Overlooking the Smokies from Le Conte

We hiked up Mount Le Conte in the Great Smoky Mountains for my birthday. It's 10.9 miles / 17.5 km out and back and the third tallest peak in the Smokies. My legs felt it by the time we were heading back down!

It was sunny and the temperature mostly pleasant throughout. Cold at the trailhead and cold at the top, but layers quickly came off. This is the first hike I used a hydration bladder (CamelBak) and it's a game changer! There's a gift shop at the top that's stocked three times a week by llamas carrying cargo.

Because it's a popular trail, even in November, there was a lot of foot traffic. I didn't get much time to pause for pictures without being in multiple someone's way.