Great Smoky Mountain National Park - Charlies Bunion - February 24, 2008 - Member Trip Report

Hike Name: Great Smoky Mountain National Park - Charlies Bunion
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Trip Rating: 4 stars
Trip Date: February 24, 2008
Duration: 2 days
Trail Conditions: Good
Trail Traffic: Light to Moderate
Trip Weather: Sunny, Partly Sunny, Partly Cloudy, Cloudy
Trip Winds: Moderate
Trip Precipitation: Sleet, Snow
Trip Temperature: High: 31-40, Low: 21-30 degrees Fahrenheit
Trip Report: Sunday (2/24/08) – The A.T. maintainer stopped by this morning and reported only a 20% of precipitation, but we had snow by the time we closed in on Ice Water Springs this afternoon. Started hiking by 9:30am, and the group stayed together on the ridge for most of the day with a lunch break at 11:15am. Stopped for views at Charlie's Bunion, but the winds picked up and it was a bit chilly at the rock outcrop. Snapped some photos of the group and nearly backed off the cliff in the process. Within 15 minutes, most everyone was ready to head to the shelter and we climbed gradually in heavy snow to Ice Water Springs. DeLisle boiled up water for drinks and by 2:30pm everyone was situated for the night. McKinney and I hung out for about 45 minutes then hiked the remaining three miles down to Newfound Gap where my truck was parked. Had a couple brews in the parking lot, changed clothes, then stopped for pizza in Franklin on the way home. Made it back to Atlanta by 8pm. DeLisle reported 2" of snow overnight at the shelter, but McKinney and I weren't there to see it.
<b>Charlie's Bunion</b><br> We saw only a handful of people during our hike until we reached the day hikers Mecca of Charlie's Bunion. Then the masses showed themselves all the way to Newfound Gap (Goodrich/McKinney only). Here's a shot looking along the steep cliffs toward the Bunion.
<b>Farewell Jabs</b><br> Porter bids McKinney farewell at Ice Water Springs Shelter as he and I depart a day early from the group and head for Newfound Gap. The others stayed the night and hiked another ten miles back to Smokemont.
<b>Miller, McKinney, Moelich Reach The A.T.</b><br> After about 4000' of climbing, we finally reach the Appalachian Trail on Sunday via the Hughes Ridge Trail.
<b>Calm Before The Storm</b><br> A storm approaches from the west. Here's a look toward Tennessee and a storm that would drop 2" of snow by morning.
<b>Lunch At Ice Water Springs Shelter</b><br> DeLisle worked some bacon and cheese into this burrito and it looked so damn good I had to capture it for posterity.

Hiker:

BirdShooter


47,200 points

Recommended

Comments

There are no comments yet.

Leave a Reply