Question about trail switchbacks in the Smokies

I hiked the Alum Cave Trail to Mt. LeConte last weekend and noticed some switchbacks were totally eroded, like 3 feet of mud in places. Have other hikers seen this on that route this season? Is there a better alternative trail up that doesn't have those washed out sections right now?

3 comments

3 Comments

green.iris15d ago

YES. I did Alum Cave three weeks ago and it was a MESS. The section right before the rock arch was basically a mudslide, I sunk in past my ankle and lost a shoe for a minute. Rainbow Falls is the better bet right now, the trail crew has been working on it and the drainage is way better. Just be ready for a longer day, it's a solid grind.

rodriguez.mia15d agoMost Upvoted

Wow this totally changed my take on Rainbow Falls tbh.

erickelly15d ago

Hold on, I gotta push back a little. I did Alum Cave last weekend and it was totally fine, not a mess at all. The mud patch before the arch is always a little wet, but I just stepped around it and kept my shoes clean. Rainbow Falls on the other hand, I tried that two weeks ago and the trail was hammered with those loose rocks near the top, I almost rolled my ankle twice. Plus the parking lot for Rainbow was packed by 7am, had to wait 20 minutes for a spot. Isn't the shorter hike worth the bit of dirt on your boots?