The Smoky Mountains-- pure. majestic. beauty.
I left Fontana Dam 5 days ago with about 6 days of food and I felt every ounce climbing up to the ridge to enter the park. Once up on the ridges though, the views in the Smokies are among the best along the entire trail! Also, the highest point on the AT is in the Smokies-- Clingman's Dome at 6,643 feet!
The weather was at both ends of the spectrum during my hike through the park. I had three really nice days and two really bad days. When it rained, the trail became sort of a slip n' slide with a fierce wind to boot. Often times, I was so high up in elevation that I was above the clouds--and above the weather. This was the case in summiting Clingman's Dome. It was pouring/thunder/lightening but once I broke through the clouds, crystal clear views from the observation deck!
All in all, the Smokies were awesome: I hiked through wild flowers so thick along the forest floor that it looked like it just snowed. I hiked through corridors of thick pine trees covered in moss-- they blocked out the sun. I hiked above the clouds, in the clouds, below the clouds. I hiked on ridges less than 10 feet across with shear drops on either side. I hiked along blooming forests in the valley and along leaf-less ridges.
I exited the park today and now I'm staying at Standing Bear Farm Hostel in Tennessee. A very unique and serene place. You would just have to be here to understand..
I have updated the Itinerary link as well. :-) My next stop is Hot Springs, NC.
I left Fontana Dam 5 days ago with about 6 days of food and I felt every ounce climbing up to the ridge to enter the park. Once up on the ridges though, the views in the Smokies are among the best along the entire trail! Also, the highest point on the AT is in the Smokies-- Clingman's Dome at 6,643 feet!
The weather was at both ends of the spectrum during my hike through the park. I had three really nice days and two really bad days. When it rained, the trail became sort of a slip n' slide with a fierce wind to boot. Often times, I was so high up in elevation that I was above the clouds--and above the weather. This was the case in summiting Clingman's Dome. It was pouring/thunder/lightening but once I broke through the clouds, crystal clear views from the observation deck!
All in all, the Smokies were awesome: I hiked through wild flowers so thick along the forest floor that it looked like it just snowed. I hiked through corridors of thick pine trees covered in moss-- they blocked out the sun. I hiked above the clouds, in the clouds, below the clouds. I hiked on ridges less than 10 feet across with shear drops on either side. I hiked along blooming forests in the valley and along leaf-less ridges.
I exited the park today and now I'm staying at Standing Bear Farm Hostel in Tennessee. A very unique and serene place. You would just have to be here to understand..
I have updated the Itinerary link as well. :-) My next stop is Hot Springs, NC.
I loved reading this, I could just hear the excitement when describing everything in your voice. Everything sounds so amazing, now it makes me want to do something like this!! (Even though you know I could most likely never make it a day!!) I'm so proud of you for doing this, I cant wait to see you when you get home!!! P.S. - When is that?
ReplyDeleteLove & miss you tons,
Coll
Hey Coll! Thanks for commenting! It was so stunningly beautiful! If all goes well, I should be home around September. Love ya too!
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