Bunions Can Be AMAZING!!
The new year in the Great Smoky Mountains brought amazing weather and plenty of opportunity to explore. Like many we were not about to let 60 degree weather pass by without a hike in the mountains and the Appalachian Trail fit the bill!
Newfound Gap
Just a few miles from Gatlinburg lies arguably the most important landmark in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most everyone knows this is a place with amazing views where you can stand in two states (Tennessee and North Carolina) at once but many don’t take the time to read the story boards or understand the significance of the site.
Newfound Gap is the lowest, drivable pass in the Great Smoky Mountains at 5,046 feet and is on U.S. 441 which connects Gatlinburg, Tennessee to Cherokee, North Carolina. Newfound Gap is also the site of the Rockefeller Monument where President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the park giving us the opportunities we have there today! Finally, and our favorite, is that the Appalachian Trail crosses at the gap on its path from Georgia to Maine and is conspicuously marked on both sides of the road. A hike to the South will take you to Clingmans Dome while a hike to the North will take you on our path to Charlies Bunion!
Starting at the Newfound Gap parking lot we started our hike on the Appalachian Trail North toward Charlies Bunion which is just over 4 miles. Along the way you can take in views across the mountains and get a feeling of what it would be like to hike the entirety of the the Appalachian Trail. This experience is further highlighted by the opportunity to see a hiker shelter, the Icewater Spring Shelter, as you get closer to the Bunion.
Charlies Bunion
Just over a mile North of the Icewater Spring Shelter on the Appalachian Trail you will arrive at Charlies Bunion. This bare, rock formation on the side of the mountain greets you with views that I can only describe as breath-taking! We were blessed with a clear day allowing us to see for miles! Check on my YouTube video of the area here and make sure to subscribe to the channel! The rocks are steep so be sure to keep a hand on the little ones! This is a great spot to relax for a snack or lunch before heading back in but expect others to be doing the same.
Overall for the day we logged 8.64 miles on the AT and met an extremely welcoming MeetUp group at the shelter. The weather was amazing and the trail was clear of snow and ice with the exception of a few shady spots. I would rate the trail somewhere between moderate to strenuous as there is a large elevation change and a lot of the trail is steep and rocky. Good hiking boots are HIGHLY recommended on this trail with ankle support. My Merrell Moab 2 Mids supported me very well and kept my feet dry and warm in the watery areas. Additionally make sure you plan to hit the trail as early as possible and know when sunset is so you can be off the trail in time. I recommend timing this to be able to safely view the sunset from Newfound Gap.
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