Free parking is available at the Newfound Gap trailhead. About four miles from the trailhead, youll reach the short side trail to your payoff: Charlies Bunion. A bit of ice on the trail but manageable without traction device. Sure, the name of the landform isnt the most appealingand yes, its etymological origin story does involve a foot weltbut the walk along the narrow ridge crest in the heart of the range is truly outstanding. Directions: The start point for Charlies Bunion is right at the hub of the Smokies: Newfound Gap. Origin: "Charlies Bunion got its name in 1929 when Swain County native Charlie Conner was hiking with outdoorsman Horace Kephart, photographer George Masa, and others along the high divide. No ice anymore. Theres a small loop when you get there. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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Updated June 29, 2015: Took another great hike to The Jumpoff and Charlies Bunion. Hed posted on the GoSmokies social network with photos from his first off-trail hike, which he thought went to No-Name Ridge. Trail Conditions:Elevation change of 1,600 feet; this is a firm-packed trail that traverses some exposed cliffs. Trying to find someone or any clues in that kind of landscape is very difficult.. Watch your step around the sheer edges for safety, and come prepared for potentially quick changing weather since you are on a high, razor-like ridge. In January, he took his 11-year-old daughter to a waterfall that Bennett had told him about. Hiking Distance: 4.0 miles one way to Charlies Bunion Trail Conditions :Elevation change of 1,600 feet; this is a firm-packed trail that traverses some exposed cliffs. The adventure begins at the Newfound Gap overlook and parking area (view maps and driving directions). Around Charlies Bunion, there are clear views, offering some of the best long-distance sights in the Park! LeConte northwest. This is a spectacular hike with rewarding views when you get to the overlook. About a tenth of a mile from the parking lot, Forney Ridge Trail connects to the ClingmansDome Bypass Trail, which then intersects with the Appalachian Trail. The return begins with a steady, one-mile ascent to the Icewater Spring Shelter. When they paused for a rest on the rocks, Conner took his boots and socks off and exposed a bunion that resembled the surrounding rocks. Upon seeing this, Kephart was said to have remarked, "I'm going to get this put on a Government map for you. The elevation gain is very manageable over the 1.7 miles to the peak and the views at the end are magnificent! The steady climb over the course of the first two miles of this hike will quickly leave the crowds behind at Newfound Gap. Ambler above 6,100 ft. in a dark old growth spruce-fir forest. The trail map I have seems to indicate the Jumpoff Trail has both northern and southern connections to the AT. Trail is still icy, its doable without spikes or walking sticks but you need to be careful. (Check out Insider Tips for information on a worthwhile detour at this point in your hike.) So far this year, there were five deaths from motor vehicle accidents, one from a motorcycle accident, one in which a woman fell off her bicycle and hit her head, one suicide, a man who was found. Missing hiker Mitzie Sue Susan Clements was found in Great Smoky Mountains National Park after a week of massive searching in terrain so rugged and thick with vegetation a helicopter was needed to extract her. Charlies Bunion Private Hike Asheville, NC 5.0 (6 reviews) Trip Highlights Spectacular Views Unique Geology Hike on the Appalachian Trail Top-shelf Backpack & Trekking Poles Opportunities to See Wildlife Tasty Trail Snacks & Picnic Lunch Description A Note On Safety: Why is it called Charlies Bunion? 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. This route rises and falls over 3600 feet on this eight-mile roundtrip from Newfound Gap. Charlies Bunion via Kephart Loop. The tallest mountain in Tennessee, Clingmans Dome, is one of the greatest attractions for hikers who visit the park. Trust me. The stats for deaths in the Smoky Mountains are as follows: 37 motor vehicle crashes. This strenuous hike is 8.1 miles roundtrip and includes 1640 feet of elevation gain. About a mile in, there was a very icy section. Large-scale logging operations in the Oconaluftee valley, however, left large piles of dry, dead brushwood scattered about the streambeds above Smokemont. The man, Phillip Basset Davenport, 47, was from Nashville and hiking with a group of friends. Thundering Streams and Falls of the Smokies Guided Hiking Tour. The death of the well-known 62-year-old shook the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club and outdoor community throughout Appalachia. Have them call the park at 865-436-1230 if you do not return within a reasonable time. Miles of slick ice and snow. The SmokyMountains.com Local Experts Team. 5214 Reviews. I jumped out just to look inside. On the way back, we would stop at The Jumpoff for a view of Charlies Bunion from across the valley. Or perhaps myth. McCue also reports that when Masa Knob, a peak halfway between Charlies Bunion and Mount Kephart, was officially approved in 1961, Charlie Connor quipped, I am glad Masa had this honor close to my Bunion (Knoxville Journal, May 17, 1961). A final element that adds to the confusion surrounding Charlies Bunion is that like any other site in the Smokies with a seemingly possessive name it never received its possessive apostrophe. Carver has been continuing to take the off-trail hikes that he and Jenny Bennett had talked about before her death. Lots of fun and gorgeous views. Ended up figuring it out half a mile down the trail when we say a mileage marker. The trail continues onto a side trail about a mile north of the shelter. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. I thoroughly enjoyed this hike and would like to visit again during the autumn leaf season. Frome wrote that he interviewed Connor at his home in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, when Connor was in his 70s. She said a commonality in typical lost person behavior is that often people who are lost or disoriented will head downhill or head toward water. Stunning views. Officials found her body about four miles up the trail, in a place thats a gateway to some of the Great Smoky Mountains National Parks most unusual and challenging terrain. We picked this spot to enjoy our lunch. To summarize, this is a beautiful stretch of the Appalachian Trail with deep forest and scenic vistas that isnt especially difficult. The view soon unfolds to reveal the rocky precipice, with steep cliff faces, worn (and often slick) rock, and narrow pathways. Approximately 0.25 miles after the junction you'll pass the Icewater Spring shelter, names for a nearby spring that flows from a pipe onto the Appalachian Trail. Your email address will not be published. Its do-able without, but its difficult and includes a lot of scrambling and traction devices would make it easier. It is rugged and ragged a sort of obstructive bump on the landscape near Mount Le Conte, its much more impressive neighbor. Please refer to the official trail map for the most current and accurate route. I drove out of there as fast as I could and reported it to the rangers.. I had heard from others that the Smokies were alive with wildflowers this year from all the winter wetness. "[7] There is another, slightly different, story told by Paul M. Fink in his book "The Names and Lore of The Great Smoky Mountains" in which Fink says that one of the group upon looking at the bare rock pinnacle left by the storm, and knowing of Conner's foot affliction, remarked: "Well that sticks out like Charlie's bunion" prompting Kephart to decide on that name. Do not rely on technology to save you. Read before you think. Very icy about a mile in. 107 Park Headquarters Road The mountain rising above Charlies Bunion to the west was named after Kephart. He was 84 years old. In order to rest his weary feet, Charlie took off his boots and socks to reveal a humongous bunion that Horace thought resembled the unusual granite they were sitting on. Lots of ice skating in the first third but it goes away. The Bunion rises over 5500 feet above sea level, scoring some incredible views. We walkedThe wrong way in AT! Those interested in having the Bunion experience can start at the Newfound Gap parking lot on U.S. 441. In September, a few months after her death, Carver joined Fleming and Jennys brother, Peter Bennett of Bozeman, Montana, to take her up Lester Prong for a final time. Trail is super easy to navigate versus other lesser known trails in smoky mountains/Nantahala. The following are paid links. Check out our favorite. In 1925, a massive forest fire, feeding off this dry foliage, raced up Kephart Prong, and quickly spread across the Sawteeth and over into Tennessee. Went when it was rainy and foggy in the beginning of February so I didnt get to see the great views. Its been an odd spring. The current name was derived when Charlie Conner went hiking one day with Horace Kephart, one of the early proponents for a national park in the Smokies, and the author of Our Southern Highlanders. Charlies Bunion is one of the most popular hiking and backpacking destinations in the Smokies. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. I went towards the end of October and the Fall colors were amazing. In June, Carver was headed back from a trip to Toledo when he received the broadcast email about Bennetts disappearance. This is eroding soil, so if you step too close to the edge, you simply dont know if today is the day that piece of earth decides to fall over the abyss. The way they hiked together, the daughter wanted to do a little more miles, so they would often hike together for part of the trip and meet back at the parking lot. It rises over the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the Little Pigeon River to the north and the Oconaluftee River to the south. A mere footnote in the geologic record, Charlies Bunion may lack the fame other Smoky Mountain hikes. We planned to stop on the way back for pictures. If you've googled the trail, you've seen that it is defined as strenuous. Hike Length: 9.5 miles Hike Duration: 7 hours Hike Configuration: Out and back Hike Rating: Moderate, some dangerous dropoffs The weather that week was typical: highs in the 80s, lows in the upper 50s. And before you go, always check the trailhead kiosk, official maps, and the park or ranger office for notices of changed routes, trail closures, safety information, and restrictions. This handcrafted timber and stone AT shelter, complete with a stone hearth, makes a fantastic place for a mid-hike break, and a nearby spring offers a chance to refill on water. Sunrise Along the Appalachian Trail You'll walk mostly uphill for the first half of the hike. The Jumpoffs jaw-dropping vantage affords a nice look at the Bunion to the east. Campbell said people are asking how its possible to get lost in such a busy place as Clingmans Dome, which is popular for its tower the highest point in the park at 6,643 feet reached on a pavedpath from the parking lot. He asked about the bunion, and Connor said he didnt have one. The trail narrows as nears the crest of Mount Ambler, following a single track path framed by a fragrant spruce-fir forest. Out of Cherokee, NC, take Hwy 441 about 20 miles to the NewFoundland Gap parking area. The hike is an out-and-back so the elevation profile on the return trip to the trailhead is simply the opposite of the hike out. And so he did. Its a majestic sight, but unfortunately cast in a grey pall from the overcast and valley haze. Subscribe to our newsletter of follow us on the social channels to stay tuned. Park in the large lot there. If you reach ice, dont go any farther unless you have crampons, even if you have poles. Excellent trail description and photos!..Twenty years ago when my son, Cade, was ten, we hiked the same route..What a fun timeI injured my back when almost to Charlies Bunyan but we persevered..On the way back my little guy carried my daypack for me. 2023 www.citizen-times.com. The two had been emailing in the days prior to her disappearance, with her trying to link him up with another off-trail hiking buddy. Smokies search: In 500 miles, no clues on lost hiker, Smokies hiker search ends, Clingmans Dome Road reopens, Victims in Great Smoky Mountains car crash identified, Woman dies in Great Smoky Mountains bicycle accident, Anyone hiking in the Smokies should take it seriously, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Adventure Tours. Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail. This trail is well marked and goes left to Charlies Bunion. Vast, vertical, and daunting. You will really feel like youre on the backbone of the Appalachians. Charlies Bunion was named in 1929 for Charlie Conners bunion on his foot, seen one day when hiking with Horace Kephart, one of the leading campaigners for the creation of the national park. Mt. Charlie's Bunion is the result of human actions and nature. Another trait that makes the area distinctive: The rock is different, says Hiram Rogers, a geologist and member of the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club who knew Bennett. There is a clear view of Charlies Bunion from 500 feet above. We would climb up ridges and once at the top, Jenny would point out all the ridges and peaks around us and tell me what their names were, Carver says. Get an early start from the trailhead for the best opportunities for some solitude. She didnt really want any help from anybody.. Most of the eastern area of the national park, and much to the north is noticeable from The Jumpoff. Think before you speak. Its a fairlydifficult hike thats quite rocky, with a few steep sections. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The hike to Charlies Bunion begins from the large parking area at Newfound Gap. I hadnt seen my brother (the other Internet Brother) in a year, so it would be great to get back on the trail together. Northeastward the sharp ridge crest youve been tracing points to the distant summit of remote 6,621-foot Mount Guyot, the second-loftiest mountain in the range. He suffered severe head trauma and passed away as a result of these injuries, according to a spokesperson for the park. Recommend ice spikes and poles. She had a moderate fear of heights but enjoyed facing and overcoming that fear: Ive been with her on harrowing cliff faces and towering waterfalls. The story is told that Horace and his friend Charlie Connor had heard about a landslide along the ridge separating the two states. Some good views along the way. He got so involved in the experience he neglected to drink enough water and had to take a long break. You can see with the radar HD if precipitation is falling at the moment, or headed towards Charlies Bunion soon. The trail descends from Mount Ambler, rolling elevation past an intersection with the Boulevard Trail at 2.7 miles, which leads to Myrtle Point on Mount LeConte. While the official cause of death is still under investigation, park spokeswoman Julena Campbell said, foul play is not suspected. Turn off on the Boulevard Trail and take the marked side path for a half-mile or so to the Jumpoff, a cliff-buttressed spur off Mount Kepharts northern flanks. Apparently there were quite a few other hikers who left Newfound Gap within 15 minutes of us, because very shortly after we arrived, Charlies Bunion was like Grand Central Station. (Tread carefully!) By now, youre reaching the highest part of the trail. 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