Hike 2 · Saturday, Oct 17
2Alum Cave Trail to Mt LeConte
11.3 mi · ~3,000 ft climb · Hard · 7–8 hrs · Summit 6,593 ft
Weather: 67°F (19°C) at the base, ~45–50°F (7–10°C) at the summit. Mostly dry, slight chance of rain. Bring a warm layer, a hat and gloves.
6:10
Leave the Airbnb. Drive is ~60 min via Gatlinburg and US-441.
7:10
Park. The lots are often full by 8:00.
7:30
Start hiking at first light
~10:00
Alum Cave Bluffs: decide whether to continue (see below)
~12:00
Reach the summit and eat lunch
13:00
Turn around no later than this, wherever you are
~16:30
Back at the car, well before sunset. The drive to the Airbnb is ~1 hr+ in Saturday traffic.
Parking: Alum Cave Trailhead on Newfound Gap Rd (US-441), about 8.6 mi past Sugarlands Visitor Center. There are two small lots and no roadside parking. The restroom is in the western lot. If both are full, drive ~15 min further up to Newfound Gap (big lot) and hike Charlies Bunion instead (8.1 mi).
Shorter options (same trail)
Arch Rock
2.8 mi
~2 hrs
Alum Cave Bluffs
4.6 mi
~3.5 hrs
4.7 mi
~4 hrs
LeConte summit
11.3 mi
7–8 hrs
At the Bluffs: keep going if you're there by about 10:15 and all four feel strong. Otherwise turn back together. Past the Bluffs it's 3 more miles of steady climbing.