~~~~~~ A GREAT HIKE ~~~~~~
Katie | 27 August 2007
You can imagin the excitement when my neighbours invited me on a short hike that they described as being “On Top Of The World”. We loaded up and set off NW leaving Asheville on Leicester Hwy, Route 63, we drove all the way to the end [ which is a beautiful drive ] and turned right onto Route 209 towards Hot Springs, we kept going for a couple of miles and the valley opens up into a water shed, you’ll pass a lovely stone building on your right, not too far after, turn left on “Caldwell Mountain”. Drive all the way to the end then turn right, sorry there was no street sign, a mile or so on you will see a brown sign on the right of the road that says “Max Patch”, turn left at this sign, the road will turn from paved to dirt, continue for approx 5 miles, even though there are a lot of switch backs it is not necessary to have 4 + 4 if there is not any snow on the ground. Eventually you arrive at a small parking area. It is but a short 20 min walk to where you will cut in to the AT [Appalachian Trail]. It is kind of funny when you meet weather worn hikers that have been on the AT for days and they ask you where all your gear is and we tell them there is a parking area 20 mins from the summit 
. The views are spectacular, 360* so don’t forget your camera, canine companion and picnic. Please pick up after your self & your furry friends and leave this place as spectacular as you found it. Enjoy.
