Name: Alum Cave Letterbox

Placed by Abe and Gail - Concord, NC

Placed: May 28, 2002

Located in Smokey Mountains National Park TN.

Nearest town is Gatlinburg, TN

Description:


Alum Cave Letterbox

Alum Cave Trail is five and a half miles with a vertical climb of around
2600 feet. Strangely, most claim the easiest is via Newfound Gap, an
eight -mile trip, but only a vertical climb of 1200 feet

The Alum Cave trail is well known as the shortest route to Mount LeConte
(about 5.5 miles each way). The majority of people who take this beautiful
hike, however, do not venture all the way to LeConte. And the vast majority
of beauty along this trail is found by the time you reach the "cave." The
first or second week of June is just incredible for purple rhododendron
along this trail. Mountain Laurel is also waxing near this time. The very
wide trail follows a quaint creek bed for the first mile or so to Arch
ck - an interesting hole through a shaly spur. The trail then heads up the
base of Mount LeConte. The trail is usually crowded, but wide and enjoyable.

Enjoy the hike up to Arch Rock. After pausing there, continue on through
Arch Rock and on past the first bridge you cross. Find a large log that has
a section cut out to allow passage on the trail. Go 6 paces north to an
uprooted tree on the east side. There on the north-east side among the roots
you will find the Alum Caves Letterbox.

After stamping in, and replacing the box, continue on up the trail to Alum
Caves have a light lunch and enjoy the view and the wonder of the bluffs.
The material has a slightly salty taste to it and it was mined for some
unknown purpose.
The material is also loose, but footing is pretty good.

The trail may have others on it so on your return trip, make sure you avert
your eyes from the box location. Just kidding. Enjoy the hike back.

Let us know the condition of the box. Abe and Gail x9a3@vnet.net



... peace .... Abe
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