Great Smoky Mountains NP - Day 2

North Carolina

April 2022

The Sacred Heart of the Smokies

Six days later, we went back to the Smoky Mountains to try some new trails. We started with the steep, half-mile climb up to Kuwohi, which was formerly called Clingmans Dome. At 6,643 feet, Kuwohi Peak is the highest spot in the park. The weather was clear and sunny, so from the observation tower, we could see the Smokies stretching out for miles.

We learned some interesting facts about Kuwohi. The mountain sits on the border, with one side in North Carolina and the other in Tennessee. The Appalachian Trail crosses over Kuwohi, making it the highest point along the trail’s nearly 2,200 miles.

Edit: The mountain’s name was restored in 2024, which was an important step in honoring it as the sacred heart of the Cherokee homeland. Bringing back the name Kuwohi, which means “mulberry place,” helps recognize the deep spiritual and historical background of the Cherokee people.

Exploring Great Smoky Mountains NP

Hiking the Ridge to Charlie’s Bunion

For the rest of the day, we hiked a section of the Appalachian Trail to Charlie’s Bunion, which was just over eight miles out and back. The hike was tough, rocky, and steep, with about 1,640 feet of elevation gain. We followed the ridgeline through some of the highest elevations east of the Mississippi River, with several points rising above 6,000 feet. Walking along those heights, we got a sense of what it means to be part of the Appalachian “Long Trail” experience.

When we reached Charlie’s Bunion, we took a long break and soaked in the atmosphere. The rock’s name actually has a funny story. It was named after the bunion on mountain guide Charles Connor’s foot. His friend, conservationist Horace Kephart, thought the rock looked like Charlie’s bunion and suggested the name to the government, which accepted it. What a way to be memorialized!

After about five hours on the trail, we arrived back at the Newfound Gap parking lot, tired but inspired. We realized that during our two-day visit, we had only seen a tiny fraction of what the Great Smoky Mountains have to offer. However, walking over those ridges and through those ancient forests, we understood exactly why the Smokies is the most visited national park.