Great Smoky Mtn LeConte Shelter Hike

For all of you that like to "rough it" a little on your hikes, this hike is for you. We decided to hike the Mt. LeConte trail once again, only this time we didn't have a soft bed waiting for us at the lodge. On this hike, we started at the Alum Cave Bluff trailhead that would lead us right on up to the top of Mount LeConte. We decided to "rough it" and sleep in the outdoor shelter, which sleeps 12 people with a lower and upper birth. You also have to call the Park Rangers well in advance and reserve a spot at the shelters. We took Shirl's brother and sister-in-law along with us on this adventure. The four of us began our 6 hour hike on a sunny day with sleeping bags on our backs. Once the trail started to climb our wives said they just couldn't carry those sleeping bags up that trail, so Jim, my brother-in-law, and I, being the big, strong males (ha) carried the extra bag for the wives. It was a hot climb this summer day but we finally made it to the top about dark (exhausted). We were hungry and tired with only cheese and crackers to eat. Just a friendly reminder, take plenty of food and water on any hike, but especially one when you intend to spend the night. We had to watch an experienced hiker fix himself a steak over the fireplace. Everyone was starring at him as he ate.

By the time the sun set everyone found themselves a spot in the shelter and turned in for the night. About midnight Shirl says she has to go to the wild outdoors and do her business (up there that means finding a place in the woods). So she and I had to put our hiking boots back on and climb down from the upper bunk (6 people up and 6 down). So we climbed down trying to keep from stepping on anyone below us and exited the fenced shelter (fenced to keep the bears out).

There was a full moon that night with so many stars the sky was just breathtaking. We didn't want to go back into the shelter, but finally decided to go back inside and climb back into our sleeping bags on the top bunk (again). We slept great that night..come daylight everyone was up and ready to hike back down the mountain. All we could think about was FOOD - finally made it down and stopped in Gatlinburg and ate like "hungry bears".

Another Fun Day...