Route Climbed: Appalachian tr from summit parking lot. Date Climbed: October 12th or 13th 2004
Heading back out west from Asheville. Road biked up 441 from Cherokee to summit parking lot. Next day drove up early and hiked to summit in moist foggy conditions.
Route Climbed: appalachian trail Date Climbed: Aug 1998
Good times!
Tbacon251 - Jul 26, 2004 2:03 am Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2003
Route Climbed: Forney Creek Trail Date Climbed: July 2003
Starting at the top (parking lot) we hiked down the Forney Creek Trail until we reached backcountry camp site 70(where we stayed the night). In the moring, we hiked back up....all the way....up the stairs....and to the summit of Clingman's Dome. This is a long hike with lots of streams to fall in (I fell twice) and get water from. Great hike.
Route Climbed: From the AT Date Climbed: Many times via the road, 1993 via the AT
A super easy "climb" from the parking lot (or the AT for that matter), but well worth it for the views. Stunning views when the smog/haze isn't too bad (rare anymore apparently).
The summit was shrouded in clouds and mist both times I went. A short, but enjoyable, hike. I took a detour in 2001 and explored a bit of the Appalachian Trail on the way to the top.
Route Climbed: 1/2 summit trail Date Climbed: April, 1, 2003
Time permitting I drove to the parking lot near Clingman's Dome. I had just climbed LeConte via the Alum Cave trail. April 1st was the first day the road to Clingman's Dome was open in 2003. The views were spectacular from the lookout tower. This was my 20th state highpoint. I have now done 21 state highpoints.
Route Climbed: walk up from parking lot Date Climbed: Spring 1970
One of the best memories I have of two years in Missouri in the army at Ft. Leonard Wood was the trip my wife and I made to Tennessee and the Great Smokies. As I remember, the most difficult thing was finding a parking space. Great views in all directions and I came to an understanding of how the "Great Smokies" got their name. I'd love to do this one again. Several bears that were panhandling created a traffic jam on the road up. : )
Route Climbed: car or trail Date Climbed: summer 72 and others
In the early 70's I saw the summit forest intact. Beautiful elfin forest of Red Spruce and Fraser Fir(Balsam). Since then it has become a sad reminder of bug importation- Euro aphid and Acid Rain. Walked up in summer 86 from Cades Cove over Thunder Head etc. took two nights out. and hitch hiked out with a one-eyed driver, a Vietnam Vet who had a handy beer cooler in the back. "Help yourselves boys and pass me some. One has to negotiate a long canyon
from Sugarlands back to Cades Cove but our Odin like driver with Meade by Miller was more than up to the task.
Route Climbed: Drive up Date Climbed: four times 1974-1999
I've never climbed Clingman's Dome. I always drive up and stroll to the tower. Of my four trips, three of them found the summit in its usual overcast mantle of clouds. The last time, though, in 1999, the air was clear and the view amazing. As with the rest of the high country along the spine of the Southern Appalachians, it's horrifying to see the effects of acid rain on the healthy evergreen climax forests I hiked through as a youth. I'm glad I saw them at their peak, but the destruction of those forests by pollution still horrifies and enrages me.
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: June 29, 2003
I got to the parking lot at about 7:00 on what would later be a crowded summer Sunday. Early in the morning, however, I had the whole place to myself, except for a nice couple from Georgia. The views were nice, except for the dead trees. I'm sure the place was truly stunning before the trees died. It's too bad the Park Service can't (or won't, what ever the case may be) do anything to save them. I encountered a verly large (and brave) doe on the way down. Get there early to avoid the crowds!
I drove the scenic route between Chattanooga and Kentucky by going over the Great Smoky Mtns National Park and also driving to the this lofty summit. It is disappionting to see the adelgid destroying the alpine forests up there. The fall colors lower down were spectacular.
big_g - Mar 3, 2003 6:19 pm Date Climbed: Feb 5, 2000
Route Climbed: AT and MST
Snowy and cold when I was there. I was tempted to bivy near the tower. I never did make it out to the next shelter - too much snow and downed trees. I slept in the restrooms at the gap. Running water and a toilet!!!
GA->ME 2000
Also climbed again 23 Apr 2007 to finish off the Mountain to Sea Trail. It was much easier this time!
petersbike - Oct 29, 2004 6:42 pm
Route Climbed: Appalachian tr from summit parking lot. Date Climbed: October 12th or 13th 2004Heading back out west from Asheville. Road biked up 441 from Cherokee to summit parking lot. Next day drove up early and hiked to summit in moist foggy conditions.
jomal - Oct 29, 2004 3:57 am
Route Climbed: AT Date Climbed: Summer 01, Fall 03Two great backpacking trips. If you can stand the rain, the Smokies are incredible.
woodstrider - Sep 9, 2004 2:54 pm
Route Climbed: AT Date Climbed: 6-5-98Always love to bag a high peak and hike a section of the AT at the same time. Had Bob Schultz for company.
Matt K - Aug 29, 2004 7:46 pm
Route Climbed: Paved trail Date Climbed: Summer 1997It was fun to pass all the people huffing up the trail. Views weren't good, too many clouds.
thegoldengriff - Aug 25, 2004 8:26 pm
Route Climbed: appalachian trail Date Climbed: Aug 1998Good times!
Tbacon251 - Jul 26, 2004 2:03 am Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2003
Route Climbed: Forney Creek Trail Date Climbed: July 2003Starting at the top (parking lot) we hiked down the Forney Creek Trail until we reached backcountry camp site 70(where we stayed the night). In the moring, we hiked back up....all the way....up the stairs....and to the summit of Clingman's Dome. This is a long hike with lots of streams to fall in (I fell twice) and get water from. Great hike.
gunnersmith - Apr 18, 2004 9:12 pm
Route Climbed: paved trail Date Climbed: multiplePavement. What else can I say! How fun can it be?
Views are good, but there are a ton of people, and the smog is depressing.
Chris - Mar 22, 2004 10:25 pm
Route Climbed: From the AT Date Climbed: Many times via the road, 1993 via the ATA super easy "climb" from the parking lot (or the AT for that matter), but well worth it for the views. Stunning views when the smog/haze isn't too bad (rare anymore apparently).
drm519 - Mar 19, 2004 9:12 am
Route Climbed: standard Date Climbed: May 1970An easy hike. Nice view of the smokies from there.
cp0915 - Feb 18, 2004 10:17 am
Route Climbed: Date Climbed: 1984 & 2001The summit was shrouded in clouds and mist both times I went. A short, but enjoyable, hike. I took a detour in 2001 and explored a bit of the Appalachian Trail on the way to the top.
ajsamuel - Feb 10, 2004 12:57 pm
Route Climbed: Drive Up Date Climbed: July 2002Stopped by after a backpacking trip in GSMNP.
hgrapid - Jan 22, 2004 10:44 am
Route Climbed: 1/2 summit trail Date Climbed: April, 1, 2003Time permitting I drove to the parking lot near Clingman's Dome. I had just climbed LeConte via the Alum Cave trail. April 1st was the first day the road to Clingman's Dome was open in 2003. The views were spectacular from the lookout tower. This was my 20th state highpoint. I have now done 21 state highpoints.
Dean - Jan 11, 2004 7:17 pm
Route Climbed: walk up from parking lot Date Climbed: Spring 1970One of the best memories I have of two years in Missouri in the army at Ft. Leonard Wood was the trip my wife and I made to Tennessee and the Great Smokies. As I remember, the most difficult thing was finding a parking space. Great views in all directions and I came to an understanding of how the "Great Smokies" got their name. I'd love to do this one again. Several bears that were panhandling created a traffic jam on the road up. : )
desainme - Dec 24, 2003 12:00 am
Route Climbed: car or trail Date Climbed: summer 72 and othersIn the early 70's I saw the summit forest intact. Beautiful elfin forest of Red Spruce and Fraser Fir(Balsam). Since then it has become a sad reminder of bug importation- Euro aphid and Acid Rain. Walked up in summer 86 from Cades Cove over Thunder Head etc. took two nights out. and hitch hiked out with a one-eyed driver, a Vietnam Vet who had a handy beer cooler in the back. "Help yourselves boys and pass me some. One has to negotiate a long canyon
from Sugarlands back to Cades Cove but our Odin like driver with Meade by Miller was more than up to the task.
BobSmith - Nov 14, 2003 5:18 pm
Route Climbed: Drive up Date Climbed: four times 1974-1999I've never climbed Clingman's Dome. I always drive up and stroll to the tower. Of my four trips, three of them found the summit in its usual overcast mantle of clouds. The last time, though, in 1999, the air was clear and the view amazing. As with the rest of the high country along the spine of the Southern Appalachians, it's horrifying to see the effects of acid rain on the healthy evergreen climax forests I hiked through as a youth. I'm glad I saw them at their peak, but the destruction of those forests by pollution still horrifies and enrages me.
fox5659 - Aug 18, 2003 12:54 pm
Route Climbed: AT Date Climbed: April 2002Brutal cold in April - but no tourists. Nice views of the Smokies from the tower. The tower reminded me of a marble race toy we had when we were kids.
dsnell - Jul 2, 2003 8:13 am
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: June 29, 2003I got to the parking lot at about 7:00 on what would later be a crowded summer Sunday. Early in the morning, however, I had the whole place to myself, except for a nice couple from Georgia. The views were nice, except for the dead trees. I'm sure the place was truly stunning before the trees died. It's too bad the Park Service can't (or won't, what ever the case may be) do anything to save them. I encountered a verly large (and brave) doe on the way down. Get there early to avoid the crowds!
vbeckman74 - May 30, 2003 8:26 am
Route Climbed: standard Date Climbed: September 2000Highpoint number 6 for Dy and I.
climber46 - Apr 26, 2003 3:02 pm
Route Climbed: road Date Climbed: Oct 19, 1995I drove the scenic route between Chattanooga and Kentucky by going over the Great Smoky Mtns National Park and also driving to the this lofty summit. It is disappionting to see the adelgid destroying the alpine forests up there. The fall colors lower down were spectacular.
big_g - Mar 3, 2003 6:19 pm Date Climbed: Feb 5, 2000
Route Climbed: AT and MSTSnowy and cold when I was there. I was tempted to bivy near the tower. I never did make it out to the next shelter - too much snow and downed trees. I slept in the restrooms at the gap. Running water and a toilet!!!
GA->ME 2000
Also climbed again 23 Apr 2007 to finish off the Mountain to Sea Trail. It was much easier this time!