Charles Bunion

Charles Bunion is a large rock offering a magnificent view of the Smoky Mountains. It is accessible via the Appalachian Trail. The quickest route to Charlie is from Hwy 441 at Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It's a five mile hike one way.



If you enjoy this blog, you might enjoy Ron Rash's latest novel Serena. The story is a fascinating drama that takes place in many of the places mentioned here.









Distance from downtown Greenville: 123 miles.

Map to trailhead at Newfound Gap.

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Clingman's Dome

Clingman's Dome is the second highest peak east of the Mississippi (next to Mt. Mitchell) and the highest peak in Tennessee. Located in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, you can drive within a half mile of the lookout tower at the summit, although that half mile is a doozy. If you would like a little more scenery and solitude on the way up, the Appalachian Trail runs just below the lookout. (I started at Indian Gap, six miles north on the AT, and found it to be a beautiful section.) This is also the beginning of North Carolina's Mountain's to Sea trail. There are a couple of shelters within 2-4 miles available for camping although, one of them (Mt. Collins shelter) is currently closed due to "aggressive bear activity."

On the way out of the park I was fortunate enough to see two elk, a rare sighting in this part of the country.


Distance from downtown Greenville: 129


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Mount LeConte, TN

Mt. LeConte is located in America's most popular national park (Great Smoky Mountains National Park).  At an elevation of 6642' it is only 291' lower in elevation than Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the east. There are five trails that lead to the summit (seen above).


The shortest trail is the Alum Cave Trail, named after the cave above.

At the top of Mt. LeConte is a lodge with several small heated cabins. The lodge is accessible only by trail (5 miles being the shortest).  

A bear apparently tried to get into one of the buildings the night before we were there.

Distance from Downtown Greenville: 126 miles

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