LeConte Lodge Facts
Q: How long has LeConte Lodge been operating?
A: Paul Adams started LeConte Lodge as a tent camp in 1925. He needed a place to entertain visiting dignitaries while showing them the mountains that would later become the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In 1926, Jack Huff took over and started building what today is known as LeConte Lodge.
A: Paul Adams started LeConte Lodge as a tent camp in 1925. He needed a place to entertain visiting dignitaries while showing them the mountains that would later become the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In 1926, Jack Huff took over and started building what today is known as LeConte Lodge.
Q: Does the park service own and operate LeConte Lodge?
A: No, the lodge is owned and operated by Stokely Hospitality Enterprises. LeConte Lodge is a concession of the National Park system.
A: No, the lodge is owned and operated by Stokely Hospitality Enterprises. LeConte Lodge is a concession of the National Park system.
Q: How do you get supplies to the lodge.
A: We have llamas that are brought up three times a week. They pack our linens, and groceries, and any other supplies we may need. Our llama wrangler brings the llama train up Trillium Gap trail.
A: We have llamas that are brought up three times a week. They pack our linens, and groceries, and any other supplies we may need. Our llama wrangler brings the llama train up Trillium Gap trail.
Q: What is the easiest trail to the lodge?
A: It depends on who you ask.
Alum Cave Bluffs trail - 5 miles - this is a difficult trail. It gains 2700' in elevation in its short 5 miles. It is the steepest. If you are afraid of heights, you may want to consider another route. There are several places on the trail that have steep drop-offs and cables to hang on to.
Bullhead trail- 7 miles- Long, beautiful trail. This trail gains 4000' in elevation. It shares the same parking lot as Rainbow Falls trail head.
Rainbow Falls trail - 6.5 miles - This trail is very rocky and long. It gains 4000' in elevation. A suggested loop hike is to hike up Rainbow and down Bullhead.
Trillium Gap trail- 6.5 miles - This is the trail the llamas use on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. It is a beautiful trail that takes you by Grotto Falls. It gains 3500' in elevation.
The Boulevard trail- 8 miles - This trail gains 1700' in elevation. This trail is often mistaken for the easiest trail to the lodge. This is incorrect. The trail has a lot of increases and decreases in elevation. The length of the trail can make for a long day on the trail.
If you have bad knees, Trillium is a good trail to consider. It is a gradual gain in elevation. If you are afraid of heights, I would consider Trillium, Bullhead or Rainbow.
A: It depends on who you ask.
Alum Cave Bluffs trail - 5 miles - this is a difficult trail. It gains 2700' in elevation in its short 5 miles. It is the steepest. If you are afraid of heights, you may want to consider another route. There are several places on the trail that have steep drop-offs and cables to hang on to.
Bullhead trail- 7 miles- Long, beautiful trail. This trail gains 4000' in elevation. It shares the same parking lot as Rainbow Falls trail head.
Rainbow Falls trail - 6.5 miles - This trail is very rocky and long. It gains 4000' in elevation. A suggested loop hike is to hike up Rainbow and down Bullhead.
Trillium Gap trail- 6.5 miles - This is the trail the llamas use on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. It is a beautiful trail that takes you by Grotto Falls. It gains 3500' in elevation.
The Boulevard trail- 8 miles - This trail gains 1700' in elevation. This trail is often mistaken for the easiest trail to the lodge. This is incorrect. The trail has a lot of increases and decreases in elevation. The length of the trail can make for a long day on the trail.
If you have bad knees, Trillium is a good trail to consider. It is a gradual gain in elevation. If you are afraid of heights, I would consider Trillium, Bullhead or Rainbow.
Q: Does the crew hike up everyday to work?
A: No, we all live on the mountain. We are here from March until November. Each
crew member gets 8 days off a month and can take them all together or
split them up.
A: No, we all live on the mountain. We are here from March until November. Each
crew member gets 8 days off a month and can take them all together or
split them up.
Please let me know if there are any questions you would like to see answered on the fact page. I will do my best to find the answer.
