Mt. LeConte Loop Hike in August

The route....

My route today was 13.8 miles and included Alum Cave trail-Mt. LeConte Lodge-Cliff Top-Myrtle Point-The Boulevard trail-AT-Newfound Gap. I was on the trail by 7:45 am, averaged 2 mph while hiking and took more than 2 hours of breaks for lounging around at the overlooks and the lodge. I exited at Newfound Gap parking area at 4:58 pm and hitched a ride back down to my car at Alum Cave parking area.

Most of my readers seem to know the details of the Alum Cave trail. It is by far the most popular route for hikers who trek to the Mt. LeConte Lodge. If you'd like to read more about this route, then I suggest you read my webpage titled Hiking to Mt. LeConte with a Legend where you'll get an introduction to an extraordinary man who has hiked to Mt. LeConte at least 1,309 times. On the 'Hiking Legend webpage you'll find several links to more information about Mt. LeConte, including that of the Legend himself: Ed Wright (www.mtleconte.com).

I "discovered" the first blooms for the somewhat rare Grass of Parnassus while hiking up Alum Cave trail Saturday. A couple of early blooms for Mountain Gentian were also spotted on Alum Cave trail. I also spotted the Turk's-cap Lily plant that may be the same one reported by Ed Wright in his 7/23/08 hike journal. Finally, while browsing around the buildings at the LeConte Lodge, I found a few large groups of Southern Monkshood in full bloom splendor. In general, wildflowers on and near the peak of Mt. LeConte were putting on a fine show. See the pics and details in my photo gallery for this hike.

More visitors to LeConte should take the time to make the short trips to both Cliff Top and Myrtle Point overlooks. I visited both on this trip and was rewarded with solitude and grand views. Cliff Top is known for its good views of sunsets and is only about 0.3 mile from the Lodge. Myrtle Point is a bit farther away at about 0.7 miles but rewards visitors with fabulous views from "the other side" of LeConte. Lodge visitors know this overlook for its excellent views of sunrises. On my trip, I was also constantly "buzzed" by a small group of fast-moving cliff swallows which were obviously enjoying the bounty of flying insects. They were lots of fun to watch while I enjoyed my lunch and the grand views before beginning the trek down (or is that up?) The Boulevard trail.

I'm always surprised by how difficult hiking The Boulevard trail seems to be. With "only" 486' of elevation difference between Cliff Top and the junction with the AT, the 5.4 mile long Boulevard trail would seem to be an easy stroll. Look closely (we usually do this AFTER we've hiked the trail!) and you'll find that hikers departing from Mt. LeConte via The Boulevard trail experience 1,335' of CLIMBING and 1,821' of descending while walking to Boulevard's junction with the AT. For sure, the trail has lots of ups & downs--a phenomenon all too familiar to hikers of trails in the Smokies. The last 3/4 of a mile of this trail you'll climb more than 500' at a nearly 13% grade. Yep, you'll be puffing a lot while hiking Up the Downhill trail.

The Boulevard trail still offers significant differences from those you'll have experienced along Alum Cave trail. Overall, the trail is less steep and offers better displays of wildflowers. It is also much less traveled. If you've not hiked The Boulevard then I suggest you include it as part of your route the next time you visit Mt. LeConte. Just be sure to allow a minimum of 4 or 5 hours to go from LeConte to the Newfound Gap parking area. If you are arriving in one car then you'll need to decide how to travel the 4 miles or so between Newfound Gap parking and Alum Cave trail parking. I've had good luck hitching a ride from the parking areas--usually by befriending someone along the trail and asking for a lift. Hitchhiking between trailheads in the Smokies is specifically allowed by law.

I hope you'll enjoy the photos I've selected to share from this hike. If you've hiked The Boulevard then let me hear from you about your experiences and opinions. Click to view my Mt. LeConte Loop Hike photo gallery.

Please remember, if you've already hiked The Boulevard trail, then let me hear from you about your experiences and opinions. I've already been surprised by some of the comments I've received and have posted a listing of many of them on this website:

Click to view comments from others who've hiked The Boulevard Trail.