Charlie's Bunion Day Hike, Smoky Mountains National Park

An impromptu day hike is one of my favorite kinds - no big plan, just a gap in the schedule and a trailhead nearby. That's exactly how this one came together in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it turned into one of my favorite day hikes anywhere, thanks to the payoff at the end. Watch the video below, then read on for the details.

A Free Afternoon in Knoxville

My wife and daughter had plans in town, which left me with some extra time on a quick trip to Knoxville. Rather than sit around, I drove to Newfound Gap, grabbed a water bottle and a protein bar out of the car, and headed out to hike Charlie's Bunion. No real prep, just a good excuse to get out on the Appalachian Trail for an afternoon.

On the Trail from Newfound Gap

The hike to Charlie's Bunion follows the Appalachian Trail north out of Newfound Gap, and the weather couldn't decide what it wanted to do - a mix of sun and clouds the whole way. Along the way I passed what I believe was the Icewater Spring Shelter, with about a mile still to go. It was right around noon, and with clouds rolling through, I was genuinely worried the view at the top might get socked in right when I needed it most.

The Payoff at Charlie's Bunion

When I got up there, it started out completely cloudy - couldn't see a thing. Then, almost like it was timed for me, it started opening up, and the views came in. Charlie's Bunion is a rocky outcrop with a genuinely dramatic, exposed panorama, and I ended up trading cameras with some other hikers up there to get each other's photos. I planned on an hour at the top and easily could have stayed longer. If you get clouds when you arrive, don't turn around - it's worth waiting them out, because that kind of shifting weather is pretty common up there.

Know Before You Go

Charlie's Bunion from Newfound Gap is just over four miles one way, making for about 8.1 miles round trip. A typical hiker should plan on roughly two hours each way, so budget four hours of hiking time plus at least an hour at the top - more if you want to wait out the clouds like I did. There's no potable water at Newfound Gap, though there are bathrooms, so bring your own water and snacks. The trailhead is just south of Gatlinburg, about an hour's drive away. And use caution once you're out on the Bunion itself - it's an exposed, cliffy spot, so watch your footing, especially with kids or if it's wet.

Round It Out with Clingmans Dome

If you've got the extra time, make a day of it and drive over to Clingmans Dome afterward. It's a short walk up to the observation tower from the parking area, and at 6,600 feet it's the highest point in the Smokies - and on the entire Appalachian Trail. A nice way to bookend a day that started with a spontaneous decision to hit the trail.