Max Patch

Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina · 4,629 ft

Bare <20% Typical peak was 18 days ago

Typical peak

Oct 10 – Oct 18

moderate confidence in typical timing.

Best light

Works at both ends of the day

A mown grass bald on the Appalachian Trail with an unobstructed ring of ridgelines, including the Smokies crest to the west. The bald goes straw gold while maple and cherry fire up in the coves below the rim, giving a clean foreground-to-background separation.

Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated Nov 1, 2026.

Crowds

high

Busy through peak. Be parked before sunrise or expect to walk in.

Coordinates

35.7970, -82.9568

Open in Maps

Getting there

Drive NC 209 to Meadow Fork Road, then Max Patch Road (SR 1182) to the Forest Service lot; the summit is a 0.6-mile walk up the loop trail.

What turns here

red maple
sugar maple
black cherry

Color progression

Typical peak Oct 14

typical peak Nov 1, 2026

Max Patch is typically at bare on Nov 1, 2026.

This season so far

Reported peak

None yet

Seen peak color here? Add a report.

First frost

Oct 18

2 nights at or below 32°F since Aug 1.

Last 14 days

59°F / 36°F

Average daily high and low.

Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.

Plan the light

Max Patch on October 14, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.

Solar event times for Max Patch on October 14, 2026
Event	Time
First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon	7:11 AM
Sunrise Rises E · 99°	7:37 AM
Morning golden hour ends 34 min of low, warm light	8:12 AM
Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light	1:17 PM
Evening golden hour starts 34 min before sunset	6:23 PM
Sunset Sets W · 260°	6:58 PM
Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon	7:23 PM

Times in America/New York · day length 11h 21m · computed from NOAA solar equations.

Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.

Which way to point the camera

Sun rises E, sets W.

Aim within 45° of the sun for translucent leaves. Turn your back to it for flat, accurate color.

Shooting conditions

Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.

Recent reports

What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.

Nearby locations

Within 100 miles in a straight line; road distances can be longer.