Alex Hauck

Monday, October 26, 2026

Brushy Mountain to Mt. Le Conte

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Saturday June 13, 2026

Blog Entry:

There are six routes that take you up to the summit of Mount Le Conte, and so far, I have hiked four of those routes. Today, I can tick one more off the list as I slogged up and the Brushy Mountain Trail as I summited Mount Le Conte one more time. This one was a hot, hard trip up the mountain and I earned and enjoyed every bit of it.

My Route:

AllTrails: Recording | Profile

(1) Porters Creek

............

1.0 Miles

(2) Brushy Mountain

............

4.5 Miles

(3) Trillium Gap

............

3.6 Miles

(4) Trillium Gap

............

3.6 Miles

(5) Brushy Mountain

............

4.5 Miles

(6) Porters Creek

............

1.0 Miles

Note: You will see added milage if you look at my trip recording due to hiking around on the top of Mt. Le Conte.

This hike starts in the Greenbrier area of the park on Porters Creek Trail where you take it for an easy mile to the Brushy Mountain Trailhead. While there is a lot of history in the Greenbrier area, the Brushy Mountain trail itself was an old walking trail; the CCC Corps converted to a hiking trail when the National Park took the area over. The trail has a lot of switchbacks, turns, and elevation as it winds its way up Brushy Mountain.

- Along The Brushy Mountain Trail -

On this day the trail was wildly overgrown to where I could not see in front of me, but I could still make out the trail below. I wouldn't necessarily call this bushwacking, but it came pretty close. Not only was I sweating for the heat and humidity, but all the overgrowth was wet from morning dew. When you put both of those together, I was drenched to the bone from head-to-toe.

I have hiked this trail once before, just up to Brushy Mountain and a little bit up Trillium Gap, but it was winter with snow and there was not any overgrowth to deal with. I would have to say that was a lot more enjoyable than the slog I was in today.

Around a mile to half mile from the Trillium Gap Trailhead, the Brushy Mountain Trail does open up a bit more as pine trees start to mix in with the elevation change. When you get to the Trail junction; going right will take you to the top of Brushy Mountain, going straight takes you down Trillium Gap towards the Grotto Falls, and left takes you up Trillium Gap to the Summit of Le Conte. As much as I would have liked to have strolled out over the Brushy Mountain Overlook, I knew I would be pushing time today and continued left towards my goal, the summit of Le Conte.

This section of trail starts to get steeper, but it is well kept as the llamas deliver supplies to the lodge from this trail. No matter the weather conditions, the colors just seem deeper and more vibrate at this elevation. There will be several switchbacks and about a mile from the top I feel is the steepest part of this trail. The last half mile or so transitions to a large section of steps, and then you cross a small bridge and arrive at the Le Conte Lodge.

- Along Cliff Topps on Mt. Le Conte -

My original plan was to tag the summit and then have lunch on Cliff Tops, but I was absolutely whipped, so I had lunch first before continuing on to the summit. After going through a bit of fog and overcast weather on the trail once I got to Cliff Tops, the sky was clear, sunny and a beautiful blue. I ate my sandwich, hydrated all while taking in the stunning views.

After lunch I followed the ridge over to High Top, where I tagged the summit. It always feels good to hit the Mt. Le Conte summit as it is quite an accomplishment and should never be overlooked. From there I headed to the lodge where I repacked my gear and filled up on water, before heading back down Trillium Gap.

When I got back to the Brushy Mountain Trillium Gap trail junction, I was glad that I did not take that side trip along the Brushy Mountain overlook as it was starting to get late in the day. Going down Brushy Mountain proved to be just as challenging going down as it was going up, if not more. Between all the overgrowth and curves / switchbacks in the trail you could not see much distance in front of you. I think I talked to myself more coming down this trail than I have in my whole life, so I wouldn't surprise any bears.

- My Route on AllTrails -

After twelve hours of hiking, battle the heat and humidity, and chafing myself pretty good, the last mile of Brushy Mountain and the mile on Porters Creek felt like the longest of my hiking life. It was quite an accomplishment for me, but I was beaten and still had a nice drive home with cramping legs and fingers. According to Garmin watch had me at 20.39 miles for 13 hours and 26 minutes with 5,883 ft. of total elevation gain for the day. With the Brushy Mountain to Le Conte hike complete, it just leaves me with the Boulevard Trail as the last route I need to complete all the Le Conte trails.

Until our next adventure, friends, hike on and stay safe out there!

Related Blog Entries:

	Rainbow Falls to Trillium Gap September 11, 2025 I wanted to test my current endurance level on a tough hike, and what better place to do it than on my favorite mountain... YouTube Video \| Blog Entry
	Alum Cave Trail & Coffee on Cliff Tops July 15, 20223 Nothing like climbing you favorite mountain so you can have view with your morning cup of coffee... YouTube Video \| Blog Entry
	Mt. Le Conte via Bull Head & Overnight December 2 - 3, 2022 First time hiking up the Bull Head to Mt. Le Conte. Also spent the night on top of my Favorite Mountain... YouTube Video \| Blog Entry

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Thursday, September 24, 2026

Overnight Gear Test

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
May 22, 2026

Blog Post:

If you have been watching my videos and reading my blog, then you know I have been trying to reduce my pack weight over the past few years. I finally got my shelter weight down to less than two pounds and got a warm weather quilt for the summer. Before I head out into the deep backcountry with this new gear, I decided to test it out in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Backcountry Campsite #1 Cooper Road. This campsite is less than a mile in, so if something doesn't work, it is an easy bail.

- I stayed at backcountry campsite #1 for this gear test -

I will give you a rundown of this new shelter along with my initial thoughts, but keep in mind I have only used this setup once. After I get some more uses under my belt, I hope to revisit this equipment and give it a proper review.

AquaQuest 10x10 Guide Tarp:

115”L x 115”W
Weight 1.3 pounds
Material 40D Ripstop Nylon
Price on Amazon as of 09/16/26 $129.99

I have been using an AquaQuest Defender 10x10 Tarp for quite some time now, which is a quite bit heavier coming in over 3 pounds, for about eight years now. It has been a workhorse, and I have never gotten wet once. I am expected, and hoping, for the same outcome with but with less weight to carry.

AquaQuest 10x10 Guide Tarp

Hyperlight Mountain Gear Bug Bivy:

Height at Head - 28”
Height at Foot - 21”
Width at Head - 24”
Width at Foot - 18”
Weight - 5.7 oz
Material - Dyneema Composite Fabric 0.75 & NoSeeUm Mesh

I have never used a bivy setup before, but it had plenty of room for me to move around, and I felt pretty comfortable inside. It is a bit harder to get in and out of then my tent, and the real test will be when I have to setup the whole system using just trekking poles and not trees.

Hyperlight Mountain Gear Bug Bivy

Get Out Gear Down Camping Blanket:

Weight - 1.1 pouinds
Dimensions - 80”x54” | 77”x50” fully puffed | 5”x12” stuff sack
Recommended Temperature - 40-60 degrees F.

I have also never used a quilt always opting for sleeping bags, but this was definitely a game changer. I was comfortable, I could toss and turn, and it was still really warm. I enjoyed this so much, I might spring for a cooler weather one for later in the cold seasons.

After I use the gear a little long, I might do a full gear review so check back from time to time. As always, my friends, hike on and stay safe out there.

Get Out Gear Down Camping Blanket

Friday, August 28, 2026

Meigs Creek & Curry Mountain Loop

Meigs Creek to Curry Mountain Loop

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
May 2, 2026

Blog:

I started this hike off at the Sinks parking lot. The Sinks is a man-made waterfall that was created when loggers from the Little River Lumber Co. used dynamited to release a logjam. This powerful water feature, while not tall, has had its share of drowning deaths due to a strong undertow. There is a nice viewing area just a few steps away from the parking lot.

1. Meigs Creek Trail	............	3.5 Miles
2. Meigs Mountain Trail	............	1.9 Miles
3. Curry Mountain Trail	............	3.3 Miles
AllTrails: Hike Recording \| Profile

- Elevation Profile of the Hike -

The Meigs Creek trail starts just behind the Sinks observation area and immediately starts climbing stairs that turn to long roots close to the top before a dirt trail starts heading down. This little bottom area tends to be swampy with ample mosquitoes before the real climb starts.

As I started the main climb up, even though we were in a significant drought, the trees, grasses, and shrubs all felt vibrantly green. It was a cool May morning, and the mountain air was exactly what I needed. At about 1.8 miles there will be a short side trail to the Meigs Creek Cascades and a beautiful little waterfall that splits in two spots before it makes its drop.

- One of the Many Creek Crossing Along Meigs Creek -

I was able to rock hop each creek crossing without much issue, but if this was during a normal rainfall year it probably would have been different. Towards the end of the Meigs Creek Trail I heard what sounded like a hammering or chopping sound in the distance. It did not sound like a woodpecker, but I am not ruling it out. There are not any backcountry campsites around this area and at this point off trail was so thick I don’t really think it was people making the sound, but again I can’t rule that out either. My best guess was it was a tree blowing in the wind banging on another tree but check out my video and let me know what you think.

- The Meigs Creek Cascades -

Once I reached Buckhorn Gap and the trail junctions took a little break and had a snack. Buckhorn Gap and this section of the Meigs Mountain trail was once a community of loggers and homesteaders. There was a school, cemetery, and several houses. You can still see the rock foundations scattered throughout the trail. The trail junction has three trails that meet up here; Meigs Creek, Meigs Mountain, and Lumberjack Ridge. I would be taking Meigs Mountain for 1.9 miles hiking towards Elkmont to where it meets The Curry Mountain Trail.

About a mile and half in you will run into Backcountry Campsite #19 Upper Henderson which is closed as of this writing because the bear cables are broken. Then in about another quarter mile, you will run into the Meigs Mountain Cemetery. The Meigs Mountain Cemetery is sometimes referred to as the Huskey Family Cemetery as the prominent headstone in the cemetery is for Polly Huskey, but there are several different families buried here. You have the Huskey family, Henderson family, and the Turner family just to name the most common. The Interment.Net, an online cemetery survey, lists 22 grave sites located at this cemetery. Other sources have 18-20, as many of the headstone’s markings have weathered off.

- The Polly Huskey Headstone in Meigs Mountain Cemetery -

Around a quarter of a mile past the cemetery, you reach the junction with the Curry Mountain Trail. Curry Mountain is a 3.3-mile trail that will take you back to Little River Road just on the other side of the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. While heading to the road this trail is mostly downhill there is still a little up hill hiking now and again. The trail passes around two 3000 ft. mountains known as Curry He and Curry She.

Today with the sun out this trail was bright green with crystal clear blue skies. There are few nice spots where you can see other mountains through the trees, but the wildflowers are really the star of this trail. On my was down I spotted to deer with one smack dab right in the middle of the trail, and then close to the end and two-three year old black bear.

- Some of the Wildflowers along the Curry Mountain Trail -

This is a great little day hike, and it would help if you had two cars to park at the sinks and Metcalf Bottoms as I am not too sure about hiking back on Little River Road. Until next time my friends, hike on and stay safe out there!