Just finished a 2night, 3 day hike in the Smokies

[Beckham]

So this past weekend my dad, my brother, my friend, and I hiked around 30miles over 3 days in the Smoky Mountains.

First, we did the Chimney Tops trail which was 4miles.

Stream as we're headed up to the top.



Once at the top, this is what it looks like before climbing the rock face:



On the rock face:



Looking down the rock face:



Climbing:





The view:





The chimney tops:



A picture showing the climb:



After Chimney Tops, we drove about 15min to Clingman's Dome to start our long hike.

Here's the trail map. Started at Clingman's Dome then went down Forney Creek trail (stayed at campsite #68) then back up Jonas Creek Trail to Welch Ridge Trail and stayed at the shelter at Siler's Bald then climbed 1000ft back to Clingman's.



Old railroad track from when they used steam locomotives to pull logs in the 30's.







LOTS of stream crossings. Had fun figuring our way across without getting wet.



First night:



More stream crossings the next day:



And we're climbing.....



View from our hike on day 2:



Hiked on part of the Appalachian Trail, too. About 5miles on the AT.



Our shelter on Siler's Bald the 2nd night:





Good thing Team Tight Butthole had been there before.



Keeping the bears away.



Put a tarp up since the wind was 40ish mph. Wind chill got to about 30-35* on the second night.



Day 3, hiking the last 5miles back to Clingman's Dome on the mountain ridges.



The "we're hungry and tired" finished picture at the top.

[Maddoxsjohnston]

I dig those pictures. Looks like it was a fun trip. What was the coldest it got at night?Lol at the "team tight butthole" .

[canoe]

Great pics. thanks for sharing

[ParkRat09]

Was that second shelter Spence Field? I put up some tarps last time I was there with a group of thru-hikers I met and those look like them!

[HooKooDooKu]

IMHO, the view from Chimney Tops is the best view in the park. The reason is because you're not way up high above everything with everything to look at being miles in the distance. Instead you're under the tops of the mountains, with the mountains "in your face" because of the way you are out on a peninsula.

I have not been to the top since the area to the right at the top was closed. I can't tell from most of your pictures, but one looking back down the rock face looked like the park service might have blasted some steps into the rock to make it a bit safer to climb. Is that the case now?

[Namaste]

I love your photos. Thanks for posting. Sounds like a great trip.

[Beckham]

The coldest it got was probably 30-35* wind chill on Silers Bald. It was VERY windy up there.

The shelter in the pics is Silers Bald. There was a large toolbox behind the shelter that the tarp was in (along with a saw and many other great items!).

[Beckham]

It didn't look like they blasted out any steps on Chimney Tops, but I have never been up there before.

[Josh Calhoun]

cant see the pics.....bummer

[Ewker]

In the picture of the shelter with the tarps up it looks like someone was in a hammock camping

[Beckham]

Yup! Two gentlemen from Birmingham, AL were in hammocks behind the shelter. We had the shelter to ourselves that night.

[Ewker]

I'm sure they were glad to let you have the shelter

[Miami Joe]

Amazing colors. So jealous being stuck down here in the Bottom this time of year.

[Sman]

Great Pics-------------- sure you enjoyed the real deal!!