Hike Mount LeConte via Rainbow Falls and Bull Head Loop Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN

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Apr 30, 2016 — Mount LeConte is a popular high point within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I wanted to hike to it via a longer loop than the more common approach from Alum Cave. For this hike, I started from the Rainbow Falls Trail and followed this popular hike to Rainbow Falls. After passing the falls, the trail had a bit more solitude and began to gain much more elevation. Mossy and heavily forested, the Rainbow Falls Trail continued along the northwestern ridge of Mount LeConte. It reached a junction with the Bull Head Trail. I'd be returning to this junction later to make a loop, but first I headed east to the summit of Mount LeConte. The summit area is quite developed, a popular camping area for backpackers.

I took in the exceptional views from the summit of Mount LeConte before backtracking to the Bull Head Trail. This led west along the ridge crest for a while before descending to the north through more pretty forest. This took me to the Old Sugarlands Trail, an old converted road, back to the trailhead.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Mount Le Conte

6593 ft

1360 rise

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Along the Rainbow Falls Trail.

Rainbow Falls.

Rainbow Falls is pretty. Past here the hike became a bit less crowded.

Ascending past Rainbow Falls on my way to Mount LeConte.

A pretty stream along the way.

Progress up to Mount LeConte.

Mossy, rocky tail at times.

As I gained elevation, the terrain changed. It was more lush and mossy and the trees became less deciduous-heavy.

Mount LeConte summit area.

Views from Mount LeConte.

Mount LeConte.

Along the Mount LeConte ridgeline.

Mount LeConte summit cairn.

Along the Bull Head Trail.

A switchback along the Bull Head Trail.

Bull Head Trail.

Descending along the Bull Head Trail.

A short walk along the Old Sugarlands Trail brought me back to the trailhead.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!