mattdalman - Apr 22, 2006 1:00 am Date Climbed: Apr 13, 2006
Route Climbed: Parking lot Trail
This was the first of three state highpoints for the day(TN,GA,SC). There wasn't any view from the saucer because of the dense fog up at the summit. Still fun though.
Mark Doiron - Mar 22, 2006 6:20 pm Date Climbed: Jun 8, 2004
Park Closed--Except Us!
My son Curtis and I were hiking a couple days on the AT. We'd left the truck at the parking lot for Clingman's Dome. Our planned return was at sunrise, June 8th, so that we could catch the transit of Venus (I'm an amateur astronomer and had a scope and solar filter in the truck). But it was too cloudy to see the transit.
Funny thing: No one else about. Puzzled, we packed up and headed out the east park entrance. We'd stop so I could take a few images, but there was no one on the road. This is the most highly visited national park (yes, far more than Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite!), yet there was no one around. I got to where I'd just stop on the road to take pic's. Anyway--long story shortened: Turns out the park gates were closed because there'd been an incident with the FBI chasing some wanted criminal into the park. We passed the scene of the incident and there were all manner of cops (local, county, FBI, etc) for several miles before the east gate.
Eleutheros - Mar 17, 2006 7:32 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 1995
Fog and Rain
Beautiful hike in the fog and rain. No view from the tower, but the forest was alive.
Route Climbed: Paved access trail Date Climbed: September 2005
Although I'm generally not a fan of highpoint structures, I actually like this one. It doesn't sit on the highpoint itself, and it gradually ramps up to lift you above the trees to see the views (which would be non-existant were it not for the flying saucer). The affect is somewhat lost now with the fir tree blight.
Climbed as part of a three day backpack trip. Started at the road to nowhere and spent the first night along Hazel Creek. Ascended to the AT and summit on the second day, descending and camping along Forney Creek the second night. Out to the road the third day. Awesome trip.
When one of my friend's and I summited it, freezing fog and mist obscured any chance of a view. Our visibility was about 10 feet in front of us, with light snow at the top. Temps dropped down in the single digits with wind chill. Ice and snow covered much of the trail, at best there was frozen mud. Probably should have worn crampons. Excellent time with a good friend. Highly recommended whether you are on a family trip (visit in different weather!) or a backpacker on the AT.
Route Climbed: Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap Date Climbed: October 2003
It was pretty cold all day...We left our bikes on top and rode them down Clingman's Dome Road after the climb, which is an OK section of the AT (too close to the road). Looking to do the whole section through the park in February.
Route Climbed: Pavement Date Climbed: June 23, 2003
Will and I first "climbed" the concrete trail to the summit of Clingman's Dome in June of 2003. I re-summited it in May of 2005, with my wife, Robin who braved 40 degree temperatures, gusting winds and driving rains to hike the paved trail in flip-flops. Needless to say this took a little coaxing from me...she was not happy. My 10th highpoint, her 5th.
Route Climbed: Pavement Date Climbed: September 1, 2003
Cold, gray, foggy, misty! So, THAT'S why they call it the Great Smoky Mountains! : ) Dense fog obscured the view and it was windy, but quiet and peaceful. Loved the unusual lookout tower.
Route Climbed: Paved Path Date Climbed: May 27, 2005
This was my second time up to the tower. The first was back on August 27, 2004. The views were better this time around. We decided to avoid the crowds coming up the paved trail and headed down the AT to the bypass trail. If you want to feel more like you climbed the mountain, take this one up. It is VERY rocky and there are many dead trees. We also met an AT thru-hiker and wished him luck.
Route Climbed: Standard paved path Date Climbed: June 2002
I was really disappointed with the summit, but then again what can you expect from a mountain that you drive to the top. It was really windy and cold but the veiws were nice.
Route Climbed: Appalachian Trail Date Climbed: 17 March 2005
My father and I climbed up the AT and descended the road. The trail was extremely icy, and hardpacked enough that crampons didn't help. Got to a foggy summit only to have it clear out less than an hour after we started descending! C'est la vie...
mattdalman - Apr 22, 2006 1:00 am Date Climbed: Apr 13, 2006
Route Climbed: Parking lot TrailThis was the first of three state highpoints for the day(TN,GA,SC). There wasn't any view from the saucer because of the dense fog up at the summit. Still fun though.
Mark Doiron - Mar 22, 2006 6:20 pm Date Climbed: Jun 8, 2004
Park Closed--Except Us!My son Curtis and I were hiking a couple days on the AT. We'd left the truck at the parking lot for Clingman's Dome. Our planned return was at sunrise, June 8th, so that we could catch the transit of Venus (I'm an amateur astronomer and had a scope and solar filter in the truck). But it was too cloudy to see the transit.
Funny thing: No one else about. Puzzled, we packed up and headed out the east park entrance. We'd stop so I could take a few images, but there was no one on the road. This is the most highly visited national park (yes, far more than Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite!), yet there was no one around. I got to where I'd just stop on the road to take pic's. Anyway--long story shortened: Turns out the park gates were closed because there'd been an incident with the FBI chasing some wanted criminal into the park. We passed the scene of the incident and there were all manner of cops (local, county, FBI, etc) for several miles before the east gate.
Eleutheros - Mar 17, 2006 7:32 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 1995
Fog and RainBeautiful hike in the fog and rain. No view from the tower, but the forest was alive.
Scrambling Man - Feb 14, 2006 9:00 pm
AT Hike: Spring of 2000Great hike along the AT. The tower is unique and oddly out of place, but it does allow for views of the mountains.
Cortez - May 21, 2006 8:21 pm
Re: Route Climbed: Appalachian trail Date Climbed: September 1996Clingman's is totally blah compared to LeConte. LeConte is Tennessee's premier mountain!
Joseph Claghorn - Jan 24, 2006 10:41 pm
Route Climbed: Paved access trail Date Climbed: September 2005Although I'm generally not a fan of highpoint structures, I actually like this one. It doesn't sit on the highpoint itself, and it gradually ramps up to lift you above the trees to see the views (which would be non-existant were it not for the flying saucer). The affect is somewhat lost now with the fir tree blight.
koz - Jan 3, 2006 12:28 am
Route Climbed: From the parking lot Date Climbed: September 16, 2003Highpoint #24. Fourth stop in our attempt to bag GA-SC-NC-TN-VA-KY in a day. Definitely want to come back & hike around here.
vbc285 - Dec 3, 2005 4:15 pm
Route Climbed: A.T. Date Climbed: March, 2003Hit the summit along the A.T. on a section hike. Lots of snow drifts and ice all over the trail...Lots of fun!
Alcas24 - Nov 3, 2005 1:44 am
Route Climbed: A.T. Date Climbed: Nov 2, 2004Climbed as part of a three day backpack trip. Started at the road to nowhere and spent the first night along Hazel Creek. Ascended to the AT and summit on the second day, descending and camping along Forney Creek the second night. Out to the road the third day. Awesome trip.
cybond - Oct 16, 2005 6:54 pm
Route Climbed: Via AT Date Climbed: April 2005When one of my friend's and I summited it, freezing fog and mist obscured any chance of a view. Our visibility was about 10 feet in front of us, with light snow at the top. Temps dropped down in the single digits with wind chill. Ice and snow covered much of the trail, at best there was frozen mud. Probably should have worn crampons. Excellent time with a good friend. Highly recommended whether you are on a family trip (visit in different weather!) or a backpacker on the AT.
TLP - Sep 27, 2005 12:30 pm
Route Climbed: path from parking lot Date Climbed: September 25, 2005No view, totally foggy. Very WINDY on the tower. My 11th State highpoint.
TomSellick - Sep 2, 2005 12:48 pm
Route Climbed: Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap Date Climbed: October 2003It was pretty cold all day...We left our bikes on top and rode them down Clingman's Dome Road after the climb, which is an OK section of the AT (too close to the road). Looking to do the whole section through the park in February.
chmoore577 - Sep 1, 2005 10:32 am
Route Climbed: Pavement Date Climbed: June 23, 2003Will and I first "climbed" the concrete trail to the summit of Clingman's Dome in June of 2003. I re-summited it in May of 2005, with my wife, Robin who braved 40 degree temperatures, gusting winds and driving rains to hike the paved trail in flip-flops. Needless to say this took a little coaxing from me...she was not happy. My 10th highpoint, her 5th.
starship_jen - Aug 4, 2005 11:45 pm
Route Climbed: Pavement Date Climbed: September 1, 2003Cold, gray, foggy, misty! So, THAT'S why they call it the Great Smoky Mountains! : ) Dense fog obscured the view and it was windy, but quiet and peaceful. Loved the unusual lookout tower.
davis13 - Jul 31, 2005 8:54 am
Route Climbed: Pavement Date Climbed: 80's and 90'sWalked up it numerous times from the parking lot on family vacations.
longroper - Jul 7, 2005 1:40 pm
Route Climbed: Path from the parking lot Date Climbed: 2 July 2005Good view of some rare fur trees. Nice area to hike.
SteveinFXBG - Jun 19, 2005 11:20 pm
Route Climbed: Paved Path Date Climbed: May 27, 2005This was my second time up to the tower. The first was back on August 27, 2004. The views were better this time around. We decided to avoid the crowds coming up the paved trail and headed down the AT to the bypass trail. If you want to feel more like you climbed the mountain, take this one up. It is VERY rocky and there are many dead trees. We also met an AT thru-hiker and wished him luck.
pingzingr - Jun 16, 2005 3:26 am
Route Climbed: From the car to the saucer :) Date Climbed: 1979, 1982, 1987...Came up to Clingmans Dome every time we came to the Smokies.
captainron - Jun 9, 2005 7:11 am
Route Climbed: Standard paved path Date Climbed: June 2002I was really disappointed with the summit, but then again what can you expect from a mountain that you drive to the top. It was really windy and cold but the veiws were nice.
txmountaineer - Apr 9, 2005 11:03 am
Route Climbed: Appalachian Trail Date Climbed: 17 March 2005My father and I climbed up the AT and descended the road. The trail was extremely icy, and hardpacked enough that crampons didn't help. Got to a foggy summit only to have it clear out less than an hour after we started descending! C'est la vie...