Write Up:The fun began in the Newfound Gap parking lot. As we were walking toward the AT trail head, the rain started. Not a down pour, just a steady shower. Michael and Jessica put on rain jackets. Denise, Shellie and Matt decided tough it out and wear no rain gear. Rob donned a full rain suit.
Near the intersection of the AT and Boulevard Train intersection the rain stopped and the rain gear came off. We took a side trail to peak Mount Kephart continue on to The Jumpoff, 1,000-foot sheer drop off. We all agreed the view would be spectacular, if we could see it. It was covered in clouds, a total white out.
We continued on the Boulevard towards Mount Le Conte, in and out of rain showers and cloud cover. We walked the last mile or so to our shelter in a continuous, cold rain. Everyone rejoiced when we spotted the shelter. Finally we were out of the rain. The temperature at the shelter was a chilly 56 degrees when we arrived at 5:30 pm. Wet clothes were flying off and many folks jumped in their sleeping bags to warm up.
Some of us left the comfort of the shelter to watch the sun set from the Cliff Top. We all agreed the view would be spectacular, if we could see it, another white out. Oh well, back to the shelter for an early bed time.
Sunday morning we woke to 53 degrees, fog and clouds but no rain. Everyone was happy. We stopped at the lodge to refill our bottles from the spigot (yes, no filtering).
The Alum Cave Trail would lead us back to our cars. This was a 5 mile long, mostly down hill, rocky trail with many cliffs and overhangs. We did catch a glimpse of some scenery when the clouds parted for brief moments. We passed through Alum Cave. It's not actually a cave, rather a massive jutting ledge. Shortly after the cave, the trial passed through a natural stone arch, a great place for pictures. After the arch, the sun broke through the clouds and we hiked along a stream to our cars. Everyone agreed, we want to hike these trails again, hopefully on a clear day.
Trip totals: 14.0 miles (8.6, 5.4); 2800 vertical (2700 the first day)
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