Cat & Dog's Page
LeConte 2006 PageDon, Brenda, Terry and Alan hiked to the top of Mt. LeConte to spend the night at LeConte Lodge. This was a second trip for Terry and Alan, the 7th trip for Brenda and the 8th trip for Don. Here are a few of our pictures of the hike up the mountain and our short stay at the top. We were shuttled up to the trailhead. We used the services of A Walk in the Woods again this year. www.awalkinthewoods.com We highly recommend any hiker or backpacker get in touch with these very knowledgeable and friendly people to get the most out of your adventure.
|
|
Here we are...eager and fresh at the start of our hike.
The route we took to LeConte Lodge is the same one we took two years ago.
The trail starts at Newfound Gap along the Appalachian Trail.
The trail is the longest of 5 trails and is 8 miles long.
Our first water and snack break on the trail.
This is the junction where we jump off the Appalachian Trail and head up to LeConte.
Another stop...this time to check for blisters.
The trail is steep and tough and requires short rests, plenty of water and energy food to maintain a good pace.
Along the way the strong aroma of flowers and trees mixes with the mountain air that really makes you feel alive.
Are we almost there yet?
Don on the trail above 6000 ft. as a cloud moves in.
Don at the high point of the mountain.
Brenda arrives at the Lodge with the cabins in the background.
Brenda and Terry in front of our Cabin.
We finally made it and have earned a well deserved rest.
A few of the cabins have new porches and rocking chairs!
Brenda and Terry wearing their new LeConte shirts that can only
be purchased at the Lodge.
After dinner, Alan found a peaceful place to rest and soak up the chilly and damp night air.
Bedtime comes early on the mountain top...no electricity and no TV...
only peaceful solitude and darkness.
At breakfast, we enjoy the morning sun and have coffee, hot chocolate, tang,
hot pancakes, eggs, Canadian bacon, and grits .
After breakfast Ranger Katie takes a group out on a Salamander walk.
After breakfast we are geared up and it is time to head out for a
long hike down the Rainbow Falls Trail.
At about the halfway point down the mountain, we get to Rainbow Falls.
The End