Gibbs Mountain

... photo was taken 4-25-09 looking south from near Horse Rock on the Crest Trail at an elevation of around 6000 ft... hence Gibbs only rises about 200 ft more from here). Clingmans Peak (not to be confused with the "Dome") is the peak with the radio tower in the background. Blackstock Knob of the southern Blacks and Craggy Dome rise to the right of the picture. Notice how the spruce trees are leaning to the left and are stunted in growth right of their centers... this is due to the persistent prevailing west to northwest winds. These winds often are sustained at tropical storm force and occasionally gust even higher to hurricance force (especially in the winter).