![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-1.jpeg)
Il y a relativement peu de sommets découverts dans la région. Il faut dire que l'altitude n'est pas tellement élevée et du coup les arbres n'ont aucun problèmes a pousser sur les sommets, même si ils sont souvent plus petits.
Donc les quelques sommets de la région qui sont découverts au sommet sont souvent appelles "balds" (chauves).
C'est le cas de Max Patch, un sommet de 1407m au nord d'Asheville. Il a été dégagé par un usage intensif pour des pâturages dans les années 1800. Depuis les services forestiers le maintiennent en état afin que les randonneurs puissent profiter de vues a 360 degrés.
On y accède via la route I-40, sortie 7, suivre Cold Springs Creek Rd (route forestière) puis Max Patch Rd.
There are very few open summit in the area. Of course the altitude isn't very high so trees have no problem growing at the summit, even if they are often smaller.
So the few summits in the area that are uncovered are often called "balds".
It's Max Patch's case a 4616f high summit north of Asheville. It was cleared to use as pasture for cattle in the 1800's. Since then the forest service maintains it so hikers can enjoy the 360 degree views.
To get there take I-40 to exit 7, then follow Cold Springs Creek Rd (dirt road) to Max Patch rd.
![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-2.jpeg)
There are two ways to get to the summit, the first version is short and simple: from the parking lot head straight up to the summit. Not all that interesting for us since we wanted to walk a bit. So we took the trail that goes around the summit and then goes up via the Appalachian Trail. It was very nice, in the forest and with flowers that faded a while back in Asheville such as this Flame Azalea.
![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-3.jpeg)
A Galax flower in the middle of the ferns. I think I'm going to get this picture printed and hang it on a wall.
![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-4.jpeg)
There I have to make a parenthesis and say that the National Geographic maps have nothing to do with the IGN (French Geographic Institute), first of all the maps cover much larger areas and are less precise. It's not the first time that we find a trail not on the map (even though we had the latest edition). We followed a trail that was a (new?) extension of the one we wanted to take and while it was fun (and muddy) it wasn't quite what we had in mind).
![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-5.jpeg)
The back of Max Patch.
![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-6.jpeg)
A pretty wooden fence.
![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-7.jpeg)
We met up with the A.T. to go up gently toward the summit. I liked it better as much for the view, the smoother way up and the welcomed shade of the trees.
![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-8.jpeg)
On the ridge we were surrounded by a field of wild flowers.
![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-9.jpeg)
The summit and it geodetic marker.
![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-10.jpeg)
360 degrees view from the summit.
![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-11.jpeg)
A natural patch on the slope.
![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-12.jpeg)
To go down we took the fast way. It seems that some go up to the summit only to tan? (There are neither creeks nor waterfall nearby).
![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-13.jpeg)
![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-14.jpeg)
A few explanations.
![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-15.jpeg)
Par contre sur la route on c'est pris une saucee, un bon deluge ou l'on n'y voyait rien avec des eclairs qui partaient de tous les cotés et des essuis-glaces devenus inutiles.
We were lucky because we went in between storms. It's not the case of everyone. Indeed on June 8th a young woman was killed by lightning as her boyfriend was about to propose at the top of Max Patch.
However on the way back we went through a heavy storm, a curtain of rain, we couldn't see a thing with lightening everywhere and useless windshield whippers.
![Max Patch Max Patch](http://media.paperblog.fr/i/337/3374960/max-patch-L-16.jpeg)