Mt. LeConte, Great Smoky Mountains
11 miles, 6,593 ft., Alum Cave Trail
January 11, 2015
Wes Chapman
LeConte at sunrise from the delightful Buckhorn Inn
Mt. LeConte in Mid-January
Last time we were here was July – the weather was hot, the town mobbed, traffic impossible and the calendar crowded with Highpointer events. January is a different deal. The mountain is frozen, the town empty – but somehow a lot more relaxed. We stayed again at the Buckhorn Inn, which was good the first time, and better the second.
I love winter hiking, and Martha came along which made it even better. Enjoy the photos, and I look forward to a follow on climb in February!
Buckhorn Inn – a delightful evening & wonderful meal
Alum Cave Trail on Mt. LeConte
Martha on the bridge
Hiking Profile of Mt. LeConte
Mt. LeConte Summit Lodge
Ice covered trail near the summit
Alum Cave in winter
Trail through Arch Rock
Martha uses Micro-Spikes on some ice
Icy Trail above Alum Cave
View near the summit
Audrey Prouty at the summit
Adios, from Mt. LeConte
I enjoyed seeing Wes and Martha make a winter climb to celebrate Wes’s big birthday. Keep going strong!
Beautiful hike and so civilized staying in a nice inn. You have to love those MicroSpikes over the ice. Such a nice way to celebrate your birthday.
Betsy
Looks sort of wussy as far as other places Audrey Prouty has summited, but a great way to celebrate the day! Happy Birthday and welcome to the sexagenarian club–it’s way fun.