Smoky Mountain Hiking

If you happen to be in the Smokies on July 22, make your way to the Appalachian Trail near Clingman’s Dome for a guided hike with park rangers. Meet the rangers at the Indian Gap/Road Prong trailhead parking area, which is located on Clingman’s Dome Road about 1.5 miles from its intersection with Newfound Gap Road.

The guided hike follows the Appalachian Trail through the red spruce-fraser fir forest, one of the most distinctive forest types, which grows only in the highlands of the southern Appalachians, above 4,500 feet. During the hike, the ranger will talk about the history of the trail and the unique high elevation ecosystems which share characteristics with forests in Canada.

In addition to the guided hike, the rangers will also be talking about the impact of nonnative species on the Smokies, such as the balsam woolly adelgid, a pest from Asia that has killed almost 70% of the frasier firs in the park.

For information, call the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at (828) 497-1904.