Forneys Creek in Swain County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Eastern View

Great Smokey Mountain National Park

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, November 20, 2010

1. Eastern View Marker

Inscription. On a clear day you can see Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern United States, 73 miles (117km) away in North Carolina's Black Mountains. Can you see Mount Mitchell today? clear days can allow views that exceed 100 miles (161km). On other days visibility can be cut drastically, either by clouds or by severe haze, which is caused mainly by pollution.

For decades visitors have enjoyed views from here on Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in the Smokies at 6,643 (2025m). This high point is named for Thomas Lanier Clingman, one of several explorers who studied and measured North Carolina's mountains in the 1850s.

(captions)
Before the present concrete observation tower was completed in 1960, view-seekers climbed a wooden tower (right) to enjoy the vista from Clingmans Dome.

Workers (far right) put finishing touches on the ramp wall of the new tower in 1959.

Balsam Point
Distance: 6.5mi/10.4km

High Top
Highest point on Mount Le Conte
Distance: 6.9mi/11km
Elevation: 659ft/2010m

Newfound Gap
Distance: 5.5mi/8.8km
Elevation: 5046ft/1538m

Mount Guyot
Distance: 17mi/27km
Elevation: 6621ft/2018m

Big Cataloochee Mountain
Distance: 20mi/32km

Mount Mitchell
Distance: 73mi/17km
Elevation:

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6684ft/2037m

Newton Bald
Distance: 8mi/13km

Mount Pisgah
Distance: 43mi/69km
Elevator: 5721ft/1744m

Cold Mountain
Distance: 38mi/61km

Cherokee (behind ridge)
Distance: 11.5mi/18.5km
Elevation: 1990ft/606m

Erected by Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.

Location. 35° 33.769′ N, 83° 29.91′ W. Marker is in Forneys Creek, North Carolina, in Swain County. Marker can be reached from Clingmans Dome Road, 7 miles west of U.S. 441, on the right when traveling west. Mark is located at the Clingmans Dome overlook 0.5 miles north of the Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bryson City NC 28713, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Southern View (here, next to this marker); Northern View (a few steps from this marker); Western View (a few steps from this marker); The Top of the Smokies (approx. 0.4 miles away); And It Became Land (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mountains: Refuge and Healing (approx. 0.4 miles away); Indian Gap Road (approx. 4.3 miles away in Tennessee); Spared the Saw (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Forneys Creek.

Also see . . .

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, November 20, 2010

2. Eastern View Marker

Great Smoky Mountains National Park. National Park Service (Submitted on August 18, 2017.)

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, November 20, 2010

3. Eastern View Marker

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, November 20, 2010

4. Eastern View Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 440 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 18, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.