Alum Cave to Mt. LeConte

I took a whirlwind vacation around July 4th weekend this year. The main attraction was a long-planned family reunion in North Carolina, but I took advantage and headed up into the Smokies on Wednesday afternoon 7/2, catching a quick hike at Clingman's Dome.

The next morning I headed to the Alum Cave trail head, and after listening on on a ranger's instructions for a large group she was leading up to the bluffs I headed out.

Sounds of the river are mesmerizing on this first section of the trail. It's enough to put me into another world. The water whispers its secrets to anyone who takes the time to properly tune in.

                                          The bluffs are a sight you have to see in person. Not an easy place to express with a camera. On up past the bluffs I passed Gracie's Pulpit, and thought of her singing her hymns here as she rested and took in the views. Further up the steel cables become common, and you get to experience the rock ledges that are perfectly safe in July with no ice or snow, but they just might catch your breath if heights bother you.

This turned out to be my second trip to the LeConte Lodge, the other being a 13.8 mile hike last spring with my daughter, up Rainbow Falls and down Bullhead. This time I started solo, but met up with a gentleman who turned out to be a good hiking partner for the day. Lots of interesting stories, and someone who enjoys nature as much as I do.

Despite it being 7/3, the temps were milder than normal with no rain. At the top the fog was packed in so thick I thought I felt rain. The llamas were camped at the top, resting for their journey back down Trillium. Seems they got the holiday off on Friday, so a rare Thursday delivery of supplies was scheduled.

The trail is a classic. My first trip to the lodge via Alum, and it's one I'll do again.

The next morning I got up early, with maybe four hours of sleep, and drove across North Carolina on Friday 7/4. In between a great reunion I also visited Fort Macon and the Outer Banks on days trips from the house. As I drove past Alligator River Wildlife Refuge I looked down a dirt road on my right and watched a black bear go across the road. Another place I'll return to for a second pass.

Alum Cave Bluff Trail 7/18/12

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I have driven by the parking area for the Alum Cave Bluff trail many times and remarked at the crowd.  The road that crosses the Smoky Mountains from Cherokee, NC to Pigeon Forge, TN passes the trailhead. At times I have slowed down through the area on US 441 because of the people crossing over the road, after parking wherever they could find an empty spot. My wife and I decided to hike the trail today for the first time.

We arrived at the trailhead at 8:35 am, and only one parking spot was still open.

 Some of the cars belong to overnight hikers that stayed the night at LeConte Lodge, and a portion were there early because of the immense popularity of this trail. During summer months I suggest getting an early start, if for no other reason to get a decent parking spot where you won’t worry about your car while you are gone.

The first portion of the trail is relatively flat, and it begins by crossing over Alum Cave Creek. The trail is covered in roots and stones in places, but it’s in good shape. You will have numerous photo ops of the creek along this section.


 




 

Just an observation, it's interesting how different perspectives can add so much more to a scene. As we walked along the first section of the trail, a bird hopped across a flat boulder, near the water's edge. I thought to myself, this is the first animal we have come across. My wife said, that bird looks pregnant. That's a detail I missed. 

Arch Rock is at the 1.4 mile mark. You will climb steps through an opening in the rock, with steel cables to hold on to.

Just past the two mile mark you’ll see beautiful scenery as the elevation gets higher. This section has some uphill portions, but nothing too strenuous.
 

 
 

 


Eye of the needle

The last ¼ mile has a few steep portions, but you are almost there.

It isn’t actually a cave, but it provides good shelter if you get caught out in the rain. I have read that during winter months icicles fall from high, making a treacherous walk through this section.


 Keep following the trail for another 3.2 miles to the LeConte Lodge, which canonly  be reached by hiking from your choice of five different trails. Overnight accommodations are available with advance reservations at the lodge. On my to-do list is a hike to the lodge, overnight stay, and sunrise photos at nearby Myrtle Point before hiking back down.

Our hike, which included numerous stops for photos and covered 4.6 miles round trip, took three hours.