Clingmans Dome – Bryson City, North Carolina - Atlas Obscura
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Clingmans Dome

Bryson City, North Carolina

The highest point in Tennessee, Clingmans Dome bears witness to the ravages of one type of insect.  

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The concrete tower of Clingman's Dome. Scott Basford (Creative Commons)
The concrete tower of Clingman's Dome. Scott Basford (Creative Commons)
The walkway to the observation tower. Billy Hathorn (Creative Commons)
The balsam woolly adelgid. Schzmo (Public Domain)
Clingmans Dome thomasharper (Atlas Obscura User) (Used with Permission)
Ghost trees of Clingman's Dome. thomasharper (Atlas Obscura User) (Used with Permission)
Sunset at Clingman’s Dome Poor mans world traveler (Atlas Obscura User)
Sunset at Clingman’s Dome Poor mans world traveler (Atlas Obscura User)
VagabondTabby, 2014
1859
1874
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Its a 0.5 walk up the hill. Wear shoes and be ready to walk up hill. First introduced from Europe around 1900, these insects feed on fir trees and their saliva impedes new growth via a toxin. The adelgid is thought to have killed 95% of all Fraser firs in the park, and fir trees here have a 90-99% chance of hosting the insect. The observation tower that hovers 50 feet over the highest point in Tennessee presents a view partially made up of the natural destruction. However despite the infestation, Clingmans Dome’s views of the Smokies are still spectacular on a clear day.

Know Before You Go

Do note that Clingmans Dome is often fogged out due to the high elevation. They are called the Smokies for a reason. From Newfound Gap in Smoky Mountains National Park at the Tennessee - North Carolina border, drive 7 miles down Clingmans Dome Road, park, and hike 1 mile up the paved trail to the tower. The road is closed in winter.

state high points horticulture flora insects plants
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