This version of a classic summer hike starts with ~0.4 mile on Old Sugarlands Trail, from the Rainbow Falls parking lot to Bullhead Trail. From there we head south, up Mt. Le Conte through a few switchbacks, past a stone cairn (the "Pulpit," at mile 2.5), and up to the junction with Rainbow Falls Trail. Then we climb another 0.6 mile to Mt. Le Conte Lodge (~6,320 ft. elevation) and nearby picnic tables for lunch (it may be cool enough for a jacket). We return via Rainbow Falls Trail the whole way, past the Bullhead junction, past the falls, and through switchbacks down to the trailhead at Cherokee Orchard Road. Total, ~13.6 miles with ~3,800 ft. climb, rated difficult. For carpooling, meet at Cracker Barrel off I-40 at Exit 398 (1510 Cracker Barrel Lane, parking lot, southeast corner), at 6:15 am (74 miles RT @10 cents = $7.40), or at the Rainbow Falls parking lot on Cherokee Orchard Road, by the trailhead (our point of return), ready to hike at 7:30 am.Register at smhclub.org.

Leader: Eric Sundstrom, 

Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.