Mt. LeConte Challenge(d)

Today was reminiscent of that old talent TV show, Star Search, where they had a Champion from a previous episode, and several challengers that tried to dethrone the Champion. Today the reigning Champion was none other than Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains. The new Challenger was...me. The mountain received 5 stars (yet again), and I came up with a meager 4. What can I say except, "He beat me...straight up," in my best Teddy KGB Russian accent...

The morning started with a 4:46a wakeup call (yes, I add an extra minute on my alarm to get that added sleep - I'm doing all I can to maintain my beauty). Dad and I were on the road, in separate cars, around 6a, which was later than I wanted, but we all move a little slower at that hour...or at least I do. We dropped my car (it's for sale, any takers?) at the Alum Cave Trail parking area, and dad shuttled me to the top of Newfound Gap in my truck. We made it to and ultra-windy, low-30's (felt like teens) parking area right at the scheduled sunrise of 7:40a, so Dad went up the trail a half mile or so to get a glimpse with me. What a way to start off a day! I felt good, started strong, and made great time to the turnoff from the 2.7 mile section of the Appalachian Trail onto the 5.5 mile Boulevard Trail that leads to the summit of Mt. LeConte. I passed a guy a few miles in named Richard who had spent a cold night at the Ice Water Springs Shelter and was heading over Mt. LeConte and down to Campsite 31 on Porters Creek Tr. He also had a large day ahead of him, but it was nice to see a smiling face on the trail, and wish I had time to talk to him longer. (A note on the side: I love most of the attitudes of folks that I come across on the trail. They, like me, truly understand the significance of getting out in God's creation with others and/or one's own self to be challenged physically, mentally, and spiritually) About a mile later, I ran across a rogue camper who had spent the night on a saddle. He had parked his tent illegally off the trail, but all was well in my book. I made great time to the summit, where I added a rock to the pile (mine is on top - see pic below) and was quickly headed back down by the Lodge and then to the ever-popular, crowded 5.5 mile Alum Cave Tr. to the car. A little less than two hours later, I was in the car hammering some lunch and en route to Gatlinburg...

Eons of traffic, and 45 minutes later, I found myself at the Rainbow Falls and Bullhead Trailhead parking area. I scouted out what is known as a "ditch" and parked the car in it. I still felt fairly well, though I could feel some cramping in my left thigh if I was to put too much stress on that muscle (do chicken legs have muscles? don't answer that). After about 4 miles up Bullhead trail, I hit a wall with my left knee. I have had problems in the past of being too hard on my knees when I am descending, but today, it bothered me to go uphill (which is usually one of my stronger points while hiking). Well, the last .75 miles of Bullhead, I was creeping along and my left knee was basically shocked. At that point, I determined that I would head to LeConte Lodge for a few minutes of break and make a decision to descend 6.5 mile Rainbow Falls Trail and call it a day, or go down 8.9 mile Trillium Gap Trail (original plan), and then ascend Rainbow Falls Tr. for the completion of all five trails in 24 hours. I chose the first one, and I still think that was the right decision. I finished in the dark at around 8:15p, and was soon in the car heading for Townsend for a Phillips-66 slaw dog (without a doubt, the best dog you will find this side of the Mississippi River) and a coffee. It was heaven on earth. Looking back, I just don't think the knee would have held up for another roundtrip to the top. It was one of a few things that concerned me, physically, going into this, but was the only thing that really prohibited me from completing the trails. If my left knee would have felt like the rest of my body, there's no doubt in my mind that it could have been done. I'll settle for four of the five trails for now. But, so it goes, and maybe for another day. No, make that definitely for another day. Thanks for stopping by and reading. I've posted some pics below from the day, and I hope you enjoy. Do hurry back...