Woo Hoo! 2 weeks off to go to the Smoki es

“Looks like I'll be able to get away for 2 weeks in September :) I'm tentatively planning a couple of 3 day BP trips with some other folks but will have time to just do the touristy thing around Asheville where I'll be visiting 2 good friends. Help! What should I do? Where should I go?”

“do a backpack up to Mt. LeConte!!! Best mountain in the smokies. Start up the Alum Cave trail (5 miles) to the summit of LeConte. Be sure to check out all of the peaks. From there take the Boulevard trail to the AT (5 miles) and camp at the Ice Water Springs shelter. Get your reservation in ASAP!! From there you can go to Charlies Bunion and the sawteeth on the AT or you can go down the Dry Sluice to Kephart Prong down to the Road, or you can take the AT south to Newfound Gap Rd.

Mt. LeConte is the gem of the Smokies.”

“Cool, see you there!”

“Thanks, EarthNsky... Can you dayhike Mt. LeConte as well?”

“Yeah there are five trails that converge near the summit of Leconte.

Alum Cave
Trillium Gap
Rainbow Falls
Bulls Head
Boulevard

A great dayhike on LeConte should start with the Alum Cave trail.

I recommend climbing LeConte via AC and then taking the Blvd trail to the AT and from there go south to New Found Gap. That would be about 12 miles. It's an awesome hike though and worth every step. Alum Cave trail probably has the best scenery in the Smokies.”

“Thanks for the info, nashvillehiker :) I think you sold me on the Alum Cave Trail...”

“oops I posted under Wanna's name.”