Mt. LeConte

Martha and I arrived later than planned at the Alum Cave Trailhead – every parking place was taken on this Sunday, one of only two days during the week that the trail is open while improvements are being made, and we had to squeeze the Mini into a little unofficial place alongside the road.  A perfect morning for climbing this mountain – cool, clear, but seemingly shaded by clouds on those parts of the trail that might have been hot.   

The climb went well as I led uphill with my left leg, downhill with my right, so as not to flex that still-tight right knee any more than necessary.  I was pleasantly surprised to be able to hike 10 miles, with only a slight problem on the descent from an inadequately filed toenail.  A good day!  And the trail improvements thus far are well-done; we saw some excellent dry-stacked stone steps and water diversions, everything retaining the character of the trail.  And so many wonderful people along the way! 

Steak dinner in Gatlinburg at the Cherokee Grill after the hike, and what a culture shock to return to obesity and cigarette smoke and the foul smell of funnel-cakes in the air.  But it was a good way to celebrate Fathers Day - my 29th climb up this singularly beautiful mountain - and the first day of Summer on Monday.