The U.S. Forest Service is working with area hiking clubs to improve trail conditions in the Max Patch section of the Pisgah National Forest, also known as the Harmon Den area, which spans northern Haywood and southern Madison counties.

Max Patch is a popular grassy bald with panoramic views. Hikers trekking directly up the face of the bald have cut a deep scar into the meadow. Many hikers either overlook or deliberately ignore the sign asking them to use the proper trail, a gently-sloped route that curves around the side of the bald.

“People are constantly tearing down the sign. We are trying to make something more noticeable so those with good intentions don’t do it,” said Linda Randolph, a Forest Service ranger with the project. Consequently, the forest service plans to place large boulders in front of the illegal trail and to reseed the eroded path. The Carolina Mountain Club will work to improve the legitimate loop trails on the bald.

Max Patch is a natural bald, but like most balds in the Southern Appalachians, it is being threatened by encroaching forest. The forest service contracts with area farmers to keep the bald meadows in hay production, but part of the bald has been lost to brambles. The forest service plans to reclaim a 50-acre portion of the bald by placing it in regular hay production. The Appalachian Trail Club will help with the initial mowing, or bush-hogging, of the reclaimed section. The AT goes over Max Patch.

Other proposals in the area include the following:

• The Hot Springs Mountain Club will convert a 3-mile section of old logging roads into an extension of the Betty Place trail, creating a loop. Completing this extension will require building two stream crossings, clearing vegetation and installing signage.

• Trout Unlimited will work with the Forest Service to construct an informational bulletin board at the trout pond located just down the road from the Max Patch parking area.

• The Smoky Mountain Trail Riders will widen a 100-foot stretch of the Buckeye Ridge trail. Vegetation has rendered the trail nearly impassable to equestrians.

• Several measures should increase food sources for wildlife. A 60 to 100-foot-wide buffer will be cut down around existing meadow patches, for a total of 10 acres of clearing. Allowing these cleared areas to grow back into brush will encourage wildlife to graze in the meadows, knowing they can quickly dart into the surrounding brush for cover.

• Small saplings encroaching on about 225 apple trees along logging roads and in wildlife fields will also be cut down to give the apple trees, a food source for wildlife, more growing room. Saplings crowding oak and cherry trees will be cut down for the same purpose.

• The National Wild Turkey Federation will assist with liming and fertilizing various meadow patches totaling 31 acres to encourage grasses and provide food for turkey. The Wildlife Commission and Forest Service will seed portions of old logging roads throughout the area to create food sources and prevent erosion of the road beds.