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Hike of the Month: Mt. LeConte

Hikers will begin by traveling along the Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap before reaching the Boulevard Trail on their way to Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)

Photo by Adam Brimer, copyright © 2012

Hikers will begin by traveling along the Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap before reaching the Boulevard Trail on their way to Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)

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  • June's hike of the month begins at the Newfound Gap parking area and follows the Appalachian and Boulevard Trails 8 miles to Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • Hikers will begin by traveling along the Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap before reaching the Boulevard Trail on their way to Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • The hike along the Appalachian Trail to the junction with the Boulevard Trail is moderate with some steep areas in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • At a distance of 2.7 miles from the Newfound Gap parking area on the Appalachian Trail, hikers will reach a junction with the Boulevard Trail while on their way to Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • Shortly after the joining the Boulevard Trail from the Appalachian Trail, hikers will see a side trail that leads to the Jump Off in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. The trail to the Jump Off can be difficult but the vista provides a dramatic view of a 1000 foot drop from the viewing area. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • The side trail to the Jump Off from the Boulevard Trail is worth the visit in any condition in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. The Jump Off provides dramatic views from a 1000 foot perch on a cliff face. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • The side trail to the Jump Off can be challenging in some areas but levels out in others making for a reasonably short side-hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • The Jump Off provides dramatic views in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • A view from the Jump Off reveals a cloud-covered valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • Several uprooted trees like this one can be found along the Boulevard Trail while hiking to Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • Damage from a lightning strike is visible in this tree on the Boulevard Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • Cables are fixed in an area that was once part of a rock slide on the Boulevard Trail just short of Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Hikers should use caution in this area. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • After passing the rock slide area hikers will come to a junction in the Boulevard Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Turning right will lead hikers to Mt. LeConte. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • A stack of stones can be found near the Mt. LeConte summit on the Boulevard Trail just before reaching LeConte Lodge in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • The recently updated Mt. LeConte shelter can be seen as hikers make their way toward LeConte Lodge on the Boulevard Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • Traveling 8 miles along the Appalachian and Boulevard Trails will lead to LeConte Lodge on Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • LeConte Lodge sits at 6360 feet and houses approximately 13,000 visitors per year in its cabins on Mt. LeConte Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • LeConte Lodge sits at 6360 feet and houses approximately 13,000 visitors per year in its cabins on Mt. LeConte Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • LeConte Lodge sits at 6360 feet and houses approximately 13,000 visitors per year in its cabins on Mt. LeConte Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • Visitors gather for a meal in the dining hall at LeConte Lodge on Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • LeConte Lodge sits at 6360 feet and houses approximately 13,000 visitors per year in its cabins on Mt. LeConte Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • Traveling from LeConte Lodge on Mt. LeConte hikers can make the 5.5-mile journey down the Alum Cave Trail for a total of 13.5 miles beginning at Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • Traveling from LeConte Lodge on Mt. LeConte hikers can make the 5.5-mile journey down the Alum Cave Trail for a total of 13.5 miles beginning at Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • Hikers will pass by Alum Cave while traveling along the 5.5-mile Alum Cave Trail from LeConte Lodge in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)
  • Wood sorrel grows on the side of the Alum Cave Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)

June's Hike of the Month follows the Appalachian, Boulevard and Alum Cave Trails to and from Mt. LeConte for a total of 13.5 miles in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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