GSMNP 2010 Monday and Tuesday

Monday, September 20 - Andrew's Bald

We did this hike last year, but since we enjoyed it so much last year and we knew it had a steep mile on it so we could continue to warm our legs up for LeConte, we decided to do it again. And you can't go wrong on this trail - it's an awesome spot to eat lunch. We did not take as many pictures this year as we have a lot of good ones form this hike last year if you want to check them out.


View from Clingman's Dome Parking Lot:Starting on the Forney ridge Trail to Andrew's Bald:

Junction of Forney Creek and Forney Ridge trails, not far to the Bald:

Andrew's Bald:

After a nice lunch and semi-nap, we started back the uphill top the car:

At the end of the one mile 700 foot climb
Tuesday, September 21 - Resting and Planning for LeConte

We choose to rest today and prepare for our big hike up to LeConte on Wednesday. We called around to figure out some information on the five trails that go upto LeConte to determine the route we would go. Alum Cave was the shortest trail but the steepest too climbing over 2,600 feet in 5 miles. It also has several foot log bridges with handrails on one side and a steep section at the top that if you fell from you would plummet to your death. There was a cable that you could hold onto on this section on the right going up (which would mean left coming down). We had wanted to go up the Alum Cave Trail, but having a slight fear of heights and after several dicussions with rangers and LeConte staff about the handrails, we decided not to go that way. We opted instead to go for the much longer, more gradual climb trail, the Trillium Gap Trail. This is the trail the llamas go up on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to bring laundry, trash, and supplies back and forth to the lodge.

This trail would be under 7 miles and gain 3,200 feet of so in elevation. Then, we discovered that the road to the trailhead (Roaring Fork Motor Trail) was closed and we would have to park at the Rainbow Falls Trailhead to access Trillium Gap Trail. This now made our trip 9.1 miles and over 3,800 feet to climb. But, oh well, at least we might get to see the llamas!! We packed our gear and set the alarm for 4:30 AM EST.