Private Mt. LeConte Backpacking Trip
September 18-19, 2023
Mt LeConte (6,593ft) is one of the most iconic peaks of Great Smoky Mountains National Park! On this challenging 2 day, 1 night out-and-back hike, you'll work with the guide to finalize your starting point and itinerary, with hike distances of either 11 or 17 miles, both with 2,700ft of elevation gain. This is truly a bucket list trip!
"What an amazing trip!! The team at Blue Ridge Hiking was so easy and professional to work with. They provided all
needed equipment and thought of everything and were so organized." - KB, Women's AT Backpacking Trip, June 2023
Cost:
$930 - $2,450, depending on the group size
For more information about Family Pricing or discounts for Nurses, Teachers, Military/Veterans, and First Responders, please reach out to our office at 828-713-5451 or trips@blueridgehikingco.com.
This trip is available as a private booking for groups of 1 - 5 hikers. Trip price is $930 for 1 hiker, $1,320 for 2 hikers, $1,710 for 3 hikers, $2,060 for 4 hikers, or $2,450 for 5 hikers.
In addition to your guide, this price includes backpacking gear for the trip, all on-trail food, transportation between the meet-up location and the trailhead, and any necessary backcountry permits and fees. Price also includes an insulated mug for each hiker. It does not include personal items or gratuity for your guide.
Sign-Up Details:
In order to sign up for this trip, please go to our Trip Calendar and select the trip start date (September 18, 2023). You will find the trip listed there.
Before the start of the trip, we will be in contact via email with an information packet and a form for you to fill out. This form includes a waiver, health form, and information about gear needs and dietary restrictions. Please complete and return this form at your earliest convenience. The information packet also includes an itinerary of your trip and a packing list.
Itinerary:
Trip meets at 8am at the Appalachian Trail-er in Hot Springs, NC. You will begin your day with a pack shakedown. Your guide will hand out your gear, go over necessary packing items, and discuss safety, weather, and logistics for the trip. She will walk you through how to properly pack your pack, and may look in detail at the items you've packed to make sure you're not carrying too many extra items. Around 10am, you will head to the trailhead to begin your hike!
The first itinerary option is Mt LeConte via Alum Cave, an iconic and challenging trail with some of the best views in the National Park. Shuttle time is approximately an hour and a half. It is a moderate to challenging trip that is steep and technical in some areas. From viewpoints along the way, you can see the Chimneys across the valley, Arch Rock, and even Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge! After hiking approximately 5 miles, hikers will pass LeConte Lodge, and will finally arrive at LeConte Shelter, their campsite for the night. The next day, hikers will return to the trailhead via Alum Cave Trail.
The second itinerary option is Mt LeConte via the Appalachian Trail and Boulevard Trail. This is a challenging trip that is less technical than Alum Cave. Hikers will start from Newfound Gap (shuttle time is just under 2 hours) and hike the AT to the Boulevard Trail. Along the way, they'll take a side trail to Myrtle Point before arriving at LeConte Shelter. Hikers may choose to visit Cliff Tops and LeConte Lodge in the evening. The second day of the trip, hikers will return to the trailhead via the same route, this time taking a short side trail to views from The Jumpoff on the way.
This trip will finish late afternoon on the last day. Itinerary is subject to change based on a variety of factors, including weather, campsite availability in the National Park, trail conditions, and participants needs and abilities. Please inform the admin team or your guide ahead of time if you have a time constraint the last day of your trip.
Note: This trip utilizes Mt LeConte Shelter for overnight camping. This is a primitive 3-sided backcountry shelter. This trip does not stay at LeConte Lodge. Shelter reservations are made 25 days before the trip; at that time, we'll confirm shelter availability and will discuss a backup itinerary if this shelter is not available.
Elevation profile created with Gaia GPS
Trip Difficulty Rating:
Participants on this trip should have a minimum fitness level of 6 out of 10, and this trip is ideally suited for hikers with a fitness level of 7 out of 10. This is a novice to intermediate trip, meaning hikers should have some previous hiking or camping experience, and are very comfortable on trail. For more information about our difficulty and experience level ratings, please see our Trip Difficulty page.
Travel:
If you plan to fly, we recommend flying into the Asheville, NC airport. It is about a 45 minute drive or cab ride south of Hot Springs, NC. Other nearby airports are Knoxville, TN (about an hour away), Charlotte, NC (about two hours away) and Greenville, SC (about two hours away). If you plan to drive or rent a car, free parking is provided for the duration of the trip.
Guide:
Your Guide for this trip will Tamera "Caboosy" Trexler. Tamera is a long-distance hiker with 12 years outfitting experience. She has been backpacking, hiking, biking and kayaking the regions of Western North Carolina and around the world for 30 plus years. She would love to share the waterfalls, peaks, pinnacles and forests with you! She can also share some of this region's geology, ecology and history as she is currently studying to become a Certified Blue Ridge Naturalist.
What we Provide:
Food: BRHC provides all on-trail food. Your guides will pass out the food for your trip on the first morning. You will be expected to carry your own individually packaged food (such as oatmeal packets) and some shared community items (such as a jar of peanut butter or a block of cheese). We try to cater to dietary requests, but options are limited because it is important to keep food lightweight. If you have food allergies or sensitivities, please notify us ahead of time.
Individual Use Gear: BRHC provides high quality, ultralight, cottage industry backpacking gear to make your experience as comfortable as possible. You are welcome to bring your own gear, however we strongly recommend using ours! We offer the following five pieces of gear at no additional cost:
Backpacks - We use a lightweight 60L pack. We will ask for your height and weight in order to fit the pack appropriately to you.
Tents - We have one-person tents and two-person tents available. You have the option of using a 1-person tent or sharing a 2-person tent with a friend.
Sleeping Bags - We use a 20 degree synthetic sleeping bag with a sleeping bag liner. If your trip has colder overnight temps in the forecast, you may have the option of using a winter sleeping bag.
Sleeping Pads - These will insulate you from the ground and provide some cushion and comfort. We use closed cell foam sleeping pads because of their durability. Inflatable sleeping pads are available to rent for an additional fee.
Trekking Poles - These will provide you with some added stability while hiking, and may be used to set up your tent.
Community Gear: BRHC provides all community gear for the trip, including water filters and back-up chemical treatment; camping stoves and fuel; bowls, spoons, and cups; trowels, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer; first aid kit; and map and compass.
What to Bring:
We will send all participants a detailed packing list before the trip. You are expected to bring your own clothing, personal gear (such as headlamps and water bottles), medications, and approved optional items. We will send a detailed packing list with your trip information packet after you book. Generally, comfortable walking shoes are better than heavy hiking boots. Please do not pack any cotton - if it gets wet, it does not dry quickly and will not keep you warm. Athletic clothes are a good option. You will need only one outfit to hike in and one outfit to sleep in, plus a raincoat, and a warm layer. Overnight temperatures can be cool at higher elevations; we recommend packing a set of baselayers, a warm hat, and a pair of lightweight gloves. You will not need a new set of clean clothes each day. You will not need any make-up, hair products, scented products or deodorant. Just bring a toothbrush and toothpaste and enjoy going all natural for the trip!
Cancellation Policy:
Payment in full is required to register. Trip cost includes a 15% non-refundable administrative fee. Hike may be cancelled up to 2 weeks before the trip for a refund (minus the 15% fee). Within 2 weeks, a 50% refund will be offered. Within 48 hours, a refund will only be offered if Blue Ridge Hiking Company cancels the trip due to severe weather.
We hike rain or shine! While it is incredibly rewarding, backpacking is an endurance sport, and it can be challenging and/or uncomfortable at times. Maintaining a positive mindset, even when it is uncomfortable, is key to enjoying your time in the wilderness. During your pack shakedown, we'll ensure you have the necessities packed, and will encourage you to edit extra items. With our focus on lightweight gear, our goal is for your pack to weigh around 25-30lbs (or no more than 25% of your body weight).
If your guide does an exceptional job, please show your appreciation with a tip. Our team of highly trained professional guides never expects but always appreciates a tip. Industry standard gratuity for a guided backpacking trip is 15-20% of trip price.
If you have any questions regarding this trip, you can reach us by phone at 828-713-5451 or by email at trips@blueridgehikingco.com.