History of Max Patch
Max Patch - often called the “crown jewel of the Appalachian Trail” - was originally cleared in the early 19th century to be used as pasture for cattle and sheep. The mountain was used for a number of purposes throughout the first half of the 20th century, such as the location of an inn, a hostel circuit and even an airstrip.
In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the section of the Appalachian Trail between the Great Smoky Mountains and Hot Springs, NC.
Pictured: Historic Hot Springs (right), Cradle of Forestry (above) (Courtesy of USFS)
In 1982, the United States Forest Service purchased Max Patch from a private landowner in order to preserve the historic location and prevent the mountain from being turned into a ski resort. The Carolina Mountain Club, Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Forest Service worked together to plan, survey and relocate the Appalachian Trail to Max Patch’s summit - completing the project in 1984.
