I'd like to add JP's description of the law breaking folks on the mountain by calling them very disrespectful. The rules are in place to protect the mountain. I've seen a tent pitched on the Cliff Tops years a ago and couple of kids with a tent &a fire out toward the helipad this past summer. Just a total lack of respect for the mountain.

If you are a veteren hiker in great shape and a normal pack with your supplies, probably 2 and a half hours. If you are in the majority of hikers that visit this forum(classified as recreational hikers) probably budget 4 hours up and 3 hours down. Plus figure in stops for pictures and time just to take in the beauty of the hike.

Pam, being a Central Ohio flatlander, did you happen to make the Hocking Hills "Winter" hike on the 21st? I was all packed and ready to go when Old man Winter decided to arrive for the only 12 hours this season and grace us with an ice storm that kept us from getting out of the driveway much less the 2 1/2 hr drive. Just curious how it went from someone that braved the slick rural roads.

The lodge office will be closed so buying a t-shirt not be an option

Hey JP, I talked with them on the hike down yesterday. Explained the entire system when they told ^^Me they were tent camping. They were jerks. Too bad there are so many of them.

Kenny; RE shirts. You might try calling LeConte's office in Pigeon Forge 865 829-5704 or log on to their website 222.lecontelodge.com to see if they have any shirts. I doubt they have 2012 dated shirts as the 2012 season does not start until mid-March. They might have some leftover 2011's and could tell you how to get one of those. Enjoy your hike up, be safe and warm.

Last time at Silars bald shelter in November it was snowing sideways. 4 young guys showed up without reservations. All of them were wearing blue jeans, soaked to the bone, and the next morning we found out that they didn't hang any of their food.

On second thought, I will rant a little more. It’s not all the NPS’s fault for not having the funding for the backcountry rangers…although they could lobby for funding better maybe. And it’s not just the Gov’ment or the Department of the Interior for cutting the budget to the NPS….Its OUR fault for letting it happen or continuing on status quo. We need to write letters make phone calls and get pro active to change things. “The squeaky wheel gets the grease”
I’ll stop now.

The issue of not following National Forest regulations are evident in the Red River Gorge area of Kentucky. The camping rules are simple - Do not camp within 300 feet of hiking trails/roads and do not camp under rock ledges. However, the evidence is clear that many campers choose to ignore the rules even though thousands of acres of land are available for use.

So......you work the system, but you're complaining about other people working the system?

I meant I know how to call ahead 30 days in advance to get spots and how to call multiple numbers to get an answer. I'm following the rules, and not stealth camping or jamming into a shelter without a reservation.

JP, thanx for the hospitality. Found three mice traps and removed them from the shelter (one with a dead mouse that had been sitting there for days). The shelter also had wood piled near the recently closed fireplace. The fireplace was closed so that folks aren't cutting the trees around the shelter down for firewood. Hey folks dress warm and respect all forms of wildlife. If you don't want mice then don't sleep in the shelter. It is ashame that people feel like these places should be more like home. Enjoy the outdoors for what they are. Great day and a wonderful hike. Enjoyed our short conversation. Peace bro. As always, EK