Mt. LeConte, TN (13.6 miles; d=19.90)
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Mount LeConte via Alum Cave Hike Route Map
My hike up Mount LeConte via the Alum Cave Trail as depicted a la Google Earth...
Mount LeConte via Alum Cave Hike Route Map
My hike up Mount LeConte, via Alum Cave Bluff, as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...
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.
Alum Cave 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.
For the first mile or so the trail closely follows Alum Cave Creek. It is a very scenic stream with many beautiful cascades.
Breaks in the clouds like this gave me hope that the overcast would break by the time I reached the top.
Alum Bluff Creek consists of one unnamed cascade after another. It makes for a beautiful beginning to the hike.
During the first mile the trail crosses Alum Cave Creek a number of times. This bridge is typical of what is used.
Just below Arch Rock Alum Cave Creek narrows to create this pretty cascade.
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 natural tunnel to the top of the rock.
I found these log bridges to be both convenient and quite scenic.
The first views open up through the trees to your left as you ascend Peregrine Peak. The ridge opposite you is the Anakeesta Ridge.
Just above Arch Rock the trail follows Styx Branch for about a halfmile before here turning sharply left to ascend Peregrine Peak.
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 into the Little Pigeon Valley and across to Mt. Mingus is worthy of the points name.
5000' - The surrounding vegetation consists of mainly rhododendron and other low shrubs as you near Inspiration Point just below the summit of Peregrine Peak.
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.
Broken clouds floated in the valleys but a solid overcast remained above. From here I was disappointed to discover that the summit was currently socked in.
The Alum Cave Bluffs appear quite suddenly for their size. The trail continues up steeply to Alum Cave from here.
Alum Caves and the surrounding bluffs overhang the trail, blocking moisture from above, creating an almost desert-like look to the soil beneath.
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.
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 pound pack I was carrying to train for Isle Royale caused a few more rest stops than normal. This stump made for a convenient place to take a break.
The Alum Cave Trail doubles back sharply beneath the main summit of Leconte. The misty Trout Branch Valley lies below to the left.
For the much of the final mile the Alum Cave Trail is literally cut from the side of the mountain. Cables are installed along one side to help in slippery conditions.
John Helms
on November 16, 2015I have hiked this mountain several times. It is an absolutely beautiful place. I think your assessment of the lodge and its placement are unfair. It is the perfect place for such a rustic hostel in the sky. The beauty of the Smoky Mountains is often subtle in comparison to say the Sawtooths and the Bitterroots, but this ancient beauty is second to none. It is a wonderful place in any season and though I wish it could be enjoyed by everyone, I am glad it is still remote and at least difficult enough to reach to keep the throngs of people away from it. It can be a peaceful place of solitude and reflection for those in search of such a place.
Francie Moore
on August 29, 2012Hi! I'm doing a project on Mt. LeConte because it is my favorite place in the world, and my research brought me here! Great pictures! I'm only 14 so you wouldn't expect me to have hiked up Mt. Leconte very much huh? Well, I have hiked it 17 times and spent the night 14. I love this place!!!!!!!!!!
gail f.
on July 26, 2012i loved the hike up! did it in oct 2011 and there was snow on top and it was beautiful!!!! would love to do this again!!
Malissa
on June 8, 2011Thanks so much for taking the time to document this hike. Hiked up to Alum Cave Bluffs with our 6 and 8 year old and we are really wanting to go all the way to LeConte. Your write up gave us a good idea of what to expect after Alum Cave, thanks!!
James
on December 14, 2010I've hiked this trail over a hundred times and is one of my favorite hikes in the park because of the interesting features, the landscape, the incredible views and Mt. Leconte lodge at the top! You've got to get over the fact there is a lodge near the top of the summit. The first lodge was built before this was a National Park, and it has a lot of history and interesting stories to tell. It's very rare to see a lodge at the summit of a mountain in any National Park, and this is what makes is so unique and a very neat place to stay! Until the 90's, they used to have a large black kettle full of hershey bars that hikers could purchase in the community lodge where you check in, which was a special treat... and they have a lot of interesting historical information posted there as well. Mount LeConte is awesome!