Date: 06/18/2021 – Distance: 13.8 mi – Elapsed Time: 7.75 hr – Ascent: 3510 ft – Descent: 3225 ft – Difficulty: Very Difficult
Mount LaConte is the 6th highest peak in Eastern North America at 6594 feet. The Alum Cave Bluffs trail begins at a parking area on Newfound Gap Road (aka US 441) and climbs up this mountain almost to the summit, where a few other trails intersect and can take you to the summit. The climb took us 5 hours (3000 feet), and the descent 3 hours. The views were amazing and this grueling hike was very rewarding. Many wildflowers were blooming and the views along this hike are amazing. The main attractions are Arch Rock, Inspiration Point, Alum Cave Bluffs, Cliff Tops, High Point, Myrtle Point, and LaConte Lodge. There is potable water at the center of the Lodge complex but pretty much nowhere else along this trail, so make sure you plan accordingly. There are also many dangerous cliff edges along the trail, so don’t take risks, as you would probably die is you fell.
Alum Cave Bluffs Trailhead Parking.
Mount LaConte was a little further than this. Around 6 to the Lodge.
This sign at the trailhead only covers to the Bluffs, but you can see the trail continues past.
Initially, the trail follows a creek.
And it can be rocky, so good footwear is essential, preferably ankle support.
The creek has many cascades.
Cool fungus.
Another cascade.
More cool fungus.
There are several of these log foot bridges.
Coming up on Arch Rock.
It’s a dramatic entrance.
Arch Rock.
Really only enough room for one at a time.
Cool twisted grain on this old tree.
This small side stream was inviting.
Starting to get some views.
Rhododendron.
Mountain Laurel.
Azalea.
Azalea.
Coming up on Inspiration Point, looking back.
Inspiration Point.
You can see why they call it that.
The views here are amazing.
Galax, aka Wandflower.
The trail is becoming more dramatic.
You feel really small up here.
Alum Cave appears out of nowhere.
About halfway to the summit.
Cool looking stairs.
Rhododendron.
We lucked out with the weather, as you can see for miles.
Those are my hiking companions ahead.
Cool moss.
This trail is very well maintained.
The rocks are very cool up here as well.
They look like blueberries, but I don’t think they are.
Some of the rocks have marble in them.
Quaker Ladies, aka Bluets.
Mountain Woodsorrel.
I’m not sure what these are called, but they are similar to the Chickweed we have in Ohio.
The trail continues.
Blackberry.
The rocks get more jagged.
The only good water source we came across up this high.
What a view…
Miles and miles…
How many ranges do you see?
We couldn’t get enough of the views.
I would bet it’s over 20 miles away.
I’m not sure what this is. It grew right on the rocks.
I thought the dead tree provided more depth.
Watch your head and your step. Notice the cable.
Stunning.
Sand Myrtle. It loves the rock cliffs.
The rocks keep changing.
The Sand Myrtle on the rocks above.
Sand Myrtle.
Eventually the deciduous trees disappear.
This pine forest was intense.
They are thick.
The moss is very thick carpet.
Cool lichens too.
LaConte Lodge complex. You can rent these cabins, but you have to hike to them.
The water source is potable.
Some history of the lodge.
That is the dining hall.
We took another trail to the Cliff Tops.
It’s a micro climate up here (about 20 degrees cooler than below), and there are rare plants.
It’s a short but tough trail.
It’s like a rainforest.
Cool ferns.
You should have boots on…
Tough final stretch.
Cliff Tops.
This other peak is the same mountain called West Point. Of the four major peaks on LaConte, it’s the only one we didn’t hike.
My companions.
Cliff Tops is amazing.
The peak is covered with Azaleas, Sand Myrtle, a few Rhododendrons, and pines.
Right behind my shoulders is Clingman’s Dome, the highest peak in the Smokies, and only 50 feet higher than where we were. I am looking at Chimney Tops, near where we started way down in the valley.
The trees are windswept up here.
We stayed here for about 30 minutes.
My panorama from Cliff Tops.
These low bushes cover the rock faces.
I really couldn’t tell if it’s a Rhododendron or an Azalea.
Reindeer Lichen I believe.
It must have been fire.
This shelter can also be rented.
They have this great bear sack hanging setup.
We continued to explore the summits on LaConte.
This is High Top, the official summit.
The ground cover’s are amazing.
Our destination was Myrtle Point.
Myrtle Point, the edge of LaConte.
Myrtle Point.
Myrtle Point.
There are other trails which lead to the summit from other parts of the park. Notice the Newfound Gap Trail.
Rainbow Falls Trail, Appalachian Trail, Trillium Gap Trail.
Switchback.
Going back down the way we came up, the cliff edges seemed more dramatic.
Constant vigilance with your footing is necessary.
Sometimes going the opposite way on a trail, you see things differently.
Another dramatic drop off.
The colors.
More colors.
That same watersource.
Coming back to Alum Cave.
Alum Cave.
Inspiration Point.
This bunny didn’t move.
Coming back to the deciduous area.
Dry stream.
Arch Rock.
Arch Rock.
Back down to the stream.
Carlos Campbell Overlook on Newfound Gap Road on our return.
Chimney Tops Overlook on Newfound Gap Road.
Chimney Tops, recovering from the terrible fire in 2016.
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