Mount Leconte: 6-Routes 3-Summits

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Mount Leconte is the third highest point in Tennessee behind Mount Guyot, and the second highest point in TN that does not have a paved road to the top (looking at you Clingmans Dome...). Leconte drawing tens of thousands of hikers each year, who generally pick one of the 6 main routes to the summits.

You really can't go wrong when picking a route on Leconte, but what if you picked all 6 routes, would this make you more right?

Access:
No fees to entering the park or for day use of the trails. Overnight camping is permitted/fee-based.

All trailheads on this route (with the exception of Porters Creek) can become crowded, parking may be hard to find.

Facilities:
Pit toilets are located at each trailhead (with the exception of Porters Creek) and are generally unlocked. Pit toilets are seasonally open at the Lodge on Leconte and a privy is located behind the Leconte Shelter.

Water:
Water is petty much available year-round at the Lodge on Leconte either from a potable tap or a spring. Streams and creeks intersect most trail sections as you reach lower elevations. All spring, stream, and creek water should be treated.

Weather:
You'll cover elevations between 1,800 feet and 6,500', the weather can vary greatly across these elevations in the Smokies.

Route description from the FKT website.

Start at Rainbow Falls Trail and complete the first ascent to the lodge, then descend via Trillium Gap to the Rainbow Falls Trail. Then take Bull Head Trail and complete the second ascent, but cut off just shy of the lodge to descend Alum Cave Trail. Travers from Alum Cave Trail (HWY441) to Newfound Gap by car. Then begin the third ascent via the Northbound AT to the Boulevard Trail over the summit of Leconte to the lodge. Descend again the Trillium Gap Trail and then down Brushy Mountain and finally Porter's Creek Trail. Finish at the gate at the Porter's Creek Trailhead. I think this is probably the easiest way to complete all six trails anyway, but I thought it would be helpful to clarify the route.

fastestknowntime.com/route/…

lecontelog.blogspot.com/201…

Visit the NPS website for more information.

Visit the NPS website for more information.