BEST Hike in the Smoky Mountains?! - Trillium Gap to Mt Leconte!

[@LukeGeeTravels]

Great Smoky Mountains is a natural wonder, with so many hiking trails it’s a place you must visit! Have you ever been to this National Park - what did you do?

[@keepitrollin3670]

Finally, the long awaited Smokey Mountains video :D ...i am mad as hell that you got to see the mama bear with the little ones. we didn't see a single bear when we were there. great video as always!

[@LukeGeeTravels]

Finally here! And there will be more!😳 it was a nice suprise after hiking close to 18 miles on that hike to see some cute little bears! Just glad the mom was okay with me observing and didnt get mad

[@keepitrollin3670]

@@LukeGeeTravels ohh yeah. Mama bears tend to be VERY protective of the little ones. This one is probably used to people hence her calmness. you were VERY lucky

[@LukeGeeTravels]

@@keepitrollin3670 I always keep an extra safe distance and try to be respectful of nature. I don’t want to end up on morning news getting attacked by a bear🐻

[@dwaynerobinson7629]

There's quite a few CCC campsites in GSMNP. Imo- it's a shame that the park service hasn't preserved at least one of them in honor of the work they put in to turning the wilderness into what we know today. A park we love and can better enjoy because of the trails they cut. The structures they preserved. The roads they carved or improved. They're scattered throughout the park but there's very little left of any of them.

[@LukeGeeTravels]

I had no idea, thank you for sharing that information! Whenever I hike these trails, all over the country, I am super thankful for the work of CCC and those volunteers who upkeep the trails for you and I to enjoy

[@annetteng8499]

🐻😍🦌! Looks like a great hike! And who doesn’t love waterfalls! 😍

[@LukeGeeTravels]

It was a big hike - 18 miles but totally worth it with a nice surprise at the end:)

[@worldtraveler1236]

Excellent video Luke! I cannot believe you were that close to a bear! And that hike was incredible, what an eventful day!

[@LukeGeeTravels]

I love animals and i respect them. I always try to keep a safe distance, just surreal that I was able to capture this encounter!😍

[@BobI-jb4rk]

Watching the bear cub climb down the tree was amazing!! Thanks for the recommendation for the Solomons. I will check them out as I am shopping for a new pair of hiking boots. Are they flexible at the toes/toebox (like Keen)?

[@LukeGeeTravels]

It was amazing to run into them, definitely unexpected. I appreciate the mama bear not being scared of me too! Yes, the salomons are great.. the one i have - predict - they’re solid shoes but the sales come undone quite easily, and I had to request warranty replacement as they stopped being waterproof after a year:/

[@abperrin]

Love the great smoky mountains! Looks like a beautiful hike!

[@LukeGeeTravels]

It may just be my new favorite, two stunning waterfalls along the way and some beautiful overlooks.. cant beat the views!❤️

[@jesuscervantes5803]

The waterfalls 🤩

[@LukeGeeTravels]

It was an action packed hike! Had everything you can ask for - views, waterfalls and BEARS!😳

[@MikeBius]

AWESOME VIDEO!!!

[@LukeGeeTravels]

Thank you Mike!

[@bethfrazer6416]

Love your content! What’s your preferred trail to LeConte? And any trekking poles you recommend?

[@LukeGeeTravels]

Thank you so much Beth! I have done two. Alumn Cave to the top is shorter but also more busy. Trillium gap to Mount Leconte is my favorite in terms of views and things you see along the way. Within first 2 miles you come across Grotto Falls and on the way back down you can tack on Rainbow Falls! For hiking polls, i have used my black diamond poles ~ roughly $100 ~ but i HIGHLY recommend something with shock obsorption. Hope this helps :)