Clingmans Dome - AT - Welch Ridge - High Rocks - Bear Creek - Lakeshore - Lakeshore Bypass

Date: 10/25/14
Distance: 21.7 mi
New Map Miles: 12
Total Map Miles: 605.4

Today's awesome hike was from Clingmans Dome down to the Tunnel to No Where.  The hike was organized by JD with the GSHAG group.  JD arranged a bus to pick us up at the Tunnel and take us back to Clingmans Dome.  The Bus was a school bus from the Cherokee Boy's Club.  We had 44 hikers and the cost was only $6 each.  Multiple hikes were organized from the Clingmans Dome road down to Deep Creek and the Tunnel.  The hike I chose was a 21.7 mile trek down the mountain with a surprising number of climbs along the way.

We started about 7:20 in the dark by taking the Clingmans Dome bypass trail up to the AT.  The sun was just rising as we reached the AT and there were some awesome views along this 3.8 miles along with a few climbs.

After 3.8 miles on the AT, we took a left onto Welch Ridge Trail and followed it all of the way to high rocks.

At High Rocks, we took a right and went the 0.4 miles up to the overlook.  High Rocks appears to be the site of an old lookout tower which has been removed except for the concrete footers and an old chair.

 There are also the remains of an old cabin just beyond the rocks.

From High Rocks, we backtracked to Bear Creek and started our decent to Lakeshore.  Bear Creek has a rather severe drop and was very rocky in places.  The rocks were buried under the falling leaves which gave some exciting moments.

Unfortunately down where there trail had flattened out and was much nicer, JD had a freak accident and nearly stuck his hiking stick in his eye.  He was a real warrior, hiking out holding a bloody rag over his eye for > 6 miles.

Down at Lakeshore, I took the Tunnel Bypass trail to pick up that 1.2 miles.

Awesome day for a hike with great company on the trail (JD, Bill, Ahmad, Jenn, Eddie, Brian, Russ, Dawn, Eve, Keith).  We exited about 4:00.

Bus arrived at 5:00.  It was nearly 7:30 before we got back to Sugarlands as 441 was blocked for an extended time on the way down the mountain.