Hiking: Alum Cave Trail, Tennessee
Another month, another hike!
If you're not aware, my mom and I have set the goal to hike a new trail each month of 2018. We decided we were in need of a weekend getaway so we chose a destination with some great hiking nearby. We stayed in Gatlinburg, TN and the Alum Cave trail in the Smokies was just a quick 30-ish minute drive to the trail-head.
Note that the trail-head offers restrooms, HOWEVER, they were closed for the season. We got close with nature this hike.
I was a little disappointed that the weather wasn't cooperating. It was a decent temperature but there was a dense fog. One of the perks of this hike is the stunning views and our views were mostly of fog! It was still very pretty as you hike along the stream for much of the hike. There have also been bear sightings here!
After 1.3 miles, you reach a dark staircase that goes up through a rock and this feature is called Arch Rock. After one more mile, mostly uphill, you reach the Alum Cave which is actually a concave bluff 80 feet in height. You can continue on to the summit of Mount Leconte but we saved that for another day. The trail was pretty wet so we used caution on the stairs and bridges.
The trail to Alum Cave is 4.6 miles round trip and rated as moderate to strenuous. There are quite a few stairs and a steep incline as you approach the Alum Cave. After looking at other's pictures, I wish it hadn't been so foggy! Perhaps, I'll go back!
If you're not aware, my mom and I have set the goal to hike a new trail each month of 2018. We decided we were in need of a weekend getaway so we chose a destination with some great hiking nearby. We stayed in Gatlinburg, TN and the Alum Cave trail in the Smokies was just a quick 30-ish minute drive to the trail-head.
Note that the trail-head offers restrooms, HOWEVER, they were closed for the season. We got close with nature this hike.
I was a little disappointed that the weather wasn't cooperating. It was a decent temperature but there was a dense fog. One of the perks of this hike is the stunning views and our views were mostly of fog! It was still very pretty as you hike along the stream for much of the hike. There have also been bear sightings here!
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| Arch Rock |
After 1.3 miles, you reach a dark staircase that goes up through a rock and this feature is called Arch Rock. After one more mile, mostly uphill, you reach the Alum Cave which is actually a concave bluff 80 feet in height. You can continue on to the summit of Mount Leconte but we saved that for another day. The trail was pretty wet so we used caution on the stairs and bridges.
The trail to Alum Cave is 4.6 miles round trip and rated as moderate to strenuous. There are quite a few stairs and a steep incline as you approach the Alum Cave. After looking at other's pictures, I wish it hadn't been so foggy! Perhaps, I'll go back!
Have you hiked anywhere new? What do you do when the weather doesn't cooperate - do it anyway or go back another day?
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| Before Hiking |
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| After Hiking - We got hot! |
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