Why is Andrew Bald?
Having so much going on lately with sports and finishing school leaves little time to hike………but we still manage! There’s no way we’re letting a nice weekend go by without finding somewhere to roam. Sunday it was a hike to Andrews Bald in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Andrews Bald is a popular location for picnics and scenic views for those willing to exert the effort to hike down. It begins high in the mountains on the Forney Ridge Trail which starts from the parking lot of Clingmans Dome. From this point you hike down the mountain for 1.8 miles to the bald.
We started out around 9:00 am from the parking area with cool temperatures and strong winds. However, as we worked our way down the trail the layers started falling off quickly! The wind was blocked by the ridge lines and the sun made its way through the trees. We traversed the wood and stone stairs and across the boardwalks toward the bald while enjoying the fact that we were mostly going down hill. At 1.1 miles we came to the intersection of the Forney Creek Trail where we stopped for a snack. Note – it’s uphill from here to the bald.
After a short rest we began the last 0.7 mile trek to Andrews Bald. This section starts working back up hill but before anyone really had a chance to mention it the trees opened up into a field and the views overtook us! There were very few clouds in the sky and we could see for miles and miles! We worked our way down the boardwalk looking for a nice spot for lunch when, in typical J form, I hear “Andrew why are you bald?” We all got a laugh out of this, along with others on the bald, but it provided the perfect opportunity for a little education on nature!
Enjoy Andrews Bald? Give Back and Help the Park
Between the trail head and the parking area at Clingmans Dome is a donation box that helps support the park and maintenance of trails like this. This is one of the national parks that is free to visit and explore and we have an amazing group of volunteers who help. Take a moment to drop in a buck or two so we can preserve the area for future generations. Also on your way out see if you can find the hidden tunnel! Until next time………