Well after reading last week’s post on my hike to Mount LeConte I hope you did not get the feeling I was disappointed in our hike. I did have a lot of pain and it was foggy where we had no view, but I really did enjoy the hike.
This week I want to share some of the positive details about the hike, and my experience of llamas, a bear, cabins, food, friends and the views.
Llamas
Mount LeConte is accessible only by trail – hiking trail that is. There are no roads to access the mountain top. So to get provisions to LeConte Lodge, they employ llamas to deliver the goods. Three times a week eight llamas will deliver about 70 pounds each of perishable food, clean linens and mail to the Lodge. They take about 4 hours to hike to the top, where they will eat lunch, and then hike back down Trillium Gap trail to the parking lot.
We had the pleasure of passing the llama parade on our way to the top of the mountain. I found the llamas to be a pleasant animal who enjoyed their routine hiking.
Bear
There had been an uninvited guest at Mount LeConte a couple weeks before and leading up to our stay. A bear had found a liking to the availability of food as it prepared for a long winter’s nap. The staff at the Lodge had been trying to discourage the bear with a variety of methods, but nothing was deterring the hungry intruder.
We saw lots of signs, but did not actually see the bear – which I did not have a problem with. During the night I had to get up to go to the bathroom of course, and my stroll to the bathroom down the trail was on high alert.
Cabins
We stayed in a three bedroom log cabin. A bedroom consists of a room big enough for a bed. Actually they are bunk beds and queen size at that. There is no electricity in the cabins, so an oil lamp is the only option for light unless you bring your own flashlight. There is a gas heater in each room as well. In spite of the drafty walls, the gas heaters do a pretty good job heating the cabin over night.
The food
Once you get to the top of the mountain the first thing you have available is the much talked about hot chocolate. I had a cup of it, as soon as I could. As far as hot chocolate goes it was ok, but something hot on a cold wet day was super welcome.
I have to tell you I think just about any meal prepared for me would have tasted great. But having a nutritious meal to feed my hunger and restore energy was just what I needed. With your overnight stay supper and breakfast are included. For supper we had potato soup, beef and gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, stewed apples, peach half and chocolate chip cookies. Breakfast was scrambled eggs, Canadian bacon, biscuits, pancakes, grits, coffee and Tang.
Again there is no electricity, so meals are by candle light. The staff prepare food and deliver to each table with a reliable routine. The meals are the same each day, but they have figured out a way to prepare hearty delicious family-styled meal that is nutritious and fun to eat.
Friends
We had a few friends who hiked with us of course, but in such a small place LeConte Lodge is a great place to meet new friends. The office has a large common area where hikers gather to play board games, share stories, and get to know each other. With one heater in the room and only a few lanterns, the rich ambiance takes you back to a more refreshing simple time.
The views
The only disappointment is that I cannot show you any views from the top. I will share a few of the other beautiful scenery we were able to enjoy.
I am so thankful that I finally got to hike to Mount LeConte. I hope to do it again – in much better shape the next time!
Related articles
- Mount LeConte – view #1 (johndgrigsby.com)