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Smoky Mountains Spring Trio - Charlie’s Bunion




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Newfound Gap Parking lot   Hike: Smoky Mountains Spring Trio - Charlie’s Bunion  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sun, Apr 5 2026  9:30 am >> Sun, Apr 5 2026 12:40 pm
Registration Opens: Thu, Mar 5 2026 6:04 pm
Registration Cut Off: Sat, Apr 4 2026 8:00 pm
Event Duration:3 Hours 10 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Distance:8 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Trish T
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:4
Minimum Group Size:10
Number Registered So Far: 1 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Join me for a series of three moderate-to-strenous hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Each hike will be posted separately so you can register for each one individually or for all three. The idea is to gain endurance from consecutive days of hiking while enjoying some of the most beautiful trails in the Smokies. 

Hike #3 starts at the Newfound Gap Parking lot. It is a favorite out and back, 8 mile hike with 1900 ft of elevation.

The distance from Gatlinburg, TN to the the Trailhead is parking area is 16 miles and is on the way back to Georgia.

From All Trails: Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail is a great day hike along the summit Great Smoky Mountains. The route traverses multiple peaks including Mount Ambler, Mount Kephart, Masa Knob and terminates at Charlie’s Bunion.
Parking at Newfound Gap, the trail to Charlies Bunion isn't marked, so follow signs for the Appalachian 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 forested, but there are a few viewpoints on the way to the Ice Water Spring-AT shelter. 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.
 

This is the last hike of the three day Spring Trio.  However, there will probably be a lunch spot picked out along the drive home for hungry hikers.


Required Items to Bring:

Each car will need a parking pass, $5. They are available for purchase online in advance and should be printed and displayed on each car and each trail within the GSMNP.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Hiking shoes, poles, snacks, possible rain jacket, layers, hydration.


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Carpools can be arranged after determining the number of attendees, parts of town they're coming from and duration of stay. Do be aware there are areas along the drive and in the park where there is no cellular service so prepare/download locations, parking passes and contact info in advance.


Notes:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.


Registration for this event opens at 3/5/2026 6:04:00 PM