One hour later, you think you're as prepared as you can be for your hot date...um... guided hike. Yes. Guided hike with Ranger Hot Stuff. It turns out that there is one other woman coming along on the hike, but she looks like she's very prepared for an eleven mile hike. When she first looked at you, it felt like she was sizing you up. And then she smirked.

It's definitely on.

From what the pamphlet said, Mount LeConte is one of the most popular mountains in the park, with six ways to get to the summit: the Boulevard, Rainbow Falls, Trillium Gap, Bull Head, Brushy Mountain, and the shortest, steepest, and most popular access, Alum Cave Trail. Along the way, you'll encounter a number of notable landmarks including Arch Rock, Inspiration Point, and 80-foot high Alum Cave Bluff. Your steep ascent will enmesh you into a swarm of Fraser firs near 6,000 feet before leveling out near the summit. You'll suddenly emerge onto a series of cabins that make up LeConte Lodge, built in the 1920s and only accessible by trail. Anyone who makes it that far is welcome to stop in and warm themselves by the stove.

A little bit past the lodge is the true summit of LeConte, marked by a large cairn made mostly of sheet-like shale a little ways off the main trail. A short way past this is Myrtle Point, a panoramic spot with the best sunrises the mountain has to offer. A little closer to the lodge is Cliff Top, which has the best sunset views.

Hunter comes out to greet the pair of you. "Welcome to the Majestic Mountain guided tour. We'll be going up to the peak of Mount LeConte. I do need to let you know a few basic rules: namely, don't stray too far from the path and my word is law out there in the woods. There are a lot of dangers in the deep mountains, and no matter how much you think you know, I can't take you if you won't listen to me. Are we clear, ladies?"

You both nod at the same time. Hunter flashes a charming smile. "Great. We'll take one of the park vehicles to the trail head and go from there. C'mon ladies." The drive is about an hour and a half through winding roads and into the deep mountains. You lost cell reception ages ago, but the sights have been magnificent so far. Lots of trees and sunshine and birds.

Hunter pulls the car into a parking spot by the trail head, and you notice there are no other cars currently parked here. Either lots of people are walking today, or it's possible there might not be anyone else up for the long hike. It is a weekday, but the chances of having Hunter all to yourself seem rather slim. Maybe the gods of love are smiling on you...

Hunter opens both of your doors and shrugs on a large pack, full of stuff that is no doubt helpful. He smiles at both of you and gestures for you to follow before starting up the trail.

You take a deep breath and follow him. In the distance, dark clouds start to turn the sky an inky black.

[Go to chapter: Thirty Four]