KY HIGHPOINT REVISIT
Questing for the true highest elevation...

The recent Le Conte trip offered an opportunity to accomplish SE 4 highpoint re-dos. This was the first stop:

Of the two highpointing guides we've used, Holmes and Wingers, each identify different sites for the KY high point on Black Mountain. Holmes version states, "The USGS marker is under the tower" (the fire tower). That's where I discovered it to be on two previous visits, at the SW footer of the tower. Later, I learned, according to Wingers, it was set in a big rock about 50 yds (more like half that in brush & small trees) east of the tower. Also, "There was some confusion about the exact location of the highpoint on this fairly flat site." Anyway, we're probably talking elev inches here twixt the rock and the tower site.

On this 3rd visit, the tower marker could not be found. Heavy trash had been deposited underneath, so the disk was either covered over or had been removed, perhaps leaving the "rock" site as the only option now. Anyway, we're covered, having now posed for summit photos at both markers. Highpointing as purists can sometimes be a PITA, yo!

Our south approach was again from Appalachia, VA, Rt60, a quite winding, kinda depressing uphill drive, mining in that area having left it's mark. You'll know when you've reached your turn west to the site, about 1 mile on a skinny blacktop. Just past the FAA comm cluster, park at the fork and head left around the gate.

If you go, remember to mail in the wavier beforehand. Download this from the HP Club site.

THE LE CONTE LODGE, TN
Highest-type hostel E. of the MS R.

Ahhh, at last...Le Conte. As regular travelers into the GSNP we've been aware of it for a long time and finally got around to 'get 'er done.'

We were two in a group of 33 (max. cap. 50) which included a small contingent of HPer Club members, always eccentric and always eager for such ventures. We hiked via the 5.5 mile Alum Cave Trail, the shortest of several foot routes trails to LC, somewhat independently based on individual and preferred paces/starting times on this Easter weekend. Variously then, we ascended in a cloud, got fairly soaked, but arrived alive for coffee and hot chocolate on top at the rustic/cutsey digs we envisioned. Damp clothing became our lodge wall hangings which dried well owing to the cabins' butane gas heaters.

Of the several trails that lead here, our route was not a "walk-in-the-park." 'Bout midway, cables anchored in rock-face came in handy on wet, gnarly footing plus some tricky snow/slushy patches. A goodly supper was provided, plentiful wine included, and everyone unwound, not to mention, got a bit goofy. The individual lodges are comfy, warm, a tad intimate-tight, but w/great beds/blankets. Waddaya want - Holiday Inn at 6593 ft? All supplies arrive here by occasional, expensive helicopters and routine llama tranport by another trail.

Prior to the Easter morning descent, a hearty pancake breakfast was served, Saturday's cloud was gone, temps were up, and the views were as clear as the blue Tennessee sky above.

If you go: Reserve well in advance, read the weather as best you can so's not to over-pack and, just in case, take a length of rope for stringing damp/wet articles inside to dry.

Before and after we stayed in and did Gatlinburg, including the Ober tram ride, the chair-lift, and the space needle for all the views since we're really into gettin' high!!!

Note: Le Conte is 3rd highest in TN, Clingman's Dome leads as numero uno. In between is Guyon. Google for more TN elevs. info. Pictured is the Le Conte summit cairn "wall." If you go, add a rock.

Check the links: http://www.leconte-lodge.com/
Click here: Southern Sixers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Our own pics: http://bilwe.jalbum.net/LeConteLodge/

FOUR CORNERS OFF BY 2 1/2 MILES!?
Aaarrrggghhh...

...and egad! What's going on thataway, anyway? U.S. corner enthusiasts are astir with this news. The first report heard here said "2 miles," then it was "2 1/2," and later, 1807 ft. The Trek Stop staff, all conspiratorial thinkers, concluded that there was no mistake, essentially: the U.S. Gov and Indian factions decided at some point, locating the formidable marker where it is would be more convenient to US160 for visitor access and concessionary interests, i.e., t-shirts, jewelry, and sundry trinkets sales. But, hey, that's just us. Should the marker be relocated 2 1/2 miles east of it's actual "erroneous" site, tracks could be laid and a train ride offered from Rt160 for an inflated fare, of course. Envision Disney World-like train cars brightly painted in a SW motif and glass floors to watch the railroad ties ripple by to compensate for the otherwise featureless landscape ride. And, just think of all the tourists who would now have to revisit the site.
So, who said the US economy was off-track?

Pictured are 2 posed unsuspecting tourists and one of the site's nearby concession stands.

News links, etc:

Click here: The Associated Press: Correction: Four Corners marker story

Click here: Four Corners: Colorado-Arizona-New Mexico-Utah