I grew up hiking and staying at the lodge on Le Conte, llamas bring in your supplies up one of the few trails that lead to the top.The shelters not far from the lodge along Boulevard Trail. This is definitely the best mountain experience I've had in the southeast and one of my favorite places in the world. Alum Cave Trail is my preferred route to the top and has amazing vistas the whole way up. Once at the top Clifftops and Myrtles Point are a must.