Smoky Mountains in the winter.........

[surveyor]

We try to get to the Smokies early December to get some cool weather hiking in the back country. The last few years highs have been in the low 70's most of the trip.
This year was more like it - with the "icing" on the cake, if you will, the last day.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y83/Wlsego/DSCF0254.jpg


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y83/Wlsego/DSCF0249.jpg

[Malachi]

Beautiful.

Where in the Smokies were you?

[surveyor]

Beautiful.

Where in the Smokies were you?

We were north of Gatlinburg about 1/3rd of the way to Pigeon Forge.

Of the cabins we've stayed in this one was by far the most remote. 25% - 30%+ grade in many places heading back to the cabin. The driveway was approx. 1,200 feet in length and ran along a ridge. On the back side Mt. LeConte was visible through the trees, but more often than not partially obscured by clouds.
I've tried to cajole the wife into a hike to LeConte Lodge at 6,360 - 230'+ below the summit. It has no running water or electricity, but they provide a warm breakfast the following morning. Roundtrip hike from the southwest is approx. 11 miles, from the northwest approx. 18, IIRC.
She doesn't mind hiking but isn't up for overnight stays, yet. :icon_mrgreen:

[UK78ALUM]

I've tried to cajole the wife into a hike to LeConte Lodge at 6,360 - 230'+ below the summit. It has no running water or electricity, but they provide a warm breakfast the following morning. Roundtrip hike from the southwest is approx. 11 miles, from the northwest approx. 18, IIRC.

She doesn't mind hiking but isn't up for overnight stays, yet. :icon_mrgreen:

I've done every combination up and down LeConte multiple times. My favorite is to leave one car at Alum Cave, and drive another on up to Newfound Gap. Go up Boulevard and down Alum Cave. Nice day hike. But we have also down "up and backs" on Alum Cave and/or Rainbow Falls. Just depends on where you park the car. Rainbow Falls and Bullhead share a parking lot, but I've never like Bullhead. Nowhere near as scenic as the others.

Alum Cave Trail
Start at the Alum Cave parking area on Newfound Gap Road (Hwy 441 between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC) 8.5 mi. south of Park Headquarters and Visitors center. Distance to LeConte Lodge: 5.5 miles. Net climb: 2560 feet. Although fairly strenuous on the ascent, it is the easiest return from the summit. At the lower portion see Alum Cave Creek, Arch Rock, Alum Cave Bluff (an excellent overlook) at 2.3 miles and National Park Service interpretive signs. At the upper portion, below Cliff Top, is a narrow cleft across a steep open slope with cables installed for hand holds. In winter this part of the trail may be choked with ice hummocks covering the cables so use extra caution. Note the large red spruce and tulip trees along the way and flowering rhododendron in late June.

The Boulevard Trail
Start at the Newfound Gap (http://www.mysmokymountainvacation.com/newfound-gap.html) parking lot (Hwy 441 between Gatlinburg (http://www.mygatlinburgvacation.com/), TN and Cherokee (http://www.aboutcherokee.com/), NC). You will follow the Appalachian trail for 2.7 miles to the junction where the Boulevard Trail branches left (N). total distance to LeConte Lodge: 7.8 miles. Net climb: 1080 feet. The Boulevard Trail is a rolling trail following a narrow ridge with step forested slopes on both sides; the trail is steep at the final ascent to LeConte Lodge. You may occasionally encounter ice and snow in early Spring and late Fall on this trail. An interesting side trail just past the junction with the Appalachian trail leads right 0.4 miles to the top of cliffs at the Jumpoff, with striking view of Charlie's Bunion and upper Greenbrier Cove. Myrtle Point and CliffTop offer other excellent views. Note red spruce and balsam firs along the way.

Bullhead Trail
Start at the Rainbow Falls - Bullhead parking lot at 3.4 miles on Cherokee Orchard Road, a one-way road. Distance to LeConte Lodge: 7.1 miles. Net climb: 3820 feet. Rainbow Falls Trail, which originates at the same parking lot, rejoins Bullhead at mile 6.4. Fine lookoffs at the Bullhead and a heath bald. Caution: No water along the trail so carry a canteen. Note red spruce and balsam firs along the way, and the Bullhead Heath for spring blooms, and the Bullhead Trail for magnificent autumn scenery.

Rainbow Falls Trail
Start at the Rainbow Falls - Bullhead parking lot at 3.4 miles on Cherokee Orchard Road, a one-way road. Distance to LeConte Lodge: 6.7 miles. Net climb: 3820 feet. Bullhead trail, which originates at the same parking lot, rejoins Rainbow Falls Trail at mile 5.8. Note Rainbow Falls at mile 2.4. LeConte Creek forcibly erupts over the rocks and can freeze solid in the water. See impressive overlooks at 5.0 miles. In late June, Rocky Spur is a good place for flowering rhododendron.

Trillium Gap Trail
Start at the Grotto Falls parking lot at mile 1.7 on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (http://www.mysmokymountainvacation.com/roaring-fork-nature-trail.html) (a one-way road closed in winter). Distance to LeConte Lodge: 6.5 miles. Net climb: 3300 feet. See Grotto Falls at mile 1.5. Note Roaring Fork Creek, one of the steepest streams in the park. Also note red spruce and, at higher elevations, fraser fir. As you walk the trail between Grotto Falls and Trillium Gap, listen for underground streams roaring through the rocks

I have seen snow and sleet at the lodge in September, so I would certainly think that crampons and snowshoes would be needed now, assuming you could even get up there. Weather trivia: The lodge has never recorded a temperature of 80 or higher. It's really a quite pleasant place to stop, have lunch on the porch (your lunch that you carried up in your pack) and then start back down.

Enjoy!

[surveyor]

Beginning next year the lodge will provide lunch to day hikers. Sit-down reservations and non reservation sack lunches will both cost $9

[surveyor]

I've done every combination up and down LeConte multiple times. My favorite is to leave one car at Alum Cave, and drive another on up to Newfound Gap. Go up Boulevard and down Alum Cave. Nice day hike. But we have also down "up and backs" on Alum Cave and/or Rainbow Falls. Just depends on where you park the car. Rainbow Falls and Bullhead share a parking lot, but I've never like Bullhead. Nowhere near as scenic as the others.



Boulevard likely offers the best views as it's predominantly a ridgetop trail.

Rainbow Falls follows a creek for the most part.

[gerntz]

Interesting stuff I didn't know about. Thanks.

[Matt Dillon]

Breathtaking pics.

[Dwight Schrute]

I love Gatlinburg, especially around Christmas.

Great pictures. :thumbup:

[sCATback]

If you do the overnight stay you usually have to have reservations months in advance. They say the food is absolutely wonderful there though. I've been trying to talk my wife into an overnight stay there also :)

[trublu]

That's beautiful. I haven't been to Gatlinburg in years. Is the Old Heidelberg Castle still there?