One last day in the Smokies

Had a final few days in Waynesville last week. Played Guitar Hero with Blair and Lauren, had an amazing dinner with Chris and Michelle and Chris' Bordeaux, and had a few heavy workouts with Coach Kile. Laura went back to Atlanta on Sunday and I was up early for one last day of hiking in the Smokies.

Out of the house by 7:30, picked a hitchhiker and his son up in Cherokee at 8, took the turnoff to Clingmans Dome and got to the end of the road by 8:30.



Cool and slightly cloudy, started out donwhill on Forney Creek. I've done the lower portion of Forney Creek but the trail in total runs some 14 miles. From the trailhead at about 6200 feet the trail drops along Forney's headwall before switchbacking into the canyon proper. Canadian-like forests give over to northern hardwood and becomes more dense as you lose altitude.



Passed Forney Creek Cascades and gradually entered a world of cathedral forests and rushing water. Flame azalea in bloom.



The lower you go the more spectacular the forest is.



Also the lower you go the more and more difficult stream crossings you encouter. Few bridges down here.



At the 8-mile mark left Forney -- at this point I was down to about 2500 feet -- and began a steep climb on Jonas Ridge.



That gave way to Welch Ridge and Hazel Creek.



Toward the end of Hazel Creek was back into the high forests ... though the climbing was not over. Met the Appalachian Trail at Silers Bald and over the next 4.5 miles climbed another 1000 feet. Suddenly heard voices along the trail and emerged from the forest on to the Clingmans Dome Summit Trail. After seeing only a handful of hikers all day was surprised at the sight of dozens and dozens of people of all abilities walking (or waddling) the paved trail to the summit.



Clingmans Dome itself is at almost 6600 feet; the well-known circular walk to the lookout adds to the drama of the peak. Cool here once again and pick out for one last time the high points of the Smokies. Silers, Andrews, LeConte, is that Waterrock in the distance, and Cold Mountain beyond that?



Hobble back to the truck after a great 18-mile hike.