Posted by Scott Yost:

I thought the trip leader might post something on this, but for reasons that will become clear, that may be unlikely.

The trip leader (who probably wants to remain anonymous) announced a hike to the top of Mt. LeConte, one of the most popular peaks in the Smokies. We had a bit of snow recently, so we expected the going to be slow and wanted an early start. That didn't happen. Most of our group, which would eventually number 14, arrived at the Rainbow Falls trailhead around 11 and began the hike up the snowy 6 1/2 mile trail to the top.

Our leader and some Swedes caught up with us at the falls, keeping a pretty fast pace to the top in spite of the snow. Most of us started to slow down as the snow got deeper. Half the group, including me, turned back before the summit. Someone coming down said there was a few feet of snow up there, and there was no way we would make it. Those who turned back all made it down by 5:30, an hour before sunset.

About a half hour later, one of the people who continued on to the summit came down. He said he ran down in an hour and a half. The rest of the group had made it to the top after strenuously pushing through the deep snow, but were behind schedule, and the winter caretaker at LeConte Lodge told them they would never make it down before dark. Two left - the other was one of the Swedes who arrived around 6, rather cold in his wet jeans and tennis shoes.

The caretaker called the rangers and said the rest of the group would be staying on top. Some (such as the Swedes) were not particularly well dressed, and none had lights. The ranger came by and told us that no more people were coming down tonight. He checked the vehicle license plates and went home. We drove back to Knoxville.

It turned out the ranger was wrong. Another person, Randy (more often seen boating than hiking) also made it to the top, but didn't go to the lodge, and turned around immediately. He got back to his vehicle at 7:30, well after dark (but the snow and moon helped), and wondered where everyone was. He called to let me know the rumors I was spreading about him being at the top were not true.

Our trip leader and the others on top were lectured a bit by the caretaker, but then got lucky, because it turned out that friends of the lodge were having a party on top that night. So they got a party and a free night at the closed LeConte Lodge, before heading down Alum Cave Trail the next morning.

Hiking Trip Reports