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Bill Keeton's 1/12/06 hike to the Lodge via the Alum Cave Bluff Trail

Hey Ed, Thanks for the picture of the Florida sunrise. It is second only to the Mt LeConte sunrises. Thursday (1/12) it was 34 degrees when I left the Alum Cave Bluff Trailhead. I started out with several layers of clothing. As I went up it got warmer and warmer. By the time I got to the top it was 55 degrees. The sun was shining and the sky was as clear as I have ever seen it. There were several inches of snow and ice accumulated along the way. No matter how many times I walk that trail it just gets better. The warm temperature and the cold wind made it a perfect climate for walking. I had to use my crampons from about 5500 feet up. I walked past the Lodge and on to the shelter, then back to Cliff Tops. From the boulevard trail to Cliff Tops is a short walk but the views are incredible. It was really unusual feeling the temperature get cooler as I got closer to the trail head. I got back to the parking lot at about 2:15 where the temperature was in the 40’s. Once again it was a great walk in the mountains. Hope to see you here soon. Bill Keeton

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