Located on a section of the Appalachian Trail, the Charlies Bunion trail is home to some of the most rugged cliffs and ravines in the park. Although this trail is trampled by day hikers, Smoky Mountain Guides allow participants to escape to areas where the path is less traveled. Some of the first settlers from North Carolina crawled over this region and into the Porters’ flats to start their homesteads. Views of Mount LeConte, the Ocunaluftee watershed, and the Sawteeth Ridge of the Appalachian Trail are some highlights along the way. Learn about the Spruce-Fir tree endemic to the Southern Appalachian High Country and enjoy the cool mountain air on one of the most exposed sections throughout the park. Hear the stories of how the bunion received its name, as well as how natural and human interference created this raw beauty referred to as the Charlies Bunion hike.