2025-06-03 GSMNP-010 Mt LeConte from Alum Cave Trailhead

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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.

2025-06-03 GSMNP-010 Mt LeConte from Alum Cave Trailhead

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Alum Cave Trailhead

Date(s) & Time:

Tue, Jun 3 2025 9:00 am >> Tue, Jun 3 2025 3:30 pm

Registration Opens:

Thu, Dec 19 2024 6:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Sun, Jun 1 2025 12:00 pm

Event Duration:

6 Hours 30 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Distance:

11 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Bill Wey

Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.

Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

4 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

<<< Mt LeConte from Alum Cave Trailhead >>>

We will meet and start from the Alum Cave trailhead. This is an out and back round trip hiking.

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. LeConte standing at 6,593 feet of elevation.

We will enjoy our snacks and plenty of mountain views at either LeConte Lodge or Cliff Tops 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.

<<< Important Notes >>>

Please only register if you are comfortable going long distance at a pace averaging 2.3 mph in the remote mountains environment, and have solid D5 experience. A good reference is you can comfortably finish a Kennesaw 10 hike in 4.5 hours.

If your experience is not from the club, please include it in a note when you register, or email TL; otherwise you'll be moved to waiting list 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 our event.

Parking fee $5 is required in the park. It can be purchased online or at the visitor center. We cannot use the National Park pass for parking.

Required Items to Bring:

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 Visitor Center, 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee, 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 16 miles beyond the Oconaluftee visitor center of GSMNP. Alum Cave trail head is about 4 miles once you past the Newfound Gap.

You can use the following Google Map address:

Alum Cave Trailhead Parking Area

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.

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

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