Clingman's Dome, at 6,643 feet above sea level, is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is the second highest point in the eastern United States. Clingman's Dome is only second in height to Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet. Clingman's Dome is the highest point on the Appalachian Trail which runs across this peak and nearby Newfoundland Gap. On a clear day you can see over one hundred miles and seven states, although the norm is about twenty two miles. The weather can change quickly on Clingman. Be prepared with warm clothing when you take the one half mile hike up the steep walkway to the Clingman observation tower which rises 54 feet above the mountain peak. The road from Newfoundland Gap to Clingman is closed from December 1st to April 1st even though you can hike or cross country ski the 7 miles to the peak. The Clingman's Dome Air Quality Station is located 6,510 feet above sea level making it the highest monitoring station in eastern North America. When you visit the peak, you will notice most all of the older spruce fir trees are dead. This is due to a parasite insect , the Balsam Woolly Adelgid, which attacks the fir trees. They were brought to the United States from Japan by accident in the 1950's . This insect has been devastating to the fir trees in the US and until recently, there was no effective way to combat it. In the 1990's researches went to Japan and found a beetle which eats the Balsam Wooly Adelgid and their eggs. These beetles, similar to a ladybug, have been released in the area to help protect the forest. New spruce fir trees are rapidly replacing the old, dead trees, but it will be many years before Clingman will be home to the large trees that inhabited the area only a few years ago. Below you will see several pictures of the Clingman's Dome area.
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