Mount LeConte Loop

This route begins and ends at the Rainbow Falls Trailhead. Start on the Trillium Gap Trail, hiking east. Reach Grotto Falls at 3.5 miles. Continue climbing past the waterfall to reach Trillium Gap at 5.2 miles. Turn right at the junction to remain on the Trillium Gap Trail. Climb 3,812 vertical feet to reach the Mt. LeConte Lodge at 8.7 miles. From the lodge, turn right onto the Rainbow Falls Trail to begin the descent, keeping right at 9.4 miles at the junction with Bullhead Trail. Reach Rainbow Falls at 12.6 miles. Continue descending on the Rainbow Falls Trail, crossing two footbridges. At the trail junction near the bottom, continue straight to return to the Rainbow Falls Trailhead parking area.