One of my favorite hikes in the Southern Appalachians. I left on a foggy July morning to beat the crowds. Unfortunately, the skies didn't clear as much as I hoped. This is a 12 mile round-tripper that gains over 2500 feet of elevation. Enjoy!!
5900' - The Alum Cave Bluffs Trail doubles back sharply beneath the main summit of Leconte. The misty Trout Branch Valley lies below to the left.
6150' - For the much of the final mile the Alum Cave Bluffs Trail is literally cut from the side of the mountain. Cables are installed along one side to help in slippery conditions.
6250' - The trail rounds a sharp, blind corner just before rounding Cliff Top a half mile from the LeConte Lodge. The trail is so narrow at this point people have to stop for people rounding the corner due to the lack of room.
6250' - Dead Fraser Firs reaching up into the mist made for a very eerie looking forest high on LeConte.
6350' - Just before its terminus with the Rainbow Falls Trail, the Alum Cave Bluffs Trail passes through a tunnel of young Fraser Fir trees. After a continuous 5 mile climb the flat, straight nature of the trail here feels very nice on the legs.
6300' - The Alum Cave Trail (left) ends at the Rainbow Falls Trail (right) about a quarter mile from the LeConte Lodge.
6300' - A signed spur trail leads to Cliff Tops, one of LeContes three summits. The trail is short but fairly steep.
6500' - Once the trail reaches the cliffs, it splits into a number of paths through the Mountain Laurel. Turn right to reach the Cliff Tops overlook, even though in clear weather the views anywhere along here are amazing.
6450' - The sun was peeking through the clouds so I did my best to "sprint" up these last rocks to see what I could. The "sprint" ended about 10 feet up:)
6500' - A brief glimpse through the overcast down into the Little Pigeon River Valley.
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