View Full Version : getting a ride from Clingman's dome
Bear Cables
05-06-2008, 22:17
We plan to end our hike at Clingmans Dome. We want to arrange for a shuttle to pick us up at the Clingman's Dome parking lot and take us to NOC. Any suggestions?
SGT Rock
05-06-2008, 22:22
Hike Inn does shuttles. I think the NOC also has some shuttle services. One last option - check the ATC site, as I recall there is a regular shuttle provider in Bryson city or Cherokee that does that area and is listed in their PDF
other suggestion - do the shuttle at the beginning of your hike then hike toward your car
Frolicking Dinosaurs
05-07-2008, 08:34
My suggestion - leave the car at Clingman's Dome and have Nancy & Jeff from Hike Inn (http://www.thehikeinn.netfirms.com/) or the Grand Prix motel (http://www.grandprixmotel.com/) drop you at NOC. As a rule, hiking back to your car rather than planning a shuttle for the end makes way more sense.
My suggestion - leave the car at Clingman's Dome and have Nancy & Jeff from Hike Inn (http://www.thehikeinn.netfirms.com/) or the Grand Prix motel (http://www.grandprixmotel.com/) drop you at NOC. As a rule, hiking back to your car rather than planning a shuttle for the end makes way more sense.
I definitely agree. It might also be easier to park at Newfound rather than Clingmans. You have a good drive up Clingmans Road before getting to Clingmans and Newfound Gap is right on 441(the main road)--IMO.
Bear Cables
05-07-2008, 10:11
My suggestion - leave the car at Clingman's Dome and have Nancy & Jeff from Hike Inn (http://www.thehikeinn.netfirms.com/) or the Grand Prix motel (http://www.grandprixmotel.com/) drop you at NOC. As a rule, hiking back to your car rather than planning a shuttle for the end makes way more sense.
I like this plan. We are meeting my friends son at Fontana to leave his car there as he is ending sooner than we are. We could plan to meet him at Clingmans, drive to Fontana and then get shuttled to our start at NOC . Then everyone has a car waiting for them at the end. Good advice..Thanks
Bear Cables
05-15-2008, 12:22
My suggestion - leave the car at Clingman's Dome and have Nancy & Jeff from Hike Inn (http://www.thehikeinn.netfirms.com/) or the Grand Prix motel (http://www.grandprixmotel.com/) drop you at NOC. As a rule, hiking back to your car rather than planning a shuttle for the end makes way more sense.
I contacted Nancy & Jeff. They said safety for parking at Clingmans was 50/50. We arranged for them to pick us up at the end. No problem. Thanks for the recommendation.
I contacted Nancy & Jeff. They said safety for parking at Clingmans was 50/50. We arranged for them to pick us up at the end. No problem. Thanks for the recommendation.
I've used Jeff and Nancy twice for shuttling and had good experiences both times.
For the first time ever, I am getting a little antsy about leaving my vehicle at NFG or Clingmans for an extended period of time. There have been sporadic problems there over the years, but lately it seems to be more chronic.
I just make sure I don't have anything in it and leave it unlocked. (A piece of glass or the vinyl panel isn't going to deter much).
Bear Cables
05-22-2008, 12:38
For the first time ever, I am getting a little antsy about leaving my vehicle at NFG or Clingmans for an extended period of time. There have been sporadic problems there over the years, but lately it seems to be more chronic.
I just make sure I don't have anything in it and leave it unlocked. (A piece of glass or the vinyl panel isn't going to deter much).
That's another reason we arranged to be pick up.