pm, shuttle to the parking area below the summit and camp at the summit hopefully making the sunset. Some of the tent guys may stay on the summit but I'll be hanging in some trees below the summit. From there it is 20 miles back to Hot Springs and we'll be doing roughly 10 miles a day.

**BigRed77** · 05-18-2012, 07:17

Hey Shelldon
Did that trip about same time last year. Got hit by big thunderstorm after we set up for camp. Taking scouts out on thier fist BP trip this wk end. Y'all have fun.
Ron

**Pipsissewa** · 05-18-2012, 13:45

Yeah, be super careful up there!

A young lady was tragically killed by lightening on Max Patch last year. She and her boyfriend had hiked up there and he was going to propose to her that evening surrounded by the beautiful scenery.

Those open balds are very dangerous if lightening is ANYWHERE in the area.

**motlekj06** · 05-20-2012, 16:04

Beautiful stretch of the AT

**ShellD** · 05-20-2012, 20:19

It really was an awesome trip! I was down below in the hammock but a few did brave the summit. We had cell coverage up there and was monitoring the weather but it's still risky and not recommended to camp on the summit. Some rednecks did drive up to the summit and almost ran over a couple of tents.

Just for future reference, we had nine people in the group and several were tent campers. We were planning to do around 13 miles on Saturday but could not find a campsite large enough for the group. We ended up doing 16.6 miles to Deer Park Shelter. Made for a short day today and we had an awesome, early breakfast at the Smokey Mountain Diner. Just can't beat that place...

This is a great hike and I highly recommend it.

**ShellD** · 05-20-2012, 20:20

OOPS! Probably should have posted that in trip reports. Sorry Mods! You guys have enough to do rather than clean up after me...

**JaxHiker** · 05-22-2012, 07:01

Glad it worked out well. I'm hiking that section and more next week. Really looking forward to it but the forecast is calling for thunderstorms almost every day.

How's the water?

**ShellD** · 05-22-2012, 10:18

Originally Posted by JaxHiker

Glad it worked out well. I'm hiking that section and more next week. Really looking forward to it but the forecast is calling for thunderstorms almost every day.

How's the water?

Water was plentiful. All the springs and small brooks had enough flow to get water. Hopefully the weather won't be too bad and you'll enjoy it as much as I did.