Cherokee Hiking Club
198 Crews Drive, Benton, TN 37307

Mt LeConte Dayhike
Saturday, June 16, 2012

Brief Description:     The hike will start at the Alum Bluff trailhead, which is located in the Smoky Mountains on New Found Gap Road. It's about 9 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. From the Alum Bluff trailhead parking lot, we will hike 5.5 miles and have an elevation gain of 2763 feet. It usually takes approximately 4 hours to reach the top. Once at the top, you will be able to purchase some snacks and souvenirs and refill your water bottles. You can get more information about the Mount LeConte Lodge at the top at www.leconte-lodge.com.

Length:  11 miles

Difficulty Rating: Strenuous

Elevation Gain: 2763'

Hike Leader:  Call Rhonda at 240-8682 no later than 9:00 pm on Friday, June 15th.

Directions to the Trailhead:    We will be leaving the Home Depot parking lot in Cleveland at 6:30 AM. This will be approximately a 2 1/2 hour drive so we'll need to leave early. You can reach the Home Depot from I-75 by taking Exit 27 (the northernmost Cleveland exit), and then head east on Paul Huff Parkway. The store is on the left just a few blocks down, at 546 Paul Huff Parkway. Make sure you bring hiking sticks, plenty of water and a trail lunch and snacks.

Post Trip Report:  Three members of the Cherokee Hiking Club and eight guests hiked to Mt. LeConte on an unusually cool June Saturday.  It was a wonderful day to hike to Mount LeConte because the temperate was in the 70’s and was cloudy for a good part of the morning. The hike was led by Jennifer Schroll and Rhonda Morgan.  After hiking for about 4 to 4 1/2 hours, we reached the LeConte Lodge at the top.  Close to the top of the mountain we came across beautiful blooming rhododendrons.  We ate lunch, and some of the hikers bought hot chocolate to warm themselves up because the temperature at the lodge was in the lower 60's.

The sun came out as we hiked back down the mountain.  The views were absolutely amazing.  We stopped at The Alamo in Pigeon Forge for dinner before heading back to Cleveland.  Those attending are shown in the picture below, and included Randy Morris, Jennifer Schroll, Mitchell Schroll, Robin Steele, Jonathan Steele, Sarah Steele, and Darrell, Rhonda, Nathan, and Emily Morgan.

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