Clingman's Dome - Member Hike
| Hike Name: | Clingman's Dome |
|---|---|
| Country: | United States |
| State: | North Carolina |
| Nearby Town: | Cherokee |
| Rating: |  |
| Directions: | From Cherokee: Head north on US-441 N through the park and go 19.0 mi. Then turn left onto Clingmans Dome Rd and go 6.4 mi to the Clingman's Dome parking area IMPORTANT: Clingman's Dome road is usually closed in the winter |
| Total Hike Distance: | 3.90 miles |
| Hike Difficulty: | Moderate to Difficult |
| Permit Required: | No |
| Hike Type: | Roundtrip, Loop Hike |
| Hike Starts/Ends: | Clingman's Dome Parking Area |
| Trails Used: | Appalachian, Clingman's Dome, Clingman's Dome Bypass Trails |
| Backcountry Campsites: | No |
| Backcountry Water Sources: | None |
| Management: | National Park Service |
| Contact Information: | Mailing Address: 107 Park Headquarters Road Gatlinburg, TN 37738 (865) 436-1200 |
| Best Season: | Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall |
| Users: | Hikers |
| Road Conditions: | Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads |
| Hike Summary: | Clingman's Dome is the highest point on the entire Appalachian Trail and it sits on a ridge line at 6,643 feet that marks the boundary between North Carolina and Tennessee. The "Dome" is also the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is capped with a round viewing platform where you can see in all directions in and beyond the park This short hike is a 1.4 mile loop that takes you up the paved path to the viewing platform from the Clingman's Dome parking area. From the base of the platform, hike the Appalachian Trail southbound for 0.3 miles, then take the Clingman's Dome bypass trail back to the parking area. The trees surrounding Clingman's Dome are predominately fir trees that are normally found much further north in New England. The high elevation of the ridge and cool mountain air of the Smokies allows them to thrive in this area. Although an insect blight has killed a number of the trees over the last two decades - and you'll quickly notice that on this hike. |
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One reply on “Clingman's Dome - Member Hike”
Although Clingmans Dome Observation Tower is open year-round, the road leading to it is closed from December 1 through March 31, and whenever weather conditions require.