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From the Harmon Den exit of I-40 in NC (Exit 7), take gravel Cold Springs Creek Road, USFS 148, east for 6.1 miles then turn left on NC 1182 (Max Patch Road). The trail crossing is in 1.2 miles.
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See next listing for more details about the trail crossing. 12/20/15
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at @ rohland.org
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From the intersection of US 25/70 and NC 209 in Hot Springs, take the latter south for about 7 miles to Meadow Fork Raod. Go right on this and continue for about 5 miles. Go right on Little Creek Road which soon becomes gravel. In 3..5 miles, bear right onto Max Patch Road. The trail crossing is in 1.3 miles. There is dirt parking area on the left hand side of the road just beyond the crossing. See pictures for Section 16.
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At the crossing, the northbound trail goes right (if you are following the directions given) to Section 15 and Max Patch. The southbound trail to Section 16 goes left. The marker on the attached map is at the crossing. It appears the AT overlay on this map is not quite correct. Note: More extensive parking is at the USFS lot 0.3 miles further on Max Patch Road. (See Mile 19.6 of Section 15.) 08/19/14
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3-4 at trail crossing and 15-20 is USFS lot
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David Cullen
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Parking Lot: 35.792258, -82.962048
If you want to spend more time on paved roads rather than gravel roads, here is an alternative route from Hot Springs (not I-40). Using the directions above from Hot Springs, follow to Little Creek Road (it is paved at this point, no road sign, but there is a sign for Max Patch). Just before Little Creek Road turns to gravel, turn right on Poplar Gap Road, which is a good, paved road (again, no road sign, but there is a sign to turn there for Max Patch). Go to the end of Poplar Gap Road, then turn right on Little Creek Road (gravel, no road sign). Little Creek Road dead ends at Max Patch Road. Turn right on Max Patch Road (gravel) and follow the directions above from this point. (Please note: There are currently no road signs at Meadow Fork Road, Little Creek Road, or Max Patch Road. However, at Little Creek Road and Max Patch Road, there are signs that show you the directions to Max Patch. If you have GPS, it should reflect the road names).
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Note: There are currently no road signs at Meadow Fork Road, Little Creek Road, or Max Patch Road. However, at Little Creek Road and Max Patch Road, there are signs that show you the directions to Max Patch. If you have GPS, it should reflect the road names. 11/26/23 11/26/23
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susan_culbreath @ yahoo.com
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From the Harmon Den exit of I-40 in NC (Exit 7), take gravel Cold Springs Creek Road, USFS 148, east for 2.8 miles to a parking area and toilet facilities. Go left (north) on USFS 148A for 1.2 miles north to the trail crossing in Brown's Gap. I have not been to this trailhead so have no firsthand experience, but reports say this last section is steep in places but is passable to normal passenger cars. The AT Guide to TN/NC says the road on the other side of the gap may be rough.
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Go to pictures for Section 16 to see a view of the trail crossing in Brown Gap. There is a three-way road intersection. There is space for a few cars to park roadside. At the crossing, the northbound trail is right (east), the southbound is left (west). 08/18/14
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a few spaces roadside
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David Cullen
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Parking Area: If you want to spend more time on paved roads rather than gravel roads, here is an alternative route from Hot Springs (not I-40). From Hot Springs, follow to Little Creek Road (it is paved at this point, no road sign, but there is a sign for Max Patch). Just before Little Creek Road turns to gravel, turn right on Poplar Gap Road, which is a good, paved road (again, no road sign, but there is a sign to turn there for Max Patch). Go to the end of Poplar Gap Road, then turn right on Little Creek Road (gravel, no road sign). Little Creek Road dead ends at Max Patch Road. Turn left at Max Patch Rd. (away from Max Patch). In about 1/4 mile turn right onto Harmon Den/Cold Spring Creek Rd. (USFS 148) and go about 2 to 3 miles. At the parking area & toilet facilities, turn right onto Brown Gap Rd. (USFS 148A). Trailhead is 1.2 miles north on this road.
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There are currently no road signs at Meadow Fork Road, Little Creek Road, or Max Patch Road. However, at Little Creek Road and Max Patch Road, there are signs that show you the directions to Max Patch. If you have GPS, it should reflect the road names). IMPORTANT: in November 2023 access to Brown Gap was closed off due to firefighter activity related to the Black Bear Fire. It is unknown when it will open or conditions at the trailhead. Please report back to us any updates. 11/26/23
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susan_culbreath @ yahoo.com
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I noticed you don't have directions to the summit of Snowbird/Wildcat Top. One of my favorite places to camp. Steep road subject to occasional washouts. I have made it up there with 2-wheel drive. 10/17/07
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willey54 @ yahoo.com
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The attached map shows the route from Hartford, TN on I-40 to the summit of the west peak of Snowbird Mt. where there is an FAA tower. I have never been to this area so all information is from the AT Guide and the Google Map. According to the latter the summit is 8.8 miles from Hartford. The route appears to be paved for about the first 4.5 miles then becomes gravel. The last street view still shows a good gravel road. If there are problems with the road, they probably occur in the last three miles. I don't know if there are places along this last stretch where one could park and walk the rest of the way if the road is bad.
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There are good view from the cleared summit of the mountain. The AT passes right by the tower. 12/11/09
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Not known
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David Cullen
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2020 Update: Driving up to Snowbird Mountain the last few miles the roadway narrows to the point that it would be impossible to do a 3 point turn & turn around. Came to an area on uphill climb that the road on the right side was washing out into a creek bed below us. Barely made it up in a 4wd Honda Pilot. Plenty of space to turn around or park on top of Snowbird tower area.
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Many
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colleenbuchholz03@gmail.com
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See directions to gravel Green Corner Road (also called Waterville School Road) at Mile 13.3. From the north side of the I-40 overpass go about 0.8 miles to this trail crossing. Here the northbound trail comes out of the woods, follows the road for about 200 feet, then goes back into the woods . I have not visited the area north of I-40 so know nothing of the parking near the trailhead. From the satellite view on the attached map it appears to be minimal at best. Better parking is available at Standing Bear Hostel 0.3 miles further north on Green Corner Road
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I do not have reliable GPS values for the places where the trail intersects the road. The placement of the marker on the attached map is thus somewhat approximate. 08/18/14
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Not known at trail crossing
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David Cullen
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I recently parked for 7 nights at Standing Bear Hostel, approx 3 miles NW of Davenport Gap. There were no problems and at 2/night, it was a bargain. 05/14/12
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tjp53 @ mac.com
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The marker on the attached map indicates the entrance to Standing Bear hostel mentioned above, It is about 0.3 miles north of the trail crossing. Parking is available here for a reasonable fee. 08/18/14
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David Cullen
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Parking for about 9 cars just past the Standing Bear Hostel. Standing Bear charges 5 dollars per night for parking for nights that you don't stay at the hostel. I parked there in Sept 2023 with no issues. This is 2.7 AT hiking miles from Davenport Gap and a much better parking option. 09/20/23
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9
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carolanse @ outlook.com
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If Eastbound on I-40 take Exit 451 in Tennessee. At the end of the exit road turn left and cross under the freeway. Continue straight ahead on gravel Waterville School Road ( AKA Green Corner Road). In a short distance the northbound trail goes left into the woods, initially climbing a set of 38 stone steps.
From I-40 westbound, turn right at the end of the exit ramp for Exit 451 in Tennessee. Go right and proceed a short distance to the point where the northbound trail leaves the road. Note: The southbound trail follows the road under the freeway on on to Waterville Road.
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I have not visited the area north of the i-40 interchange so everything is 'book' information. From the satellite view there appears to be some roadside parking available. There is a picture of this area in the pictures for Section 16. The marker is placed at this possible parking near the trail crossing on the map. 008/17/14
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few roadside
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David Cullen
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Gravel road with at least 3 different places to park cars. Several cars could fit here. You can either park right near the AT as it enters the woods right after the highway, a bit up the road, or next to the second entrance of the AT entering the woods again about a 1/2 mile or mile up the road. 07/05/20
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Several
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blue-carolina @ hotmail.com
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If Eastbound on I-40 take Exit 451 in Tennessee. In about 0.1, turn right onto Tobes Creek Road and cross the Pigeon River. Just on the south side there is another intersection. The northbound AT comes out of the woods at the southeast corner. This intersection is Point A on the attached map. The street view to the south shows the trail head. Parking for 1-2 cars seems to be available at this point from this street view.
From I-40 westbound, after crossing NC/TN state border, go 0.7 miles - take Exit 451 (Waterville Road); at end of ramp turn left on Green Corner Road – go under I-40, Green Corner road curves to the right. [Note: Begin 2 way traffic with eastbound I-40 eastbound Exit 451 traffic.] Turn left on Tobes Creek Road and cross the Pigeon River to the intersection mentioned above.
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The street view to the south on the attached map shows the intersection and the limited parking possibilities. The southbound trail enters the woods just to the left of the intersection. The northbound trail follows Tobes Creek Road across the Pigeon River, then goes right on the I-40 exit road. Parking may be possible roadside along this, but I suspect that more than short-term would be highly unwise if not illegal. The trail turns left, crosses I-40 via an underpass and goes straight ahead on Waterville School Road (AKA Green Corner Road). The trail shortly goes north from the road, initially climbing a set of 38 stone steps. (Se mile 13.3) 08/17/14
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1-2 intersection
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David Cullen
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From I-40 eastbound take Exit 451 in Tennessee. Go about 0.1 miles along the exit road, then turn right on Tobes Creek Road and cross the Pigeon River. On the south side of the bridge, turn left. This road loops around and reaches Waterviille Road. Go right here for two miles to the intersection with NC 1397 (Mt. Sterling Road). Note: The Big Creek Ranger station is straight ahead at this intersection. Go right on Mt. Sterling Road for 1.2 miles. The trail crossing is right at the state line. There is parking for 5-6 cars a bit further on the Tennessee side.
See below for the route from I-40 westbound
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The marker on the attached map is at the trail crossing. The Google street view at this point is remarkably bad. See pictures for this section to get a better views of the trail crossing.
Note: This parking area is the site of frequent vandalism to parked cars. Overnight parking is extremely unwise. Secure parking is available at the Big Creek Ranger station. 08/17/14
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5-6
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David Cullen
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The attached map is similar to the previous one except that the marker indicates the location of the parking area. Rotate the street view to see the parking area. Note the warning in the previous listing warning about the parking situation in Davenport Gap. Safer parking is at the Big Creek Ranger Station 1.4 miles away. See mile 1.9. 08/17/14
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David Cullen
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From I-40 westbound, after crossing NC/TN state border, go 0.7 miles - take Exit 451 (Waterville Road); at end of ramp turn left on Green Corner Road – go under I-40, Green Corner road curves to the right. [Note: Begin 2 way traffic with eastbound I-40 eastbound Exit 451 traffic.] Turn left on Tobes Creek Road; turn left immediately after crossing the Pigeon River (this road loops around and reaches Waterville Road) Turn right on Waterville Road, go 2.0 miles; Turn right on Mt. Sterling Road (NC 1397), go 1.2 miles. The trail crossing is right at the state line. There is parking for 5-6 cars a bit further on the Tennessee side.
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08/04/14
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cfhartley @ columbiabasic.net
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On the Tennessee side the road is TN32. The trail crosses the road right at the point where the road turns from paved to gravel. 09/20/23
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5
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carolanse @ outlook.com
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