Charlies Bunion — Local services in Big Cove Community

First things first when you reach the end of the trail for Charlie's Bunion and you are there the views are insanely good. But folks the trail is rocky and not like gravel rocky or like rocks you may find in your yard or in the local park. These are sharp, jagged, pointy rocks that if you make one wrong step its going to be bad news. There are a LOT of rocks and roots. There are rock steps and steps that are rocks and roots that you have to carefully navigate. There is a lot of climbing up rocks/roots and on the way back down a lot of climbing down rocks/roots. It would be a very smart decision to have hiking boots/shoes or trail runners. Do not wear regular shoes, flip flops, or sandals. Also please note the trail to Charlie's Bunion and back is at least 8 miles. I think its more like 8.5 maybe 9 miles. It took me 5 hours to complete the trail that includes stopping for water breaks, to eat snacks, stopping at the trail shelter, stopping at the signs, and ultimately stopping at Charlie's Bunion. Please do not show up at the Newfound Gap and start hiking on the Appalachian Trail path. I passed several people who had just started hiking the trail with no water, no hiking packs, and really poor clothing choices and it was around 4-5pm. There are no signs stating how long it is to Charlie's Bunion or how long it will take to hike to Charlie's Bunion at Newfound Gap. Do not start hiking down the Appalachian Trail path and not know where you are going. And lastly if you plan on hiking to Charlie's Bunion bring a lot of water - more water than you think...

Spooky experience; 👻 16 July 2022 We were a group of four and started our hike around 8ish pm(yea kinda dumb) but we were well equipped for any unforeseen events. We were the last ones on the trail to return back and we'd only met two young girls returning back from the top. On our way back it was almost 11 but almost halfway back we were getting instincts that we were being followed and mind you none of us were intoxicated in any forms. What was the spookiest of the entire hike was that there was a pair of glasses hung on a tree. To remind you that none of those girls were wearing glasses. It was very weird and eerie and I've been thinking about those glasses ever since which made me google if there were any deaths in that specific trail but none that I could find yet they specifically looked like the ones "Jenny Bennett" was wearing who unfortunately died in the smokies a while back. Please don't let this misguide you but I'm just sharing our weird incident and what we came up with.

Apart from that, the rest of the hike was great and it was a bit muddy from the storm a few days prior. I'd come back for sure...

Gorgeous lookout point! It's roughly 4 miles out and back. Totally worth it! You start at the Newfound Gap parking lot and get on the Appalachian Trail. Follow the Appalachian Trail the whole way and that's it!! The way isn't too strenuous, but there is a fair bit of up and down - it's not flat much. All along the way, the thing you'll notice the most is the quietness of the woods. Stop and admire it once in a while. It's a rare treat for us nowadays. There's magic in the quietness. You'll hear skittering of the squirrels and chipping of the juncos. If you hold still and be quiet, you can see them silently hopping around in the undergrowth. Continue on and you'll begin to see a few clearings with some amazing mountain views. Eventually you reach charlie's bunion. You'll be floored by the nearly a 360 open view of the smokeys. The view is one of the best you'll get! Stop and admire this magical place. Have a snack and relax. Take in nature's medicine. Then trek on back the...