To get to Mt Laconte there are 5 trails (I think) that you can take. We really wanted to take one up and a different one down the next day. So we did something that not many would do or will think we were smart for doing. We parked our car at the parking lot where we would end on day 2 and decided to hitch a ride down to the start of the trail we were taking up. The first couple we asked (we explained what we were doing) were willing but didn't have room. On our 4th attempt we asked a couple in an RV and they said "Sure!" If you haven't hiked much or been around the Appalachian trail you are probably thinking we are not smart at all. However, this is common and we were very selective. Hey it adds to the experience. Anyway the couple that gave us a ride were very cool. They are from Australia and have been riding around the US for the last 10 months....they fly back out of the US next month. It was very neat. We thanked them and headed on our way up the mountain.
The Alum Cave Bluffs trail is 5.1 miles one way. You gain 2600 ft in elevation to a total elevation of 6500 ft. The skies were clear and the weather was perfect. It took us about 3 1/2 hours to get to the top (we weren't rushing. The hike really isn't bad but it was a little harder due to the backpack I was carrying that probably weighed 20 lbs. It was a great workout and great bonding time. We made it to the top and had time to look around, read about others who have done the trip, talk to others, and just relax before dinner. The Lodge doesn't have electricity. They give you a bucket at check in and tell you where you can fill it up to wash up. All the guests eat dinner together in the dining room. The meal (from what I understand) doesn't vary....roast beef and gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread, potato soup, baked apples and cookies. The lodge has propane tanks that allow them to cook and that is how they run refrigerators. The lodge is supplied with mail and groceries three times a week by Llama and two times a year by helicopter. The people that work there stay there and they get 8 days a month off....which they hike down and then hike back up. It is such an awesome experience and you meet some really neat people. I would recommend it to people who enjoy this kind of thing. We finished dinner and then everyone hikes out to the cliff tops to watch the sunset.
That evening Jason and I played a game of checkers and enjoyed some hot Chocolate. Then off to bed. We are in a cabin but all night we could hear the critters crawling around outside (at least I hope they were all outside) The next morning we were served a wonderful breakfast of pancakes, biscuits, eggs, grits, and canadian bacon. Just what you need to fuel you for the long hike down. We chose to do the Boulevard Trail down which is 8 miles. I would almost say it is harder because it had a lot more ups and downs and for about 4 miles of it you are going up and up and up! This also took us 3 1/2 hours but we were trying to hurry to beat the predicted time of 4 hours and 5 minutes. We were very glad to be at the bottom and ready to go see our boys! Another very neat thing about hiking this time of year and hiking part of the AT (Appalachian trail) is that you pass a lot of through hikers....wonder how many will make it?
For more pictures of our two days on the trail you can visit the site I am trying to start here http://tennesseewhittakers.shutterfly.com/ (You will just have to copy the link and I hope it works. I cannot figure out how to post a link that you can just click on....any suggestions?)
1 comment:
WOW !!! Sounds like a great time.
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