The full story is available here
It begins…
Our sweet little Grandma housed and fed us for a night on our way to the Smokies!
The Journey Up Mt LeConte
The Appalachian Trail
Some trails were nice, but the drops on the side were still unsettling.
Some trails were just thin, slippery rock and steep slopes.
Part way up the mountain with an amazing view.
Magic from the Top of the Mountain
The stone pile that marks the top of Mt. LeConte.
Jon decided the pile needed a new look.
Cliff Tops! The top of the mountain showcases the peak of the cliff side. An unreal drop and eerie mist.
Many of the trees, living or dead, had an odd green moss covering them.
More odd-looking moss.
These berries were rare color on the mountain.
This spot was used to convince dignitaries to make a national park here.
Nighttime on Top of the Mountain: The Amazing Milky Way
Silhouetted in the tree line are bear-bag lines.
Bear Attacks and Sleeping in the 3-Wall Stone Shelters
Hungry bears! Beware!
We went where normal maps don’t think people go. Good thing Brian had a special hiking app with all of the detail.
Yep…no signal at all, no Siri and no wall to plug in to. Off of the grid!
These “Bear Bag” lines kept our food far from a bear’s grasp.
Sunrise in the Mountains
A Few Old Small Houses
At the top of Mt. Le Conte sits a few 90-year old tiny houses that now make up a cozy little inn. A rare feeling of normality in a surreal and completely isolated massive wilderness. Most supplies for the little inn are still brought up on lamas. Some supplies are brought by helicopter these days.
This spot was used to convince dignitaries to make a national park here.
No electricity means old oil lamps must be used.
This was built here because getting blankets and similar items was difficult in the winter.
Jack Huff brought the first horse on the mountain.
Huff carried his mom up on this chair strapped to his back.
A unexpected bit of comfort at the top of the mountain.
The View from Clingmans Dome
That is Mt LeConte far in the back.
The full story is available here
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