Charlies Bunion Loop

Great Smoky Mountains
National Park: Charlies Bunion Loop
PRINT & GO
8
9
7
10
11
View north from the trail at mile nine
6
Cross Sweat Heifer
Creek at mile 3.6.
2
4
3
1
5
Trip ID 30763
The Kephart Prong Shelter
sleeps eight, and it’s quite
popular. Aim to arrive early if
you plan to overnight here.
Pack a camera for this lollipop loop to one of the best mountain views in the park: a sit-awhile panorama, atop a 5,565-foot knob with thousand foot drop-offs on three sides, that stretches from Mt. LeConte to the jagged peaks of the Sawteeth Range.
MILE
1
UTM (ZONE 17S)
DIRECTIONS
0
Set off from the Newfound Gap parking lot on the Appalachian Trail (AT) heading north.
0280331E 3943505N
2
1.6
Turn right onto the Sweat Heifer Creek Trail and begin a 1,404-foot descent to the creek.
0282299E 3944586N
3
3.0
Keep an eye out! The trail cuts northeast here at an old logging road landing.
0283868E 3943722N
4
3.6
Cross Sweat Heifer Creek, a fern-lined stream with pools deep enough for swimming.
0284375E 3944288N
5
5.0
Pass the Kephart Prong Shelter (pictured above), then turn left at the junction onto Grassy Branch Trail.
0285451E 3943302N
6
7.3
Turn left onto Dry Sluice Gap Trail to begin a gentle ridgewalk to return to the AT.
0286498E 3945029N
7
8.5
Turn left onto the AT for the .2-mile stretch to Charlies Bunion.
0285485E 3946398N
8
8.7
Turn right to reach The Bunion. Traverse the rocky bluff north to reach a cliff with 1,000-foot drop-offs.
0285203E 3946435N
9
9.0
A series of rock outcroppings offer views of layered Smoky ridgelines to the north.
0284790E 3946344N
10
9.9
Pass the Icewater Spring Shelter (sleeps 12, has privy).
0283902E 3945535N
11
10.2
Stay straight (on the AT) at junction with Boulevard Trail. Follow NC/TN state line on a southwest
descent on lush ridgeline back to WPT 2, then continue to car.
0283508E 3945364N
Elevation Profile
6,500 ft
1
3,000 ft
2
3
4
6
78
9
10 11
5
5 mi
10 mi
Total miles: 12.8
MAP DATUM WGS84
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MAP PROVIDERS: MYTOPO AND GOOGLE MAPS. TEXT BY SHANNON DAVIS. MAPPING AND PHOTOS BY TIM JOHNSON
Do it
Charlies Bunion Loop
Plan it
Dayhiking gear list
MAP Trails llustrated Clingmans Dome/Cataloochee/Great Smoky
Mtns NP ($10, natgeomaps.com)
GUIDEBOOK Hiking Trails of the Smokies ($21, smokiesstore.org)
details all 150 maintained trails within the park.
PERMITS None required, unless you plan to camp at a backcountry
campsite or shelter (free, reserve up to one month before your trip
and pick up in person). Backcountry reservation office: (865) 4361231, nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/backcountry-camping.htm
SEASON The park is open year-round, and our trail scouts have hiked
this route in every season. Check for road, trail, and camping closures at nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm. Curious
about fall foliage? Check nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fallcolor.htm.
CONTACT (865) 436-1200, nps.gov/grsm
GPS DATA Download GPS tracks and waypoints, order waterproof
topos, and view photos of this hike at backpacker.com/hikes/30763.
SMOKY MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS
469 Brookside Village Way
Gatlinburg, TN
(865) 430-2267
Wear
Synthetic T-shirt
Synthetic shorts or pants
Synthetic undies
Wool hiking socks
Sunglasses
Hiking shoes or boots
Sunscreen (SPF 15+)
Pack
Midweight synthetic or fleece long-sleeve top
Wool or fleece hat
Waterproof/breathable
jacket and pants
Map, compass, GPS unit
Water containers and water treatment (drops,
tablets, or filter)
First-aid kit
Extra food and snacks
Firestarting kit
Lighweight gloves
Extra pair of socks
(optional)
TP and trowel
SHIRLEY’S TEXACO
1141 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN
(865) 436-4109
BEARLAND GENERAL STORE
305 Historic Nature Trail
Gatlinburg, TN
(865) 436-4565
SAUNOOKE VILLAGE EXXON AND
CHEROKEE MINI MART
1607 Acquoni Rd.
Cherokee, NC
(828) 497-9879
SMOKY MOUNTAIN BREWERY
AND RESTAURANT
1004 Parkway
Gatlingburg, TN
(865) 436-4200
TRAILHEAD
17S 0280331E 3943505N
PETER’S PANCAKES
& WAFFLES
1384 Tsali Blvd.
Cherokee, NC
(828) 497-5116
Restaurant/bar
Gear shop
BLACKROCK OUTDOOR CO.
570 West Main St.
Sylva, NC
(828) 631-4453
Gas station
Driving Directions from Asheville, NC (69.5 miles; 1 hr. 27 min.)
1) Take I-40 west 16.7 miles.
2) Make a slight right onto US 74, and drive 4 miles.
Grocery store
Trailhead
3) Exit onto US 19 (exit 103) and head 24.1 miles.
4) Turn right onto US 441 and drive 19 miles to trailhead parking.
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