Mount Le Conte (6,593') is the 3rd highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Its steep, isolated slopes form a biological island where some of the Park's rarest and most specialized plants live, many which are survivors of an intemperate glacial past. 5 plant species on Mount Le Conte are found nowhere else in the Smokies. Of five routes leading to Mount Le Conte, the Alum Cave Trail is the shortest and arguably most unique in its features and challenges. The Alum Cave Trail follows Alum Cave Creek and Styx Branch to Arch Rock, then steepens to Alum Cave and along narrow rock ledges up to the summit ridge.

Views from the Cliff Tops (a side trail from the Le Conte summit) are some of the best in the park

The trail starts out following Alum Cave Creek

Snails are common in the Smokies and can be found at virtually any elevation

Colorful exposed rock formations and near 360 degree views make Myrtle Point a worthwhile destination

Sturdy wires are placed in slick areas along the trail to assist hikers through challenging sections

Alum Cave - an 80' high rock overhang - is an ideal turnaround point for those not continuing on to Mount Le Conte

Natural water seeps make for slick trail conditions on the way to Mt Le Conte

The trail crosses Styx Branch on its way to Mt Le Conte

A hiker uses the aid of a wire to navigate a difficult stretch of the trail

The actual summit of Mount Le Conte is unofficially referred to as High Top - and is marked by a gigantic cairn

Views of the Great Smoky Mountains from the Cliff Tops - a side spur accessible from the summit

The trail to Myrtle Point is exposed and illustrates the damage caused by the pine beetle

With no views from the summit of Mt Le Conte, visitors are encouraged to visit Myrtle Point or the Cliff Tops (seen here)

A hiker climbs the stone steps of Arch Rock, which split away from the main wall by mechanical erosion

The Cliff Tops are easily reachable from the Mount Le Conte Lodge

Arch Rock is a massive boulder that split away from a larger rock wall by freeze-thaw cycling

Fresh water streams out of moss-covered rock seams making for beautiful scenery but slick trail conditions

After the Alum Cave split, the trail can get narrow and rocky

Open grassy hillsides are rare on Mount Le Conte and provide hikers with good views of the surrounding mountains

The entrance to Arch Rock - stairs thread a small gap between Arch Rock and the valley wall