The pre-hiking adventure started at 6 pm on Sunday at Campbell's Overlook. While viewing Mt. LeConte, a very polite and energetic group of young adults approached me and asked, "where is the National Park?" My response was, "you are in it and look at this wonderful view"!! The group jumped for joy and I immediately invited them to hike with me to the Lodge on the next day. I found out that they are all Engineering students from Purdue. I asked if I could take their photo, with the promise that it will be on Ed's mtleconte.com website. Their excitement increased and here is a great snapshot of the fine group from Purdue While capturing their photo, I met a couple celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. I promised Barbara, from Valparaiso, Indiana that I would have Ed post our photo on his website, so here is the photo that Barbara's husband took of us at Campbell's Overlook. I hope that the Purdue students, as well as Barbara and her husband see the photos on the mtleconte.com website! 

I drove on to view the fall foliage at the Chimney's. I was amazed over how green Gatlinburg and the lower elevations were for it being October 8th.  Upon my arrival  at Morton Overlook for the 7:08 pm sunset, I met a gentleman who had just purchased the latest Canon DSLR. He is from Murphy, Tennessee and very familiar with the mtleconte.com website. Unfortunately, his name escapes me, but I really enjoyed capturing the colorful sunset and chatting with all the fine folks who were crowding around. The sun itself was not too noticeable, but colors started to spread across the sky I stayed until 7:40 pm, and the final result of the setting sun was beautiful!!!

Upon getting a perfect night's sleep, I headed to the mountains at 6:40 a.m. on Monday the 9th. I decided to drive to the other side of Newfound Gap to get a few snapshots of the sunrise. Ed had advised me where to stop and I found the perfect place on the North Carolina side. A small crowd had gathered at Newfound Gap on the state line side of the mountain, but Ed's advise was perfect. I set up my tripod and caught these photos of a rather glorious sunrise. Thank you Ed for this wonderful photo tip!!! 

I arrived at the ACB trailhead at 8:02 a.m.. Making sure that my car was locked (Ed and other hikers know that I seem to have this tendency to think that I am leaving my vehicle unlocked), I started up the trail at 8:05 a.m. Temperature was about 40 degrees, with a very clear blue sky, but mostly green color with small hints of yellow on the leaves. 

I made it through Arch Rock at 8:40 a.m. without seeing a soul. Once I passed through the rock, the sky became bluer, and it almost seemed to be getting a lot warmer. As I was getting closer to Inspiration Pt., I overtook 2 hikers, June and Sharon. They were from Sturgis and Houghton Lake, Michigan. June and Sharon were hiking to the Lodge for an overnight visit. Both Sharon and June have met Ed several times in the past, and send him their regards. I continued on, and arriving to Inspiration Pt., I noticed someone stretched out on the rock, reading a book. Turns out that her name is Patty, and she is hiking to the Lodge with Sharon and June. Patty is a retired Phys Ed teacher from Sturgis, Michigan. I believe that this is Patty's 5th hike. Five minutes later, June and Sharon arrive. Patty and June take a quick photo of Sharon and I.  I decided to keep moving, since I wanted to be at the Lodge by noon. With the morning becoming more and more beautiful, I decided that I wanted to do a quick side trip to Cliff Top. 

More traces of autumn color became more visible. I took a picture of Eye of the Needle, and before the Bluffs, another photo of the Autumn color. I stopped at the Bluffs for 5 minutes and then headed up. Patty overtook me because I stopped several times to take photos of Little Duck Hawk Ridge. I also met several hikers coming down from the Lodge who informed me that they were amazed over how clear and beautiful the weather is at the top. 

I got to Gracie's Pulpit around 9:35 a.m. and decided to take a quick picture of the first view of the LeConte Peaks. Moving on, I met a hiker who overtook me. His name is Bill Sweet from Hopkinsville, KY. I promised him that I would have it posted on the mtleconte.com website. Bill is an accomplished hiker, having done the entire AT, but doing his first hike to the Lodge. 

I kept on hiking, savoring every moment of seeing the evidences of Fall color along the trail. 

Thirty minutes or so later, I met two friendly hikers from Knoxville, Tennessee, Danny and Mark. They are both familiar with the mtleconte.com website. I invited them to join us on the October 28th hike. I hope to see them at the trailhead at 7:30 a.m. 

As the sky kept turning bluer, the humidity seemed to be getting higher. I slowed my pace down and met a fine group of people from Nashville and Alabama. Again, I made a promise that their photograph would be posted on the mtleconte.com website. 

Proceeding on, I kept encountering hikers on their return down from the Lodge. All were sharing the news of the perfect autumn weather!! Since good luck seemed  to be with me, I ran into Ranger Katie, who made a special note of Wright's October 28th hiking date. 

Climbing upward, my thoughts turned to a favorite veteran hiker, Ron Valentine. Another stroke of good luck happened, and about 10 minutes after I met Ranger Katie, there was Ron Valentine. He decided to do a quick hike because of Monday being a Holiday (Columbus Day) He also made note of the Wright's Oct. 28th hiking date. Good to see you, Ron!!! 

Time was catching up quickly, so I had to start moving quicker. The views were absolutely sensational, against the perfect blue sky and fall colors. Even Cliff Top was displaying an array of fall color. 

With Betty Jane's Stairway to Heaven being the final strenuous ascent before reaching the Lodge, I knew that I would get there a few minutes before noon. My plan to hike to Cliff Tops would actually happen!!  

I arrived at the Lodge at 11:50 a.m. with a temperature of 57degrees. The llamas had just arrived I then decided to find Tim. I Found Tim and Alan having lunch in the dining room. Chatted with them a few minutes, updated them on Ed, took a photo of the date on the dining room hall, and decided to sit on the porch for a few minutes before going to Cliff Top. 

I ran into Patty on the porch who was patiently waiting for Sharon and June to arrive. She decided to hike to Cliff Tops with me, Off we went and the views were spectacular! I meant to mention how beautiful the mountain ash berries were against a clear blue sky. 

Returning back to the Lodge, I signed in, and decided to head back down. It was now 2:30 pm. I filled my water bottle and began the return hike down. 

With the outstanding weather, accompanied by a pristine sky, my downward hike started. My thoughts were centered on the way I had been blessed during my 11th hike. I experienced the opportunities of meeting many fine new people, talking to the wonderful staff at the Lodge, and being able to capture memorable photos, all seasoned with perfect fall foliage. It was hard to believe that this gorgeous day was coming to an end.

The views were still endless and colorful. I arrived at the Bluffs and realized how calm and serene the last hour had been. I was also very aware of the fact that, on this return trip down from the Lodge, I truly missed meeting more new hikers and exchanging pieces of information about this wonderful trail and what the Lodge has to offer. I continued to relax at the Bluffs for about 15 minutes and then proceeded on. Inspiration Pt. was still clear and autumn-like in the late afternoon, as were the well-known Dolly Parton Peaks. 

I arrived safely to the ACB parking lot at 5:15 p.m., grateful for meeting many fine people and being able to enjoy the beautiful autumn day in the mountains. I really missed Ed, Tillroe, and other good friends who add so much fun and enjoyment to the rewards of hiking to Mt. LeConte!

As an added "important" note, the Wright-Haythorn Family and Friends Hike to the Lodge is Saturday, Oct. 28th, 7:30 a.m. sharp at the ACB trailhead. I hope many friends, as well as new hikers, will accompany us on the salamander adventure and great hiking moments with Ed and his two young grandsons, Austin and Charlie Wright. Some of the Haythorns will also be there to enjoy the fun and excitement! It will be a wonderful day to look forward to!!!