Charlie's Bunion on Appalachian Trail/Smoky Mountains National Park

We chose this hike because of the high elevation and spectacular views. I also wanted to see what the Appalachian Trail was like. The weather didn't disappoint as we could see all the gorgeous fall colors at our destination.

 

 

The hike through the trees was so different from our other hike since we started at 5,000 ft elevation. We were for the most part , hiking through evergreens.

 

To start we drove to the center of the park to Newfound Gap Overlook at the parking lot where everyone stops for the views. There were photographers set up to capture the early morning laying fog in the mountains.

 

 

The trail starts out with a 1.5 mile steady ascent through a spruce fir forest. At the first junction at sweet heifer creek trail, a path leads right to a gorgeous view and a bench to relax with a snack.

A good part of the trail consisted of hiking over tree roots.

 

This was one of the views peeking through as we traversed the ridge.

At 2.7 miles a junction leads to Mt LeConte where you can spend the night if you have reservations. A little further a trail leads to Jump Off. This is a shorter Version at 6 miles RT versus 8.

 

 

 

Back on the AT in .3 miles a path to the right leads to the Icewater Spring Shelter. This is a place where backpackers on the trail can stop for the night or rest along the way. There were several notebooks that hikers have recorded some comments.

 

 

It was fun to read some of the writings in the journals by past backpackers.

Just beyond the shelter you will pass over a rusty pipe spewing onto the trail. This is Icewater Spring. Just a bit further will lead to Charlie's Bunion and the panoramic views. These are bare jagged cliffs that were created from erosion father many trees were cut down. The trail circles the knoll to head back to the trail.

 

This trail is 8.2 miles took us 6 hours with 1,000 elevation

These were the views from the end of Charlie's Bunion. Panoramic!!