...This just in...Clingmans Dome road set to open this weekend.

From the folks at the GSMNP...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced plans to open Clingmans Dome Road this weekend beginning Saturday, March 31. At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the park and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi. Park visitors can enjoy views from the parking area or climb the steep, half-mile walk to the observation tower to the summit of Clingmans Dome which offers spectacular 360° views of the Smokies. Visitors may also receive information and trip planning advice at the Clingmans Dome Information Center which includes a bookstore managed by Great Smoky Mountains Association.

The road will continue to be monitored for hazardous conditions and could be closed due to inclement weather. 

Turkey Pen Ridge and spring blooms

Hello dudes and Dudettes! This hike occurred a few weeks ago and was a very pleasant late winter afternoon hike which began from the Laurel Creek rd. and took me along a trail that does not see the amount of traffic other trails in the vicinity have on a regular basis.
I followed this trail the approx. 3.6 miles to the intersection with School House Gap trail.
Due to recent snows and rain the trail was soft, but not slippery and the streams with the cascading falls that this route crosses were flowing beautifully, with spring blooms happening.

This route should be considered at least moderate especially if you do the 7+miles in and out from Laurel Creek rd., and besides that distance it has some long periods of incline with relatively few switchbacks.

When the leaves are down on this route there are some very picturesque views across hollers providing open views of the trail ahead, or behind, and the opportunity to put your physical self in perspective as you experience the moment.

Rabbit Creek Trail

Dudes and Dudettes! The bridge is still out when accessing the Rabbit Creek trail from the Abrams Creek trailhead which made for a cold crossing on a cool day.  Well I took off my boots and got in the water just up from where the bridge used to be before it was washed out in a flood over a year ago, seems like. It was cold with the water above my knees and flowing pretty strong.
Once across I continued up the trail at good pace noticing among the deer and small game prints in the mud, one set of boot prints which were less than day old.
What a beautiful day! I ended up finding a nice sunny spot on top of a saddle, laying back against a moss covered slope, covering my eyes with my hat and just absorbing the energy for a half hour.

This trail is cut to accommodate much horse traffic and so switch backs do not exist. Instead there are long straight inclines at times and thus could be challenging for the inexperienced hiker.  That said I would rate this trail as moderately difficult though doable by the beginner who sets a safe pace, is willing to rest often and has some good shoes as this trail was worn rough in places.

GSMNP Announces schedule for road work

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that a paving project will begin the week of March 12 on Laurel Creek Road between the Townsend wye, and Cades Cove.

The project should be completed by June 15, though work schedules are subject to revision as needed for inclement weather.  

Visitors traveling to Cades Cove should expect weekday, single-lane closures and traffic delays throughout the project. Single-lane closures will be allowed for up to two miles at a time on Laurel Creek Road and half a mile on Townsend Entrance Road and Tremont Road. The lane closures will be managed with flagging operations and a pilot car to lead traffic through work zones. In addition, some parking areas and pull-offs will be closed intermittently. Contractors may elect to work during the evening and nighttime hours as needed. To better accommodate traffic during periods of heavy visitation, there will no lane closures on weekends, holidays, or the time period from March 26 through April 6.