Clingman's Dome

Being the last day in Pigeon Forge we were undecided on what to do. It was a warm beautiful day and not a cloud in the sky. I did not want to spent it inside. So I went to the front office and ask the staff for suggestions. Instantly they said Clingmans Dome. Of course I said Clingons who being a Star Trek fan. With a little explanation from the staff on the name and how to get there away we go, Clingmans Dome it is. The drive up was breathe taking lots of switchbacks and drop offs but worth it. The flowers were just starting to bloom in the lower elevations but as we got higher they disappeared and it got significantly cooler.


 Further narrative coming soon, for now please enjoy the view

There are several stops along New Found Gap Road (US 441)one being Chimney Tops.


The two peaks are called Chimney Tops

With an elevation of 4,800 ft the double capstone was formed centuries ago through natural weathering exposing the bedrock on top. The Cherokee name for Chimney Tops is "forked antler" referencing it's likeness to deer antlers. The bare rock offers scant soil for plants to grow. Therefore only shallow rooted scrubs and trees such as rhododendron, red spruce, and eastern hemlock will thrive. A steep rocky and rugged 2 mile trail leads to Chimney Tops giving a panoramic view of the Sugarland Valley. People have lost their lives climbing this trail. Maybe that is why the trail was closed and taped off when we arrived.



The numerous dead trees we saw along the road and at Clingmans Dome are eastern hemlock. A tiny non-native insect called hemlock wooly adelgids is the cause of this destruction. The adelgids feed at the base of the hemlock needles cutting off nutrient supply starving the tree. Millions have been lost.