Throwback Thursday

Mt. LeConte is famous for the historic lodge and cabins at its summit. The idea for the lodge came about when Paul Adams, a local hiker and explorer, led an expedition up the mountain with some dignitaries from Washington DC to show them the rugged beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, and in the process, help promote the cause for national park status. The group spent the night in a large tent. The following year Adams would build a cabin on that same spot (see photo below from The Paul J. Adams Photograph Collection, University of Tennessee Library Digital Collections), which eventually led to the establishment of the LeConte Lodge. Adams is also credited with helping to blaze the Alum Cave Trail up to the summit, which is now one of the premier hikes in the park.

Jeff

HikingintheSmokys.com