Want to know about the trails, ask a HIKER… We did!

When you talk about the hiking trails in North Carolina, every hiker has their own take on their favorite. All agree that the beauty and the challenges of the area are well worth adventuring out to discover your favorite! CLICK HERE to see some of the Haywood County trails.

We asked our own in-house hiking expert to share his favorite trail. This is what he had to say about The Alum Bluffs Cave Trail:

The Alum Bluffs Cave Trail to Mt. LeConte

“If I had to name one trail as my favorite trail in the Smokies, it would be the Alum Bluffs Cave Trail to Mt. LeConte.  To get to the trail continue on the Newfound Gap Road about 2 miles from Newfound Gap on the Tennessee side.  There are two parking lots on the right to access the trail.  Since this trail is the shortest trail to the lodge on Mt. LeConte, it’s usually fairly well used, and even crowed on weekends and holidays.  I like to go in the middle of the week to avoid the crowds.  This trail is not difficult, but it’s not an easy trail either.  You climb almost 2800 feet in elevation in 5.5 miles to reach the summit of Mt. LeConte, which is almost 6600 feet in elevation.   The trail has though been unmatched in geological features and views.

The trail begins by crossing a wooden bridge over the creek, and follows Alum Creek for about one mile.  Through this first mile you will see large rocks in the creek and several places where trees were piled up to the left of the trail.  A flash-flood up the mountain in 1951 (as memory serves) moved boulders the size of houses and uprooted full grown trees moving them down the trail.  The flood left several feet of water in downtown Gatlinburg.  After about a mile the trail begins to follow a smaller stream, Styx Branch.  (I believe it was named such because it descended from heavy rhododendron thickets early settlers called “Hells”.)

At about 1.3 miles you will come to a nice place to rest and have a snack at Arch Rock.  Water has eroded the large rock and stones have been placed in the rock for steps.  The trail ascends through the rock arch.  Be sure to hold on to the large cable provided as a hand hold because the rocks are often wet and a bit slick.

After Arch Rock, the trail traverses the ridge to the west gradually gaining altitude.  At about 2 miles you will come to a rock with great views.  This spot is known as Inspiration Point.  If you have a snack here, don’t be surprised if the Red Squirrels, known locally as Boomers, come out to share your lunch.  Some are very tame.  Look to the west to find a sharp, knife-edged ridge.  This is Duck Hawk Ridge.  Look near the top of the ridge look for the Needles Eye, an almost round hole going completely through the sharp ridge.  As you continue up the trail, listen and watch for the Peregrine Falcons that are often seen here.  (By the way, the common name for a Peregrine Falcon is a Duck Hawk.)

After a short walk up the ridge, with precipitous drops to your left, you will come to Alum Cave.  Alum Cave is a bluff overhang several hundred feet long.  It’s very dusty under the bluff as rain seldom reaches back under the bluff.  Prior to the Civil War, Epsom salts were mined at Alum Cave.  During the Civil War, confederates mined saltpeter here, which was used to make gunpowder. As you leave the cave, the trail is a bit steep, but don’t worry, as this steep section is not too long.

As you proceed toward Mt. LeConte, you will pass over several rock ledges with cable hand rails.  Hold on to those rails, as the first step is a long one if you slip.   Many years ago I hiked here in the dead of Winter.  You could see the cable hand rails about 6 inches inside an ice flow.  Luckily we had some ropes, and crampons for our hiking shoes to negotiate the frozen ledges.

At about 5 miles into the hike you will come to the Rainbow Falls Trail.  Turn right here.  You will come to the LeConte Lodge which can only be accessed by hiking or horseback.  Guests with reservations stay here in the cabins and are served breakfast and dinner in the large dining room.  Be aware that many black bears are seen here, as well as deer.  Beyond the lodge there is a trail shelter for hikers who have reservations through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Reservation System.

At about .2 miles past the lodge, look for the trail to the right up to Myrtle Point.  Myrtle Point is named after the bonsai-looking sand myrtles which grow there between the rocks.  The trail up to Myrtle Point is about .4 miles.   This point gives the best view from the top of the mountain.  Hikers staying at the lodge, or in the trail shelter, come up here before daybreak to view the sunrises on pretty mornings.

There is another trail which heads from the lodge area up to Cliff Top which offers great sunset views in the evenings.

If you are around the lodge at the right time, you may glimpse the llama caravan.  The lodge uses a caravan of llamas to bring supplies up the mountain via the Rainbow Falls Trail from Gatlinburg.  The llamas must take all garbage and soiled linens, etc., back down the mountain on their return trip.

If you want a really long day-hike, you can leave a car at Newfound Gap and return via the Boulevard Trail to the Appalachian Trail, then right all the way back to the Newfound Gap parking area.  Be aware, though, that this return trip is 8 miles long from Mt. LeConte to the Newfound Gap parking area.

Think about me if you do this hike, for I will be there in spirit, if not in person.”  Danny  Pugh – June 14, 2014