Day 7 - Appalachian Trail and a Bear

Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Posted from: Imagination Mountain Campground - Cosby, TN
Miles driven: 78
Total miles: 1214

Day seven seemed like a good day to try out our first strenuous hike. It was a short one after all. So we set out on a one mile round trip hike up to Clingmans Dome. This is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains at 6,643 ft. We drove up to the visitor center an arrived around 10:00 am when it opens. We hiked the short half mile hike up a steep paved hill to the outlook. Caleb set our pace as the one with the shortest legs. Our fearless leader stopped to rest a couple times.

This is the walkway to the highest point overlook.

The highest point in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park

On our way down the hill, there was a turn off for the Appalachian Trail. People spend days and months hiking this 2,200 mile trail...We spent 90 minutes. Random fact: Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Appalachian Trail.

The famous Appalachian Trail! (Mom and Dad's shadows are in the picture too!)

The Appalachian Trail was really rough the whole mile we walked. It is very rocky.

After a mile, we turned around and started walking back. We really didn't pack enough water and supplies for a longer hike. We did not see any casual hikers like us, but we did see a four serious long term hikers.

And then...The bear. We were hiking along minding our own business...with Caleb leading and talking non-stop about something no one remembers, when suddenly a black bear (who was very close to the trail) jumped and moved to the next bush over to continue eating. It startled all of us, but in no way seemed interested in us. He stayed fairly close to the trail's edge and kept eating. 

We had met a couple ladies just a short while earlier. They had been hiking for a few days on the trail. They were concerned about some bear activity they had run across a day or two ago. So we waited until we saw them round the corner to warn them of the bear. 

From then on, we made even more of an effort to make noise. Maybe Caleb rambling on and on without taking a breath was not enough noise. So we sang and recited the Going on a Bear Hunt book (which I think freaked the ladies out behind us). We didn't see anymore bears. 

The bear.

Another picture of the rocky trail.

A few more details about Clingmans Dome.

Tunnels rock! And Dad was happy to have a car behind us the honked every time he honked. Kindred spirits indeed.

The kids getting sword in as Jr. Rangers while Matt filled out a bear report. The rangers agreed that the bear we saw should have been much more concerned about us standing there for so long making so much noise. The did not feel that was normal bear behavior. They said they have the most problems with bears in that area of the park. 

As we drove back through Gatlinburg, TN we decided to stop and see what the town had to offer. We have driven through it the past few days on our way to the park and honestly, it looked like a tourist trap. But we may not make it back this way again, and we had time, so we stopped to check it out.

We found a roof top patio to enjoy some eats.

A look down the street from the roof top. A mile of little shops and things to do.

You could ride a ski lift to the top of the hill. It was expensive and didn't look that interesting, so we didn't, but the kids sat in this lovely chair swing.

Caleb had an epic moment in the candy store. 

Here we are watching a real candy maker. This machine pulls and individually wraps little pieces of saltwater taffy. It was an amazing old machine. 

Caleb found this hat in a store. A bear took a bit out of it. So sad.

A "replica" of the worlds tallest man. Even when sitting he was taller than Matt. 

Laundry. It was a must after a week of travels.

And of course, our daily dishes. Thanks kids! 

This was our final day in the Smoky Mountains. Overall we had a great experience here. We all agreed though that the mountains looked like hills compared to the Rocky Mountains we saw out west. The hiking was great. The elevation was reasonable, so no altitude sickness problems. Gatlinburg was an absolute tourist trap, but it wasn't a bad experience. The campground was amazing, and we likely wound have been happy if we never left the campground for four days.

Tomorrow, we travel to Washington D.C. for a little bit of city life.