The next day, I had plans to go to the top of Max Patch via Brown Gap Road. I soon found out that Brown Gap had a bridge out, so I took a 10 mile detour on Chestnut Ridge Road. It had a couple nice creek crossings, and multiple National Forest Dispersed camping sites. It's in Martha Sundquist State Forest and Pisgah National Forest. Very nice but tight dirt/rock road. Nothing too difficult, but I added a couple pin stripes to the side of the camper.
Took a nice hike to the top of Max Patch, before I headed down Creek Side Scenic Drive (2 way gravel road), which also had some nice dispersed camping sites next to a beautiful Creek.
Then down the Cataloochee Turnpike to Maggie Valley, the Eastern Cherokee Reservation, and the town of Cherokee.
Saw a small herd of elk near Cherokee.