I'm going to do something a little different with the two photos I'm posting today. We're going to test your trail knowledge a bit. The first person to correctly respond in the comments section with the correct trail and location where the photos were made wins LeConte Lodge bragging rights for the day. For tax reporting purposes LeConte Lodge bragging rights can be valued as priceless. The winner and/or correct answer will be revealed in Tuesday's post. One of the photos is a gimme to get you warmed up. The other is a little tougher. Again, try to be as specific as to the trail and location of the photo as you can. Both photos were taken on marked, publicly accessible trails in May.
I hiked up from my June off days Sunday afternoon. I spoke with a park ranger patrolling the Alum Cave Bluff Trail parking lot who told me they had run across some rascal taking an inordinate amount of interest in cars that weren't his in the Laurel Falls parking lot (between Sugarlands Visitor Center and Elkmont). Please make sure you don't leave any valuables visible in your vehicle when you come to visit us. We don't have much trouble with guest vehicles being bothered, but I don't want that trend to end with you.
It was good to see so many families out celebrating Father's Day with a hike on the trails of Mt. LeConte. Rhododendron and mountain laurel amplified an already beautiful trail. Everyone seemed to be faring fine, no tongues dragging the ground. However, I did notice most of the fathers carrying the family backpacks, so that must not have been part of their present. Thanks for reading. Happy trails.