2020-10-17 GSMNP-005 Charlies Bunion, The Jumpoff & Clingmans Dome

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2020-10-17 GSMNP-005 Charlies Bunion, The Jumpoff & Clingmans Dome

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Newfound Gap Parking Lot

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Oct 17 2020 10:00 am >> Sat, Oct 17 2020 3:30 pm

Registration Opens:

Tue, Sep 8 2020 7:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Thu, Oct 15 2020 7:00 pm

Event Duration:

Approx. 5.5 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Distance:

10.5 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Bill Wey

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

5 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

<<< Charlies Bunion & The Jumpoff >>>

Both of these destinations offer spectacular views. Although it is close to vertical, the Jumpoff is surrounded with vegetation, but not so at Charlies Bunion. It is as steep as the Jumpoff, but it is mostly bare rock. The two places are only a little over a mile apart, and each can be seen from the other. Please notice the spur trail to Jumpoff is steep, rocky, and eroded.

We will meet and start from the Newfound Gap parking lot. We will hike to the jumpoff first and take a break for snack, water, and beautiful views. Then we will hike to Charlies Bunion for our lunch break before going back to our parking lot.

<<< Clingmans Dome >>>

We’ll take a short drive from the Newfound Gap parking lot to the Clingmans Dome parking lot, and then hike to Clingmans Dome. This is the highest point in the GSMNP park and the entire Appalachian Trail.

The event duration does NOT include our travelling/ driving time. Our duration time is an estimate, and we need to have some flexibility.

This event is physically challenging and rewarding. You can fully enjoy it if and only if you have good fitness and endurance. Please only register if you are comfortable hiking in the remote mountains environment, and have recent D5 experience.

If your experience is not from the club, please include it in a note, or email TL; otherwise you’ll be moved to waiting list for the safety of everyone. We encourage our members to actively participate with joyful experience, and most importantly to stay healthy and safe at the end of our event.

Required Items to Bring:

Layers of clothing suitable for the season.

Good hiking boots/shoes.

Water, lunch/snacks.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Hiking poles

Camera

Rain gear just in case

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

1) Take I-85 North about 18 miles to Exit #113, I-985 North. (The Indian Trail Park/Ride Lot at Exit #101).
2) Bear Left at I-85 Exit #113 onto I-985/ GA-365 North and follow it beyond Gainesville where it merges with US-441 North. (Merge point is about 45 miles north of the I-85 exit, near Cornelia, GA).
3) Carefully follow the US-441 signs northward through Clayton GA, Franklin NC, Dillsboro NC, and Cherokee NC to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on your right at the southern entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (There are several turns along the way. Total distance along US-441 from its GA-365 junction near Cornelia is about 80 miles.)

NOTE: In lieu of using the above simplified directions from NE Atlanta you can enter "Oconaluftee Visitor Center, 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719" as your destination and use Google.com/Maps for detailed directions from any point of origin.
4) Newfound Gap parking lot is about 16 miles beyond the Oconaluftee visitor center of GSMNP.

Notes:

1. This event may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not satisfactory for an enjoyable outing.

2. Itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the trip leader.

<<< Hiking in GSMNP >>>

I will stay in Gatlinburg, TN, and not making day trip back to Atlanta.

There are lots of affordable lodging options in Gatlinburg, TN. The choice of lodging is completely optional of each member.

This is not an AOC paid event. All costs (transportation, lodging, meals & drinks) are paid by members on their own.

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy.