#7 - Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkLength: 8.6 mi • Est. 4 h 48 m
Nice hike along the summit of the Smokies, with views of Charlies Bunion.
Drive to and park at Newfound Gap. The trail to Charlies Bunion isn't marked, so follow signs for the Applachian Trail and Icewater Spring. Once you get to the Spring, keep on going for about 20 minutes to arrive at Charlies bunion.
The trail starts off with a gradual ascent of about 300 feet in the first mile. For the most part, the trail is tree covered, but there are a few views on the way to the Ice Water Spring-AT shelter. The shelter is one of the nicer structures along the AT in North Carolina. It sleeps 12, but a permit and reservation are required through the Park Service. Some of the comments in the AT logbook note that elk have been seen in this area. The trail continues onto a side trail about a mile north of the shelter. This trail is well marked and goes left to Charlies Bunion. This is a large rock out cropping created years ago by a fire, rain and subsequent landslide.
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