Rainbow Falls, Bull Head to Mt. LeConte (13 miles)

Rainbow Falls Trail to Rainbow Falls & Mt. LeConte (13.4 miles)

Joel Morris and I decided to do this hike rather than the one scheduled for Wed. We left Sugarlands VC ~8:40, drove to S/L 8 in Gatlinburg and got to the trail head ~9:00 through that entry to the Park. Although the day was brisk, my layering was just right. Not sure exactly when we reached RF; we took a few pictures there; Joel remarked that he had never seen that much water at the Falls. (It rained a lot 1-17; some of the early a.m. snow melting in the p.m. added to it.)

We arrived at LeConte ~1:00; this was ~4,000 ft climb so we had to work a little. Although there is a caretaker there somewhere, it is closed in the winter so we just looked at a few cabins and found one that had a snow-free porch so we could eat our lunch. There was a fresh snow cover of ~6 inches. If one wants to stay at LeConte in season,you need to make your reservation ~1 year in advance; three trails lead to it and hiking is the only way you can get to it. (In season supplies are brought by Llamas; food is supposed to be quite good. However, I was told by one who has stayed there that during the evening you might hear mice climbing in the walls.) There is also a shelter there for back country campers.

Trip down was a bit easier; both up and down included numerous creek crossings. Log crossings for the most part but some rock hopping too; you would not want to fall on latter for water was very cold. Trail was often like a shallow creek bed because of melting snow; Gortex lined boots are the only answer. Today I tried my crampons on way down; they provide good security on ice.