Hike the Appalachian Trail Wednesday,October 9th.

Photos by Randy Richardson

On Wednesday October 9th, nine hardy hikers met at Clingman’s Dome for our 2019 high altitude hike.  Many thanks to Ed Kelley, who stepped in for Ken Czarnomski at the last minute to lead the hike.  We began with a climb to the Clingman’s Dome observation tower for a 360 degree view of the surrounding area, helped by recent rains that had minimized the usual haze that gives the Smokies their name.  From there we followed the ridge line to the west along the Appalachian Trail.  Descending 1200 feet over the next three miles, we were rewarded with distant views in some places, and a moss covered fairy forest in others.  At one point Ed heard some familiar bird calls and pished to bring in the Ruby Crowned Kinglets.  While they remained elusive, we were rewarded with a close-up view of three Red-Breasted Nuthatches, a bird that nests at high elevations in our area.  

Stopping for lunch at the Double Springs Gap shelter, we enjoyed the company of a young through hiker who had begun his adventure in Maine.  At that point, after consulting our watches and condition, we decided that discretion was the better part of valor and opted not to continue to our planned destination at Siler’s Bald, instead returning along the AT to the Clingman’s Dome parking lot.  A 1200 foot climb led us to the conclusion that future hikes should reserve the downhill section for the end of the hike end next time.  In both directions we saw multiple groups of elk in the pastures at Oconoluftee, including a magnificent large bull.  As the sun set, we returned home tired but satisfied after an enjoyable outing in the woods.

For more natural history about Clingmans Dome refer to Marci Spencer’s book Clingmans Dome, Highest Mountain in the Great Smokies or go to the National Park Service website https://www.nps.gov/grsm.