Clingmans Dome, which rises to 6643 ft., is the highest point along the Appalachian Trail (NOTE: the highest point in the eastern U.S. is Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina but the AT does not cross that mountain). It gets an average of 85" of precipitation per year, with March generally being the rainiest month. 

One can drive fairly close to the top of this peak, and then walk up the last half mile on a paved trail. The end of the trail brings you to a tower that you can ascend which will give you magnificent 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. Lots of hikers who have been hiking for miles through wilderness no doubt are surprised to suddenly see tourists appear seemingly out of nowhere there at the summit. 

This mountain was named for Thomas Lanier Clingman, a prospector, and later a Civil War general and U.S. Senator, who extolled the wealth of timber and minerals of the region. He also proposed that it would make a wonderful place for health resorts. In addition, the Smokies, he said, had peaks higher than those in White Mountains in New England, which at the time were thought to be the highest mountains in the east. Clingman set out to measure the mountain that he thought was the highest and later became embroiled in a dispute with Dr. Elisha Mitchell as to which of them had first measured the mountain in question. The MIQ (mountain in question) was later to be named Mt. Mitchell. And the second highest peak in the area was given Clingman's name. 

At higher elevations, Clingmans Dome is covered by a Spruce-Fir forest. However, this forest is in serious decline because the Fir trees are being attacked by an insect known as the balsam woolly adelgid. This pest was accidentally imported into the U.S., probably in the late 1800's and has slowly been making its way south from New England. For several years, the trees in the Clingmans Dome area have been sprayed with an insecticidal soap, which is less dangerous than some of the pesticdes that were known to be effective against the insect but were too persistent and toxic to be used in the Park. Commentary courtesy of Kathy Bilton

See my own Trip Report

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