2018-04-30 GSMNP-001 Mount Le Conte - Mon, Apr 30 2018

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



2018-04-30 GSMNP-001 Mount Le Conte


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Alum Cave Trail Head
Date(s) & Time:Mon, Apr 30 2018  9:45 am >> Mon, Apr 30 2018 4:30 pm  (Carpool Departure: 6:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Sun, Apr 22 2018 7:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Apr 27 2018 7:00 pm
Event Duration:Approx. 6 Hours 45 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Distance:11 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Bill Wey
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:8
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 6 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

<<< Mount Le Conte from Alum Cave Trail Head >>>

We will meet and start from the Alum Cave trail head. This is an out and back round trip hiking. We plan to start 15 minutes earlier at 9:45.

This trail is well known to be the most popular hiking route in GSMNP. It goes through various geological formations and landscapes offering excellent views along our way to the summit of Mt. Le Conte standing at 6,593 feet of elevation.

The current llama tram schedule is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We plan to meet these adorable and also very strong animals at the Le Conte Lodge while they are taking their lunch break typically between noon and 1pm.

We will enjoy our own lunch and plenty of mountain views at either Le Conte Lodge or Cliff Top depending on the weather conditions.

The event duration does NOT include our travelling/ driving time. Our duration time is an estimate, and we need to have some flexibility.

This event is physically challenging and rewarding! You can fully enjoy it IF AND ONLY IF you have good fitness and endurance. Please only register if you are comfortable hiking in the real mountain environments, and have recent D5 experience.

If your experience is not from the club, please include it in a note when you register. TL(s) reserves the right to remove registrants without sufficient track record for the safety of everyone. We encourage our members to actively participate with joyful experience, and most importantly to stay healthy and safe at the end of each event!


Required Items to Bring:

 

Extra pair of Clean shoes, bag for changed shoes, towel to sit on (if you're in other member’s car). Respect your carpool driver, only enter with clean shoes. Remove all trash and your belongings.

Cash for carpool driver.

Layers of clothing suitable for the season.

Good hiking boots/shoes.

Water, lunch/snacks.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

 

Hiking poles

Camera

Rain gear just in case


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

1)   Take I-85 North about 18 miles to Exit #113, I-985 North. (The Indian Trail Park/Ride Lot at Exit #101). 
2) Bear Left at I-85 Exit #113 onto I-985/ GA-365 North and follow it beyond Gainesville where it merges with US-441 North. (Merge point is about 45 miles north of the I-85 exit, near Cornelia, GA). 
3) Carefully follow the US-441 signs northward through Clayton GA, Franklin NC, Dillsboro NC, and Cherokee NC to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center on your right at the southern entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (There are several turns along the way. Total distance along US-441 from its GA-365 junction near Cornelia is about 80 miles.) 
NOTE: In lieu of using the above simplified directions from NE Atlanta you can enter "Oconaluftee, NC 28719" as your destination and use Google.com/Maps for detailed directions from any point of origin. 
4) Newfound Gap parking lot is about 17 miles beyond the Oconaluftee visitor center of GSMNP. Alum Cave trail head is about 4 miles once you past the Newfound Gap.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):330Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 6:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $132.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:
1. This event may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not satisfactory for an enjoyable outing.
 
2. Itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the trip leader.
 

<<< Hiking in GSMNP >>>

I will stay in Gatlinburg, TN starting 4/28, and not making day trip back to Atlanta.

There are lots of affordable lodging options in Gatlinburg, TN. The choice of lodging is completely optional of each member.

Carpool is set up for the convenience of the like-minded members who prefer to make day trip from Atlanta.

The hiking is free, but we need to cover ALL our costs. All costs are paid by members on their own. The AOC and trip leader do not pay any costs. This is not an AOC paid event.


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.