How to Hike Mt LeConte (Alum Cave Trail)

This hike is on my list in the spring. Such a helpful planning video. Thank you.

Looks like a very interesting trail, this is the first time I've heard of it. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for hosting Stephen from Overwatch x Rescue on this amazing hike! Definitely looks like the two of you had some great times and saw some spectacular views.

Such a masterfully executed hike my friend. As always professional work!

This is my go to trail for a challenging trail run and i do this exact trail a couple times a year. I'm from East TN so it's good to see something familiar on the channel.

Beautiful

I did it up to Alum Cave. Most scariest hike in the Smokies, for me!

Thanks for a great video. Because of my Advanced Maturity I may not be able to actually do the whole hike, going with you is the next best thing, Thanks.

Nice video! Friends and I stayed overnight at the Sperry Chalet in Glacier this last summer (another hike-in only), and so now we have reservations this summer at LeConte Lodge to do the same, so this was timely. Also, my Glacier trip was my first one with my new Black Diamond Pursuit 15 pack, which I learned about from your channel! Thanks!

@Cris - Thanks for getting Stephen out on the trails. Looks like you guys had a great time. Cool hike! I've added it to my list. Thanks, GP -

Favorite Vid so far! Cheers!

Great video! I'm assuming you hiked this in the past month or so. It's always nice to get an approximate date of the hike to get an idea of typically conditions for the season.

Just how I remember 😀 Thanks for this video 😃😃 Did this in hike in 2015 on my 50th Birthday trip to the GSM stayed overnight at the Lodge. Amazing hike Amazing trip going to do again at the end of June 2024 putting my name on the wait list for the Lodge.

Chris

I can't believe I just missed you. Heading out to do this hike in the morning. Great information as always.

Eddie

Great video! So happy to have found your channel. I recently did this hike with my husband and 2 kids last week of March. We hiked via alum cave. Not many people continue on after alum cave so its nice to have the trail to yourself. There were icy and wet stretches for us so the cables were a must. It was very slippery. If you are looking for a challenging hike this is it! Your calves will feel it. Walking through the forested area toward the top was it for me...the trees were frosted and the moss everywhere reminded me of a Disney movie! Just gorgeous!! Cliff tops and myrtle point are breathtaking! Do not miss those views! Also dont forget your Tshirt from the Leconte gift shop...i wasnt leaving without my "I HIKED IT" tshirt!! Best hike in the smoky mountains!

Chris
Thanks for the video. Hiked this yesterday and there was 3-5 inches of snow. However the information in the video was extremely helpful. 11.9 miles and over 3000 ft of elevation gain while in snow and ice was intense. I have lived my entire life in Tennessee and frequently vacationed in the Smoky Mountains but never experienced their beauty quite like this. Much appreciated as the info (minus the snow) was invaluable.

Eddie

Great trail! The lodge is a treasure. Different vibe than an AMC hut that’s for sure. Love both.

Used to live here. Polk County TN. The funny thing about Gatlinburg is I hadn't been there since 1972. Yea. I will never go back.

But Leconte is it. Clingmans Dome is zoo but great.

Cherokee National Forest is over run from people trying to get away from Smokey now.

Cocaine Bear was hilarious depiction of Georgia Side. 1st since Deliverance. Perfection except last scene.

Ain't never going back east. Sweaty. Hot. Ticks. Nope.

Huckleberry Knob. My favorite place over there. Skyway from Telico side.

Hey Hiking Guy, I'm from sunny So Cal, like you, and I appreciate all of the great hiking videos and resources. I hiked Mount Laconte with my niece and nephew a couple years back and it was great. It is purely magical to hike in the Great Smokies.

Would you recommend ice spikes
if hiking it in early March?

I have stayed at LeConte Lodge 6 times and the Alum Cave Trail is the quickest trail to get there.

Loved the Tour! Do you think taking 60 Highschool kids on this hike a safe idea? 9-12 grade with staff.

is parking free?

That looks like a beautiful trail

Great overview! Thanks!

Why does the cover photo of this video spell it LaConte? lol

Great video! I’ve hiked Alum Cave Bluff Trail to the lodges 4 times (my wife has done it 3 times). Most recent was September of last year on a rainy day (enjoyable hike nonetheless). Thank you for posting this video and for hitting all the off shoots (I haven’t seen most of them but now I must on the next trek up there). Very informative. Side note: a lot of those steps were not there the first time I hiked it in the early 2000’s.

I wil visit soon Smoky Mountains. I look at maps and pages but your video is very helpful with hiking informations. Thank you. Can you make hike up and down at 1 day? Or everybody do sleep at shelter at Mt LeConte? From your informations hike up and down must be 16 hours, correct? Thank you.

Great video! Thank you! My brother and I plan to hike the trail this coming July so thank you for the tips!!

Great video! I’ve hiked up Bullhead and stayed at the Lodge before but taking my kids for their first visit. This was helpful!

Thanks for the information! Im going in two weeks and I'm pretty nervous about the heights and cliff edges. Are they really as narrow as they look and how long would you say the worst part is?

I’m going in two weeks!!!! Thanks for the video

Thanks for this, where do you park to get to the trailhead?

Great video, we will do this in September. Can you give me the adress of the parking place?

I carried my son up there on his first birthday. This brings back some fun memories.
We go back to the smokies every year. He’s now 7 and loves hiking and the outdoors.

maybe going to do this in the spring

Assuming I'm not in incredible hiking shape, do you think I could do this if I go slow, chill on top for a while, and rest at the lodge before heading back down, like an all-day event?

I live in FL, so I don't do any incline walking besides a little on the treadmill. I can definitely hike 12 miles on flat elevation, but I know mountains are a whole different ballgame.

6-8 hours roundtrip?

Thank you! Hoping to do this in 2025!

Me and 2 others hiked this in 2020. Thank you, it brings back lot of memories. We actually only did the cliff top. We thought that was summit.

Great video! Seems like it’s worth the effort for those views

Classic photo of Ranger carrying his mom up on back in rocking chair.

I have hiked it many times over 50 years, but I have never seen the creek that dry.

Well done video!

It's the only trail I hike in the GSMNP. Mostly because they don't allow my hiking partner (doggie). But that trail rates a once a year visit from me.

Great video, thanks for sharing!

what time would you recommend getting started in the morning, Grabbing a spot to park? We're going up late spring early summer

Great vidio!! Can't wait to do in Oct

Have to laugh at the “clean bathrooms” part. I did this hike a couple years ago and the bathroom was literally a hole in the ground with a plastic toilet over it. I’m not complaining, it is what it is. You’re on top of a mountain after all. But the amount of flies in the bathrooms was something out of an exorcist movie.