Tennessee

Date of summit: Friday - April 25, 2008

Mountain: Clingman's Dome

Summit Elevation: 6.643 feet


We set out on our spring break for an Appalachian adventure. Our goal was to hike to the high point in each of six states - North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. We planned 4 days for the 1,500 mile road trip that would include up to 23 miles of hiking. Each state will get its own post. Unfortunately, you won't find one for Kentucky because we ran out of time and didn't make it! We came home happy (and exhuasted) though with 5 state high points.

Clingman's Dome in was the 4th high point on our Appalachian adventure and the 7th overall high point in the United States we have reached so far.

The Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee!


Jewels and Cai on their way up to the observation deck at the top of Clingman's Dome, the high point of Tennessee. It's very near the North Carolina border.

It's only a 1 mile round-trip hike from the parking lot to the top of the mountain. It was a little chilly up top and it was enshrouded with the fabled "smokey" clouds.


Tennessee has built this nice observation deck and has great displays and views from the parking lot too.

After leaving the top of the Smokeys we drove through Gatlinburg (Vegas for rednecks - a unique, fun place!), and then spent the night in a hotel - after 2 nights of camping and over 800 miles of driving, a hot shower and clean bed was very comforting! Cai sure enjoyed it too.