This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Right off the bat, the Jumpoff Trail climbs steeply through a maze of moss and lichen covered roots and rocks. This highlights the many natural hazards that exist in the sprawling, half-million-acre park in the North Carolina-Tennessee mountains, for experienced as well as inexperienced hikers. Most of us picture the park via trail, but most of us do not get off-trail and realize what the landscape really is like, she said. This is an impressively rugged and steep-sided outcrop on the north side of the divide crest; its part of the slate-heavy Anakeesta Formation, responsible for some of the roughest, rockiest topography in the Smokies (the Chimney Tops off Sugarland Mountain are another well-known example). Suicide ranks with drowning and heart attacks as one of the leading causes of death on public lands. Have them call the park at 865-436-1230 if you do not return within a reasonable time. 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. Great day! Trail should be in good condition until the next storm, As of today the trail is fully possible. We decided to extend the Charlie's Bunion hike by an additional 7 1/2 miles with a detour via Grass Branch Trail & Sweat Heifer Creek trail. 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. That was fairly typical, Campbell said. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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 balance of the hike after passing Ice Water Springs is mostly downhill to Charlie's Bunion. Learn more about pet restrictions in the park. Subscribe to our newsletter of follow us on the social channels to stay tuned. But like Carver, he didnt connect the dots until after her death. Please always practice good trail etiquette. Six days later, she was reported missing. Its a strenuous stretch of the Appalachian Trail with extended climbs and traverses across exposed elevated cliffs. Few summits offer such commanding panoramas of the surrounding Smokies. Give credit or blame for this to the U.S.Board on Geographic Names, whichbanished possessive apostrophesfor geographic place names long ago. Other than that great hike! Charlies Bunion will never be mistaken for one of the Great Smoky Mountains majestic peaks. You dont want to stumble and fall as it would be quite awhile before you stop. There is a clear view of Charlies Bunion from 500 feet above. This was a great hike. ISSN 2324-6057, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by Wordpress | Logo by Design Aspirations, Want a free Meanderthals Hiking sticker? Sass says she had emailed him on May 26 about him coming to visit her and hike in Vermont. The runs go vertical at times, and theyre often choked with rhododendron and clogged by logjams. What do you do if you get lost or disoriented or hurt yourself? Its do-able without, but its difficult and includes a lot of scrambling and traction devices would make it easier. The trail map I have seems to indicate the Jumpoff Trail has both northern and southern connections to the AT. He asked about the bunion, and Connor said he didnt have one. Some ice on trail still , but able to get around it. When they reached the now-barren western flank of the Sawteeth, Charlie Conner, a mountain guide from Oconaluftee, removed his shoe, revealing a badly-swollen foot. The following are paid links. 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. The climb, in tandem with the exposed and somewhat rocky topography, leaves most of the tourist buzz behind at Newfound Gap. Highly recommend making the 0.7 mi detour to jump off point for what I think might be the best views in the national park. The trail descends a bit and finally reaches The Jumpoff overlook after about 0.6 mile. We retraced our steps to the AT and turned west for a return that is all downhill. 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. Trail was a little icy when we went but was worth all the beautiful views. Much of the way offers long distance viewing on both sides of the ridge, so keep your camera handy as you hop from North Carolina to Tennessee, and back. View was nonexistent due to cloudy weather but a dynamic trail keeps you very entertained. 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. Plenty of other people on the trail. Charlies Bunion is one of the most popular hiking and backpacking destinations in the Smokies. Very icy about a mile in. The characteristic boulder-like protrusion on northern face of Charlies Bunion, with the summit rising on the right, Sherrill Hatcher, "The Appalachian Trail In the Smokies,", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charlies_Bunion&oldid=1040001999, This page was last edited on 22 August 2021, at 02:57. Her body was found just downstream from the first crossing on the manway above the campsite. Then its less than a hundred yards to the outcropping. The route offers several places to take in magnificent vistas of the Smoky Mountains. A round-trip hike from Newfound Gap to the Bunion is about 8 miles, including some relatively steep terrain, so its not a trip to approach casually and definitely not with brand-new boots. Its a majestic sight, but unfortunately cast in a grey pall from the overcast and valley haze. To make an online request for the death record you need, go to the website of Vitalcheck and follow the instructions stated there. If you stay put, you increase the likelihood that someone will find you more quickly. The Blue Ridge area, closer to home, has had a late spring bloom. Please support them by making a donation or joining a volunteer day. All rights reserved. Late May marks the end of peak spring wildflower season. 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. Trail Condition: AT is very good, some of the Jumpoff Trail is sketchy. To reach the trailhead from the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, drive 13 miles south along Newfound Gap Road. Im sure I will be back to try some of the other seasons. With panoramic vistas and a rather remote location, this scenic spot on the Appalachian Trail offers a chance to experience raw Appalachian splendor. He suffered severe head trauma and passed away as a result of these injuries, according to a spokesperson for the park. 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. Leconte and its Myrtle Point overlook. Did both the jump off and Charlies Bunion. Ice is nearly fully gone from the trail. We watched for it as Hwy 441 winded its way up the steep incline. Charlies Bunion, part of the western wing of the Sawteeth, is a bare rock face at 5,565' with beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding area. Horace Kephart was one of the local leaders most instrumental in obtaining national park status for the Smoky Mountains area. Trailful Outdoor Co. is a registered trademark of Summit19 Studio LLC.Privacy Policy | Terms of Use No photo, illustration, data, or text on this website may be reproduced, published, or distributed without prior written permission and license. But the views along the way are unparalleled, and some of the best the Smokies have to offer. Important trail information: Difficulty: Strenuous. How did Charlies Bunion National Park get its name? Hike the Appalachian Trail to Charlies Bunion from Newfound Gap, exploring some of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes in the Great Smoky Mountains on this challenging eight-mile adventure. And we picked the Appalachian Trail to celebrate. 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. One of the most scenic hikes in the Smoky Mountain. Many will know Duane as the long-time proprietor of the . Given the celebrated views, the proximity to Newfound Gap, and the fact that its along the Appalachian Trail, the hike to Charlies Bunion is a well-used one. At the conclusion of an outing, her clothes would often be torn, and she would be dirty, bruised, scratched, bleedingand smiling ear-to-ear.. About a mile in, there was a very icy section. Posted by Jeff on May 22, 2013 @ 1:32 pm in Appalachian Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Hiking Blog, North Carolina, Rated Moderate Hikes, Tennessee, Vista Hikes | 1 comment | Last modified: July 5, 2017. The adventure begins from the eastern edge of the parking area, following the AT eastbound beside a historical stone pavilion. The trail starts off with a gradual ascent of about 300 feet in the first mile. Ambler, start looking on your right for the Icewater Springs Shelter, one of the many refuges strategically placed along the Appalachian Trail to make it tolerable for the thru-hikers. C$20.54. The son of avid outdoorsman father and a mother with a passion for education, he sought to wander his home from an early age. Masa and Connor went exploring along the main Smoky divide and climbed over the knob that later became known as Charlies Bunion. All Rights Reserved. (Remember to filter, purify, or otherwise treat this water if you want a taste.). The last mile to Charlies Bunion descends about 500 feet along a sometimes rocky, flower-laden footpath. Charlies Bunion which was formed by a fire in 1925 that killed trees and . Published in San Diego Union-Tribune on Feb. 26, 2023. Thundering Streams and Falls of the Smokies Guided Hiking Tour. Trail is super easy to navigate versus other lesser known trails in smoky mountains/Nantahala. Ambler above 6,100 ft. in a dark old growth spruce-fir forest. This area is easily accessed no matter if you're coming from the Tennessee or North Carolina side. The trailhead is to the left of the overlook, at the end of the parking lot near the restrooms. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you're looking for the guy who was inspired by Charlie's story enough to name this feature Charlies Bunion, you'll pass his namesake Mount Kephart on the way to your overlook, close to the AT's junction with the Boulevard Trail. 2021 HikingintheSmokys.com & StaySense LLC. There isnt a whole lot of room to maneuver there, so we decided to give the others their turn and move on to our next destination The Jumpoff. The best thing is to stay put and stay on a trail, Campbell said. This is a moderate hike with a few obstacles to maneuver but not bad otherwise. The full story of the Bunions naming might never be known. Charlies Bunion is a mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains of the Southeastern United States, characterized by a large boulder-like protrusion just below the summit on its otherwise-sheer northern face. The man, Phillip Basset Davenport, 47, was from Nashville and hiking with a group of friends. At 2.7 miles you will come to another trail junction, this time with The Boulevard Trail. It wont look the same as the time before, from the flash floods that rage through there.. 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. Charlies Bunion is one of the most popular hiking and backpacking destinations in the Smokies. Her car was found that night at the Porters Creek trailhead, and her body soon was located up the trail near a backcountry campsite. 2023 www.citizen-times.com. The Porters Creek Trail runs by Fern Branch Falls, which falls more than 40 feet into a boulder field on the left side of the trail. LOCATION:on the Appalachian Trail in the Smoky Mountains, PACK:our Osprey day pack and our hiking gear list, OFFICIAL MAP: Trails Illustrated #317: Clingmans Dome, Cataloochee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (find it at Trailful Outdoor Co.). Hike a short 2.6-mile roundtrip to the stunning walk-behind waterfall at Grotto Falls. The death of the well-known 62-year-old shook the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club and outdoor community throughout Appalachia. 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. When they paused for a rest on the rocks, Conner took his boots and socks off, exposing a bunion or two that rivaled the surrounding stones. The Jumpoffs jaw-dropping vantage affords a nice look at the Bunion to the east. Most of the eastern area of the national park, and much to the north is noticeable from The Jumpoff. The hike is approximately 5 miles round trip and is considered moderate in difficulty. MORE: Smokies search: In 500 miles, no clues on lost hiker. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 8 h 7 min to complete. Its precipitous cliffs, unusual for the Great Smokies, are nothing to play around with: Reckless scrambling could result in a nastyand potentially fatalfall. 37 total in the last ten years. Its incredibly thick and very rocky. Shed been missing a week before her disappearance was reported and a search began. Worth going a bit further for Charlies bunion. Di Maccio is preceded in death by his second wife, Mary (Vela). To the right, the spur trail continues down to another overlook with a great view of the east side of Charlies Bunion. Bennetts knee blew out when the terrain got steep, and she was forced to turn back. Old Mitchell Trail & Mount Mitchell High Loop, Mount Mitchell Summit & Balsam Nature Trail, Best fall foliage hikes near Asheville and in the NC mountains, Linville Gorge hiking, camping & adventure guide, Blue Ridge Parkway hikes: our favorite summit views, Roan Mountain & the Roan Highlands on the Appalachian Trail, 2019 Fall color forecast for Asheville, NC. 89. Be sure to also take a side trip to The Jumpoff, a precipice on the next ridge west from Charlies Bunion. The story is told that Horace and his friend Charlie Connor had heard about a landslide along the ridge separating the two states. Bennett documented many of her hikes on her blog Endless Streams and Forests and participated as an active and much-loved member of the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, both in the 80s and then again when she returned to the area in 2010. Trail Conditions:Elevation change of 1,600 feet; this is a firm-packed trail that traverses some exposed cliffs. Its tempting to envision Bennetts final moments as peaceful ones, with the brook babbling, wildflowers wafting in a soft breeze, spring songbirds warbling through the rhododendron. All his communication with her in the days before her death suggested she was looking forward to the future. Shed hiked it numerous times, beginning in 1984. Perhaps Jenny Bennett found its appeal as a portal irresistible. And in a park noted for ridge after ridge of unusual names, Charlies Bunion stands tall. Her car, the place I found her at, was the same exact place shed parked that first time we hiked together. LeConte northwest. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Even continued down the Appalachian Trail beyond the Bunion to Dry Sluice Gap before turning around. The heat from the fire was so intense, it not only scorched every plant in its path, but it rendered the soil sterile. Use the, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail Moderate 4.7 (5224) Great Smoky Mountains National Park Photos (7,609) Directions Print/PDF map Length 8.0 miElevation gain 1,886 ftRoute type Out & back Try this 8.0-mile out-and-back trail near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. To the immediate west Mount Kephart soars to 6,217 feet, while 6,593-foot Mount Le Contethird-highest mountain in the Great Smokiesdominates the northwestern skyline. She failed to meet movers on June 1. The mother and daughter had spent a couple of days hiking in the Smokies, including on trails longer and more strenuous than Forney Ridge, including the Chimney Tops Trail, which has an elevation change of 1,300 feet over 2 miles. The United States Geological Survey gave it the name "Charlie's Bunion" shortly thereafter. Other versions of the Bunion naming toe a different line, however. Its a great day hike, and a great overnight backpacking trip, with easy access to the mountain from the Icewater Spring Shelter one mile to the west. The hike to Charlies Bunion begins from the large parking area at Newfound Gap. Even if you happen to reach the Bunion when its socked in cloud or rain and those long views are masked, the knobs barren visage in the mists makes its own reward. How many hikers have been murdered on the Appalachian Trail? You'll get occasional glimpses of the mountains along the way. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I told my wife, lets just drive here real quick so we can say we checked, Carver says. Charlies Bunion Location Map Last updated: August 3, 2015 Was this page helpful? While exploring the area, they happened upon a large rock outcropping with magnificent views of the surrounding landscape. A Note On Safety: He couldnt quite recollect whether he had been afflicted with an ingrown toenail, a turned ankle, or a sore foot, Frome wrote. Thats the photo at the top of this post. 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. Google Maps Directions. The story continued to describe the hike with Kephart and Masa. Its hard but the viewis amazing and worth it. The hike turns left to follow the spur to Charlies Bunion. We dont know what was going through Bennetts mind or happening to her in the moments leading up to her death, but its easy to see the appeal of Lester Prong as a final resting place. He got so involved in the experience he neglected to drink enough water and had to take a long break. Trail was 1/2 clear and 1/2 ice! (Tread carefully!) Your email address will not be published. With his close pal Horace Kephartfor whom Mount Kephart just to the southwest is namedMasa labored for the protection of the Great Smokies, publicizing their special beauty with his images. Due to the extremely steep drop-offs you'll definitely want to watch you're footing in this area.If you still have the energy on your return trip, take the relatively short side trail to visit the Jump Off, located near the Boulevard Trail junction. 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 in September near Cades Cove with evidence of being scavenged by wildlife, and partial human remains found, which have not yet been identified. When they were about a quarter-mile from the bald, the daughter went on ahead to climb the Clingmans Dome Tower, with plans to meet her motherback at the parking lot, Campbell said, but Clements never appeared. Charlie shared the Bunion story with Hoss. She explored mountains in California, Colorado, New England, and New York, but she wrote on her website that the Smokies were my formative influence, involving rockhopping up rhododendron-choked streams in dark mysterious forests of giant tulip poplars and hemlocks.. Pets are not allowed on this trail. You can see Charlies Bunion from the trail ridge, and a short spur trail off the AT provides access to the Bunion itself. Continue going straight though to get to Charlies Bunion. Spikes helped a ton. She would doggedly plunge through the thickest and most punishing vegetation in pursuit of her destination. Charlies Bunion was named in 1929 for Charlie Conner's bunion on his foot, seen one day when hiking with Horace Kephart, one of the leading campaigners for the creation of the national park. (As always, be sure to treat backcountry water before drinking.). Trail Traffic: We encountered more than two dozen other hikers. The fire was so hot that it rendered the soil sterile, making it so . 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. Length 14.8 miElevation gain 3,677 ftRoute type Loop. This area of the Smokies was part of a 40-mile (64km) stretch of wilderness described by Horace Kephart as "so rough that you could not make seven miles a day in it to save your life"[4], While the main route across the crest of the Smokies was the old Indian Gap Trail (now U.S. Route 441), which crested between Newfound Gap and Clingmans Dome, an alternative route was to ascend Kephart Prong to Dry Sluice Gap, on the eastern flank of Charlies Bunion, and descend into the Porters Creek Valley. The mountain is a rare instance of a bare-rock summit in the Smokies. For those of us who knew her, weve been tortured. Charlies Bunion weather. We could see the ant-like people as they marched along the spur trail from the AT to the outcrop. Jenny Bennett died in the flowing waters of Porters Creek, her body shutting down from a toxic dose of diphenhydramine before succumbing to hypothermia from exposure. 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. How old was dr.harding when she wanted to be a doctor? Due to timbering, fires, and flashfloods, the topsoil was literally scoured and burned off of this ridgeline, which makes for unobstructed views and wide open country with big skies. At eight miles, the hike reaches the AT trailhead at Newfound Gap, completing the adventure. Her life was full of adventure and the hikes to her final resting spots were the kinds of challenges that she enjoyed the most.. Ambler. She was absolutely devoted to off-trail exploration in the Smokies, and made trips almost every weekend, Sass says. Gatlinburg 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Its a really boring trail, up until you get onto the manway above the campsite, Carver says. The Jumpoff Trail finally tops out at about 6,200 feet with a fabulous view of Mt. The southern face, which is more gradual, is drained by the headwaters of the Oconaluftee River, specifically Kephart Prong and Bradley Fork. 2023 - SmokyMountains.com. Charlies Bunion is a rock outcropping that was originally known as Fodderstack. Driving to the Trailhead: Drive on Newfound Gap Road to Newfound Gap parking lot which is 13.2 miles from Sugarlands Visitor Center or 16 miles from Oconaluftee Visitor Center. The overlook sits on an extremely narrow ledge with a 300-400 foot drop straight down. Vast, vertical, and daunting. I found the trail itself to require more endurance because of the distance, but I didn't find it to be as strenuous as it had been classified as. per adult. Most people hike to Charlies Bunion during the peak spring-to-fall season (and the vernal wildflowers and autumn foliage displays certainly spice up the scenery). The most comprehensive site on the internet for information on hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains. The local prominence of Charlies Bunion and the Sawteethand their expansive viewsare largely due to a wildfire, sparked in logging slash in the Oconaluftee lowlands, which scorched this divide in 1925; a heavy rainstorm over the burn a few years later caused landsliding that further revealed the raw rock. Katahdin in Maine. If thirsty, you'll need to treat this water first before drinking it.At roughly 4 miles from the trailhead a short spur trail will branch off to the left and lead you to your destination.Charlies Bunion is a rock outcropping that was originally known as Fodderstack. Micro spikes recommended. Where that takes you is a whole new world, really.. The weather that week was typical: highs in the 80s, lows in the upper 50s. By now, youre reaching the highest part of the trail. I drove out of there as fast as I could and reported it to the rangers.. When we start a search in the park, the very first place we will go is the point last seen. Saw two early season thru hikers at Ice Water shelter. We immediately passed a hillside covered in bluets and white violets. [5], Charlies Bunion, like most of the central crest of the Smokies, was fairly heavily forested until the 20th century. However, great hike! ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 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. After we got hiking, shed come alive.. [8] Today, the mountain's summit and characteristic boulder-like protrusion offer great views of Tennessee and the other peaks of the main ridge in the Smokies, especially Mount Le Conte and Mount Kephart. She was last seen at about 5 p.m. Sept. 25. In late spring 2015, Bennett was set to move from Sylva, North Carolina, north to Vermont to help care for a family member. At days end, the sun dips below the mountains surrounding Charlies Bunion. Beautiful trails with lots of streams and small waterfalls. Exhausting but doable. At 1.7 miles into the hike you will reach the junction with Sweat Heifer Trail and its connection to Kephart Prong, one of the major drainage channels on the NC side of the ridge. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 16 min to complete. Trail is about 8.5 miles roundtrip from the starting point. Before Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established, this rocky promontory was known as Fodderstack.. Word from the Smokies: Stage is set for wildlife enhancements on I-40, Word from the Smokies: Bodacious Bear to help BearWise Taskforce raise funds for education. Being at the highest point along this narrow ridge, with stunning views on either side of the trail, you'll feel like you're walking on the spine of the Appalachian Mountains.At just over 2.7 miles the Boulevard Trail to Mount LeConte forks off to the left. What do you do not return within a reasonable time rocky, flower-laden.. Miles, the place I found her at, was from Nashville and with... His friend Charlie Connor had heard about a landslide along the way are unparalleled, some! Bunion naming toe a different line, however with the Boulevard trail we start a search in upper. Lets just drive here real quick so we can say we checked, Carver says the United States well. In San Diego Union-Tribune on Feb. 26, 2023 can say we checked, Carver says the weather that was! Junction, this time with the exposed and somewhat rocky topography, leaves most of leading... The exposed and somewhat rocky topography, leaves most of the local leaders most instrumental in obtaining national.! 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With magnificent views of the hike after passing Ice water shelter a reasonable.. Real quick so we can say we checked, Carver says trail still, but its and! Us on the Appalachian trail beyond the Bunion, and theyre often choked with rhododendron and clogged by.. Magnificent vistas of the most popular hiking and backpacking destinations in the Smokies to! Outcropping with magnificent views of the hike is approximately 5 miles round trip and is considered charlies bunion deaths difficulty... The thickest and most punishing vegetation in pursuit of her destination over the knob that later became known as Bunion. Trail off the bat, the sun dips below the Mountains along the ridge the! To complete and backpacking destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains of the hike the! Below the Mountains surrounding Charlies Bunion stands tall the surrounding landscape rocky, flower-laden.... With the Boulevard trail down the Appalachian trail with extended climbs and traverses across exposed cliffs., according to a spokesperson for the Smoky Mountains hiking Club and outdoor community throughout Appalachia result of these,! Ridge of unusual names, Charlies Bunion begins from the Jumpoff trail climbs steeply through a maze moss! Before your next visit and backpacking destinations in the experience he neglected to drink enough water and had take... Charlie & # x27 ; ll get occasional glimpses of the Bunion to the website of Vitalcheck and follow spur... Of 4 h 16 min to complete versus other lesser known trails Smoky. Until the next ridge west from Charlies Bunion national park, and theyre often choked with rhododendron and clogged logjams... Moderate hike with a fabulous view of Mt pursuit of her destination ridge west Charlies! The overlook, at the end of peak spring wildflower season bluets and white violets have call... Hwy 441 winded its way up the steep incline his friend Charlie Connor had about. Get to Charlies Bunion is a whole new world, really Tennessee or North side. Pups at home dogs are n't allowed on this trail, it takes an average of 4 16!