Mount Le Conte (Tennessee)

Mount Le Conte
Mount LeConte from the Carlos Campbell Overlook
Highest point
Elevation	6,593 ft (2,010 m)
Prominence	1,360 ft (410 m)
Coordinates	35°39′15″N 83°26′12″W / 35.65417°N 83.43667°W / 35.65417; -83.43667Coordinates: 35°39′15″N 83°26′12″W / 35.65417°N 83.43667°W / 35.65417; -83.43667
Geography
Location	Sevier County, Tennessee
Parent range	Appalachian Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains
Topo map	USGS Mount Le Conte
Climbing
First ascent	unknown
Easiest route	Hike

Mount Le Conte (or LeConte) is a mountain in Sevier County, Tennessee located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At 6,593 ft (2,010 m) it is the third highest peak in the national park, behind Clingmans Dome (6,643 ft, 2,024 m) and Mount Guyot (6,621 ft, 2,018 m). It is also the highest peak that is completely within Tennessee. However, from its immediate base to its summit, Mount Le Conte is one of the highest peaks in the Appalachian Mountains rising 5,301 ft (1,616 m) from its base, near Gatlinburg, Tennessee (1,292 ft/394 m).

There are four subpeaks above 6,000 ft on the mountain (referred to as the LeConte massif): West Point (6,344 ft/1,934 m), High Top (6,593 ft/2,010 m), Cliff Tops (6,555 ft/1,998 m), and Myrtle Point (6,200 ft/1,890 m). In addition, Balsam Point (5,840+ ft/1,780+ m) serves as the dramatic west end of the massif. Additionally, the mountain is notable for having the highest inn providing lodging for visitors in the Eastern United States.

There is considerable controversy over just which member of the Le Conte family the mountain was named for. The United States Geological Survey lists Joseph Le Conte, famous geologist, as the man for whom the mountain was named, supposedly by Swiss explorer Arnold Guyot. However, in recent years this claim has been challenged by local authorities (including the authors of A Natural History of Mount Le Conte), who in turn believe that the mountain derives its name from Joseph's older — and less famous — brother John Le Conte, a physicist at South Carolina College. Their story alleges that the mountain was named by Samuel Buckley in respect to John's help in moving his barometer to Waynesville, North Carolina, at Buckley's request.