Enjoy these great photos taken by Ann Froschauer during a hike to LeConte Lodge via Alum Cave Trail.
I’m just saying … there’s a good reason they call it the “smokies.”
This critter is a glassy grapeskin snail (Vitrinizontides latissimus), a snail whose shell is made of protein instead of the usual calcium (or so an expert named Leslie told Ann who told me).
Finally Ann and her pals hiked high enough to come out above the clouds.
Check out the beautiful contrast between the yellow lichen in the background and this catawba rhododendron blossom.
Well, at least they hiked above some of the clouds, apparently they are in a clear space between the layers!
Here’s Ann and her Dad with Jessica and Jason at the world famous (but hard to get to) LeConte Lodge.
