Smokies Fall Color Weekend (Part 1) - Charlies Bunion

This is the first of two fall color hikes scheduled for the weekend of October 20-21 in the Newfound Gap area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each hike will be posted separately, and you may register for one or both of these hikes. In addition, you may elect to stay overnight at the lodging of your choice or return to Atlanta the same day.

The hike to Charlies Bunion is a classic hike in the Smokies that offers spectacular panoramic views that stretch from Mt. LeConte to the jagged peaks of the Sawteeth Range from atop a 5,565-foot knob with thousand foot drop-offs on three sides.  We will hike a 13.6-mile lollipop loop that begins at the Newfound Gap parking lot and follows the AT north for 1.6 miles.  At the junction of Sweat Heifer Creek Trail, we will turn right and follow it 3.7 miles to the Kephart Prong Shelter before making a left onto the Grassy Branch Trail.  After 2.5 miles, we will turn left onto Dry Sluice Gap Trail to begin a gentle ridgewalk for 1.3 miles to return to the AT and reach Charlies Bunion (.2 miles).  We will stop at Charlies Bunion for lunch and relax and enjoy the views.  After lunch, we will continue following the AT for 4.2 miles until we return to the Newfound Gap parking lot, stopping along the way to make a quick detour on the Boulevard Trail to check out the views from "The Jump-Off."

While this is a long, strenuous 13.6-mile hike that involves over 3,000 feet of elevation gain, we will be hiking at a leisurely pace so that we can enjoy and photograph the views and fall colors. However, this is NOT a beginners hike, so please be sure you are in good physical condition.

(Photo courtesy of nps.gov)

Newfound Gap Parking Lot

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
35.610840, -83.425090

From Cherokee, NC, drive north on US 441 about 19-20 miles until reaching the Newfound Gap Parking lot.  This parking lot will be on the right, and the trailhead is located on the northeast end of the parking lot, between the restrooms and the Rockefeller Memorial.