Vertical Milestones

T.J. Melinn and Philip Elswick prepare to head up Cherokee Orchard Road.

The vertical mile is a hiking challenge that involves climbing Mount Le Conte from the riverside in Gatlinburg. Hikers start by dipping a toe in the Little Pigeon RIver near Ripley's aquarium (elevation 1,313 or less) and then climb 5,280 feet to High Top.

The typical route follows the Cherokee Orchard Road up to Rainbow Falls Trail. Bullhead and Trillium Gap offer alternative routes. Depending on the route, the round-trip hike is usually more than 22 miles.

Holly Bryant from Andrews, N.C., holds the record with nine vertical miles. Others who have reported multiple vertical miles are Larry Russell and Tim Massey with five each and Bonnie Northrup with three.

Three men and two women have reported vertical miles in 2026. The trip has been accomplished at least 96 times since 1922.

To get credit for the full vertical mile, hikers need to continue past LeConte Lodge to the summit at High Top. Don't be fooled by the "Elevation 6,593" sign on the dining hall.

T.J. Melinn, Philip Elswick: One week after completing the Tour de Le Conte, T.J. Melinn wanted to stretch his legs. So on June 26, he and Elswick hiked from the riverside in Gatlinburg to High Top on Mount Le Conte.

Constance Perry: Perry joined the Vertical Mile club on April 2, hiking from Ripley's Aquarium to High Top in five hours and 23 minutes, then descending via Rainbow Falls in 4:30. That's 22.6 horizontal miles and just over 5,280 feet vertically.