Clingmans Dome and Mount Mitchell - 6.8.2009

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At 6643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the state of Tennessee.
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larman, Anna Purna and Denali Girl in the parking lot at Clingmans Dome.
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A view of part of the Smokey Mtns from the parking lot at Clingmans Dome.
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Denali Girl and Anna Purna get ready to take the half mile paved trail to the tower on Clingmans Dome.
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The Appalachian Trail crosses Clingmans Dome.
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The observation tower at the top of Clingmans Dome provides 360 degree views.
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Denali Girl, larman and Anna Purna on the tower at Clingmans Dome.
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The views from the tower today were the same in all directions.
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Denali Girl, larman and Anna Purna return from the foggy summit of Clingmans Dome.
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The balsam woolly adelgid has killed more than 70 percent of the mature firs in the park.
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larman's photo of a Mountain Laurel... the state flower of Conneticut... taken along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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larman's photo of a Rhododendron... taken along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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larman's photo of a Flame Azalea... taken along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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A wild turkey struts along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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Mount Mitchell State Park... home of Mt. Mitchell... at 6684 feet, the highest point in North Carolina and highest point east of the Mississippi.
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The trail to the Mt. Mitchell summit is paved... gaining ~100 feet of elevation in less than a quarter mile.
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Anna Purna and larman in front of the observation tower at the Mt. Mitchell summit.
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Denali Girl on the Mt. Mitchell observation tower... showing where the mountain is located in NC.
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A view from the Mt. Mitchell observation tower.
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Mt. Craig (the second highest point in NC) from Mt. Mitchell.