Outdoor Adventures - Lake Norman Chapter

**Note: this is very challenging hike with big elevation gains- if you haven't hiked with me before, please make sure you download a map!!

This out and back hike from Wolf Pit Trailhead on the Shortoff Trail to the Chimneys and will be a rim hike with wonderful views down into the Gorge. We will have three climbs on this hike, one up to Short Off Mountain (summit is 3,000 feet above sea level) and the other climbing in and out of the Chimneys Gap. This difficult hike will be 13 miles with 4,100 feet of elevation gain.

Pack a lunch, sunscreen, and water. No restrooms at the trailhead.

Trailhead parking is limited so car pooling is recommended. Hiking poles recommended.

After the hike and only 15 minutes from the trailhead, we will go to the Fonta Flora Farm brewery (Whippoorwill Farm) for drinks and food. Address: 6751 NC-126, Nebo, NC 28761. (Note: they also have a location in Morganton which we are NOT going!!

Please read carefully!

Come out to see the Southeast's largest drive-thru holiday light show in Concord! Five Million Christmas lights and 4 mile drive. This year they have a great light presentation. We will go for drinks/food afterwards at a local restaurant.

Optional: For those that can make it, we will be doing a +/- 4 miles easy hike on gravel/pavement at Frank Liske Park in Concord at 3:15 PM. Address: 4001 Stough Road, Concord, 28027. After the hike we will drive to the light show meeting spot which is a ten minute drive. Note: you can do just the hike too.

Event: Christmas Lights Drive Through

Cost: $45 PER CAR up to 15 people per car. Note: Last year they had bring a Coke product for $5 off making it $40 PER CAR. Note: I can probably fit 8 people total in my car and I have a pass.

Meeting location: We will meet to car pool and make it as inexpensive as possible. Food Lion parking lot, meet at northwest end of parking lot (furthest away from Food Lion front doors). Address: 3673 Concord Park South. Food Lion. Look for my white Toyota Sequoia with hazards on.

Time: Meet at 5:15 at the Food Lion. We will depart the car pool spot PROMPTLY at 5:30 to try to get an early entry into the Christmas light show.

The Christmas Light drive through takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

Clothing: Bring some layers to stay warm in the car with the windows down.

The Southeast’s largest drive-thru holiday light show features more than 5 million lights on a four-mile course circling the iconic oval, pit road and infield road course. The show is open 6-10 p.m., rain or shine, and features synchronized lights-to-music on 101.3 FM, plus drive-in movies on the gigantic Speedway TV!

Optional Hike: Please send me a text if you are doing the hike: 704-516-1001 and I will send you the meeting location within Frank Liske Park

Organizing a STRENUOUS group hike to Mt. Leconte lodge, a unique hike-in only lodge built in 1925 atop the 6th highest peak east of the Mississippi at 6,593 feet above sea level, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hiking up one day, staying the night, hiking down the next day. Total of up to 19 miles. Because of the distance from the Charlotte area, you MUST come to town the night before and make your own night accommodations near the trailhead for Saturday night to be ready early Sunday morning hike departure.

Accommodations at the lodge include dinner and breakfast, and coffee, hot chocolate, and lemonade. Wine package with dinner extra. The food is very good and plentiful!

I have numerous spots reserved for the night of Sunday, November 7th, 2027. It is VERY DIFFICULT to get reservations at Mt. Leconte.

At this time we have 11 commitments. This will fill up fast. Ignore the sign up window.

Contact me directly if you are SERIOUS about attending and willing to spend $325 and commit right away. You Must be a seasoned hiker capable of hiking up at a “fast” pace up to 9 miles and 4,000 feet in one day! 704-516-1001.

Lodging will be in private bedroom or cabin shared with others from the group or in the common area of the lodge buildings that our group has reserved. This is a RUSTIC LODGE with no road access, no electricity, no showers, no plumbing, no internet, and little to no cell service. Lodging is heated with propane and has lighting with oil lamps. Flush toilets are in a separate building not far from the lodging. Nothing is required for you to bring for bedding- that is all provided. Water spigots provided.

Interesting note: this lodge pre-dated the National Park. Only way to get supplies to the lodge are pack llamas or helicopter.

If you add in several nights before or after the Mt. Leconte hike, I can recommend some hikes. Also, I may post a day hike before or after the Mt. Leconte hike. This year we got the chance to see bears on our day hikes.

Okay the fine print: As a volunteer for the safety and continuity, I reserve the right to not allow you to attend.

https://www.lecontelodge.com/

ABOUT THE LODGE

High atop Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, LeConte Lodge® is the highest guest lodge in the eastern United States. It is situated on an open glade just below the summit of Mt. LeConte at an elevation of about 6400 feet. The Lodge serves as a grandstand for the entire Park and commands spectacular views of the Smokies.
It is accessible only by hiking and is the only place in the Smoky Mountains where a visitor can sleep overnight in a snug permanent structure. There are no roads that lead to the Lodge. There are five hiking trails that lead to the Lodge ranging in length from 5.0 miles up to 9.1 miles.
The Lodge offers an atmosphere of quiet simplicity where people find relaxation and renewed energy in the cool, majestic solitude at the top of the Smokies. Guests are housed in hand built rough hewn log cabins with propane heat, kerosene lanterns, clean linens and warm Hudson Bay wool blankets. Hearty meals are served family style in the dining room.

ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN, MT LECONTE PEACE AT ALMOST 6,600 FEET

Standing tall in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains, Mount Le Conte rises 5,301 feet from its base near Gatlinburg, the highest vertical relief of any mountain east of the Rocky Mountains. First measured in the 1850s, its first documented mountaineering ascent occurred in 1924 when explorer Paul Adams led Washington dignitaries up the slopes to showcase the area's rugged beauty.
The expedition successfully convinced national leaders to protect the region as a national park, creating the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At Le Conte's summit sits Le Conte Lodge, a rustic resort built in 1925 that predates the park itselt.

ABOUT THE HIKE

UP:

RAINBOW FALLS TRAIL
Trailhead: Two paved parking lots, 2.5 miles south from Gatlinburg on Cherokee Orchard Road.
Distance: 6.7 miles from Cherokee Orchard to lodge.
Elevation: 3,900′ up / 100′ down
Landmarks: Rainbow Falls, Rocky Spur Overlook
Highlights: Creek crossings and small pools, exposed rock formations, wildflowers in spring, stands of vibrant Red Oak in autumn, seasonal views of Tennessee Valley

DOWN:

THE BOULEVARD TRAIL
Trailhead at Finish: Large paved parking area at Newfound Gap where US HWY 441 crosses stateline.
Distance: 9 miles from lodge to Newfound including Myrtle Point and The Jumpoff.
Elevation: 1,300’ up / 2,700’ down excluding Jump Off and Myrtle Point.
Landmarks: Newfound Gap; historic Appalachian Trail; access to The Jumpoff; access to Myrtle Point, High Top
Highlights: Views into TN/NC; ridgetops blanketed in Spring Beauties and Trout Lilies in mid Spring; exclusive patches of Grass of Parnassus and Purple Monk’s Hood in late summer; a few exposed rock ledges higher up with hand cables

Note: we may add in Charles Bunion for a total of 11.7 miles return.