Mount Le Conte (6,593') is the 3rd highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and tallest from base to top in the eastern US. Of five routes leading to the summit, the Trillium Gap Trail offers balance between distance, difficulty and scenic attractions. Visitors will enjoy passing behind Grotto Falls and access to Brushy Mountain on the hike to Mount Le Conte.

Though High Top is ringed by thick timber, unlimited vistas can be had from the Cliff top and Myrtle Point trails

The Trillium Gap Trail passes behind Grotto Falls on its way to Mount Le Conte

Mount Le Conte seen from the summit of Brushy Mountain

The Trillium Gap Trail passes through long sections of diverse hardwood forests

Sand myrtle's waxy coat contributes to the term 'laurel slick', a micro-habitat found on many high peaks in the Smokies

The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid has greatly impacted hemlock and fir forests since it was first identified in the Park in 2002

The cold winter of 2013 - 2014 has helped counter the rapid colonization of the woolly agelid

Wildflowers grow along the Trillium Gap Trail beneath the summit of Mount Le Conte

The summit of Mount Le Conte is marked by a large pile of rocks and technically offers no views - therefore Myrtle Point or the Cliff Tops are available for great vistas

Views from the large rocky area at Myrtle Point

True to their name, views of the Smokies are often obscured by a thin layer of moisture - similar to a thin layer of smoke

Unlike most summits, Mount Le Conte offers great primitive lodging options and also offers services for day hikers

Brushy Mountain offers great views of Mount Le Conte (seen here) - a short side trail leads from Trillium Gap to the Brushy Mountain Summit

Grotto Falls is a great place to stop and look for salamanders

The trail to Myrtle Point follows an exposed ridge to a rocky ledge

Colorful Rhododendron can be found throughout the hike to Mount Le Conte

Brushy Mountain - seen from the Trillium Gap Trail climbing Mount Le Conte

The Painted trillium flower is named for the v-shaped red color on each petal

Good trail conditions make this route perfect for the 'Llama Train' - a group of pack llamas that run supplies to the Le Conte summit 3x per week