This was my first trip to Mt. LeConte and I
loved it! I had tried to get reservations earlier this year and couldn't
so I decided to do a day hike and check it out. I left home about 2:30am
and arrived at the trailhead at 5:30am. It was still dark so I slept for
an hour at the trailhead parking.
I started up the trail at 6:30am as it was
getting daylight. As I was walking the first 1/4 mile, a young guy in
his early twenties jogged past me. The trail was nice and peaceful along
the river.
I was taking my time and enjoying the
morning. As I reached Arch Rock I noticed a family of four
people behind me coming up the trail several hundred yards. I
really enjoyed seeing Arch Rock and was disappointed when my pictures of
it came out a little dark.
I reached the Big Wash Out area and was
thinking I would not have wanted to be here then for sure.
Somewhere between Dolly Parton Peaks and the
Eye of the Needle they caught up with me taking a break. They walked on
past as I rested for a minute or two. They said good morning as I
did. About that time the guy that had jogged past me was coming
back down the trail. This time he stopped and talked for a minute.
I wish I could have done like Ed and recorded all the names of the
people on the trail but I didn't.
When I got to the steps before Alum Cave I
knew I had to be getting close to my next stopping point.
I had planned on stopping at Alum Cave and
taking a few
pictures'. I was amazed at the large rock formation as I
approached. I left the trail and took a right and walk up under the rock
formation for a photo.
Thankfully my camera had a timer on it
because there were no one else there and I was hiking solo.
After messing around a few minutes and
getting a few photos, I continued on up the trail. By the time I reached
Gracie's Pulpit the sun burned off some of the fog and I could see all 4
peaks around me.
After hiking thru the saddles the trail
started to get steep, I thought well here is where it all begins!
When I reached Trout Branch it felt as if
someone had turned on the AC, so I stopped there for a few minutes to
take in the cool air.
As I came around the curve I approached
the Grassy Slide I knew exactly where I was. I took a few photos
here. At this point I started passing people coming off the mountain.
Each one was very polite and spoke. A few of them as if I was staying
overnight. Again I wished I could have wrote down who I met.
When I came under the Cliff Tops I stopped
and looked up in amazement as more people were coming down the trail
going back down. As I reached the Old Horse Gate site, I noticed the
sign that said no horses past this point.
Finally I came to the trail junctions of
Rainbow Falls/Bull Head Trails and the Boulevard Trail. I knew I had to
be getting close at this point. As the trail leveled out some I passed a
few more coming off the mountain. and a few passed me going up. I
decided to go onto the Cliff Tops first before going to the Lodge.
I reached the summit
about 12:30pm and had lunch there. As I was eating a couple in their
late 30's early 40's came up and we talked awhile. He was pointing out
Gatlinburg and Clingmans Dome to me.
I spent about 45 minutes on the top before
heading to the Lodge. I really enjoyed the views from the top even
though it was a little windy up there as to be expected. I even checked
the altitude with my GPS.
As I reached the Lodge, I went to the office
first to check it out. I was greeted by a pretty young girl in her 20's
there. I'm bad with names but we talked for awhile and she was very nice
and answered a few questions I had about the Lodge. After leaving the
office I decided to head for the front of the dining room to get the
famous photo
that everyone takes standing in front of it. At this point, a group of
40 from Asheville started coming in for their overnight stay. This group
was really nice as I talked to most of them.
Had one of the guys take my photo and then I
took theirs. I walked thru the dining room and talked to a couple people
sitting out on the deck overlook. After taking a few pictures
of the Lama's while they were getting loaded up, then I walked over
to the water spout and refilled my CamelBak and water bottles for the
return trip. I sat there in the swing and talked with another gentleman
for a few minutes before heading back.
Every hiker, person, staff that I met was
extremely nice and friendly. I enjoyed the history that was on the walls
and about in the office. I can't wait
to do an overnight stay at the Lodge. Hopefully on October 1st I will
get lucky and get my name in for 2008.
Larry Wright
Cherryville, North Carolina
