Road Prong Trail to Newfound Gap - Appalachian Trail - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

We completed our late October 2016 hike on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail from Clingmans Dome to Newfound Gap with a 1.7 mile segment from Road Prong Trail to Newfound Gap. This section of the trail climbs 300 feet onto Mingus Lead before descending 500 feet to Newfound Gap. As the trail passes over Mingus Lead, it also passes through a Beech Forest Exclosure. A sign explains why the area is fenced:

This is one of approximately 20 special sites that have been identified for fencing against the wild hog, a non-native animal that has been present in the park only since the 1950s. This exclosure contains a beech forest community that is unique to the Southern Appalachians. It contains an assemblage of native plants and animals that would be seriously impaired by the invasion of hogs. The fence was installed in 1984 in an effort to retain the natural character of the site.

There are 13 parking spaces on Clingmans Dome Road at the Road Prong Trail trailhead. At Newfound Gap, there are about 120 parking spaces not including those designated as handicap accessible and those designated for over sized vehicles such as recreational vehicles, buses, and trailers.

Topographic map with GPS route

Elevation profile

White post marks the AT

Easy walking

Starting to climb Mingus Lead

Switchback with timber steps

Still climbing

Entering the beech forest exclosure

Golden beech leaves mixed with red oak leaves

Side hill climbing

The summit is in sight

The AT parallels the exclosure fencing for a short distance along the ridge

Obstructed view of Mount LeConte

Exiting the beech forest exclosure

Beginning the long descent

Following a spur of the ridge

An anthropomorphic tree pointing across the trail

Descending again

Beech leaves

More fall colors

Stones keep the trail passable even in wet weather

Passing through a rhododendron thicket

Trail passes below a retaining wall on Newfound Gap Road

Approaching Newfound Gap Road and the Rockefeller Memorial 

State line marker at Newfound Gap

Entry to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free.

The park website is https://www.nps.gov/grsm.