Mount LeConte

Hello fellow wild life enthusiast! This excursion could be a model; minus the weather, for many trips yet to happen via Southern Appalachian Excursions. My friend the "Lady Beth", had taken the initiative for her group, which eventually included me, and made reservations at the LeConte Lodge. This was going to be a busy weekend in the park W/ the 75th reunion of the Civilian Conservation Corp, going on at and around, the Sugarlands Visitor Center, w/ some other large celebrations of the history and culture of this region happening in Townsend.
Our excursion started from the Alum Cave trailhead parking and consisted of 8 folks, 7 of which had little or no recent hiking experience. This included active smokers, a woman recovering from recent foot surgery, another walker whom had a "bad knee", and an earnest desire from all to enjoy the day and learn.
The weather was overcast and wet w/ occasional sprinkles as we proceeded up the trail. Alum Cave Creek had water though of course was at low levels w/ the current drought. The seep near the top was moist w/ lots of small streams of water running through and off the rocks covered in the greens from mosses and plants.
Our walk up was done so at a leisurely pace and the trail was not very crowded. As we gained in elevation we also got more enclosed by clouds, fog, and moisture which seem to just be "free floating" w/ the moisture content in the air so high. Temperatures were probably in the low 70's w/ it feeling at times somewhat cooler combining the rain and wind once at the top. Along the walk above the cave and "Gracie's Pulpit"; where we stopped for "lunch", there was frequent bear scat but we had no visuals. Once at the top we got ourselves some coffee and/or hot chocolate and settled into our surroundings we were to enjoy for the next 18 hours. Some of us walked to "High Tops", and those who did so walked for the experience and appreciation of being on LeConte. Though obviously w/ the weather vistas were not happening. A seasonal Ranger, Mr Danny Thomas, yes the one from Morristown, made a very informative presentation on bears in the park and answered some questions. "Ranger Dan" also led a presentation after dinner on the history of Mt. LeConte and the establishment of the GSMNP. Equally as informative. The folks from the LeConte Shelter also joined us for the second presentation.
Saturday we started "stirring" before 7am, we had a bunch of coffee, a nice breakfast, and then several of us walked up and over to Myrtle Point. Along the way I listened to bitches and moans about the distance, inclines, declines, etc...etc..., and a large smile slowly grew across my face as we approached the point and and the cloud ceiling lowered to the east providing bright sun and a section of "bluer than blue skies", w/ a view from above the clouds. All were happy for coming along. I hope to post some of the pictures my friends took at the point and throughout the excursion. We returned to the lodge to PU our stuff and begin our walk down the Alum Cave Trail.
The "Lady Beth", who initiated this excursion, asked about other ways to access LeConte. After I described the various routes she decided she was going to do it again next year yet come via the AT and the Boulevard Trail. I look forward to great friends and fun to be shared again. Peace
("M. Coenen" took the picture from "above the ceiling" @ Myrtle Point)

A Walk With Friends, May 25th

So I'm in Crossville meeting w/ some friends and Beth walks in the room. After she greets some folks I say hello to which she replies, "I'm going hiking tomorrow on Alum cave Trail, wanna go?". "Sure", I say. Who, when, and where, is worked out and we meet the next morning, pick up her nephew, Allen, and headed to the mountains for a glorious day in the woods. Of course this being a holiday wknd., the GSMNP would be packed so we got started relatively early. This was Allens first time on the Alum Cave Trail and it had been several years since Beth had been here. They both enjoyed the natural beauty of the streams and rock formations especially Arch Rock. As well as the bright greens of the new plant life. We hiked up to the cave and sat for a few minutes and enjoyed the view. After which we picked up and continued to 'Gracies Pulpit', (see 'Hiking Trails of The Smokies'), ate some PB&J sandwiches which Beth had brought along and took some pictures. We really enjoyed the awesome views across the valley looking off the "pulpit" towards the Lower Ledges, which is part of the 4 peaks which make up LeConte. As more folks stopped we gave up our seats on the pulpit and began our descent back to the trailhead. As we did so we let pass 2 very large groups of hikers. The first, we learned were mostly of Korean ancestry and were part of a group of over 100, and the next about a 1/2 mile behind them were from colleges all over the country and belonged to some interdenominational group.
Rock on! Let's hope they all take some appreciation and urgency back to wherever they traveled from, be it Kansas or Korea, for the need to write, call, or e-mail, Washington and local officials, and participate in stopping the wasteful destruction of public and private habitat across the globe. Peace