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 m
embers, 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.
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 m
embers, 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.
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/
1 comment:
HI BILL ITS YOUR FAV. HYGIENIST, DID YOU FLOSS TODAY? DON'T FORGET!! LUV YA KAMI
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