Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Day 6 [Forney Creek Trail, Forney Ridge Trail, Andrews Bald]


Day 6 would be our final day in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After packing up and cleaning up camp, our day of hiking would begin with a climb, of a little over 2 miles, on the Forney Creek Trail. Though we had arrived in the early afternoon, we camped in the lower portion of Campsite 68. We stopped briefly at the upper portion, next to the Forney Creek Cascade, and made a note that the upper portion was the better of the two options. 

As we made our way steadily uphill, the trail became at times rocky and at others was laced with tree roots. It was a departure from the road/railroad bed feel on the lower section of the trail. As the canopy above us began to thin, and we were able to catch an occasional glimpse of the surrounding mountains, we knew we were approaching the ridge that would take us to Andrews Bald.

 

Upon reaching the intersection with the Forney Ridge Trail, we consulted the trail signs to verify the remaining distance we needed to cover. From this point, it was a 1.4 mile round trip to Andrews Bald, and upon returning to this point, only 1.1 miles would separate us from the Clingmans Dome parking area. 

The remaining ascent to Andrews Bald was relatively gradual, especially in comparison to some of the trail we had covered over the past few days. Although it was certainly cloudier and hazier than it had been on the day of our arrival, the views from Andrews Bald were worth the side trip. If you only have a short time in the park, getting up early to hit Clingmans Dome and Andrews Bald would make for a worthwhile morning hike.


 

The final climb to Clingmans Dome was a bit steeper and rockier than we had experienced on the way to Andrews Bald. Although manageable, especially over a short distance, we both noted that the return trip to Clingmans Dome would definitely be the more difficult half of the Clingmans to Andrews Bald hike.

The scene in the parking area at Clingmans Dome was significantly different than it had been on the first day of our trip. A steady stream of people flowed to, and from, the observation deck. Small groups of people, many conversing boisterously, dotted the edges of the parking area. A seemingly unending line of traffic circled the parking lot, waiting to depart the park or to seize the parking spot of such a departing visitor. We did not linger for long. While we were in no particular hurry to leave the park, this particular area differed drastically from the experience we had come to appreciate. As we made our way out of the park, in the mid afternoon traffic, we knew we would return again someday. 


 

 

Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hiking After Work in Tucson, Arizona - [Brown Mountain Trail]

Image
  Where is Brown Mountain located? Brown Mountain is located about 30 minutes west of downtown Tucson, Arizona. Brown Mountain and Brown Mountain Picnic Area, where the trailhead is located, are within Tucson Mountain Park. The trailhead is just south of Kinney Road, on McCain Loop Road. What should one expect when hiking Brown Mountain? The hike is approximately 4.8 miles round-trip. The trails are mostly rock and gravel, with some loose rock present. We would definitely recommend wearing appropriate hiking footwear when hiking at Brown Mountain. The trail is, however, well-marked and well-maintained. While the altitude is not breathtaking, at a maximum of 3,098 feet, it is high enough to provide great views of the surrounding area. There are plenty of views throughout the trail, as there are dual peaks, and a section of the trail is an exposed ridgeline. The views only require a modest effort, as there is only about 400 feet of elevation gain on the trail.  Tucson Mountain Park is g
Read more

Overnight Backpacking Loop in Virginia: Three Ridges Wilderness

Image
  Where is the Three Ridges Wilderness? The Three Ridges Wilderness is located in Virginia's George Washington National Forest, about 30 miles southwest of Charlottesville. There is parking at Reids Gap (at the intersection of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Virginia 664). It's also possible to start from the Appalachian Trail trailhead at Tye River. Why visit the Three Ridges Wilderness? The Appalachian Trail (AT) runs through the Three Ridges Wilderness, which is reason enough to visit. This loop features some spectacular views along the AT and a series of waterfalls and pools on the Mau-Har side of the loop.  What should one expect on the trails in the Three Ridges Wilderness? If you are not accustomed to hiking in the mountains, this will be a strenuous hike. If you are, this will probably be a moderate hike. The trails are rocky and uneven in many places, so be sure to wear proper footwear and watch where you place your feet. Much of the hike is spent ascending or descending
Read more

White Mountains - Day 4 [Franconia Brook Trail]

Image
Despite the rain and strong winds overnight, we had slept soundly and for many hours. As we ate breakfast, we thought about the first foods we would eat once we emerged from the forest. When we began our final day of hiking, only about eight miles separated us from our original starting point.    The brooks, which we would have to cross a few times over the course of the day, were swollen from the previous day's rain. We marveled at the sheer power of the water crashing over the rocks as we left the campsite. Further down the trail, we passed through an area that was somewhat flooded out, due to the combination of precipitation and beaver activity.      While much of the second half of the trip was wet, the sun reappeared to lift our spirits as we hiked towards the finish. As we neared the Lincoln Woods Trail, we began to encounter other hikers more frequently. As we officially exited the Pemigewasset Wilderness, we stopped to chat with a group who had spent the night at Guyot Camp
Read more