Smoky Mountain climbing trip, April 24-28, 2018
- Party of three (Stephen Daniel, Olivia, Ethan)
- Mon, April 23, Olivia drives from Shelbyville to Union City IN
- Tues, April 24, party drives our Ford van from Union City IN to Gatlinburg TN to spend night in Sidney James Mountain lodge hotel.
- Weds, April 25
- 830 am breakfast at restaurant in Gatlinburg
- 930 am leave in van for Alum Cave Bluffs Trailhead on Route 441 south of Gatlinburg in center of Smoky Mtn Nat'l Park.
- 10:00 am, leave van at Alum Cave Bluffs Trailhead, hire car to take us 4 miles south on 441 to Newfound Gap Trailhead, where we are dropped off to begin our climb.
- 10:30 am, hike east on Appalachian Trail, past Icewater Spring Shelter to Charlie's Bunion. See Charlie's Bunion, then return to spend night at Icewater Spring Shelter (permit B214042).
- Thurs, April 26
- Leave Icewater Spring Shelter and travel north on Boulevard Trail to Mt Le Conte.
- See summit of Mt Le Conte, see Cliff Tops near summit
- Spend night at Mt Le Conte Shelter (permit B214042)
- Friday, April 27
- Descend from Mt Le Conte Shelter via Alum Cave Trail to Alum Cave Bluffs Trailhead.
- Our Ford van will be waiting at this parking lot.
- Drive van from Alum Cave Bluffs Trailhead parking lot on Route 441 back into Gatlinburg
- Have dinner at Best Italian Pizza
- Spend night at Sidney James Mountain Lodge hotel in Gatlinburg
- Saturday, April 28
- Visit Smoky Mountain Knife Works near Gatlinburg
- Return to Union City IN that evening