North Carolina – Max Patch

Just outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies Max Patch in Pisgah National Forest.

Max Patch is a 4,600ft mountain that was a grazing hill in the 1800s, so unlike most of the surrounding mountains that are covered with trees, this is an open hill with 360⁰ views. They preserve the meadow by mowing and prescribed burns. And it has become a favorite spot for hiking, picnicking, flying kites and enjoying the view.

Barbara wanted to go there because it is a lovely location and also because it has what is considered to be the first letterbox in the US. A while back Barbara contacted Linda (“Mama Wolf”), a North Carolina letterboxer who invited us on a picnic there when we were in the area. We drove over an hour where we met Linda, who drove probably twice that distance. It was great to meet her and interesting to hear her share her experiences as she drove us up the windy one-lane dirt road to Max Patch.

It is a fairly short (maybe a ½ mile) hike to the top. As we climbed, we met up again with the Appalachian Trail.

post marking the AT

The top has a glorious feel and the view is great in every direction.

an attempt at a panorama from the AT to Linda’s camera

Other people were there enjoying a beautiful day at Max Patch.

Linda holding a kite as a boy winds the string

Linda and Barbara on the AT

Barbara and Bill

With the mountains as a backdrop, we enjoyed a yummy picnic thanks to Linda who brought pasta salad and fruit.

On the way down, we got the historic letterbox and a couple others. This was one of those letterboxes that brought us to a unique place we might otherwise have overlooked. And it was fun to spend our day with Linda.

Campground: Smokemont Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Distance to Max Patch: 54mi, 1h 36min