Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted November 9, 2021 Global Moderator Posted November 9, 2021 I was beyond fortunate to stay on mount Le Conte this weekend at 6,593 feet. They had recently had some snow but it was mostly gone by the time we arrived and the weather was perfect. We sometimes take these beautiful places for granted driving by them multiple times a day, it was good walk all over and through it. We hiked up the alum cave trail that is the most direct/steep route and stayed the night at the lodge. Then we came down the boulevard trail to the Appalachian trail and walked it to a second car we had left on highway 441. Maybe about 15 miles of hiking in two days but we didn’t have to pack that much because the lodge at the top has propane heaters and food. I’ve got a million pictures, but they of course don’t capture what all your eyes take in. The entire weekend felt like being in part of a painting. I’ll post them hopefully in somewhat of sequence day 1 on the way up alum cave/bluffs we arrived at the lodge around 12:15 pm, a little under 4 hours from when we left the car. Turns out you can see Douglas lake from the lodge, I had forgotten that after eating what we packed up, we got checked into our ten person cabin and dropped off our packs. Then we hiked around a bit and finally got to a spot called cliff tops where everyone watches the sunset. The views from this spot are certainly breathtaking (that’s my bride on the edge, I was a little queasy…….) Not a bad spot to wait a couple hours for sunset then back to the cabin for a hearty dinner and drinks. here’s a view from the cabin overlooking sevierville after dark The next morning, we quickly hiked a mile in the dark to a spot called myrtle point for sunrise. You may notice picture quality goes up at sunrise because she forgot her phone at the cabin and used mine for pics haha After sunrise, we hiked back to the lodge for breakfast and had to check out. We started the descent at 9:22 am , a much longer trail than we took up but beautiful the entire way down these two rock spines below are called the chimneys. They caught fire a few years ago and you are no longer allowed to hike to them And of course a Celebratory milkshake down in the valley with the mountain we stayed on top of in the background 22 Quote
Global Moderator 12poundbass Posted November 9, 2021 Global Moderator Posted November 9, 2021 Pretty cool. That’s some beautiful country! 1 Quote
Way north bass guy Posted November 10, 2021 Posted November 10, 2021 Those are fabulous. Looks like a great way to spend a couple days. 1 Quote
Chris Catignani Posted November 10, 2021 Posted November 10, 2021 Really cool...great photos. 1 Quote
Super User N Florida Mike Posted November 10, 2021 Super User Posted November 10, 2021 I want to go! Have been to the top of Mt mitchell and Clingmans dome , but it’s an easy hike! Thanks for sharing. I love the Smokies… 2 Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted November 10, 2021 Author Global Moderator Posted November 10, 2021 1 hour ago, N Florida Mike said: I want to go! Have been to the top of Mt mitchell and Clingmans dome , but it’s an easy hike! Thanks for sharing. I love the Smokies… Next time you are visiting your home place in NC let me know ! Quote
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted November 10, 2021 Super User Posted November 10, 2021 Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing!!!!!!! 1 Quote
Super User N Florida Mike Posted November 10, 2021 Super User Posted November 10, 2021 8 hours ago, TnRiver46 said: Next time you are visiting your home place in NC let me know ! Thanks! I haven’t been in several years now but hope to before long. Still wanting to catch a smallmouth someday so… 1 Quote
Super User Bird Posted November 10, 2021 Super User Posted November 10, 2021 Spectacular photos. Wife and I visited the black mountains and mount Mitchell's couple of months ago, looks very similar.....beautiful country. 1 Quote
Fishlegs Posted November 10, 2021 Posted November 10, 2021 Looks like a great time. We tried that ice cream last time we were up there and it is the real deal! 1 Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted November 10, 2021 Author Global Moderator Posted November 10, 2021 2 hours ago, Fishlegs said: Looks like a great time. We tried that ice cream last time we were up there and it is the real deal! Sure is! There are two locations even closer to my house, one downtown and one in east Knox. we are frequent customers haha. 1 Quote
Super User Tennessee Boy Posted November 10, 2021 Super User Posted November 10, 2021 @TnRiver46 My wife and I have talked about hiking up Mount Le Conte when we get younger. Unfortunately, we're not getting any younger. 2 Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted November 10, 2021 Author Global Moderator Posted November 10, 2021 3 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said: @TnRiver46 My wife and I have talked about hiking up Mount Le Conte when we get younger. Unfortunately, we're not getting any younger. Go for it! I Want to say it’s only 5 or 5.5 miles on the shortest trail. My Brother and I hiked up and right back down it when I was 16, I think it was about 4 hours up and like 1 hour 45 minutes on the way down 1 Quote
Super User NorcalBassin Posted November 11, 2021 Super User Posted November 11, 2021 What a great trip with photos to match! 1 Quote
The Bassman Posted November 11, 2021 Posted November 11, 2021 Great presentation. It brings backs memories from years ago when I was in a church singles group. We would go to the Smokies each spring before all the tourists and did that hike one year. Lots of history and interesting facts with that mountain. No motorized vehicles, just llamas and helicopters to keep the lodge supplied unless something has changed in the past 25 yrs. 1 Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted November 12, 2021 Author Global Moderator Posted November 12, 2021 4 hours ago, The Bassman said: Great presentation. It brings backs memories from years ago when I was in a church singles group. We would go to the Smokies each spring before all the tourists and did that hike one year. Lots of history and interesting facts with that mountain. No motorized vehicles, just llamas and helicopters to keep the lodge supplied unless something has changed in the past 25 yrs. Still the same from what I understand. We saw the llamas up there in 2019. And this year we stopped at gatlinburg brewing on the way home for pizza and a brew. Turns out I think the owner of that place used to be in charge of the llama herd, said he had been up and down that trail 150 times 2 Quote
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