The views from the fire tower are some of the park's best. If you are lucky, your could catch a stunning sunset over Mt. Guyot, the park's second largest peak, after Clingman's Dome. Views to the east extend into North Carolina, all the way to Mt. Pisgah near Ashville. The summit of Mt. Sterling has the reputation for being one of the park's coldest spots. I have seen it sleet there in early September.
Storms can move in fast.
On one club trip, several people decided they didn't need to carry their tents up Baxter Creek Trail. They were treated to a night-long rainstorm. Reservations are required for the campsite at the summit. They can be made 30 days in advance through the Backcountry Office.