Map of the route down Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald. This trail follows Forney Ridge from the parking lot at the highest point in Smokies, Clingmans Dome.
Elevation profile for the 3.6 mile out-and-back to Andrews Bald on Forney Ridge
Clingmans Dome parking area - Most of the pictures today were taken by my son Thomas.
Clingmans Dome parking area - Views to the south from the jam-packed Clingmans Dome parking area
Clingmans Dome parking area - Nick
Clingmans Dome parking area - Thomas, today's main photographer
Clingmans Dome parking area - Nice views and notice the roadside seed mats in place since the repaving was completed.
Clingmans Dome parking area - More nice views
Clingmans Dome parking area
Clingmans Dome parking area - Looking towards Bryson City
Clingmans Dome parking area - I believe that Noland Divide
Clingmans Dome parking area - Fontana Lake in the distance
Clingmans Dome parking area - Looking down Clingmans Creek drainage
Clingmans Dome parking area - Today's photographer
Forney Ridge trailhead - Getting ready to tackle today's walk down to Andrews Bald
Forney Ridge Trail - Heath balds on the side of Mount Buckley
Forney Ridge Trail - Teaching my son about macro mode photographer with some bee balm.
Forney Ridge Trail - Thomas' first macro shot of a bee balm flower
Forney Ridge Trail - Bright red fruit of the Mountain Ash
Forney Ridge Trail -
Forney Ridge Trail - Nick adjusts his hip pack
Forney Ridge Trail - A cup fungi
Forney Ridge Trail - Probably the first action shot of Old Dan Walking (sans backpack)
Forney Ridge Trail - Turks Cap Lillies
Forney Ridge Trail - Nick trudges down the trail amongst the young spruce
Forney Ridge Trail - At the Forney Creek Trail intersection
Forney Ridge Trail - The boys hitting the last uphill section before we get to the Bald
Forney Ridge Trail - Nice planks to keep you out of the mud, even though there was no mud today because its been very dry up here.
Forney Ridge Trail - Emerging from the spruce-fir forest and out onto Andrews Bald
Forney Ridge Trail - Andrews Bald
Forney Ridge Trail - Nick takes a break at Andrews Bald
Forney Ridge Trail - Looking toward Fontana Lake from Andrews Bald
Forney Ridge Trail - The boys admiring the view from Andrews Bald
Forney Ridge Trail - Fontana Lake from Andrews Bald
Forney Ridge Trail - The crew at Andrews Bald
Forney Ridge Trail - It was a nice day at Andrews Bald
Forney Ridge Trail - The sign explaining the rare plants on Andrews Bald
Forney Ridge Trail - The boys catching a snack on Andrews Bald
Forney Ridge Trail - View from Andrews Bald
Forney Ridge Trail - The boys check out the view from Andrews Bald
Forney Ridge Trail - Stepping back into the dark forest from the bright open bald
Forney Ridge Trail - A cool mushroom
Forney Ridge Trail - Another one
Forney Ridge Trail - The tall spruce
Forney Ridge Trail - Views from the trail
Forney Ridge Trail - Finishing up the 3.6 mile walk around 8 PM. This little walk is tougher than the distance implies.
Clingmans Dome parking area - Thomas tooks the next several nice view shots while I went and grabbed the car.
Sunset views from the Clingmans Dome parking area
Nick takes a much deserved rest
Nick by the huge boulders at the parking area
Pisgah Inn - The next day on the way home we stopped for a late lunch at the Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Pisgah Inn - Mount Pisgah
Pisgah Inn - Views
Pisgah Inn - This is one of my favorite stops
Pisgah Inn - Views from the deck
Pisgah Inn - Capping a great weekend with an awesome lunch at the Pisgah Inn. If you've never visited I highly recommend this peaceful spot. (with good food too) www.pisgahinn.com
