Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Mt Leconte dayhike

In mid-January my left knee started giving me problems. Finally saw a Dr. in early March and found out I'm just getting old. Meniscus was worn pretty bad and a big chunk of it had to come out on March 23rd.

I responded to therapy pretty well and 10 weeks after surgery I decided it was time to give it a test. My wife and I decided to climb to the Mt Leconte Lodge in the SMNP.

https://www.lecontelodge.com/

It is a group of remote cabins in the middle of the park. The only way in is to walk. There are several trails, we chose the Alum Cave trail. It is the shortest at 5.5 miles, but also the steepest, most rugged and most scenic. There is almost 3000' elevation change so this was a pretty good challenge on a knee 10 weeks from surgery. Especially since I'd been pretty inactive for 4+ months with knee pain and rehab.

The knee did fine. I could tell I'm out of shape, but I survived 11+ miles of rugged terrain better than I expected.






My wife of almost 30 years. She looks a lot better than me




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Awesome. Great pictures, neat place, and good news on the knee.

Nice hike. We go over that way every year and I always want to do that hike but never have.

My cousins have been after me to do that hike with them for a while, looks fun.

i was over there last week. we hike up there alot. the park is only about an hour drive from me.

did you see the falcons? they nest down to the left of the eye of the needle that you have a picture of.

Was not aware of the Falcons, will have to look for them the next time. This is the 3rd time up there for us. We've never stayed at the lodge, too expensive. But it is a good day hike. I've thought about taking one of the other routes, but can't imagine the views would be nearly as scenic.

We live about 1/2 way between Atlanta and Chattnooga, about a 3-4 hour drive depending on stops and traffic. We get into the Smokies 2-3 times a year.

JMR. Next time you are up there and stop across the valley from the hole in the rock or eye of the needle as it's called. look down to the left of that hole. Periguine (sp?) falcons nest there. you can see them with binocs or a spotting scope. there was a spur trail that went down to it. you'll pass it on the way up. it's blocked off now because of the nesting falcons.