October 19, 2016 Biker Rags

DAY RIDE TO CLINGMAN’S DOME

Pamo is ready to ride.

On Wednesday, October 12th, we took a Day Ride.

Our destination was Clingman’s Dome in the Smoky Mountains.

Pamo kicks off the day in this short video:

We left our home at 10:15am. It was cool around 50 degrees with beautiful blue skies.

We rode south on Chapman Highway to Seymour where we stopped to fuel up and eat a quick breakfast. After breakfast we continued south on Chapman Highway to Sevierville where we took the Parkway through Pigeon Forge. We then took the Gatlinburg bypass to the entrance to the Smoky Mountains on 441.

dr10-12-16-2 — On 441 riding up the mountain.

dr10-12-16-3 — Further up the mountain the leaves are really changing.

dr10-12-16-4 — We were glad to have on our leather jackets and neck warmers.

We rode just past Newfound Gap, then took the exit to Clingman’s Dome- the highest point in Tennessee at 6643 feet.

Getting to Clingman’s Dome was slow going as the traffic was heavy with fellow tourists and sightseers.

dr10-12-16-5 — It took us over an hour to travel the seven miles up to the Clingman’s Dome parking area.

dr10-12-16-6 — We finally made it to a parking spot and enjoyed the view along the way.

dr10-12-16-7 — So beautiful up in the Smokies!

dr10-12-16-8 — We waited in line for the bathroom before making the uphill hike to the Dome.

dr10-12-16-9 — The Information Center is right at the trailhead to the Dome. We would visit it on the way back down.

dr10-12-16-10 — It’s quite a hike- a half mile almost straight up the mountain.

dr10-12-16-11 — The scenery along the way is breath taking.

dr10-12-16-12 — The pathway is paved.

dr10-12-16-13 — Lots of folks visiting today from all over the world.

dr10-12-16-14 — We’re getting ready to ascend the walkway to the Dome.

dr10-12-16-15 — How cool that this was built for all of us to enjoy!

dr10-12-16-16 — We’re getting closer.

dr10-12-16-17 — The view will be worth it!

dr10-12-16-18 — Ever closer….

dr10-12-16-19 — Looking back down toward others making their way up.

dr10-12-16-20 — The view is really worth the walk!

dr10-12-16-21 — Beautiful!

dr10-12-16-22 — There’s Pamo.

dr10-12-16-23 — Another view from the Dome.

dr10-12-16-24 — Time to travel back down.

dr10-12-16-25 — The views going down are as spectacular as the ones going up.

dr10-12-16-26 — Won’t be too long before there’s snow on those mountains.

dr10-12-16-27 — We dropped in briefly at the Information Center.

dr10-12-16-28 — Kids are playing on the rocks above the parking area.

dr10-12-16-29 — Yet another beautiful view on the way back to our bikes.

We finally got back to our bikes and again it was slow going. When we reached 441 the traffic thinned out a bit.

dr10-12-16-30 — View of one of the tunnels along 441.

dr10-12-16-31 — It’s easy to see why the mountains here are so loved.

dr10-12-16-32 — After reaching the Visitor Center, we took 73 through the mountains heading toward Townsend.

Once we reached Townsend, we continued through Maryville and on back into Knoxville. We got back home at 5:45pm and our total mileage was 143 miles.

Jeff wraps up the day in this video:

You can view our entire list of DAY RIDES by CLICKING HERE.