Carroll McMahan and his nephew, Nathan Widmer hiked to Mt. LeConte Lodge on May 27, 2009 via Alum Cave Trail. They enjoyed a hot meal in the lodge dinning room and returned. The assent was about 4.5 hours and the return took 3.5 hours. Upon arrivial the thermometer read 58 degrees. They encountered several brief showers.Due to recent heavy rains, there was an abundance of waterfalls along the trail. Several wildflowers were blooming including bluets, sand myrtle, Carolina rhosodendron, dog hobble and many others.