Backcountry Road Trip- Leave the Pavement Behind

You're the sort of person who hears words like, foothills, National Parks, and backcountry and starts getting what feels like a bad case of restless leg syndrome. 


Your heaviest ankle boots have slowly made their way to the back of the closet.


You haven't seen your backpack in a while because it's fallen behind the shelf in the garage.


Well, if you're vacationing at Bluegreen Resorts  MountainLoft or Laurel Crest  this year, dig those items out and get ready to hit trails in the Smoky Mountains.  This road trip is one meant for two feet, for those who want to leave pavement far behind and get a taste of a natural retreat. 

While the name doesn't appeal, you'll want to take your boots to Charlie's Bunion, an 8 mile (round trip) day hike on the Appalachian Trail, a route featured by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Rising to a height of 5,565 feet above sea level, the mountain is popular for both day hikers and mountain climbers.

Directions from Gatlinburg take you Newfound Gap where a hike east on the Appalachian Trail leads straight to panoramic views of the North Carolina Smokies , Mount LeConte, and Myrtle Point.

A word to the wise... this hike is classified as strenuous.  Before you dust off those boots and backpack, you may want to get in a few practice hikes beforehand.  Stay Safe!


Resources:
Hiking The Smokys
Wikipedia
National Park Service

Photo Credit:  NestR on Deviantart