Clingman's Dome Ranger Guided Hike - Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is offering a ranger guided sunset hike to Clingmans Dome on Saturday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m. The 1.5 mile hike will start from the Clingmans Dome parking area. At 6,643 feet Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the national park and the third highest in the eastern United States. Article Source: Seymour Herald

Although a half-mile paved trail provides access to the observation tower on the Dome, participants will hike a mile to reach the tower using portions of several trails, including a short section of the Appalachian Trail.

There will be a full moon on May 13 and if the weather cooperates participants could see a sunset and a moon rise. The ranger leading the hike will have maps and historic photographs to help illustrate the natural and cultural history of the area. Although the hike is rated moderate, there is a 300-foot-elevation change up to the tower and portions of the trail are rocky so participants should wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots. A jacket and rain gear are recommended because weather in the Smoky Mountains can be very unpredictable, especially at higher elevations. Since the activity will finish after dark, participants should also bring a flashlight.

Those interested in taking part in this hike should meet the ranger at the bulletin board at the west end of the Clingmans Dome parking area. Clingmans Dome is 25-miles, about a 45-minute drive, from the Gatlinburg, Tenn. or Cherokee, N.C. entrances to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For more information call the national park’s Oconaluftee Visitor Center at (828) 497-1904.

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