Great Smoky Mountains
Mt LeConte Backpacking Trip

October 9-11, 2022

Trip includes lodging at the Appalachian Trail-er on October 9, 2022.  You'll be hiking October 10-11, 2022.

Hike up the Alum Cave Trail to Mt LeConte on this 2 Day Backpacking Trip!  This hike is approximately 11 miles round trip (5.5 miles each day), and you'll camp at LeConte Shelter overnight.  Optionally, the group may decide to hike to Cliff Tops for sunset after they've set up camp.  On this iconic trip, you'll see the historic LeConte Lodge, Alum Cave, and rock formations like Arch Rock and Gracie's Pulpit and other dramatic views.  Mt LeConte is the 3rd highest peak in the Smokies, at 6,593ft.  This trip is rated moderate to strenuous due to the elevation change and rocky terrain, and is recommended for people with a high level of fitness and/or some previous backpacking experience.

This hike is designed exclusively for hikers aged 50+.

"Our guide was wonderful. The views were breathtaking! It was an amazing experience we will never forget! Blue Ridge was very easy to work with and we will definitely use again. Highly recommend!!" - T.F., Private Hike, December 2021

Cost:

$490 per person
Scholarships and sliding scale fees are available for this trip.  Please reach out to our office at trips@blueridgehikingco.com for more information.

This trip will run if there are a minimum of 2 participants signed up.  The maximum group size is 6 participants.  If the trip minimum has not yet been met, we'll reach out to participants two weeks before the trip start date to discuss options.

Price includes gear for the trip, all on-trail food (Monday lunch through Tuesday lunch), lodging Sunday night, the guide, transportation between the meet-up location and the trailhead, backcountry permits within the National Park, and an insulated mug for each hiker to keep.  Price does not include meals Sunday evening or Monday morning, personal items (clothing, medication, etc), 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 (October 9).  You will find the trip listed there. 

About a month 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.  The information packet also includes an itinerary of your trip and a packing list.
 

Itinerary:

Trip meets at 5pm on Sunday, October 9 at the Appalachian Trail-er in Hot Springs, NC.

Your trip begins with a Pack Shakedown, during which your guide will hand out your gear, go over necessary packing items, and discuss safety, weather, and logistics for the trip. They'll 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.  Pack Shakedown lasts about 2 hours.  We've scheduled this for the evening before your hike begins to give you plenty of hiking time the first day of your trip!

Around 8am on October 10, you'll head to the trailhead to start your hike!  The shuttle takes approximately 2 hours, and we encourage all hikers to ride in our shuttle vehicle as parking at the trailhead is limited.  This trip is an out-and-back hike up the Alum Cave Trail, approximately 5.5 miles each way.  Within the 5.5 miles on the hike up, the trail gains around 3,800ft of elevation.  Sections of the trail have steep climbs and exposed cliffs.  This is not an easy hike!  Hikers should be able to day hike around 7 miles with a normal daypack, and should be able to climb 10 flights of stairs without taking a break.  Group will camp overnight at the LeConte Backcountry Shetler; hikers will not stay at LeConte Lodge!

Itinerary is subject to change based on a variety of factors, including weather, trail conditions, campsite availability, and participants needs and abilities.  Hike typically finishes around mid-afternoon the last day of the trip, before you shuttle back to Hot Springs, NC.  Please notify your guide or our Admin team ahead of time if you have a time commitment on the last day of your trip.
 

Guide:

Your guide for this trip will be Tamera Trexler.  Tamera has been backpacking, hiking, biking and kayaking the regions of Western North Carolina for 30 years.  She is studying to be a Certified Blue Ridge Naturalist.  She loves long distance hikes: Appalachian Trail; West Highlands Way of Scotland; Foothills Trail; Glacier N.P.; Yosemite NP; the Long Trail; sections of the PCT, Mount Rainier NP and many more to come.  She would love to share the waterfalls, peaks and pinnacles and forests of WNC with you!  She can share some of this region's geology, ecology and history.
 

What we Provide:

Food: BRHC provides all on-trail food. Your guide 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 your guide ahead of time. 

Individual Use Gear: BRHC provides high quality, ultralight, cottage industry backpacking gear to make your experience as comfortable as possible.  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 will not be using tents on this trip, as we will be staying in the LeConte Shelter
Sleeping Bags - We use a 20 degree synthetic sleeping bag. We also have liners available.
Sleeping Pads - These will insulate you from the ground and provide some cushion and comfort.
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. You will not need a new set of clean clothes each day. Overnight temperatures can be cool at higher elevations; we recommend packing a set of baselayers, a warm hat, and a pair of gloves. . 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!
 

COVID Safety Information:

We follow all local, state, and federal COVID safety guidelines.  As those guidelines change, our policies may change too.  Currently, all hikers joining a Group Backpacking Trip will be expected to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID -or- a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of when they arrive for their trip.  Masks are optional during pack shakedown and in our shuttle vehicle. 

If you have questions about our procedures or would like specific precautions to be taken, please contact our office at 828-713-5451 or trips@blueridgehikingco.com.
 

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.  With our focus on lightweight gear, our goal is for your pack to weigh around 25-30 lbs or no more than 25% of your body weight, whichever is less.

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.