Heavenly Smoky Mountain Engagement on top of Mt. LeConte

Smoky Mountain Photographer

Check out this heavenly Smoky Mountain engagement on top of Mt. LeConte.  This is hands down, one of the most adventurous and amazing engagement sessions I have had the opportunity to photograph.  Leah and Craig contacted me and asked to have their session on top of Mt. LeConte within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Mt. LeConte is very unique location, in that it has the highest elevation 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.  Guests sleep 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 5.5 miles up to 8 miles.

The Lodge

The Lodge offers an atmosphere of quiet simplicity.  People find relaxation and renewed energy at this amazing location.  Guests are housed in hand-built rough-hewn log cabins.  These cabins are equipped with propane heat, kerosene lanterns.  Meals are served family-style in the dining room.  Disconnected from the world and absent of any of the true comforts of modern civilization.  The lodge is supplied Alpacas, which haul supplied to and from the mountain top a few times per week.  The hike is both beautiful and scenic.  We chose the Alum Cave Trail, which is just over five miles in length.  The hike is approximately 3-5 hours to complete.   The trail offered plenty of locations to stop along the way for amazing photos.  The weather on the day of our session was amazing.

I am so excited to share this beautiful engagement session.   Their photos turned out amazing and I am excited to share this session with everyone.  Here is a look at their engagement session, thanks for stopping by.  Please note, that photographers are required to have a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) permit to work within the National Park.  There are only a hand full of photographers who possess this permit and I am fortunate to be one of them.

Derek Halkett Photography | Knoxville Wedding Photographer

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A big thank you to the Park Service Staff who changed the LeConte Lodge sign to Leah and Craig’s wedding date in 2018.  This made for a super special photo for both of them.