Clingman's Dome

These pictures were taken from the base of the trail and the observation deck for Clingman's Dome, the highest point in Tennessee and the 3rd highest in North Carolina (the stateline divides the peak). This was the shortest trail but the most difficult hike. It is only .6 of a mile (probably another .2 from the car) but it gains something like 400 feet in elevation. It is about 15 degrees cooler at the top than it is at the bottom, a fact that delighted me after climbing the trail.

You will notice quite a few dead Spruce Fir trees. These tree were killed by the Balsm Woolly Aphid which was introduced from England in the late 1800s. The Woolly Aphid eventually made its way from New England to the Smoky Mountains killing about 95% of the mature Fir trees in the park.

Again, I took panoramic shots but have not compiled them yet.