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The official southern end of Section 14 and northern end of Section 15 is at the intersection of US25, 70 and NC 209 in Hot Springs, NC. This is indicated by the marker on the attached map. The street view also shows the intersection. Northbound to Section 14 goes east on the sidewalk along US 25, 70 (Bridge St.) , while southbound goes west on the sidewalk along NC 209 (Appalachian Trail Road). There is probably no parking at this intersection. While there is parking on the streets of Hot Springs, this would be at best short term. The preferred lot for hikers is on Serperntine Street (Mile 0.4 of Section 15).
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Hot Springs has motel accommodations, inns, stores, restaurants, barbershop, coin laundry, post office (28743) and a USDA Forest Service information. During office hours, hikers may obtain information and shelter permits for the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. 12/10/09
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See directions
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at @ rohland.org
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From the intersection of VA 209 and US 25/70 in Hot Springs, proceed north then west on the latter. In 0.2 miles go left onto Serpentine Street. I believe this is the first left turn. There is some sort of monument at the intersection. Go 0.1 miles on Serpentine Street to the USFS hiker parking lot on the right. The marker on the attached map indicates the parking area. There is a view of the parking area in the Section 15 pictures.
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This is the preferred parking area for hikers in Hot Springs, particularly if parking overnight. The AT overlay on the map is off. The actual trail on be seen crossing the parking area. The northbound trail goes east, crosses Serpentine Street, descends some stone steps and crosses VA 209 at the marked crosswalk visible on the Satellite view . It then turns left and is on the sidewalk paralleling the highway. (revalidated Feb 2023)
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15-20
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David Cullen
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From the intersection of US 25/70 and NC 209, follow the latter south, then turn right on Bluff Mountain Road (NC 1173). Go right for 1.6 miles to the gap.
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According to my AT map the road continues as a dirt road to the AT. Access on the road is blocked right before the AT access. 1/30/2008
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at @ rohland.org
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From the intersection of US 25/70 and NC 209 in Hot Springs, proceed south on the later for about 6.5 miles to the intersection with Gorenflo Gap Road (note spelling). Go right on this side road. Initially it is well paved, then becomes poorly paved. The lst 0.3 miles or so are on gravel road. Parking is at the end of the open section of the road, 1.5 miles from NC 209. Beyond this point the road is gated.
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As I recall the route is clear. There is one intersection which might be confusing. Bear right here staying at Gorenflo Gap Road. The AT is on the east side of the parking area. The northbound trail goes east while the southbound initially parallels the road going north for a short distance before crossing the closed portion. There is a picture of the parking area in the pictures for Section 15. 08/19/14
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6-8
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David Cullen
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There is currently no road sign marking Garenflo (or Gorenflo) Gap Rd. If driving south on NC 209 from Hot Springs, NC, the road is about .3 mile on your right after you pass Zion Missionary Baptist Church on your right. 8/6/2023
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susan_culbreath @ yahoo.com
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See directions to the trail crossing of Max Patch Road (Mile 20.6). Continue on Max Patch Road for another 3.6 miles (3.2 miles past the USFS parking lot) to Lemon Gap. A side road goes off to the right. Parking is along this side road.
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The AT crosses the side road. The southbound trail goes south from here towards Max Patch. The northbound trail goes left towards Bluff Mountain and eventually Hot Springs. 08/18/14 (revalidated Nov 2023 by Susan C.)
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4-6
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David Cullen
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See directions to the trail crossing of Max Patch Road (Mile 20.6). Continue another 0.3 miles on Max Patch Road to the USFS parking lot on the right. This lot is indicated by the marker on the attached map. There are pictures of the parking lot in the photos accompanying the map and also in the pictures for Section 15.
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The AT may be accessed by following an old road for 0.4 miles to a slight col on the east side of Max Patch at mm 19.6. There is also an unofficial trail directly to the summit at mm 19.8. One may also walk back down the road to the trail crossing. 10/29/09
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12-15
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David Cullen
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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 (NC 1182). 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 .) 08/19/14
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3-4 at trail crossing
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David Cullen
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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 previous listing for more details about the trail crossing 12/20/15
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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
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susan_culbreath @ yahoo.com
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