Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day) 9:18 pm 23.0 miles Max Patch
AT 251.6 Stealth Campsite → AT 274.6 Laughing Heart Hostel
Weather: Sun to rain to overcast
Trail Conditions: Lots of water sources and log bridges today. Max Patch was a nice change of scenery!
My Condition: Smelling good! Took a shower and washed my clothes. Physically, pretty sore and excited for a zero tomorrow
Hikers Met: Seth, Fine Line, Tigger (hostel caretaker)
Max Patch was a pretty happening place today – quite a few people seemed to have either camped there last night or driven in to one of the nearby parking lots/access points. Long stretch into Hot Springs, NC tonight. Staying at the Laughing Heart hostel. Got in too late, and on Memorial Day to boot, to get food from one of the local restaurants that remain open – excited to get food tomorrow in town. Did pick up a 6 pack from Asheville Brewing Company – one of my favorites in Asheville! Shame it isn’t the Fire Escape. Took a much needed shower and did some much needed laundry and now I smell much better. Met some other thru hikers today. Seth earlier in the day, and Fine Line right before the climb down into town. Talked with a section hiker who is going from Max Patch to Damascus. Tomorrow, planning on catching up with folks, sorting out jury duty, going to the outfitter, and resupplying along with grabbing some meals in town. I wonder if my body is going to be itching to move anyways.
Post Trail Analysis
I could see Hot Springs being a REALLY fun town in non-pandemic times. I was hoping to stay at the Appalachian Trail-er, which is owned by Jennifer Pharr Davis’s Blue Ridge Hiking Company. Unfortunately, they didn’t answer when I called about reservations, and walking past later on it looked like they may have been booked up. From the Laughing Heart hostel, there is a road which takes a big sweeping arc down and to the left, reminiscent of Pittsburgh roads with big dropoffs. I followed the road on my first trip down into town, but later found a MUCH more convenient path which is just up the road to the right from the hostel. There is a brewpub in town, which was closed for COVID. I grabbed gas station snacks for the evening. I spent a lot of time sitting on the back patio while I was at the hostel, taking care of and enjoying being off my feet, along with my Perfect Day IPA from Asheville Brewing.
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