Clingmans Dome to Silers Bald

[Buzzard Breath]

...... and back.

Well, My wife and I were back at it again this weekend. We decided to do the out and back to Silers Bald before the bald disappeared. This was an awesome hike with some of the best views in the Smokies. Anyone wanting to do a scenic hike should do this. I'm not going to write much about this trip and just let the pictures do the talking.

BTW, it was 56 degrees out when we got there and 66 degrees when we finished at 2 in the afternoon. It felt awesome to be in some cool air.

Clingmans Dome. We decided to hit this first instead of last. It was a good choice. There was just another couple on the tower when we were there at first light. Upon our return, it was a zoo.


Mt. Leconte. It was pretty cool that we were actually at a higher altitude that it. We were basically looking down on it.


I wonder how they came up with the name Smoky Mountains!?! North Carolina side.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

It was strange that the North Carolina side had the smoky look to it.


But, the Tennessee side was clear.


This wasn't just a one time thing. To get to Silers Bald, you follow the Appalachian Trail as it borders NC and TN. Your left foot is in NC and your right is in TN. The trail is along a steep ridgeline and the views off both sides in phenomenal the entire length of the trail. Time and time again, the TN side had no clouds, NC side was full of them.

In wet years, over 8 feet of rain falls on some of the higher peaks in the Smokies. This was obvious by the ecosystem that the trail went through. The very highest areas were covered in moss, ferns, and if you stepped off trail, the ground had a spongy feel to it. I wish I'd taken some more pictures of the place, but you can get an idea of what it was like by these.


A really cool tree trunk.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Just over 3 miles into the hike you come across one of the shelters for the Appalachian Trail.
Double Spring Gap Shelter


A night in luxury.


NC


TN. Yes, that is a storm brewing. We started the day with clear skies. It then rained. Cleared up again. Rained again. And, we finished with clear skies.

 

[timberjack86]

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing

 

[Buzzard Breath]

I'm glad my wife had read a little about Silers Bald and knew what to look for. Because when we got there, I would have just kept going because there wasn't a bald anymore. It was completely grown over. I knew the balds were shrinking, but this thing was gone.


http://www.nps.gov/history/history/onli ... /intro.htm

I snapped a quick picture of the survey marker and we hiked out a short manway to an overlook to eat our picnic that we packed. I took no pictures of the ham sandwiches we packed. I figured you would know what a simple ham sandwich looked like.


The hike back was just more of the same awesome views but in reverse. But, just as soon as you think your about done, you come to Mount Buckley. This is a real ass kicker for a finish. The trail goes straight up the ridge. No switchbacks, no breaks, straight up.


All in all, it was a physically demanding hike and a great start to a busy week.


http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/silers_bald.htm

 

[Brisco Darlin]

cool pics. I'm heading up there hiking in the morning. Not exactly sure which trail we are going on yet.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

cool pics. I'm heading up there hiking in the morning. Not exactly sure which trail we are going on yet.

Weekdays are the only way to go. After this past weekend and the bear jam we got in coming off the mountain, I'm done with the park for a while. Or, we may go in one of the back ways that don't see the typical traffic. We're headed to Savage Gulf for the 4th.

 

[Tennessee Lead]

I ain't saw much of them mountains over there but what I have saw ain't nothing anymore beautiful in the world to me.

 

[Brisco Darlin]

cool pics. I'm heading up there hiking in the morning. Not exactly sure which trail we are going on yet.

Weekdays are the only way to go. After this past weekend and the bear jam we got in coming off the mountain, I'm done with the park for a while. Or, we may go in one of the back ways that don't see the typical traffic. We're headed to Savage Gulf for the 4th.

Love savage gulf. i have done alot of backpacking out there. proposed to my wife on the stone door overlook.

 

[AT Hiker]

Nice!

 

[Acorn]

Great pics!!

 

[Gravey]

Nice pics. Sounds like fun quality time with the misses.

 

[a retrohillbilly]

Hate to hear the "bald" ain't a bald any more. When I used to go there was plenty of open, even like a meadow. Spruce were still there too!

 

[TX300mag]

The kids and I made that hike last Aug. I've yet to make it to Clingman's Dome without significant clouds. :(

 

[AT Hiker]

Cool. I've stayed in that Double Spring Gap shelter before when hiking that section of the AT. Looks like its been updated/remodeled recently by adding a new roof and removing the chain link fence to keep bears out.

I believe just about every shelter has been remodeled now. No bear fences anywhere either. They need mice fences though!


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[AT Hiker]

I heard something leaning towards the fence took away from the aesthetics but your thoughts about lazy food storage sound validate as well. Sad thing is bear attacks are on the rise in the park (or appear to be).

We are starting at Clingmans this weekend and headed Southbound, our little girl will be with us so we are not overnighting, it will be a nice reprieve from this heat.


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