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I am just a guy who loves living life to the fullest. Whether it is out hiking the trails of East Tennessee, adventures in the backcountry, or visiting and learning about historical sites, I enjoy it all.

I document my journeys though various forms of social media with pictures, videos, and blogs as a way for me to look back. If you enjoy this kind of thing, I invite you to pour a beer and join me on my adventures.

As Always, Stay Safe and Hike On!
L. Alex Hauck

After Action Report - Saturday July 15, 2023

Alum Cave Trail, what can I say that has not been said already. This is one of the Smoky Mountains’ most popular trails and there are a few reasons why. This trail has it all starting with the views and there are many along this five and half mile trek. There are several distinctive features that stand out as well with Arch Rock and the Alum Bluff. Finally, this is the shortest trail that will get you to the top of Mount Le Conte.  

My Route: 

Alum Cave Trail ...... 5.5 Miles
Alum Cave Trail ...... 5.5 Miles 

Click the map below to go to my AllTrails Recording

I woke up early and hit the trial around 5:30 am well before first light. I always like getting the jump on the crowds when it comes to the popular trials in the Smokies. The first two and half miles follow the creek up at a gradual elevation. At 1.4 miles you come to Arch Rock that is a type of land bridge you hike through. Then at 2.2 miles you come to what people call Inspiration Point where you can get some fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. Finally at 2.5 miles you hit Alum Bluff that is a huge rock face on the side of the mountain. It really puts size in perspective and pictures just do not do it justice.    ~ Continue Reading ~

Video - Alum Cave Trail & Coffee on Cliff Top

Video - Full Time Lapse Video on Cliff Top

Alum Cave Trail & Coffee on Cliff Top Story Links:

• Great Smoky Mountain National Park 

• Story Blog Page

• All Trails: Recording | Profile

• My YouTube Channel 

• Instagram Profile

After Action Report: June 22 - 25, 2023

The past two years went by fast, faster than I would like to admit, but it was time again for the bi-annual trip with my buddy Greg. We decided to return once again to the Great Smoky Mountains and make Smokemont our basecamp for a second time. Our adventure this year was a hike up to Gregory’s Bald with an overnight at backcountry site #13 Sheep Pen Gap at 4,640 ft.  

Day 1 – The first day of our trip of course is always travel. Greg drove down from Indy to my house and then we took my Jeep and trailer into the park. We were able to get everything set up and squared away before our traditional rain shower. For those of you who do not know, on about every one of our trips we always get a fair amount of rain and by fair amount it is usually a torrential downpour.  We were able to get a fire going and cook a good dinner before calling it a night. 

Day 2 – Can not start an adventure off without some coffee and a hearty breakfast. We then packed our bags and headed out on the road to the Twentymile Ranger Station where the trailhead started. Below I listed the route we took for this loop hike.  

Our Route: 

1. Twenitymile ....................... 3.1 Miles

2. Long Hungry Ridge ............ 4.6 Miles 

3. Gregory Bald ..................... 1.2 Miles 

4. Wolf Ridge ........................ 6.3 Miles 

5. Twentymile ....................... 0.5 Miles 

~ Continue Reading ~

YouTube Video:

In Search of Gregory Bald Links:

• Great Smoky Mountain National Park

• Smoky Mountain Backcountry Permit Page 

• Smoky Mountains PDF Trail Map 

• My YouTube Channel 

• Instagram Profile 

• My AllTrails Profile