Mount LeConte

I originally intended to add a hike to Alum Cave but ended-up going to the top of Mount LeConte. I'm glad I did, it was my favorite hike in the Smokies. Another 11 miles added to the trip total.
DSC00334 Most people here seem to consider Charlies Bunion a full day hike, but I was just getting warmed-up. So I decided to hike out to Alum Cave bluffs, one of the...
Most people here seem to consider Charlies Bunion a full day hike, but I was just getting warmed-up. So I decided to hike out to Alum Cave bluffs, one of the…
DSC00340 I was honestly a little underwhelmed by Charlies Bunion, and this trail was also highly rated. I am really glad I decided to try it. The first couple miles have...
I was honestly a little underwhelmed by Charlies Bunion, and this trail was also highly rated. I am really glad I decided to try it. The first couple miles have…
DSC00348 Reminded me a lot actually of Olympic National Park in Washington. Tons of water and endless green, just a different type of trees. I had no idea that at 85...
Reminded me a lot actually of Olympic National Park in Washington. Tons of water and endless green, just a different type of trees. I had no idea that at 85…
DSC00355 The perfect back yard.
The perfect back yard.
DSC00358 And one last cascade shot.
And one last cascade shot.
DSC00363 Now it's time to head up Arch Rock. A great example of the amazingly difficult (and maybe overzealous) trail work of the CCC.
Now it's time to head up Arch Rock. A great example of the amazingly difficult (and maybe overzealous) trail work of the CCC.
DSC00367 Stone stairway heading up through the rock.
Stone stairway heading up through the rock.
DSC00368 More amazing stone work.
More amazing stone work.
DSC00372 On to the next section of trail and more of the beautiful 1-rail footbridge creek crossings.
On to the next section of trail and more of the beautiful 1-rail footbridge creek crossings.
DSC00374 More green Smoky Mountain views.
More green Smoky Mountain views.
DSC00393 Made it to Alum Cave bluffs. It's not actually a cave, it's a concave bluff over 80ft high and 500ft wide. There's a steady sheet of water dripping off the lip...
Made it to Alum Cave bluffs. It's not actually a cave, it's a concave bluff over 80ft high and 500ft wide. There's a steady sheet of water dripping off the lip…
DSC00395 Another view of the bluffs.
Another view of the bluffs.
C0006 A view of the dripping water falling 80ft off the lip of Alum Cave.
A view of the dripping water falling 80ft off the lip of Alum Cave.
DSC00396 Alum Cave was supposed to be my turnaround point. But I had some time left, so why not go just a
Alum Cave was supposed to be my turnaround point. But I had some time left, so why not go just a "little" bit further? Most of the crowds stopped at the cave,…
DSC00406 The trail is narrow, slick rock. Evidently enough people have ate it here that the park service needed to add cable hand holds in several places.
The trail is narrow, slick rock. Evidently enough people have ate it here that the park service needed to add cable hand holds in several places.
DSC00404 There's some serious dropoff in a few spots. Don't want to slip here.
There's some serious dropoff in a few spots. Don't want to slip here.
DSC00400 Deep rumbling thunder started, and I hoped it wasn't going to start pouring rain. I was only a couple miles from the summit though, so might as well keep going.
Deep rumbling thunder started, and I hoped it wasn't going to start pouring rain. I was only a couple miles from the summit though, so might as well keep going.
DSC00412 Finally made it to the top. LeConte Lodge. You can actually make reservations here, which naturally sell out far in advance.
Finally made it to the top. LeConte Lodge. You can actually make reservations here, which naturally sell out far in advance.
DSC00413 I'm usually not a fan of anything civilized on top of a mountain. But at least there's no road or tram, you actually have to hike to this lodging. Pretty cool.
I'm usually not a fan of anything civilized on top of a mountain. But at least there's no road or tram, you actually have to hike to this lodging. Pretty cool.
DSC00415 The elevation listed on the lodge sign was the summit elevation, not the actual elevation of the lodge. So I decided to continue on for a ways until I hit the...
The elevation listed on the lodge sign was the summit elevation, not the actual elevation of the lodge. So I decided to continue on for a ways until I hit the…