Clingmans Dome, Passport, and Elk at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Passport To Your National Parks
Base of the walk up to Clingmans Dome [Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017-06]

Smoky Mountains National Park

Clingmans Dome, New Passport, and Elk!

Summary:

I've been to Great Smoky Mountains National Park a few times already. Each time I try to do something different. Back in March, I attempted to visit Clingman's Dome; however snowy/icy conditions didn't let me get too far. I also decided to pick up the Passport To Your National Parks. Since I'm already working on Florida's State Parks, it would be fun to document all of the National Parks I go to as well!

The Gear:

• Passport To Your National Parks® Collector’s Edition

The Story:

Following my full day kayak lesson with the Nantahala Outdoor Center, I decided to venture Northeast towards Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I was determined to get to Clingmans Dome this weekend trip, and I had decided that I wanted to get my National Parks passport. Florida can't hog all of my park stamps fun.

Oconaluftee Visitor Center and the Passport

Passport To Your National Parks [Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017-06]

It was getting close to 17:00, and I wasn't sure if that's when the visitor's center was going to close. Luckily I arrived about 10 minutes before, but they do not close until six actually. No rush. They had the standard passport in the shop as well as the Collector's Edition. I decided on the fancy Collector's Edition because it's larger and has so much more space for activities! I also got the 2017 set of stamps as well as the park's stamp. When I went to checkout, the cashier gave me the rundown. The stickers are stamps, and the stamps are called "cancellations". Also that this park is listed under Tennessee even though the majority of the park is in North Carolina.

This is the description of the Collector's Edition:

Passport To Your National Parks
Collector's Edition

"Beauty and practicality meet artfully in this deluxe version of the popular Passport, taking you above and beyond the original by providing space for Passport stickers and cancellation stamps for over 400 parks, as well as space for extra cancellations. The park sites are color-coded by region, each area featuring a color map that pinpoints park locations. With a spiral binding that makes it easy to lie open flat, a hard cover that ensures durability and longer life, and pages graced with beautiful color photographs, it’s the ultimate stamping ground." Source

The annual stamps are released (obviously) every year. I haven't decided yet if I want to go back and get the old stamps starting from 1986 (the inception of the program) or to just mark 2017 as my starting year. That's certainly a decision I don't have to make now, especially at $4.95/year. It's also good to note that the National Park Service uses the net proceeds of passport related purchases for educational and interpretive programs.

I was informed that I could also get a cancellation at Clingmans Dome, but that they also closed at 18:00 and that I would need to get on my way quickly since it would take 35-45 minutes to get there. I brought my passport over to the ranger on duty and got my Oconaluftee, NC visitor's center cancellation as well as the extra ones they had: Blue Ridge Parkway and Trail of Tears. 

Passport To Your National Parks Cancellations [Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017-06]

I like how these stamps have the actual date on them compared to Florida's. At Clingmans Dome I got two more cancellations: Clingmans Dome as well as the Appalachian Trail. The hike up to the dome is part of the AT and is in fact the highest part of the AT. There were more exhibits at the Visitor Center, but I didn't get a chance to check them out due to my timeline.

Clingmans Dome

Panorama of Clingmans Dome [Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017-06]

 [Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017-06]

I made it to the parking lot at Clingmans Dome with just under ten minutes to spare. I ignore everything else just to find the visitor's center first. I got my cancellations for the dome as well as the Appalachian Trail! I then walk back to my car noting that it is quite cold, which should be expected at around 6,000ft of elevation. I added an extra layer on top and started making my way to the top!

Basically you feel like you are in and out of clouds at this height. The Smoky Mountains received their name due to the "smoky" fog that appears somewhat sporadically over the range of mountains. I like calling them wisps because it sounds more magical and enchanting. This is due to the volatile trees. Trees exhale chemicals such as water vapor and oxygen as well as other particles, which can transform into aerosols in the atmosphere. When light reflects off the particles, you can see the haze. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the emitted chemicals contribute to Earth's atmosphere but are not as toxic as human produced VOCs. 

"Sorting out trees’ contribution to atmospheric haze was not easy, complicated by the fact that not all trees emit the same compounds. For instance, pine trees emit a class of chemical called terpenes—responsible for the trees’ sticky resin and pine scent. Terpenes are used to produce turpentine and furniture varnishes, as well as frankincense and myrrh. Deciduous trees emit isoprenes, a compound that is used to produce rubber. When emitted into the air and chemically transformed, these particles disperse as aerosols, which scientists can measure." Source

 [Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017-06]

I won't go into too much detail as I am not a scientist, and while I will research more on my own, I don't want to share anything that is incorrect. Anywho, there are some informative signs on the trek into the sky. The following sign is about the Spruce-Fir Forest Community. The high elevation of the Smokies has a similar habitat to some Canadian forest communities. Since there is more rainfall, stronger winds, frequent clouds, and a drop in temperature of approximately 12 degrees Fahrenheit, trees and animals in the lower areas of the range would not survive.

Spruce-Fir Forest Community [Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017-06]

The following two pictures are at the visitor center area. On the left is the trail to the dome, and on the right is the trail back to the large parking area.

Where the Appalachian Trail meets up with Clingmans Dome hike [Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017-06]

Hey look, made it to the top! There were a bunch of cyclists. It must have been a pain to get this high up, especially since I saw them riding down the 7 mile approach road as I was leaving. I don't think I would have been able to walk for a week after that climb.

Clingmans Dome [Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017-06]

The clouds/fog/wisps are constantly moving. A cloud could cover the whole dome and not have a view, but in just a few minutes it can clear up. At least one direction usually had some visibility.

Clingmans Dome [Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017-06]

Clingmans Dome hike [Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017-06]

Last but not least is a picture of myself. I kind of match the sky.

Clingmans Dome [Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017-06]

Elk!

Elk are indeed present. [Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017-06]

What are you looking at, punk? [Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017-06]

Okay so back in my March 2017 visit, I was kinda sorta making fun of the Elk Crossing sign across the street from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. "How often does THAT happen?" Well...they aren't kidding. As I was leaving the park, thinking mostly about food, I was bewildered as the traffic was slowing. Then I saw people standing around and also pulling their cars into the visitor center parking lot (which is now closed). Turns out there was a gang of elk moseying along grazing on grass. The gang of elk was accompanied by what I now call the "stop sign elk ladies" who carry those Stop/Slow signs, try to get the elk to go a certain direction, and yell at tourists trying to get too close for their pictures.

Gang of Elk with 'Stop Sign Elk Lady #1' [Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2017-06]

Hurdles:

I wouldn't say there are any hurdles. Maybe some annoyances of cars driving really slow and a plethora of people. But I turn that into a positive of people driving safely and enjoying the scenery, and that people are going outside and exploring the world.

Relevant Quote:

"You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so…get on your way." - Dr. Seuss

Other:

I love the mountains, especially this park. It was part of my Road Trip Therapy journey in July 2016, which solidified my love of the mountains and North Carolina. This visit I picked up a  book at the visitor center gift shop called No Place for the Weary Kind: Women of the Smokies by Courtney Lix. It details nineteen women (and also the author) and their contributions to the Smokies, whether it be art, words, or establishment of the national park. I'm looking forward to this read. I love learning about badass women and their accomplishments.

Notable Resources:

• NPS: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• NPS: Clingmans Dome
• NASA Earth Data: Volatile Trees
• 20 Inspirational Quotes to Stir Up Your Wanderlust for the Smoky Mountains
• The Mountain Lioness Park Guide to Great Smoky Mountains NP