A “highlight” of the year for me is hiking to Mt. Le Conte, the third highest peak in the Smokies. The only way to get to Mt. Le Conte is hiking one of five trails. My favorite is the Alum Cave Trail, about five miles (up, up, up).

This was a view at sunset. Not much of a sunset view but a wonderful view as clouds gathered in the valleys and we heard the rush of the wind.