MadisonStar

Day one into the Smokies was an 11 mile hike up to Mollies Shelter and got me to the ridge line of the Smokies. Overcast and cold. That night it rained and then woke up with the plan to hike to Derrek Shelter. Hiked in the mist and some rain. Got up on the next day to rain and could not decide whether to hike and get to the base of Clingman's Dome or stay at the shelter. We met a trail runner on the trail and he said for us to get up and over Clingman's Dome on Sunday, because a snow storm was coming on Monday. So, I hiked up and over Clingman's Dome and down the mountain on ice and freezing temps. Barely made it to the Mt Collins shelter when hail, sleet and freezing rain started. Woke up the next morning to a food of snow.