Alum Cave Trail - GSMNP • Hike • Tennessee • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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May 15 2025

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 183
Photos 5,612
Triplogs 1,647

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Mt LeConte Loop, NC

Hiking		May 15 2025
		John9L • Triplogs 1,647

Hiking	18.15 Miles	5,017 AEG

Hiking	18.15 Miles	7 Hrs 15 Mns	2.72 mph
	5,017 ft AEG	35 Mns Break

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Alum Cave Trail - GSMNP

Road Prong Trail-GSMNP

Boulevard Trail - GSMNP

Mount LeConte via The Boulevard

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I returned to the Smoky Mountains and my main hiking goal was to return to Mt LeConte from the southern approach. I hiked here two years ago but came in from the north. My plan was to park at Newfound Gap and start on the AT and then connect onto the Boulevard Trail and follow that to the summit and lodge. From there I would descend the Alum Cave Trail and then do two miles of road walking to the NW. I would finally connect onto the Road Prong Trail and complete my loop with a short stretch back on the AT. This turned out to be a wonderful hike and I was able to bum a ride to avoid the two miles of road walking!

I left my hotel fairly early and got a coffee and bagel in town and made the 30+ minute drive to Newfound Gap and started hiking just after 8am Eastern. I started out on the AT and headed in. It was a cool and brisk morning and there were intermittent periods of fog. I made good time over the first 2.5+ miles and connected onto the Boulevard Trail and headed to the NW. This is a fantastic section of trail that follows a ridgeline and drops off on both sides. There isn’t any exposure and the views are limited through the densely populated forest.

My going went well and I eventually topped out at the Mt LeConte high point which features a large cairn. I stopped here and had another group take my picture. From here I dropped down to the lodge and planned on visiting the store, which was closed two years ago on my previous trip. I arrived and found it closed again! It would reopen in an hour and that was too long for me. I would take a break to eat and hydrate. There were people hanging out and I really enjoyed this area.

After I had my fill, I started the descent down the Alum Cave Trail. I cruised down and passed a lot of people on their hike up. This is a very popular trail! There were several sections that included a cable to aid in your travel. I’m sure it’s helpful when there’s snow, I didn’t use it. I continued down and arrived at the trailhead. I had to make a choice at this point. Do I try to hitchhike back to the Newfound Gap and end my hike or do I go the other way and head for Road Prong Trail for a full loop. While I’m contemplating my decision, two guys returned to the trailhead. I asked them for a ride and they were heading to TN & agreed to drive me. I would be hiking the Road Prong Trail & completing the loop!

The drive went quickly and I said my thanks & started the hike up the Road Prong Trail. This trail leads to Chimney Tops but the extra 1.6 miles and climb were too much for me. My legs were getting tired and I had a long way to go. The early portion of trail was in fantastic condition and made for easy travel. Things changed once I passed the Chimney Tops turnoff. The trail narrows and the plant growth encroaches the trail. This slowed me down but wasn’t an issue. I would take an extended break by a waterfall. After this I continued up the trail and found myself slowing down considerably. With much effort I topped off and was back on the AT. From here, it’s another 1.7 miles to Newfound Gap. I made slow progress and finally reached my starting point around 3:30pm.

My main hike was over and was well worth the effort! I would return to Cherokee where I got lunch and then headed back to my hotel to relax for the rest of evening. I have several more hikes planned over the next few days and I’m settling into my trip.

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1 archive

Oct 12 2018

Tim

Guides 10
Triplogs 432

63 male

Joined Feb 25 2002
Scottsdale

Alum Cave Trail - GSMNP

Eastern, TN

Alum Cave Trail - GSMNP

Eastern, TN

Hiking		Oct 12 2018
		Tim • Triplogs 432

Hiking	4.80 Miles	1,100 AEG

Hiking	4.80 Miles	2 Hrs 5 Mns	2.30 mph
	1,100 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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no linked trail guides

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We had to park about a quarter mile from the trailhead as we got there at 10:00 and the parking lots and surrounding roadsides were packed. Surprisingly, we didn’t see that many hikers on the way up as most folks starting that early are going all the way to Mount Leconte. We just went to the cave and back which had great views and numerous stream crossings on this clear and sunny day. It was 45 degrees when we started and 54 degrees when we finished. It took us an hour and 15 minutes to get up and 50 minutes to get down. We probably spent a good half hour enjoying the scenery at the top.

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May 22 2015

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,760

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Mount Le Conte via Alum Cave Trail, TN

Hiking		May 22 2015
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	12.76 Miles	3,505 AEG

Hiking	12.76 Miles	6 Hrs 53 Mns		2.22 mph
	3,505 ft AEG	1 Hour 8 Mns Break	14 LBS Pack

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Alum Cave Trail - GSMNP

Boulevard Trail - GSMNP

Myrtle Point Trail - GSMNP

Cliff Tops Trail - GSMNP

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Bobzilla

lmarie0130

Day 2 of my trip to NC.

It was off to the Smoky Mountains on the North Carolina/Tennessee border. Getting there was half the fun, driving 37 miles on the Historic and Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. I'm glad I wasn't driving, because I got to soak in the views. We saw a heard of Elk in the park, on the drive in.

On the agenda for today, was to hike to the Mt Le Conte area. The Mt Le Conte area stands close to 6600' and is a popular destination in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP). There are 4 Trailheads that can get you to the top, but The Alum Cave TH is the shortest, steepest and the most scenic, making it the most popular. This was our choice. There are no roads to the top, so the Lodge is resupplied by Lamas 3 days a week.

We started with temps in the low 40's and were afforded perfect weather all day. The trail crosses Walker Camp Prong (Creek) and starts a gentle climb along Alum Creek. You are in thick forests crossing over this creek numerous times. The trail turns North an follows the Styxs Branch (Creek) to the Natural Arch. The trail passes through the arch, climbing steeply while doing so. [ photo ]

At this point the trail get steeper to the top. You are still in tree cover, but the views open up showing all the mountains and greenery in the area.

Cresting the steep trail, we gladly took the flatter trail over to the Mount Le Conte Lodge area to check it out. Hikers can get a sack lunch and refill their water up here. There are numerous cabins that seem like a popular option for many. There is also a shelter up in the area the can sleep about 8 hikers. There are many bears in the area and one actually had to be put down a few days before we were up there. From the lodge there are good views to the West, of Gatlinburg Tn.

We made our way over to Myrtle Point to sit and have some lunch. The perfect spot, with almost 360 views. After lunch, we checked out the Cliff Tops Trail and view point, but Myrtle Point was the best place for views. We went back down the mountain way we came.

Video https://youtu.be/GH ... SMNk

A great Day 2 Hike!

If you only have time for one hike in the Smokys, this would be an excellent choice. Be forewarned to get there early, because the 2 small lots fill up quickly. Stay away from the weekends and Holidays for hiking.

On the drive out, we were 2 cars behind a car / Motorcycle, head on crash. The guy was laying in the road when we approached. He stood up, wobbled to the side of the road, while yelling at the driver of the car. I can only assume the car cut the corner. The car was spewing Radiator fluid on the roadway. 15+ emergency vehicles made their way to the site as we were driving down.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Llama

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

Alum Cave Creek

Medium flow

	Mt Le Conte Faucet	76-100% full	76-100% full
	May be turned off during cold weather

Walker Camp Prong

Medium flow

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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