Trillium Gap Trail to Mt. LeConte

Marissa and I hiked the Trillium Gap Trail (from the Grotto Falls trailhead) to LeConte yesterday, with a side trip to Brushy Mountain on the way back down. 14 miles, 3,448 feet of elevation. Nice weather, just a few sprinkles on the way down at dusk, but otherwise clear all day. I didn't check the temp at the LeConte Lodge, but the forecast showed temps in the 30's all day at the top.

Trail conditions were good, but some of the water crossings were more work than normal after the heavy rains the day before. We talked to a couple of hikers that were headed down from an overnight stay at the lodge. They had hiked up the previous day in the deluge and had nothing dry on when the reached the top.

The vistas, flora, rock formations, waterfalls, and beauty of the trails as they hug the side of the mountain are worth the hike up. The llama pack goes up Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays on the Trillium Gap Trail with supplies. 

This was our first hike to LeConte since 2014 due to my back issues. Our last two hikes this year have been 14+ milers so the back is getting stronger.

Colors were not spectacular but we did hit a sweet spot during the elevation climb with some yellows. We started late at 9:20 and got back to the car at 7 after spending some time up top.
Pictures taken with a point and shoot so they are not the best, but you get an idea of the scenery.

Near Grotto Falls

Boot prints. Looks like a message was left behind

Walking behind Grotto Falls

From behind Grotto Falls

At the LeConte Lodge

View from the back porch of the LeConte Lodge dining area

View from Brushy Mountain Trail

View from Brushy Mountain Trail

View from Brushy Mountain Trail

2017 LeConte shirt

Just below the top, on our way up

Surreal World

A surreal world, simplicity at first glance, even keel, but marvelously complex when you look closely. You have to look away from the wide angle view and zero in to the intricacies that make up the big picture.

Each raindrop fans out and ripples until it is no more. Sometimes it crosses paths with another and changes, like people do along their journey. This pattern is continuous, even as nighttime descends and no one is there to watch. Decades of habits leave deep scars that can't be locked away forever, unless they're of the heart.

The rain settles down and the magic comes to an end. For now.