A few weeks ago, I got the opportunity to spend a night at Mt LeConte Lodge in Great Smokies Mountains National Park with a group of fellow hiking enthusiasts.
Considering you can only get a reservation at the lodge by lottery, it was an opportunity that doesn’t come along very often.
The lodge can only be reached on foot, and there are several trail options to get there. Due to some road closures, we decided to take Rainbow Falls Trail. I have done a fair amount of hiking in the Smokies, but had never set foot on this trail before.
Rainbow Falls Trail is 6.5 miles and is a steady incline the entire way. As the name might suggest, there are some picturesque waterfalls along the way. Icy conditions on the trail that day made some crossings interesting.
Standing at an elevation of over 6,400 feet, Mt Leconte Lodge is the highest lodge is the Eastern U.S.
The lodge and cabins are lit solely by kerosene lamps, which produces a unique atmosphere.
The highlight of the trip for me was heading to Cliff Top to catch a breathtaking sunset. It was a glorious end to a perfect day on the trail.