Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most pristine natural areas in the East. It offers breathtaking mountain scenery, including panoramic views, rushing mountain streams, and mature hardwood forests stretching to the horizon. The Appalachian Mountains are among the oldest mountains in the world, and the Smokies are among the tallest mountains in the Appalachian chain. Inside the park, elevations range from about 875' to 6,643', with sixteen peaks rising more than 5,000 feet. The park's highest summit, Clingmans Dome, is the third tallest peak east of the Mississippi River.
(Click on photos to enlarge.)
Beautiful scenery such as this is all the way through the Park.
VIEW FROM CLINGMANS DOME TOWER
0.5 didn't sound too bad until I realized
that it was entirely UPHILL!
The trail is never ending with this tower as the ultimate destination.
The Appalachian Trail runs entirely through this National Park.
There's the destination (the view better be good!)
The tower offered fantastic views of the Smoky Mountains,
and you could see well into Tennessee. It was worth the hike!
After a while, this all looks the same!
"Seen one mountain, you've seen 'em all!"
VIEW FROM NEWFOUND GAP
The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest continuous footpaths in the world. The trail winds more than 2,150 miles through 14 states (Georgia to Maine). Few stretches are more remote or difficult than the section through the Great Smokies. These are some of the highest ridges in the Appalachians, paralleling the Tennessee-North Carolina border for 70 miles.
Today I hiked on the Appalachian Trail. Okay, so I didn't
quite go 70 miles, but I did go a bit of a ways (maybe 70 feet)!
This part of the Trail was particularly beautiful!
I love it that (wo)man's best friend is allowed in National Parks.
This poor guy's parents made him wait in the car.
(It was cold out, so he was fine.)
Look at that sad face!
Butterfly Whisperer
This guy just leaned down and this butterfly hopped
on his finger. (I couldn't not take this picture!)
This is an understatement, to say the least!!!!!!!!
Very winding road!
