My (approximate) route...

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

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.

Alum Cave Trail - 3900'

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

Alum Cave Trail - 3950'

Breaks in the clouds like this gave me hope that the overcast would break by the time I reached the top.

Alum Cave Trail - 3950'

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

Alum Cave Trail - 4050'

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

Alum Cave Trail - 4050'

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

Alum Cave Trail - 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 natural tunnel to the top of the rock.

Alum Cave Trail - 4100'

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

Alum Cave Trail - 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.

Alum Cave Trail - 4400'

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

Inspiration Point - 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 into the Little Pigeon Valley and across to Mt. Mingus is worthy of the points name.

Alum Cave Trail - 5000'

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

Alum Cave Trail - 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.

Alum Cave Trail - 5200'

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.

Alum Cave Bluffs - 5250'

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

Alum Cave Bluffs - 5300'

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

Alum Cave Trail - 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.

Alum Cave Trail - 5850'

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.

Alum Cave Trail - 5900'

The Alum Cave Trail doubles back sharply beneath the main summit of Leconte. The misty Trout Branch Valley lies below to the left.

Alum Cave Trail - 6150'

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.

Alum Cave Trail - 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.

Alum Cave Trail - 6250'

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

Alum Cave Trail - 6350'

Just before its terminus with the Rainbow Falls Trail, the Alum Cave 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.

Alum Cave Trail - 6300'

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

Cliff Tops Spur Trail - 6300'

A signed spur trail leads to Cliff Tops, one of LeContes three summits. The trail is short but fairly steep.

Cliff Tops - 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.

Cliff Tops Spur Trail - 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:)

Cliff Tops - 6500'

6500' - A brief glimpse through the overcast down into the Little Pigeon River Valley.

Cliff Tops - 6500'

The been there, done that shot. On the edge of Cliff Tops looking west.

Cliff Tops - 6500'

The misty view east from Cliff Tops.

Cliff Tops - 6500'

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

Cliff Tops - 6500'

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

Cliff Tops - 6500'

The cliffs in the previous photo are off limits to hikers. This sign explains why...

Cliff Tops - 6500'

Another shot of the protected cliffs of Cliff Tops.

Cliff Tops Spur Trail - 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.

Cliff Tops Spur Trail - 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.

LeConte Lodge - 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 summit of a mountian bugs me.

LeConte Lodge - 6400'

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

Mount LeConte Summit - 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 the summit is completely overgrown. It is considered good luck to place a stone on the pile at the summit. That and we can get it about 80 feet higher LeConte would become the highest point in the Smokies!

LeConte Lodge - 6400'

I believe this is the office of the LeConte Lodge. All the buildings kinda look the same though.

Alum Cave Trail - 6250'

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

Rainbow Falls Trail - 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 can't imagine how it made its way all the way up here.

Alum Cave Trail - 6250'

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

Alum Cave Trail - 6150'

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

Alum Cave Trail

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