14ers.com

Le Conte is winner! Busy, but a fantastic hike. I did it on a memorial day and started very early, like 6 AM and found it to be very secluded. I took the ALum Cave trail up and the Boulevard trail over to the AT with a brief hike up Mt. Kephart to the Jump Off (nice view) and back to New Foundland Gap... which was very busy by then.

A fantastic day hike.

IMO...LeConte's best route is from Newfound Gap to Boulevard Trail (side trip to the Jumpoff!!!!) and then onto the Summit. If you have two cars or hitch-hike, descend the Alum Cave Trail. I've climbed LeConte numerous times and this is, by far, the best route. Fewer people (after the AT) and greater views. Plus you climb Mt. Kephart on the AT (a 6er!). Also, don't forget to pick up your rock to place on the top....It really should be the highest peak in the park! LOL! Over a mile of elevation gain from Gatlinburg....BEAUTIFUL!!! Packrat is right on!

Probably better in the fall, but if you're looking for some off trail hiking you could try Porters Creek up to Charlies Bunion.

http://greghoover.blogspot.com/2010/06/ ... creek.html

I thought you referring to that I cannot see the Rockies today from Denver
due to smoke from a Fort Collins area fire.
I had a good view from Quandry summit Saturday.

Thanks to all for the suggestions. We (Mrs. SouthernFried) ended up doing a few miles on the AT from Newfound Gap and then finished it off with Chimney Tops! Mrs. SouthernFried isn't as in to hiking as am I so I was impressed that she managed to make it up Chimney Tops...that is one steep hike!

I'll be posting a trip report on Chimney Tops in the coming days if anyone is interested.

Thanks again y'all!