Jump Off & Charlies Bunion - Pic Overload

[Buzzard Breath]

This past weekend, I decided to take my training hike out to Jump Off and Charlies Bunion within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. When I got to the parking lot at 7:30 am, there were only a handful of cars, when I walked out along the trail, it looked like I was walking into Dollywood. It was unbelievable, the number of people just parked at Newfound Gap. Here's a photo summary of my trip. Just a warning, this was probably the most scenic hike I've been on in the Smokies.

What was the temperature where you were?

The hike to Charlies Bunion follows the Appalachian Trail and is just over 4 miles from the parking lot. Jump Off is just off the trail and adds another mile to the round trip.

It's a little rocky

Indian Pipe

One of the first views I came to. Mt. Leconte.

Second view. Looking out somewhere over NC.

Hog trap. There was fresh rooting all around it. Looks like they need to get out here and set it.

How about this one for you hiking guru's. Could this be a pointing tree? It's right at the trail junction with Sweat Heifer Creek Trail. The tree is dead now, but you can tell that the trunk has been twisted around multiple time over many years, and it is pointed right at Newfound Gap.

I've got some work to do, so check back later. More pictures to come. I'm only about 1/3 of the way there and I haven't even made it to either of the overlooks yet.

 

[Brisco Darlin]

real cool. i love the hike to charlie's bunyon. I also like going to icewater springs shelter.

 

[BlountArrow]

Re: Jump Off & Charlies Bunion - Pic Overload

Buzz, don't you know hiking is like reading a book. You don't read books because there is T.V. and you don't hike because we have cars, motorcycles, and ATV's. I will let you slide because you're preparing for a hunting trip. I guess the only time hiking should ever be permitted is if you're going to fish somewhere or kill something - so you're in the gray area on that and i guess it can be allowed.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

real cool. i love the hike to charlie's bunyon. I also like going to icewater springs shelter.

Were your ears burning on Saturday sometime in the early afternoon? I was fishing with Model70Man and we started talking work and your name came up. I'll shoot you a PM in the next couple days to further explain.

I've got some pictures of Icewater Springs Shelter that I'll post up. I was hiking with a buddy of mine and his wife; and while we stopped to take a little break, a guy passed us and was using a painters extention pole for a hiking stick. A little while later, another guy passed us and he too was using a painters extention pole for a hiking stick. My buddy Larry looked at me and laughed saying something about missing the memo that I didn't need the fancy expensive walking sticks and I could have just gone to Home Depot and saved some money.

Well, when we got to the shelter, we soon figured out why they had extention poles. Here's what we saw.

They were volunteers there to paint the roof of the shelter.

Inside shot for those who'd never seen the inside of an Applachian Trail shelter. It's pretty much a glorified lean-to.

More pictures to come....

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Buzz, don't you know hiking is like reading a book. You don't read books because there is T.V. and you don't hike because we have cars, motorcycles, and ATV's. I will let you slide because you're preparing for a hunting trip. I guess the only time hiking should ever be permitted is if you're going to fish somewhere or kill something - so you're in the gray area on that and i guess it can be allowed.

You should have seen the look on everybody's faces when we were at Charlies Bunion and I asked if anyone needed a refill on water. I then pulled 3 gallons of water out of my backpack and started giving refills. I though some dude from Knoxville waas going to fall off the mountain. He couldn't believe I'd just hauled that up there.

 

[BlountArrow]

In my less intelligent days I've been on hikes where an almost empty backpack felt like it weighed 50lbs. So, let's see 3 gallons of water, approx 8 lbs each ................ yep, that makes you a nut.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Time for some new pics.

This is looking out into NC. If I have my bearings right, Deep Creek should be just over the ridge you see.

2.7 miles into the hike, you run into the junction with Boulevard Trail.

Take the Boulevard Trail a little ways until you see a sign for Jump Off. Follow it, it's well worth the extra effort.

Views from Jump Off.

Gratuitous flower shots

I'm getting better at these close-ups.

Next, Charlies Bunion....

 

[Buzzard Breath]

After hiking retracing my steps out to the Appalachian Trail, I was off to Charlies Bunion.

A little ways into the hike from Boulevard Trail, you'll se a rock outcropping sticking out. There just happened to be some folks sitting on it this time.

The views from Charlies Bunion were also great.

Jump Off is visible from here and can be found just left of the rock outcropping in this picture.

Me, Myself, and I. If I look constipated, I'm not. I'm just sitting on a sharp pointed rock with nothing but air for several hundred feet below me to my left, right, and back.

Final scenic shot.

See you on the next trip.

 

[turk870]

nice pics,the wife and i are just getting our toes wet,we camped at 24 for a few days fishing around the 4th.she is hooked so we shall be venturing out east whenever possable.in the last pic are those asolo or zamberlan.going to get a pair before my trip to montana.havent desided which yet

 

[whiskey]

Great pics. Adding this to my trip list.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

...in the last pic are those asolo or zamberlan....

They are actually a pair of Cabelas Mountain Hikers.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footwear ... t104104980

I wasn't really needing a new pair of boots, but when I saw them in the bargain cave for $109, I figured I'd get them and if nothing else, wear them around the yard doing yard work. They turned out to be excellent boots. All leather, vibram soles, gore-tex lined and made in Italy.

Next time your looking for a backcountry camping/fishing trip with the wife, look into going to Deep Creek. You'll like it there. Another place to catch a slam. Just not one of the horse camps.

 

[FOX FIRE]

Great pics man, makes me want to get back into treking.

 

[eightpointer]

Great pics. When I was lots younger and in the Explorers we camped in Townsend and went on hikes every day. Charlies Bunion, Ramseys Cascades, and Chimney Tops were my favorites with CB being #1. The view as I recall..was just breathtaking.

 

[GRAMPS]

Very nice pictures. Thanks for sharing. I really miss hiking in the Smokies. Used to hike there a lot when I was younger.

 

[J.Maples]

Thanks for sharing, this old man will probably never get there.

 

[browning glock]

cool pictures

 

[JohnnyBond]

:cool:

 

[DOC1187]

:cool:

 

[Inkstainz]

nice pics man