The vantage point offered by Charlie’s Bunion, which is located down a blue-blazed trail off the Appalachian Trail, was spectacular!

“Walking north with springtime” prolonged the season and delayed my hike, as I wanted to stop and photograph every new floral species I saw.

The trail in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park was well-trodden and made for easy hiking.

Having been familiar with the high peaks of New England before hiking the Appalachian Trail, I was astounded by the lack of an alpine zone on the higher mountains of the South. Nonetheless, their tree-clad beauty was remarkable in its own right.