First, Clingmans Dome road along with other roads are being closed this spring in the GSMNP, due to repair work. Clingmans Dome road scheduled to reopen on May 28th. So you will have to go onto Newfound to get to town. This section of the AT is the most skipped section on the trail, just my option.
Also closed is I-40 south of Davenport Gap, no hitching into Asheville this way, go on to Hot Springs to get a hitch south.
Bayou