In 2008, the Friends of the Smokies, through their Trails Forever program, rehabilitated this formerly rocky, rough trail to a super highway of trails. The trail work is outstanding. Presently, Chimney Tops Trail is undergoing a similar makeover.
Clingman's Dome parking area was crowded as usual and shrouded in fog. I quickly escaped the crowds on this 1.9 mile trail that only a fraction of the visitors will venture out on. Immediately I am intrigued by the odd round marks on the rocks. They look as if some has carved a series of various sized circles. One such display looks like a mural of natural randomness - several circles and an odd shaped torpedolike image.
Unlike Gregory Bald, Andrews Bald sports Flame Azalea only. There are some shades and a few with patches of yellow but it is predominately a one color bald. Andrews appears to have grown back more than Gregory. The main part of the bald is open grass and azalea but the fringes are a mixture of returning trees and grass and azalea. Today it was foggy so no view but the flowers were sufficiently engrossing.
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