Ever drive up to Max Patch out of Del Rio? A nice drive if you can figure out how to get back in there LOL. That’s about as far as upper eastern I’ve gone on the mountains. Most of my running around has been the park and south down in Tellico.
Hadn't heard of it until you mentioned it...I have been up in that area...picking blueberries around Greeneville; then down to Asheville the 'back way' via Hot Springs. Just checked it out on Mapquest; that does look like a fun drive. We love those remote mountain roads; off the beaten path; as they say. Is Max Patch paved? Or does it require a sturdy vehicle? (We went up to Beauty Spot in the Erwin area for a meteor shower one night...4 x 4 road, to say the least. Huge rocks in road...if you can call it that...))