[at-l] Smokies AT access. aka Mount LeConte access trails

Well, it seems I'm going to be doing some AT hiking in the smokies
over christmas. this question is for you people out there who are
familiar with the access trails to Mount leConte and therefore the
AT.  I've always wanted to hike the Boulevard trail. So, what I'm
planning is to hike up to the lodge then to the AT via the BT then
north to davenport gap.  well my initial thought was to use the
Trillium gap trail past Grotto falls  to get up to Mount LeConte. 
However, as the park reservations guy pointed out to me yesterday, the
roaring fork motor access to the trailhead is closed in the winter. 
That would mean an extra 2 miles of hiking.  so, that leaves the
rainbow falls trail or the bull head trail.  so here's my question
(finally) ... does anyone have experience with these two?  which would
be the easier hike?  the best I can tell they look (on paper)
similar.  both are steep.  But the falls might be cool (pun intended)
in the winter.  any thoughts?


t.
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