On my way back from a friend’s wedding in Charlotte, I stopped by the Great Smoky Mountain National Park for a “quick” day-hike up the 6,593 ft Mount LeConte. The 10 mile round trip hike starts at Hwy. 71 on the Alum Cave Trail. Sites along the way include wildlife, an operating sorghum mill and furnace, a couple of water crossings, LeConte Lodge, and afterward I drove around to the north side of the park for a performance by the local band Boogertown Gap.
Early morning Elk sighting in the Smokies
Farm with sorghum mill and furnace near South Entrance
on the Alum Cave Trail
Alum Cave Trail Bluffs
Mt. LeConte Lodge
Back-country shelter
Ogle’s Broom Shop in Gatlinburg, TN – small detour.David Ogle is a 3rd generation broom-maker! Dang! They also specialize in hand carved walking sticks.Boogertown Gap playing to a packed amphitheater on the north side of the Smokies. Click to listen below.[audio:http://taylorlasseigne.com/slicesofamerica/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/smokiesband.mp3|titles=Boogertown Gap]
