Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Short on day light we hiked up to the Greenbrier Trail (3.1 miles) via Laurel Falls trail head located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Once passed Laurel Falls (1.3 miles) it’s really a nice short day hike.  As almost no one hikes pasted Laurel Falls.  At the 2.5 mile mark you will find yourself surrounded with huge virgin timber that I don’t think you could even wrap your whole body around.  A note of warning… this area is very active bear country.  I find myself coming across young bears 2 out of 3 times during even hikes.

  Beautiful Fall foliage highlighted by the evening sun just south of Laurel Falls.

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    Last weekend (6th of Dec.) I visited an old friend that I use to train on during the late 80’s/early 90’s while training for marathons.  Mount LeConte, located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Eastern Tennessee has always been there for me and she hasn’t changed much over the years.  The third highest peak (6,593 ft) in the Smoky’s/sixth highest peak east of the Mississippi River with five different trail heads (Alum Cave, The Boulevard, Bullhead, Trillium Gap & Rainbow Falls Trails) to start from.  Alum Cave trail head has been my favorite throughout the years and today was no different.

Mount LeConte Photography - Tennessee

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I dedicate this trip to Ed Wright.  Who always encouraged me to be safe as I ran up and down this mountain like a mad man :)

 

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          Related Information:

          There will be a memorial hike to honor Ed Wright up Alum Cave Bluff Trail on Sunday, September 5th, 2010 starting at 7am.

          Daily LeConte Updates: Life On LeConte by Doug McFalls

          Mount LeConte Lodge:  LeConte Lodge link

          Geology of Mt. LeConte: USGS link

         

 

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