Mt. LeConte and Alum Cave Trail

Last Updated on September 12, 2023 by

We liked this hike so much we did it twice. Technically, we did half of it twice and the whole thing once. Alum Cave is roughly the halfway point before continuing on to Mt. LeConte. We hiked to Alum Cave the first day to test our legs and see if the Mt LeConte trip was worth trying in one day. We had talked to several people who were hiking to the Lodge at the top of Mt. LeConte and staying overnight and then returning the next day, so we were a little leery about the distance and difficulty.

Alum Cave and Mt LeConte Quick Facts

Trail Head – From the Sugarlands Visitor Center, follow Rte. 441 approximately 8.5 miles and you will see the parking lot for the trailhead

Trail Stats
Length – 4.5 miles to Peregrine Peak (Alum Cave Bluff) (Round Trip)
11.2 miles to Mt. LeConte Lodge (Round trip)
Difficulty – Strenuous
Elevation Gain – 1,519 to Alum Cave
2,976 feet to Mt. LeConte
Route Type – Point to point

The first portion of the trail is a gradual uphill along the streambed on a heavily forested path. This is a very popular trail and there are likely to be quite a few people along this stretch. Once you reach Arch Rock, the intensity of the hike picks up a bit.

Passing through Arch Rock, the crowds thin a little bit, leaving you to focus on the climb and enjoy the tranquility of the forest. The last quarter mile or so is a steep set of stairs that will suddenly open up to the large flat(ish) area beneath an outcropping of Peregrine Peak, also known as Alum Cave Bluff. It’s really more of a long cliff face overhang than a cave. The cave itself doesn’t provide much of a view, but it does provide a break from the weather and the perfect spot to sit and have a snack before turning around or continuing on. Looking back, what I really liked about this half of the trail was the gradual ascent following the river before getting much steeper towards the end, particularly with the few hundred stairs right at the very end. The trail lets you find your pace before working you into a lather. It is also almost completely in the shade which just makes for a better hike in the heat of summer.

At this point, most folks head back down the trail. The continuation of the hike to Mt. LeConte is significantly steeper and spends plenty of time right along the cliff edge. Had we not been on the Inca Trail, this may have been a non-starter for Angela! That said, there aren’t any particularly hairy sections and there is plenty of handrail bolted into the cliff side should you need it. Hairiness aside, it is still a solidly uphill climb for the entirety of the 3 remaining miles. The majority of hikers we encountered continuing on were planning to spend the night at the Lodge. The overnight option does require some planning as the cabins are generally booked up to six months in advance. The cool part is that there is no cheaters option – you must hike to the cabins. Llama’s actually carry in the supplies for the mess hall (available only to guests) and the cabin supplies. We opted to do the 12 miles all in one go, but if we ever get back, I would definitely like to spend a night. The sunrises and sunsets from the two lookouts should be absolutely amazing.

Always Remember the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace

Plan Ahead and Prepare, Stay on Designated Trails, Dispose of Waste Properly, Don’t Take Anything You Didn’t Bring with You, Minimize Campfire Impacts, Respect Wildlife, Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Courtesy: Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics

Always Remember the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace

Feel free to share a thoughtCancel reply