Deep Gap to Charlie's Bunion

[wrightsphoto]

I am doing a day hike from Newfound Gap out to Charlies Bunion on Friday.
Any suggestions? I think its only about 4 miles in?
Next Wendesday I am doing my second trip to Mt Leconte, this will be my first overnight stay. Last time I day hiked it.

Larry

[Rentman]

The weather is probably going to be COLD and Clear so prepare for that. Great Picture opportunity at Charley. Last time I was at Charles Bunion it was sooooooo windy it made it hard to stand. Have a good hike:banana

[Tn Bandit]

Diddos on the cold and clear and if you're going to stay overnight at LeConte I highly suggest the Boulevard Trail with a side hike out to Jump Off where you can get a great view of CB.

[BlackCloud]

Excellent hiking up there. Cold weather gear & camera a must...

[catscastle]

Next Wendesday I am doing my second trip to Mt Leconte, this will be my first overnight stay.

Larry
Wow the first of many times me and Eric will have to hear this:mad:

[EAnderson]

Don't miss Masa Knob! If you stay on the AT instead of going left at the sign for the Bunion, you will soon see a manway on your left (less than 100 ft from that intersection) that leads to the top of Masa Knob, the rock outcrop behind and above the Bunion. If Charlie's Bunion is crowded, it's a nice place for lunch, and great views. You can look down at everyone below! Further north on the AT there is another similar manway that goes to the top of another rocky outcrop. It is before you get to the Dry Sluice Trail intersection. I don't think it is the Sawteeth as I think they are a bit further north.

What trail are you taking for LeConte?

[wrightsphoto]

What trail are you taking for LeConte?

We are taking the Alum Cave Trail...
Have you stayed overnight at LeConte Lodge?
Is the food good? I know it will be cold up there....

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[wrightsphoto]

Wow the first of many times me and Eric will have to hear this:mad:

:sun funny....

[wrightsphoto]

Thanks for all the replies...
To beat it all I am getting sick today with sore throat...
I hope its over by Friday!

[EAnderson]

I have stayed at the lodge, and the food is very good. The cabins are heated, so you will be toasty inside. If you can, be sure to hike out to Myrtle Point to watch the sunrise. It is one of my favorite views in the GSMNP. Here is a good link for weather so you can have an idea of what to expect:

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/MRX/RTPMRX

I see it got down to 12 on LeConte so stay warm and have a great time!

[catscastle]

Wow, That's awesome, I love the cold and w/ the bottomless glass of wine we should be just fine!

[Tennessee Viking]

Definitely going to be cold. From Knoxville to the Tri-Cities, the city low temp is around 24-38. So the mountains got to be 10-15 degrees colder.

[Rasputen]

All great suggestions.

Hiked that area 2 weeks ago.

Nice view of yonder mountains off of Sweat Heifer Trail about 1.7 miles in.

Grassy area and a good spot to sit and enjoy a sunrise or the explosion of color!

Enjoy..........

[Jaybird]

I am doing a day hike from Newfound Gap out to Charlies Bunion on Friday.Any suggestions? I think its only about 4 miles in?
Next Wendesday I am doing my second trip to Mt Leconte, this will be my first overnight stay. Last time I day hiked it.Larry



Charlie's Bunion...one of my fave BEAUTY SPOTs on the trail...but, dont recall a side trail or road to jump off near there.
whatever you do....BUNDLE UP!

Good Luck with yer hike!:D

[Rasputen]

All great suggestions.

Hiked that area 2 weeks ago.

Nice view of yonder mountains off of Sweat Heifer Trail about 1.7 miles in.

Grassy area and a good spot to sit and enjoy a sunrise or the explosion of color!

Enjoy..........


To clarify: Nice view right off of Sweat Heifer trail head. The 1.7 miles is from New Found Gap.

[Gray Blazer]

Do you still have to make a reservation to stay at the lodge? My parents took me and my siblings on a hike from Newfound Gap to Mt Leconte about 50 years ago. They thought we were going to stay at the lodge, but they made no reservations and we had to walk down Alum Caves Bluff trail in the dark. My Mom is still mad at my Dad for that.

[HikerRanky]

Do you still have to make a reservation to stay at the lodge? My parents took me and my siblings on a hike from Newfound Gap to Mt Leconte about 50 years ago. They thought we were going to stay at the lodge, but they made no reservations and we had to walk down Alum Caves Bluff trail in the dark. My Mom is still mad at my Dad for that.

Yes you do still have to make reservations at the Lodge.... You can inquire about availability at http://www.lecontelodge.com/inquiry_2007.html.

And yes, Charlie's Bunion will be COLD and windy this time of the year....

[BlackCloud]

What the hell is a manway? Like a social trail?????:cool:

[Hikes in Rain]

A "manway" is a trail (or former trail, perhaps) not maintained by the Park Service anymore. Usually still passeble, but with lots of unlcleared blowdowns and overgrowth as the forest reclaims the trail.

[Rasputen]

A "manway" is a trail (or former trail, perhaps) not maintained by the Park Service anymore. Usually still passeble, but with lots of unlcleared blowdowns and overgrowth as the forest reclaims the trail.



or.........

The word preceding "or the highway Bitch"! and milli-seconds before the gail force of that cast iron skillet cracks your mellon........

[wrightsphoto]

Thanks to all the replies...
It was a good short hike out to Charlies Bunion.
Cold and Windy.....
Stop by the Shelter and talked with some hikers for a little bit before heading back.