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Mount Leconte - Sevierville, Tennessee
At 6,593 feet elevation, Mount LeConte is
one of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's highest peaks. When the
movement to establish a national park in the Smokies was in full sway, a
tent camp was erected where LeConte Lodge now stands to entertain visiting
dignitaries from Washington. Although LeConte Lodge is now under the
jurisdiction of the National Park Service, it predates the creation of the
park in 1930. Jack Huff, a Gatlinburg mountaineer and founder of the rustic
lodge, began building the retreat in 1926. Eight years later, Jack and
Pauline Huff were married at a sunrise service at LeConte's now-famous
Myrtle Point, the traditional place to watch spectacular performances of
daybreak. Jack, Pauline and their family continued to operate the lodge
until 1960. It is presently operated under the auspices of Stokely
Hospitality Enterprises, supervised by General Managers Tim and Lisa Line.
Overnight guests at LeConte Lodge are very special
people. The only way to reach the facility is by taking hiking trails up and
back. There are five trails to the lodge, the shortest and steepest being Alum
Cave Trail at 5 1/2 miles, which a hiker in good condition can do in
approximately four hours. None of these trails can be considered a stroll and
you occasionally encounter ice and snow as late as May or as early as October.
The other trails are Rainbow Falls and Trillium Gap, each 6.5 miles, a hike of
about five hours; Bullhead at 7.2 miles and about five hours; and Boulevard, 8
miles and about 5 1/2 hours. Parking is available at the start of each trail.
For More Information and Reservations
LeConte Lodge
250 Apple Valley Road
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: (865) 429-5704.
E-mail: reservations@lecontelodge.com
Website:
www.leconte-lodge.com/about.html
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