The roundtrip distance for the hike to Mount LeConte via the Bullhead Trail is about 14.4 miles. Started at the additional parking lot for Rainbow falls at 8:30am on Thanksgiving day. For the first half-mile, you’ll notice LeConte Creek to the right. In the first 2.3 miles alone, the trail gains more than 1,500 feet. Note that there is additional parking 0.1 miles past the primary lot. LeConte is … Thanks to the Trails forever crew and the GSMA. leconte. Rainbow Falls Trail is a fairly challenging trail if completed all the way to Mt LeConte . LeConte. Highlights from a beautiful fall hike to Mt LeConte via Rainbow Falls Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Since both trails share a common parking lot, this beautiful trail can be combined with the Bull Head Trail for a fantastic loop hike. Le sentier offre plusieurs activités. The SmokyMountains.com Local Experts Team, review of the shorter round-trip to the falls. Hikers report that the beautiful Rainbow Falls, lush vegatation, and amazing scenery make the difficult hike well worth it. Starting at the Rainbow Falls trailhead off Cherokee Orchard Road, you can create a big loop hike up to Mt LeConte and back down Bullhead to land on Old Sugarlands Trail (0.4 miles back to the parking lot). To reach the summit, which can be found approximately 4 miles past Rainbow Falls, you will also hike a small part of the Bull Head Trail and Alum Cave Trail. my knees were screaming & felt lucky to have reached the parking lot. the signs for mileage & my GPS watch varied greatly.....coming back i found the sign for mt. After driving 0.7 miles veer right onto Cherokee Orchard Road, upon … Beginning up to the falls was not too crowded and not too difficult. It is approximately half a mile longer than the Rainbow Falls Trail, but it compensates with spectacular views and panoramic vistas. LeConte Lodge® is located within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at the top of Mt. I think starting at 8 would definitely guarantee a parking spot right near the trail head. I'd like to do it again, but will leave earlier or stay at one of the cabins just below mt. This review of the shorter round-trip to the falls is perfect if you aren’t wanting to hike all the way to the summit. it was dark when I reached the parking lot. LeConte. Hikers should proceed straight ahead here. made it as far as the lodge, but after talking to other hikers, they said it was another 400-500 feet up. the sign at the parking lot said 5 miles to Mt. Hikers should turn right here to continue towards the summit. Day 1: rainbow falls to Mt. Mount LeConte and Rainbow Falls via The Bullhead Trail is a 14.8 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Le Conte shelter Day 2: boulevard trail to icewater springs shelter Day 3: boulevard trail back up to Mt. Bullhead Trail to Mt LeConte will begin on your left. You will most likely encounter other hikers along the way. There’s just a lot of lose rocks and I just don’t like hiking down those types of trails. While in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee I decided it was time to try a new route up Mt. Pressing on to Mount LeConte Any other tips or concerns you have for these trails this time of year? We had heard that the Bull Head Trail was one of the best and it was. At 6.5 miles one way to the summit, it is also longer than other popular trails, such as the Alum Cave Trail, which is just 5.5 miles to the peak. It reaches a staggering 6,593 feet and is home to the only private lodging in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: LeConte Lodge. This is a wonderful hike that is lush with plant life and gradually offers amazing views on the way up to Mt. For the majority of hikers, the falls are the reward of the hike, and serve as the turnaround point. The Rainbow Falls Trail is approximately the same as the route taken by Paul Adams as he led the first Park Commission trip to LeConte, which helped lead to the formation of the national park. The Rainbow Falls Trail is just a short jaunt from Gatlinburg and a great day trip for tourists and locals alike. LeConte Lodge in the Smoky Mountains via the Rainbow Falls Trail From here the Rainbow Falls trail is just under 14 miles to the summit of Mount Leconte. Up the the falls was amazing. Hikers will gain nearly 4,000 feet in elevation by the time they get to Mt. The Bullhead Trail now shares a trailhead with Rainbow Falls. Leconte was our hiking route this morning. Continue on Alum Cave Trail for less than a half-mile, and then veer left along the Trillium Gap Trail to reach the summit approximately 6.9 miles from the trailhead. Just past the lodge, the Rainbow Falls Trail ends. Starting from Light 8 in Gatlinburg, turn onto Historic Nature Trail / Airport Road. Mount LeConte via Rainbow Falls Trail ist ein 13 Meilen langer, stark besuchter Hin- und Rückweg in der Nähe von Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I love the loop. My son was with me. Curated by. The spur trail was very narrow and difficult to see over the vegetation. This was my first hike in GSMNP and I couldn't have asked for a better hike. Mount LeConte and Rainbow Falls and Grotto Falls via Appalachian Trail is a 31.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Cherokee, North Carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. The creek water tasted very refreshing if you're looking for a cool, cool beverage along the way. The Rainbow Falls Trail is minimally exposed compared to other trails. LeConte Trails Trillium Gap Trail is a popular choice for people who want to see Grotto Falls or who prefer a more gradual elevation gain than some of the other Mt. I really was not prepared. The Rainbow Falls Trail is fairly challenging if completed all the way to Mt LeConte. There are many ways of reaching Mt. A full summit trip is much longer and can take up to 10 hours to hike. Mount LeConte rewards eager hikers with impressive views of the surrounding mountains and National Park that can only be seen at higher elevations. See more ideas about Rainbow falls trail, Rainbow falls, Trail. Instead, this trail is shrouded by lush forests and plenty of opportunities to view natural wildlife in the area. LeConte summit was a pile of rocks on the right. At just over 5 miles from the trailhead the Alum Cave Trail dead-ends into the Rainbow Falls Trail. The road will veer into Cherokee Orchard Road at the park entrance. LeConte. He was well-known for his scientific work and time served as president of the University of California at Berkley. Beautiful weather. Rainbow Falls Trail, for example, is similar in that it offers views of beautiful waterfalls, but it gains elevation in more rapid spurts. Cliff Top has 180° views and Myrtle has 270° views. It was extremely scenic with the best changes in vegetation. It was challenging but rewarding. After driving 0.7 miles veer right onto Cherokee Orchard Road, upon which you'll enter into Great Smoky Mountain National Park. LeConte Shelter. For many people the lodge marks the end of the trail; however, to reach the actual summit of Mt. I was not fully prepared for this trip! Trillium Gap is the longest Mt LeConte trail with Bullhead in second place. LeConte you'll still have to walk another three-tenths of a mile. While I am glad I did the loop, I would do Rainbow in and out if I were to do it again. Hikers should turn left at this junction to visit the summit. Michael Wifall. After walking a short distance past the junction you'll arrive at the outskirts of the LeConte Lodge area. Officially, the U.S. Geological Survey recognizes Joseph LeConte as its namesake, a famous geologist and founding member of the Sierra Club. LeConte. The first mile kicked my butt but I got another wind. Don’t need snowshoes, but yaks would probably be worth carrying until you needed them. Since the rocky terrain and significant elevation gain make this trail moderately strenuous to difficult, a few hours may be just enough to enjoy nature, torch some calories and work up an appetite for a hearty lunch. A short side trail on the left will lead you down to the main lodge. We did roughly 15+ miles total. Bring a water filter though since there is still a lot of animal activity in the area. LeConte, you have to strike out with some intention, some resolve, and at least some sense of adventure. Unfortunately, my phone died and I was unable to finish the full recording. Wow! Lots of icy patches around the falls. We only passed two other people on this trail, so if you're looking for solitude you can definitely find it on this trail. LeConte trails have to offer. I didn't anticipate such a long and strenuous hike. The trail opens along a fairly rocky and rooty traverse overlooking Leconte Creek. Cliff Top and Myrtle point are absolutely worth spending some time going to and taking in the views. The trailhead can be found just shortly in on the Rainbow Falls Trailhead. Rainbow Falls Trail shares a parking lot with the Bull Head Trail and intersects it approximately 6 miles from the trailhead — another 1,700-foot climb from the falls. The Lodge serves as a grandstand for the entire Park and commands spectacular views of the Smokies. leconte & started up. If you start early like around 7 AM you should be able to finish by 2:30-3pm and that’s with breaks and 30 minutes at the top for lunch. The lower portion parallels Le Conte Creek for pretty much the entirety of the hike up until the falls. Trillium Gap Trail vs. Other Mt. Other sources, however, name John LeConte — Joseph’s brother — as the namesake. I arrived at the trail head parking around 0915 and got the last spot. You’ll park at the Rainbow Falls trailhead, then find the gate just before the parking lot entrance, which is where the Bullhead Trail starts. You'll find Grotto Falls on this hike & even some llamas. Got back to the parking lot at 3:30pm with a few breaks and lunch. Rainbow Falls Trail to Mount LeConte: Incredible Hike & Waterfall! This hike to Mt. Starting from Light 8 in Gatlinburg, turn onto Historic Nature Trail / Airport Road. Rainbow Falls Trail is the far superior trail compared to Bull Head in terms of 'Views'. It serves as a good place to fill up your water bottle or use the bathroom. Bullhead Trail From LeConte. The lodge was okay. Heading down Bullhead was a nice change of scenery, but it is quite rocky so sturdy shoes are a must. Elevation gain is steady but relatively steep. Awesome experience!Took us 9 hrs but worth it ! missed my turn for Mt. The trail is only recommended for very experienced adventurers and is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching. Keep in mind that the rocks near the falls are slippery, and the area should be approached with caution. Baskins Creek Falls Trail to Greenbrier Cove, Mount LeConte via Trillium Gap Loop Trail, Mount LeConte and Rainbow Falls via The Bullhead Trail, Trillium Gap, Grotto Falls, Brushy Mountain, Bull Head Trail Loop, Grapeyard Ridge Trail to Campsite 32 Via Roaring Fork, Achetez Pro pour ceux qui vous sont chers. It takes about an hour and a half to hike to Rainbow Falls and four hours to Mt. The most authoritative source for restaurants, attractions, & cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains. LeConte. The Rainbow Falls Trail is not for the faint of heart. Fantastic decent into glorious fall foliage. It is situated on an open glade just below the summit of Mt. Mount LeConte via Rainbow Falls Trail est un sentier aller-retour de 13 miles très fréquenté situé près de Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We chose to explore the trail on our way back down from LeConte Lodge. If you plan to reach the peak, we recommend starting your hike early in the day to allow plenty of time to return before dark. It was interesting changing terrains and views every few miles on the hike. ... LeConte Lodge® is located within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at the top of Mt. Rainbow Falls Trail is a popular, but challenging trail that ascends Mount LeConte, passing by the highest single-drop waterfall in the Smoky Mountains. Above the falls the trial was a lot rougher. LeConte. Look for the Rainbow Falls trailhead at the southeast corner of the parking area. Route: Rainbow Falls Trail to LeConte Lodge and down Bullhead Trail. Parking and Trailhead The waterfall is located about 2.7 miles from the trailhead. LeConte. At roughly 6.3 miles you'll arrive at the Rainbow Falls Trail junction. Hikers report that the beautiful Rainbow Falls, lush vegatation, and amazing scenery make the difficult hike well worth it. We actually thought going a little further to Myrtle Point was well worth the view and a break to eat our lunch. Leconte. To climb Mt. I would say this part could be skipped without missing anything. The trail offers a number of activity options. Mt. Length 14.8 miElevation gain 3959 ftRoute type Loop Don’t underestimate it either. Allow an hour and a half to Rainbow Falls and four hours to Mt LeConte. The Rainbow Falls Trail to Mount LeConte is a challenging 13.8 mile hike with a total elevation gain of 3,993 feet. However, I would have gone up bull head first. The lower portion of Rainbow Falls had ~30 people on it compared to the seven I saw once I passed the falls. At 80-feet tall, Rainbow Falls gets its name from the colorful rainbow that often forms in the mist on clear, sunny days when the light hits the falls in just the right way. High atop Mt. The Trails Forever project has already made several improvements to the path here, but please stick to the main path and avoid cutting corners that lead to erosion and de-vegetation. Location. Hikers will gain nearly 4,000 feet in elevation by the time they get to Mt. A snowy hike to Mt. The Rainbow Falls Trail to Mount LeConte is a challenging 13.8 mile hike with a total elevation gain of 3,993 feet. From the #8 traffic light, follow along Airport Road and begin traveling out of Gatlinburg toward the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Rainbow Falls Trail vs. Other Mt. It is challenging. Summary: The Rainbow Falls Trail is fairly challenging if completed all the way to Mt LeConte. Mount LeConte via Rainbow Falls Trail is a 13 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee that features a waterfall. Le sentier longe une cascade et sa difficulté est difficile et donc seulement recommandé pour les aventuriers expérimentés. John, too, was highly successful. Definitely would recommend starting by 8am if possible to avoid traffic and crowds. at the end of my hike, my GPS logged nearly 18 miles. Le Conte shelter Day 4: hike out via Bull Head Trail. Easily a day hike. The trail then crosses three bridges before delivering you to the base of Rainbow Falls. © 2020 AllTrails, Inc. Tous droits réservés. We recommend hiking to the Rainbow Falls waterfall at a minimum, which is approximately 2.7 miles from the trailhead. We continued past the falls and to the split at Bullhead. Le Conte. LeConte Treks The trailhead is located inside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, off Cherokee Orchard Road, 3.4 miles (5.5 km) from Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Bullhead Trail to Mt LeConte is a 6.9 mile hike. The mountain is crossed by several trails, many of which intersect each other at various junctions. While the entire trail is technically nine miles, most hikers choose to drive roughly two miles in and park at the Grotto Falls parking area. From the LeConte Lodge, it takes about ten to fifteen minutes of hiking (about .5 miles) to reach the true summit of Mt. LeConte in the Smokies begins from the Rainbow Falls Trailhead, located just outside of Gatlinburg. Leconte & ended up going more than an hour the wrong way. Lots of shaded areas so be prepared for shade and sun! The entire trail is actually 8.9 miles when starting at Cherokee Orchard (sharing a trailhead with Rainbow Falls) but the popular starting place is just off Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, with the summit only 6.7 miles away. Didn’t do the extra .6 miles up to the lodge. Just prior to reaching the junction you will have passed the LeConte Lodge on your right. Hiking to Mount LeConte Summit Plan to travel approximately 2.5 miles before coming upon the Rainbow Falls Trailhead parking area, which will be clearly marked to the right. Start on the Rainbow Falls – Bullhead parking lot at 3.4 miles on Cherokee Orchard Road (a two-way road). Great hike. We got our backcountry permits and camped at the Mt. Definitely a great hike. This is a popular trail, so the parking lot may fill up quickly during nice weather or on weekends. One of the reasons Bullhead Trail is not heavily trafficked is because it is quite the challenge to climb. Your time on the trail will depend on your pace and turnaround point. It is believed that Rainbow Falls Trail is the oldest trail to the peak of Mt. The falls are visible from the trail, but you will have to navigate through dense trees to get an up-close view of the drop pool. We did Mt. If you have the gusto, we suggest taking Bull Head Trail on your descent. I came back down to rainbow Falls Trail only because the reviews for the bull head weren’t good. After dri… Made Possible by . LeConte offers impressive sights all the way up. LeConte. The hike to Rainbow Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains begins from the Rainbow Falls Trailhead, located just outside of Gatlinburg. I started at 930am & roughly got to parking lot around 730pm. at this point, I was in a race with daylight to get back down. However, its inset shadier pathways also make it slightly cooler than other more exposed trails during the hot days of summer. With a significant elevation gain in a short span of distance, Rainbow Falls Trail is regarded as one of the most strenuous hikes to Mount LeConte and requires moderate physical ability to reach the summit. Turning Around at Rainbow Falls vs. Bullhead Trail. I didn't see a sign for it, but it would be hard to miss. There is much debate over the history of Mount LeConte and who it was named after. Hikers will gain nearly 4,000 feet in elevation by the time they get to Mt. Er führt durch schönen Wald, vorbei an herrlichen Aussichtspunkten und es gibt einen Wasserfall und schöne Wildblumen. This gave us hope of good snow up top. Most plants in this area already had their leaves changing and really popped against the exposed rock faces. The trail was muddy and a thin dusting of snow lay on the ground. The trail parallels LeConte Creek from the onset, occasionally crossing it over single log footbridges during the first 2.7 miles to Rainbow Falls. I met another solo hiker and joined with him for the trek down. Large sections appeared to have burned down with lots of regrowth occuring which was a stark change from the neon mosses a mile before. Around 3 hours from trailhead to peak. The ridge lines were really cool and reminded me of mountain vertebrae. You may find yourself itching to reach the summit of Mount LeConte and we don’t blame you one bit!. Approximately six miles from the Rainbow Falls trailhead,  swing left at the Bull Head Trail junction. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. Typically we would do Alum for a sunrise hike, but as is tradition in the Smokies, 441 was closed due to ice and snow. I apologize for the strange recording here. LeConte’s summit, of which Rainbow Falls Trail is only one. Mileage: 13.5 Time: 8:42 AM - 4:49 PM Highlights: 0:15 - Rainbow Falls Trailhead - 8:42 AM 0:40 - … I didn't think the upper portion was as scenic however the mosses and ferns were spectacular. Most can make this climb and return trip in under 5 hours — many as little as 3. Mount LeConte is the third highest peak in the Smokies. The way down bullhead was rocky but manageable and very well marked the whole way. Looks like there is water at each of the shelters. Any must-sees near by? The falls hike is very popular by itself, but for the more adventurous, passing the beautiful falls and continuing on to the summit of Mt. LeConte at an elevation of about 6400 feet. Length 13 miElevation gain 4002 ftRoute type Out & back However beautiful the views were to repeat on the rainbow Falls Trail, the crowd of people in the afternoon below the falls made me wish I did the bull head trail on the way back. Rainbow falls trail to the mighty Mt. Definitely an amazing trip and something I recommend anyone do! The lodge is a hiking destination, accessible only by foot by way of one of the five trails leading to the summit. To get here, continue up the Rainbow Falls Trail (if you are standing with your back to the lodge, take a left). LeConte via Rainbow falls trail and came down Bull Head Trail. © 2020 - SmokyMountains.com. Coming down is slow in places due to the ice. Allow an hour and a half to Rainbow Falls and four hours to Mt LeConte. Aufgrund der Steigung und Distanz ist die Strecke nur für erfahrene Abenteurer geeignet. Mount LeConte: Rainbow Falls on Mt LeConte - See 270 traveler reviews, 392 candid photos, and great deals for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN, at Tripadvisor. This was our favorite hike during our stay at GSNP! LeConte. Beginning at Cherokee Orchard in the Rainbow Falls trailhead parking lot, you can find the trailhead by heading down Old Sugarlands Trail for 0.4 miles. Rainbow Falls Trail is one of the 6 trails leading to Mount LeConte; it's also one of the most popular. After driving another 2.2 miles you'll enter the one-way Cherokee Orchard Loop Road. I saw a couple black bears and a lot of turkeys at the parking lot. I had a sincere emotional reaction at the top. Mar 1, 2016 - The hike to Mt Leconte via the Rainbow Falls trail is an intense hike with a huge payoff. The bathrooms at the trailhead were nothing to write home about, but they get the job done if you're a morning person like me. At roughly 6.6 miles the trail dead-ends into the Rainbow Falls Trail. It has a total elevation gain from trailhead to summit of nearly 4,000 feet and covers a whopping 13.8 miles roundtrip. leconte. A couple miles above the falls turns to more manageable snow. We went up Rainbow Falls and down Bullhead, while stopping at Mt LeConte at the top. On the other hand, we are fans of the loop-hike via Bull Head Trail. Summit of Mt. If time permits, there are some very nice cascades worth venturing off the trail to inspect. The trail was essentially neon at a few points. Trail Experience All Rights Reserved. Mount LeConte via Rainbow Falls Trail est un sentier aller-retour de 13 miles très fréquenté situé près de Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The last mile to the lodge hurt a lot. Hikers should proceed straight here to continue towards the summit of Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, LeConte Lodge® is the highest guest lodge in the eastern United States. After walking another four-tenths of a mile you'll reach the Alum Cave Trail, which branches off to the right. The Rainbow Falls Trail to the top of Mt. Rainbow Falls Trail to Mount Leconte Overview Sad to see the lodge village shuttered. Traffic Light, follow along Airport Road ( a two-way Road ) the rocks near the Trail Head likely other! Falls Trail is the oldest Trail to Mount LeConte via Rainbow Falls the. 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