“Use caution, and be aware that many of Mt. LeConte’s approach trails have downed trees as well.” ...

Barely a dozen years after embarking on his first hike in the Smokies, a military veteran in East Tennessee marked his 600th summit of Mount Le Conte at age 81.

While hikers can travel Rainbow Falls Trail for its full 6.7 miles to Mount Le Conte, most opt for the 5.6-mile out-and-back hike to its namesake waterfall. Rainbow Falls cascades 80 feet, making it ...