Sunday morning, I had breakfast at the hotel and then got on the Blue Ridge Parkway heading south towards Cherokee. The mountains were beautiful and I made a few stops. First I stopped at Bunches Bald Overlook for a nice view.
Then I stopped at Big Witch Overlook.
The next stop was View Thomas Divide.
Finally, I stopped at View Ballhoot Scar.
At the south end of the parkway, I entered Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Occanaluftee. There was a bull elk in the field so I stopped for some pictures.
There were also some wild turkeys here in the field as well.
I then drove up to Clingmans Dome to start my hike. There were great views from the parking lot here.
I started off hiking down Forney Ridge Trail for just over a mile and turned right on Forney Creek Trail. This trail was even steeper in its descent. It headed towards its namesake then switchbacked towards a tributary. It got pretty narrow in places. At the tributary, the trail followed it down steeply towards the confluence with Forney Creek. There was a scenic cascade just upstream of the crossing.
Rock Slab Falls was just downstream of the crossing and there was a campsite here. There was also evidence of old logging operations in the area. The view from the base was poor due to a big tree that fell across the middle.
Another path from the campsite led to the base of the upper cascade, just above the downed tree. There was a better view of the upper drop from here.
There were some scenic drops just downstream of the falls as well.
After some pictures, I continued on the trail down to Steeltrap Creek. There's a waterfall about a half-mile upstream but absolutely no trail. I started to rock hop up the creek but it was so overgrown with rhododendron. I was by myself and no one would ever find me out here if something happened, so I turned back. It was a very steep climb back up Forney Creek Trail. When I finally got back to Forney Ridge Trail, I turned right to go out to Andrews Bald.
There were really nice views from here and Fontana Lake was visible far down below.
Heading back, I took Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail up to the Appalachian Trail. I went to the top of Mount Buckley but there was no view here. There was one spot along the AT with a really nice view and I could see Gatlinburg.
Turning around and going northbound, I passed Clingmans Dome and went out Mount Love. There were a few breaks in the trees but not much to see. Turning back, I stopped at Clingmans Dome and climbed the tower.
It was super crowded but the views were fantastic. Mount LeConte was towering to the north.
Then I headed back down to the parking lot and enjoyed one more view from way up high.
From here, I headed back towards Maggie Valley.
At Oconaluftee, I got back on the Blue Ridge Parkway and made a couple stops. First, I stopped at View Raven Fork.
Then I caught the sun setting behind the mountains from Jenkins Ridge Overlook.
I made one more stop at Plott Balsam Overlook and saw the moon over the mountains.
After this, I finished the drive into Maggie Valley. I had dinner at Legends Sports Bar and then headed back to the hotel and got ready to head home.
Then I stopped at Big Witch Overlook.
The next stop was View Thomas Divide.
Finally, I stopped at View Ballhoot Scar.
At the south end of the parkway, I entered Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Occanaluftee. There was a bull elk in the field so I stopped for some pictures.
There were also some wild turkeys here in the field as well.
I then drove up to Clingmans Dome to start my hike. There were great views from the parking lot here.
I started off hiking down Forney Ridge Trail for just over a mile and turned right on Forney Creek Trail. This trail was even steeper in its descent. It headed towards its namesake then switchbacked towards a tributary. It got pretty narrow in places. At the tributary, the trail followed it down steeply towards the confluence with Forney Creek. There was a scenic cascade just upstream of the crossing.
Rock Slab Falls was just downstream of the crossing and there was a campsite here. There was also evidence of old logging operations in the area. The view from the base was poor due to a big tree that fell across the middle.
Another path from the campsite led to the base of the upper cascade, just above the downed tree. There was a better view of the upper drop from here.
There were some scenic drops just downstream of the falls as well.
After some pictures, I continued on the trail down to Steeltrap Creek. There's a waterfall about a half-mile upstream but absolutely no trail. I started to rock hop up the creek but it was so overgrown with rhododendron. I was by myself and no one would ever find me out here if something happened, so I turned back. It was a very steep climb back up Forney Creek Trail. When I finally got back to Forney Ridge Trail, I turned right to go out to Andrews Bald.
There were really nice views from here and Fontana Lake was visible far down below.
Heading back, I took Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail up to the Appalachian Trail. I went to the top of Mount Buckley but there was no view here. There was one spot along the AT with a really nice view and I could see Gatlinburg.
Turning around and going northbound, I passed Clingmans Dome and went out Mount Love. There were a few breaks in the trees but not much to see. Turning back, I stopped at Clingmans Dome and climbed the tower.
It was super crowded but the views were fantastic. Mount LeConte was towering to the north.
Then I headed back down to the parking lot and enjoyed one more view from way up high.
From here, I headed back towards Maggie Valley.
At Oconaluftee, I got back on the Blue Ridge Parkway and made a couple stops. First, I stopped at View Raven Fork.
Then I caught the sun setting behind the mountains from Jenkins Ridge Overlook.
I made one more stop at Plott Balsam Overlook and saw the moon over the mountains.
After this, I finished the drive into Maggie Valley. I had dinner at Legends Sports Bar and then headed back to the hotel and got ready to head home.
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