Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome is a mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, in the southeastern United States. At an elevation of 6,643 feet, it is the highest mountain in the Smokies, the highest point in the state of Tennessee, and the highest point along the 2,174-mile  Appalachian Trail. East of the Mississippi River, only Mount Mitchell (6,684 ft) and Mount Craig (6,647 ft) are higher.

The road leading to Clingmans dome was steep and winding.  It is closed from December 1 - April 1.

As we climbed the temperature rapidly dropped.  It had been 103 degrees in Pigeon Forge the previous night.  The lowest the temperature while at Clingmans Dome was 64 degrees.  Good thing I packed jackets just in case.  Little Zach's bare legs were cold after our hike.

Rain had fallen that morning and there was cloud cover over the mountains while we hiked Laurel Falls.  As we ascended the mountain the clouds became very thick had a very eerie look.  The visibility was very low.  Many people that drove up to the parking lot turned about when they saw the conditions up top.  I insisted we get out and hike to the top.  Rich and the kids thought I was a bit crazy, but came along anyway.  The hike was VERY STEEP but the path was paved and there were no cliffs like we had encountered on our earlier hike.

Clingmans Dome Visitor Center

I was thrilled that the Appalachian Trail crossed over the Clingmans Dome path.  It was a 'must see' item on my list for the park.  It also was fun that the road and visitors center is actually in North Carolina.  That is a state I had never visited.

Although it was a short hike (1 mile) it made you tired as we climbed the steep path.  The girls didn't want to keep going, but I told them they had to.  There was no way I could have carried them to the top without a serious back injury.

The setting was beautiful.

The Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern US extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately 2,179 miles long.

The trail was conceived by Benton MacKaye, a forester who wrote his original plan shortly after the death of his wife in 1921.

The National Trails System Act of 1968 designated the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail as the first national scenic trails and paved the way for a series of National Scenic Trails within the National Park and National Forest systems. Trail volunteers worked with the National Park Service to map a permanent route for the trail, and by 1971 a permanent route had been marked (though minor changes continue to this day). By the close of the 20th century, the Park Service had completed the purchase of all but a few miles of the trails span.

On the trail

There also was a second sign that said Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

The look out is often called "The Flying Saucer."  I could see why the name stuck.

It was really windy up top.

One of the signs said on a clear day you could see 100 miles to the highest point in North Carolina.  Not today.  We could see about 100 yards.

Elevation: 6,643 feet

After our hike, we all got comfortable in the car and started our long drove back to Lexington.  Our trip had been a great getaway from our daily grind and good escape from our recent move.  It was a huge success even with a flat tire, little food and not much time to explore.  We crammed a lot into two days and had fun making new memories together.

Somewhere in Tennessee

The End