Mt. LeConte, TN (7-14-05)

3850' - A short trail leads from the parking area to the true start of the Alum Cave Bluffs Trail. This sign gives you a good overview of what is ahead.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:50:13 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
3850' - A short trail leads from the parking area to the true start of the Alum Cave Bluffs Trail. This sign gives you a good overview of what is ahead.

West Prong Little Pigeon River - 3850 ft.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:50:16 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
West Prong Little Pigeon River - 3850 ft.

Alum Cave Bluffs Trailhead - 3850 ft. - The standard park service trail signpost sets in front of the large bridge you will use to cross the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:50:18 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
Alum Cave Bluffs Trailhead - 3850 ft. - The standard park service trail signpost sets in front of the large bridge you will use to cross the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River.

3900' - For the first mile or so the trail closely follows Alum Cave Creek. It is a very scenic stream with many beautiful cascades.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:50:34 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
3900' - For the first mile or so the trail closely follows Alum Cave Creek. It is a very scenic stream with many beautiful cascades.

3950' - Breaks in the clouds like this gave me hope that the overcast would break by the time I eached the top.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:50:50 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
3950' - Breaks in the clouds like this gave me hope that the overcast would break by the time I eached the top.

3950' - Alum Bluff Creek consists of one unnamed cascade after another. It makes for a beautiful beginning to the hike.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:50:49 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
3950' - Alum Bluff Creek consists of one unnamed cascade after another. It makes for a beautiful beginning to the hike.

4050' - During the first mile the trail crosses Alum Cave Creek a number of times. This bridge is typical of what is used.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:51:01 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
4050' - During the first mile the trail crosses Alum Cave Creek a number of times. This bridge is typical of what is used.

4050' - Just below Arch Rock Alum Cave Creek narrows to create this pretty cascade.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:51:11 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
4050' - Just below Arch Rock Alum Cave Creek narrows to create this pretty cascade.

4100' - Arch Rock is an interesting formation that creates one of the more unique hiking experiences in the Smokies. The trail actually ascends via rock steps up through a six foot tall natu ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:51:17 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
4100' - Arch Rock is an interesting formation that creates one of the more unique hiking experiences in the Smokies. The trail actually ascends via rock steps up through a six foot tall natu ...

4100' - I found these log bridges to be both convenient and quite scenic.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:51:27 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
4100' - I found these log bridges to be both convenient and quite scenic.

4600' - The first views open up through the trees to your left as you ascend Peregrine Peak. The ridge opposite you is the Anakeesta Ridge.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:51:36 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
4600' - The first views open up through the trees to your left as you ascend Peregrine Peak. The ridge opposite you is the Anakeesta Ridge.

4400' - Just above Arch Rock the trail follows Styx Branch for about a halfmile before here turning sharply left to ascend Peregrine Peak.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:51:52 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
4400' - Just above Arch Rock the trail follows Styx Branch for about a halfmile before here turning sharply left to ascend Peregrine Peak.

5050' - Inspiration Point is located at the point which the Alum Cave Bluffs Trail makes a hard right high on Peregrine Peak to follow the opposite side of the ridge. The view 2000 feet down ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:51:51 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
5050' - Inspiration Point is located at the point which the Alum Cave Bluffs Trail makes a hard right high on Peregrine Peak to follow the opposite side of the ridge. The view 2000 feet down ...

5000' - The surrounding vegetation consists of mainly rhododendron and other low shrubs as you near Inspiration Point just below the summit of Peregrine Peak.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:51:53 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
5000' - The surrounding vegetation consists of mainly rhododendron and other low shrubs as you near Inspiration Point just below the summit of Peregrine Peak.

5300' - Alum Caves and the surrounding bluffs overhang the trail, blocking moisture from above, creating an almost desert-like look to the soil beneath.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:52:13 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
5300' - Alum Caves and the surrounding bluffs overhang the trail, blocking moisture from above, creating an almost desert-like look to the soil beneath.

5100' - The trail ascends VERY steeply from Peregrine Peak to the Alum Cave Bluffs. The stairs are only marginally helpful as many steps are uncomfortably high.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:52:13 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
5100' - The trail ascends VERY steeply from Peregrine Peak to the Alum Cave Bluffs. The stairs are only marginally helpful as many steps are uncomfortably high.

5200' - Broken clouds floated in the valleys but a solid overcast remained above. From here I was disappointed to discover that the was currently socked in.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:52:22 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
5200' - Broken clouds floated in the valleys but a solid overcast remained above. From here I was disappointed to discover that the was currently socked in.

5250' - The Alum Cave Bluffs appear quite suddenly for their size. The trail continues up steeply to Alum Cave from here.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:52:22 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
5250' - The Alum Cave Bluffs appear quite suddenly for their size. The trail continues up steeply to Alum Cave from here.

5850' - I think this to be a very unique way to assist with an otherwise tricky ascent. That and the flowering Mountain Laurel all around made for a beautiful section of trail.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:52:46 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
5850' - I think this to be a very unique way to assist with an otherwise tricky ascent. That and the flowering Mountain Laurel all around made for a beautiful section of trail.

5500' - The trail continues to ascend moderately beyond Alum Cave Bluffs. The temperature was not as cool as I expected at this elevation most likely due to the cloud cover. That and the 40 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:52:48 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
5500' - The trail continues to ascend moderately beyond Alum Cave Bluffs. The temperature was not as cool as I expected at this elevation most likely due to the cloud cover. That and the 40 ...

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:52:48 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:53:08 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:53:13 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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 ...

6250' - Dead Fraser Firs reaching up into the mist made for a very eerie looking forest high on LeConte.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:53:12 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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, straigh ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:53:41 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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, straigh ...

6300' - The Alum Cave Trail (left) ends at the Rainbow Falls Trail (right) about a quarter mile from the LeConte Lodge.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:53:44 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:53:52 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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 a ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:54:11 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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 a ...

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:)

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:54:08 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:54:22 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6500' - A brief glimpse through the overcast down into the Little Pigeon River Valley.

6500' - The been there, done that shot. On the edge of Cliff Top looking west.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:54:23 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6500' - The been there, done that shot. On the edge of Cliff Top looking west.

6500' - The misty view east from Cliff Top.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:54:36 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6500' - The misty view east from Cliff Top.

6500' - The western portion of Cliff Top is off-limits to hikers. It is remarkable how the plant life clings to the side of the cliffs.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:54:39 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6500' - The western portion of Cliff Top is off-limits to hikers. It is remarkable how the plant life clings to the side of the cliffs.

6500' - The view of another of LeConte's three summits, West Point (~6300'). From Cliff Top.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:54:49 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6500' - The view of another of LeConte's three summits, West Point (~6300'). From Cliff Top.

6500' - The cliffs in the previous photo are off limits to hikers. This sign explains why. Cliff Top.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:54:52 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6500' - The cliffs in the previous photo are off limits to hikers. This sign explains why. Cliff Top.

6500' - Another shot of the protected cliffs of Cliff Top.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:55:00 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6500' - Another shot of the protected cliffs of Cliff Top.

6450' - The unnamed spur trail joins the Boulevard Trail just below Mt. LeConte's summit, High Top. This open marshy area seemed a little out of place on a high mountain peak.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:55:07 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6450' - The unnamed spur trail joins the Boulevard Trail just below Mt. LeConte's summit, High Top. This open marshy area seemed a little out of place on a high mountain peak.

6450' - A narrow trail follows the edge of Cliff Top through young fir trees, to The Boulevard Trail which accesses the true summit of LeConte, High Top.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:55:17 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6450' - A narrow trail follows the edge of Cliff Top through young fir trees, to The Boulevard Trail which accesses the true summit of LeConte, High Top.

6400' - I have mixed feelings about the Lodge. It does require a 5 mile hike to get to which sorts out the Hawaiian Shirts and Birkenstocks which is good, but something about a hotel at the ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:55:29 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6400' - I have mixed feelings about the Lodge. It does require a 5 mile hike to get to which sorts out the Hawaiian Shirts and Birkenstocks which is good, but something about a hotel at the ...

6400' - On a clear day the view from here 4000 feet down to the foothills of Tennessee is amazing.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:55:33 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6400' - On a clear day the view from here 4000 feet down to the foothills of Tennessee is amazing.

6593' - High Top, the true summit of LeConte, is somewhat anticlimactic. After visiting Cliff Top and its amazing views, you might expect more after an additional 100 feet of climbing but th ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:55:33 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6593' - High Top, the true summit of LeConte, is somewhat anticlimactic. After visiting Cliff Top and its amazing views, you might expect more after an additional 100 feet of climbing but th ...

6400' - I believe this is the office of the LeConte Lodge. All the building kinda look the same though.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:55:51 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6400' - I believe this is the office of the LeConte Lodge. All the building kinda look the same though.

6250' - A somewhat clearer view of the one-lane blind corner you navigate as the Alum Cave Bluffs Trail passes beneath Cliff Top.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:55:54 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6250' - A somewhat clearer view of the one-lane blind corner you navigate as the Alum Cave Bluffs Trail passes beneath Cliff Top.

6400' - As I started down the Rainbow Falls Trail from the Lodge I noticed movement to my left. I was suprised to find that it was a doe Whitetail Deer! Other than following a hiking trail I ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:56:10 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6400' - As I started down the Rainbow Falls Trail from the Lodge I noticed movement to my left. I was suprised to find that it was a doe Whitetail Deer! Other than following a hiking trail I ...

6250' - The clouds were rolling back in again as I snapped this shot of Cliff Top.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:56:15 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6250' - The clouds were rolling back in again as I snapped this shot of Cliff Top.

6150' - This particular section of trail crosses an old landslide and can be tricky in icy weather.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:56:20 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
6150' - This particular section of trail crosses an old landslide and can be tricky in icy weather.

A nice view of the knife-edge of Alum Cave Bluffs ridge.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:56:40 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
A nice view of the knife-edge of Alum Cave Bluffs ridge.

5900' - High Top was barely visible 700 feet above in this view just before the trail doubles back at the head of Trout Branch valley.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:56:42 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
5900' - High Top was barely visible 700 feet above in this view just before the trail doubles back at the head of Trout Branch valley.

5650' - The trail drops steeply via stairs beheath High Top to the Alum Cave Ridge.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:56:58 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
5650' - The trail drops steeply via stairs beheath High Top to the Alum Cave Ridge.

5300' - A crowd of about 20 people were rounding the bend below as I snapped this shot of Alum Cave on my way down. This is typical during the summer. I started early to beat the crowd. On m ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:56:58 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
5300' - A crowd of about 20 people were rounding the bend below as I snapped this shot of Alum Cave on my way down. This is typical during the summer. I started early to beat the crowd. On m ...

5050' - The trailless cliffs of Peregrine Peak from Inspiration Point.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:57:15 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
5050' - The trailless cliffs of Peregrine Peak from Inspiration Point.

5200' - The rocks of Alum Cave Bluffs rise to the left as you descend from Alum Cave to Inspiration Point.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:57:19 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
5200' - The rocks of Alum Cave Bluffs rise to the left as you descend from Alum Cave to Inspiration Point.

5050' - Just past Inspiration Point a pair of squirrels was looking for food on the trail. They must be used to people because they didn't scatter when I rounded the bend.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:57:33 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
5050' - Just past Inspiration Point a pair of squirrels was looking for food on the trail. They must be used to people because they didn't scatter when I rounded the bend.

4950' - Below Inspiration Point the trail becomes more wooded and the views become scattered.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:57:37 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
4950' - Below Inspiration Point the trail becomes more wooded and the views become scattered.

4650' - One of the last views you get as you descend to Styx Branch is ahead of (I think) the Boulevard Trail ridge.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:57:45 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
4650' - One of the last views you get as you descend to Styx Branch is ahead of (I think) the Boulevard Trail ridge.

3850' - Not sure why this shot is so blurry but its the only one I have of the Access Trail that runs from the two parking areas to the Alum Cave Bluffs Trailhead.

nobody@smugmug.com (Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:57:49 -0700

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
3850' - Not sure why this shot is so blurry but its the only one I have of the Access Trail that runs from the two parking areas to the Alum Cave Bluffs Trailhead.