Ever Shifting: Chasing the weather in the Great Smokies
I was really looking forward to our 5 day trip to the Smokies. Our plan was to hike from Gatlingburg to Cades Cove, in a sort of round about way. Arriving into Cades Cove at 1:30 am on a Wednesday night, it appeared like the three of us would have the whole park to ourselves. The forecast was a mixed bag, but we were up for the adventure.
First on the agenda was Rainbow Falls.
Mount LeConte appeared deserted. The only soul around was the winter caretaker.
Arriving early afforded us plenty of time to check out Cliff Tops. You could tell weather was on the way.
Just as soon as the fog came, it disappeared also in an instant as the sun peaked through.
Clingman's Dome would be a destination as we hiked along the AT ridgeline the next few days. Look closely to see the summit observation deck.
It's there, I promise.
We stayed on Cliff Tops until almost sundown. Like father, like son.
The next morning we awoke to a light snowstorm. It was a pleasant 19 degrees as a low the previous night.
As we descended LeConte on a somewhat treacherous iced-over trail, Myrtle Point afforded no view.
The weather moved in and out quickly as we descended to lower ground...
...as did the snow.
Approaching Newfound Gap, the sun burned off the clouds and it became a beautiful day.
Lingering clouds in valleys of the aptly named Smokies.
We had the best weather I've ever experienced atop Clingman's Dome. I learned a new fact on this trip: you can see Cold Mountain (Pisgah NF, NC) from Clingman's. It's the second peak (background) from the left in this photo.
We looked back to LeConte, from whence we had come.
I feel most at home while snuggling with my family by the fire, or among the mountains.
Thunderhead was sopped in with clouds in the early morning hours.
But the clouds parted as we gained the ridge on Rocky Top.
As they always do, the wilds left me with a sense of gladness accompanied by sadness as I became contemplative hiking out of the woods.
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