Clingman's Dome Sunrise

Conditions on Clingman's Dome in Great Smoky Mountains NP are incredibly dynamic. I arrived here well before sunrise, and the entire summit was shrouded in fog. Fearing that the fog would never break, I stayed near my car in the parking lot in case I wanted to drive somewhere else if conditions necessitated. Thankfully, the fog began dissipating about 30 minutes before sunrise, as the wind dramatically picked up on the mountain. Sheets of fog were rolling in from the Tennessee side of the park, periodically flowing down the North Carolina side of the mountain. These conditions continued as the sun began to rise, which created an awesome fiery effect when the fog intervened between me and the sun. The dead trees on the slopes of the mountain, though sad, do add to the dramatic and imposing mood.
Read less