May 18, 2016

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Spent the day touring the most visited national park in the country year after year.  Quite a difference from the neighboring tourist meccas.  Quiet, green, mountains with lots of vistas. 

 

One similarity to the tourist cities – people.  Third week in May (not yet vacation season), middle of the week, mostly cloudy skies, and yet there were LOTS of people.  We took a drive and then a hike to the top of the tallest point in the park.

 

Observation tower on top of Clingmans Dome

 

View north from tower.  Pigeon Forge is in center of picture in distance beyond ridge.

Appalachian Trail goes over Clingmans Dome.  Second time we have been on it. Last time was in 2013 at Harpers Ferry.

  We got to parking lot near summit about 10:30 in the morning.  Had to park near far end of large parking lot.  Hiked half mile (all up) to viewing tower on top of Clingmans Dome.  When we returned to parking lot cars were parked along the road a quarter mile from lot.

Twenty miles back to visitor center and then 24 miles of twisty road to the Cades Cove scenic loop.  One way, narrow, twisty, eleven mile long road around historic and very scenic valley in heart of Smoky Mountains.  Again, LOTS of people.  Often bumper to bumper with long standstills.  Most pullouts (and there were a lot of them) filled.  Still able to enjoy the tour. Just very slowly. 

There are a number of well preserved pioneer homes in Cades Cove

Saw many species of butterflies today.

Single view of very small part of Cades Cove.

 

Given the number of people we saw today, I would hate to visit this park in the summer when schools are all out.