The weather has improved since yesterday. It is no longer raining, and there are actually a few patches of blue in the sky, but I'm still not sure if I will get any views today. After a long day on the trail yesterday, I slept in this morning. We also had to pack up the car for yet another move. As a result, we didn't get to the trailhead today until 10:30. The parking lot was empty yesterday morning at 6:30, but full today. But not nearly as full as when the park was dedicated by President Roosevelt.
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Lynn took my picture on the Rockefeller Memorial.
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Overlooking Newfound Gap
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Today I'll be hiking up to Clingmans Dome
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This style was built to help keep non-native wild hogs out of a particular area.
Apparently they have been a problem since the 1950's
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Log 'slices' are used in this area as stepping stones.
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Here's a whole mess of 'em.
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The last half a mile up to Clingmans Dome was tough.
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Lynn came part way down from the top to meet me. We then walked together to the top of the Clingmans Dome. At 6643', it is the highest mountain I've climbed so far, the highest point on the Appalachian Trail, and the highest point in Tennessee making this my 11th state highpoint. It was doubtful that I would get a view today, but I started up the long spiral walkway.
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As I thought, there was no view from the top.
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Lynn and I then walked the .5 mile Clingmans Dome Trail back to the parking lot. Although I didn't get much of a view from the trail today, the weather began to clear as we headed down Route 441.
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Here's a 180° view we got at one of our stops.
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Time for hike #2 of the day.
