GSMNP The Jumpoff May 2025

[shredhiker]

I decided to make the couple hour drive up to the Smoky Mountains this morning, and set out for a day hike on the AT. I started from the Newfound Gap trailhead, and decided to hop off that AT corridor to check out a spot I'd looked at in satellite images called "the jump off" which offers a nice view across the valley below looking at Charlies Bunion. Beautiful view with a lot more solitude, I'm glad I finally checked it out.

One way, this is about 3.2 miles & 1,700' of elevation gain.

 

[wsp_scott]

That is a great hike. I assume tons of dayhikers since every time I have been through there the parking lot is stuffed. Were there many people camping at the Icewater Shelter?

 

[shredhiker]

That is a great hike. I assume tons of dayhikers since every time I have been through there the parking lot is stuffed. Were there many people camping at the Icewater Shelter?

I started out around 8am on a week day, so I only crossed paths with a couple of other day hikers until the end of the hike. I actually saw more backpackers for the most part. This route actually had me getting off the main corridor about a quarter mile before the ice water spring shelter.

Most of the people filling that parking lot seem to be just stopping to take photos at the overlook & leaving shortly after. That's one of the reasons I like using that trailhead, you can pretty much always circle the lot a time or two and find parking.