Good Morning,
Rinse and repeat when storms are the norm. As expected, yesterday’s tease of sunshine was short-lived, as rain-producing clouds wasted no time in forming over the Smokies’ higher elevations, unleashing as they tap danced from peak to peak throughout the afternoon. Expect similar ear-popping performances again today and throughout the coming week across East TN. Spotty showers and patchy clouds are present this morning, and although we could enjoy a break over these next few hours, more storms are forecast to flare up by mid afternoon. So it’s a good idea to get most of one’s miles underfoot before the skies get agitated…again. Temps are around 50° as pancakes and biscuits get served, and we might ease up near 60° later today once those famous no-bake cookies become the delectable treat of choice. Winds will be apparent, gusting up to 25mph at times. By now it’s no mystery this week will bring a substantial amount of wet weather to the mountains, especially in this day and age of detailed and advanced forecasting. Still, it’s a bit mystifying how many hikers make the ascent completely unprepared and miserable, as though they’ve never owned a rain jacket, seen a forecast, or they come from a land that apparently has only ever been sunny their entire life. At least that’s the impression they give. Please don’t be that person…for your sake, ours, and those around you (the latter two being your potential rescuers). It’s been said before and it’ll be said again, there are numerous inherent risks to exploring the backcountry, coping with the weather often chief among them. Hikers are 100% responsible for the gear they choose or neglect to bring into the wilderness, which can have a significant impact on their safety and enjoyment. If there’s ice, you should always have traction devices. If there’s a heat wave, you should always have ample water and nourishment. If there’s rain, you should have waterproof layers for your core and extremities that will keep you dry and warm whether you are moving, standing, or sitting. And just because there is a lodge at the top of this mountain, using that as an excuse to skimp on gear is a dangerous game to play, and we’ve witnessed it backfire for unprepared visitors before. If an accident befalls you while on trail and miles from care, will the gear and provisions you have keep you dry, warm, and fed for hours (or possibly days) before help arrives? If you can say yes to all of those questions, then you are taking the correct steps in being a responsible hiker and increasing your odds at having a safe and enjoyable time in the woods. And don’t stop there, share this knowledge with others, as it could make all the difference for them and you. Have a great day.
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Hola and happy Cinco de Mayo to those celebrating the occasion today!
On the NC side of the park, clouds are stacking up in layers like a multi-tiered cake, but from our grand vantage point gazing out over East TN, skies are sunny and beautiful. As lovely as that sounds, we won’t get lulled into thinking that’s how things will shake out as Sunday marches on. Pop-up storm chances for the mountains this afternoon are significantly higher than say out in the flatlands of Sevier County. So if you’re waking up seeing the sunshine this morning, don’t mistake it for fool’s gold and hit the trails unprepared. Temps at the lodge might tag 60° this afternoon with any winds remaining light. Rain and storms are still expected to play a role in the coming days. Have a great day. Good Morning,
A long, long time ago (100 years to be exact), on a mountain top far, far away (roughly a few miles from Gatlinburg) began a modest camp by a woodsy Jedi and his trusty Wookie shepherd. Using their knowledge of the Appalachian force and outdoors savvy, they stealthily crafted a home base set 6,400’ up among the stars. At first, the dark side of the forest posed numerous challenges, headed by the suspicious sith squirrels. The woodsy Jedi enlisted the millennium peregrine falcons as part of the alliance, often utilizing kerosene light sabers to keep the darkness at bay. Thankfully, the bear trap was never a necessity, as the local Ewoks shared no love for the evil squirrel empire either. Over time, the alliance grew considerably, and as young hiking padawans learned to pack out their trash, the sith squirrels were defeated. So the story goes, supposedly… Fast forward to today, we have dark skies flying in starship-loads of rain and rumbling stormtroopers. Trails will be wet from top to bottom, as the sloppy conditions zig and zag their way over peaks and through beggar’s canyons. Temps will hover in the 50s, but the coolness from the wind and rain can best be shielded by decent armor and waterproof cloaks. The forecast for tomorrow is a clone, so all hiking warriors should come prepared for battle with the wet weather. Have a great day, and May the 4th be with you! Good Morning,
When the forecast descriptions appear lengthy, you know they aren’t talking about sunshine and calm. Well, we had a delightful start to May, but nature’s roar is about to be restored. Rain and thunderstorms will be the norm for the foreseeable future in the Smokies beginning later this morning. This will be the kind of weather that keeps you on the toes of your hiking boots. Mostly cloudy skies, where a rain band could roll through producing a light mist that softly pitter-patters off the freshly sprouted leaves. Or it can blow up in an instant and unload a deluge with abrupt winds and booming electrical blasts. Glimpses of the sun will likely be few and far between this weekend. So remember the rain gear and pack covers for keeping you and your belongings dry while out and about. Folks hitting the trail early today will have an advantage at beating the worst of the weather. For day hikers, that means doing a quick turn-an-burn after achieving the summit. Temps will hold firm between 50s and 60s over the coming days, as winds will remain present but never overbearing, gusting upwards of 20mph. Trails will undoubtedly turn to squish and mud as the precip piles up. How creek levels respond will be a game of wait-and-see depending on the frequency and duration of heavy downpours or steady saturating rains. But definitely worth keeping an eye on if attempting a trail known for sketchy wet-weather crossings. Rainbow Falls and Trillium Gap are known to have a few. Probably not a good week to attempt Bull Head between the countless downed trees and the miles of canopy-less exposure to the elements. Stay dry, stay safe, and have a great day. Good Morning,
Seeing the sun and moon swap places without interruption from view doesn’t happen as often as one might think atop Mt. LeConte. So that makes the magic of yesterday and today extra savory. An inspiring sunrise followed by palate-pleasing pancakes is giving guests a happy head start to the new day. Skies will be clear, temps will be toasty, air will be calm. Sounds like a superb opportunity to ramble around the woods and soak up some sensational sights from grand vistas. Temps are likely to reach the mid 60s this afternoon, and who knows, we might even set a new high reading for the year thus far. Trails and vehicular traffic are expected to be on the congested side today, so come prepared with patience despite it being a weekday. If you’re a day hiker in the area with ambitions of summiting the Smokies’ crown jewel, doing so today would be far more ideal than waiting til this weekend. Beginning tomorrow afternoon and persisting for the next several days, the mountains are slated to receive a steady dose of rainfall and thunderstorms. Please make smart decisions for yourself and others especially if you are not a guest with a reservation in the coming days. Every day hiker is 100% responsible for their safety and enjoyment (or lack thereof) when they choose to hike in inclement weather but are improperly outfitted for spending prolonged periods of time in such sloppy conditions. Please take advantage of resources available online regarding hiking essentials and cater what you learn to best fit your wants and needs for a safe and prosperous time on the trail. Have a great day. “Now is the month of Maying, when merry lads are playing.
Fa la la… The Spring clad in all gladness, doth laugh at winter’s sadness. Fa la la…” -Thomas Morley Good Afternoon and Happy May Day, What a superb occasion to celebrate spring in the Smokies. The first of May is an opportune time to note the (roughly) halfway point between the spring equinox and summer solstice. Although dancing around May poles will have to be swapped out for frolicking among Mt. LeConte’s spruces and firs, and instead of sharing bountiful baskets of blooms, passersby will just have to admire what grows naturally trailside (not picking any flowers of course!). And to amplify this great glee for earthly awakening, the sun is shining bright, birds are chirping harmoniously, and the air feels tantalizing against the skin. With each passing day, the hours of light grow longer, the warmth beckons hotter, and last gasps of winter above 6,000’ get their final kick to the curb. Spring has sprung, winter has waned, life and love abound all around the mighty Mt. LeConte. Sunshine is the name of the game today and tomorrow. Those rain showers to bid farewell to April paid off. Trillium along the lower reaches of Alum Cave Trail are putting on a show with more on the way further up. Temps will feel delightful today on the mountain, surpassing 80s down low and in the 60s at our elevation. Thursday is calling for more of the same. This coming weekend, though…those rain jackets are going to get a workout. Late Friday and beyond show strong chances for thunderstorms and precip. So if you’re in town for the week, you’d be wise to visit the lodge and snag those 100th season shirts by tomorrow if trekking through downpours and puddles sounds less than appealing. If you’re an overnight guest, good news - there’s a cozy cabin with your name on it to stay warm and dry upon arrival. And, by gosh by golly, will that famous beef and gravy hit the spot! Have a great rest of the day, and a wonderful welcome to May! Good Morning,
You know what they say about April showers and what they bring. We sure hope that rings true once we hop into May after today. Heavy rains are rumbling through the Smokies as we speak and are expected to remain steady across the morning hours. We might see a brief break in the atmospheric action around lunch time, but then chances for isolated thunderstorms return during the afternoon and early evening. So not really any escaping the dreariness to be had today. Smart hikers who come prepared with the gear to stay dry will have the best go of it. Temps will range from mid 40s to mid 50s today, while winds will be a presence gusting upwards of 35mph. Wednesday will welcome back the warmth and sunshine to the region. Reminder that if you are hoping to visit our gift shop either between the hours of 9:00-10:00 AM or 12:00-4:30 PM, we do accept varying forms of payment. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are acceptable among credit cards ($10 minimum required for use). We do not accept Amex or gift cards at this time. Checks are acceptable, and cash will get you through the line the fastest. Small bills for making exact change are highly preferred. Just some tips to help you spend more time in the outdoors enjoying nature and less time standing in line or drawing the ire of fellow customers! Have a great day. Good Morning,
The peaks of the Smokies are starting out with a soupy layer of fog this Monday. It shouldn’t hang around long though, as we’re expected to share in the sunshine same as the lowlands today. A beautiful day is forecast for our area calling for clear skies, warm temps, and light winds. We’ll likely tag the mid 60s this afternoon while the gateway communities below bask in the 80s. Everyone who can should soak up what the skies are offering today, because tomorrow is setting up to be a flip of the script. Rain, thunderstorms, and blustery conditions are rolling in for Tuesday. Pack the appropriate gear for staying dry and plan a route of ascension that minimizes one’s time in the elements if possible. There’s been no change in trail conditions in recent weeks. Alum Cave, the shortest and most popular trek to the lodge at 5.0 miles, remains completely clear, as does the 6.7 mile Trillium Gap Trail, which serves as the pipeline for our in-season provisions. Rainbow Falls, also 6.7 miles long, has numerous fallen tree trunks that have created obstacles, but each of them can be easily navigated by stepping over or limbo-ing under. The Boulevard combined with the AT - totaling 8.1 miles from Newfound Gap - has but a handful of downed trees between the lodge and split near Icewater Spring Shelter, but nothing that has prevented visitors from safely making their way to and from. Bull Head (6.9 miles) and least taken Brushy Mountain (9.1 miles) are littered with downed trees, root balls, and rock slides, and should really be avoided until NPS crews have had a chance to work on them. Still plenty of options though for outdoor enthusiasts to explore the diverse approaches of Mt. LeConte. Have a great day. Good Morning,
Cap clouds are having their way with the higher peaks this Sunday morning, but aren’t expected to win the fight. Should be a sunny day for hikers to enjoy the wilderness up high and down low. Temps will feel stellar at all elevations as well, with high readings coming in round the lower 60s at the lodge this afternoon. Breezy conditions will persist, so folks might appreciate having that extra layer for sitting around at the top once the body has cooled down from ascension exertion. Monday looks to be another stunning day for outdoor ramblings before we get into a week mixed with sunshine and isolated storm chances. A thermometer ranging from 40s to 60s will be the norm over the coming days. Reminder that even as we approach a new month and begin to bridge the gap between spring and summer, our hours of service remain the same as they have since we opened our doors in late March. Overnight guest meals are 6:00 PM for supper and 8:00 AM for breakfast, with ample time to fill up on the fixin’s and catch a relaxing sunrise or sunset. For day hikers, the gift shop (currently located in the dining hall) is still open from 9:00-10:00 AM and again from 12:00-4:30 PM. This allows the early hikers a chance to snag some souvenirs without disrupting the overnight guest breakfast, and then it reopens for peak visitor traffic and guest check-in during the afternoon. The dining hall and gift shop are closed between 10:00 AM and noon because our hard working crew require that time to get the dining hall, numerous guest cabins, and restroom facilities cleaned up and reorganized. Thank you for respecting what our dedicated staff must do for our paying overnight guests while you plan your visits to the mountain accordingly if garnering some lodge memorabilia or savory snacks is on your wishlist. Have a great day. Good Morning,
Clouds are swooping and swirling over the mountain to start this last weekend of April. Skies will see a mix of sun and overcast throughout the day, but there won’t be a threat of precip for a couple days for the weekend warriors and wildflower pilgrims thankfully. Temps will be slightly warmer up top, tempting the upper 50s, while winds will be somewhat gusty at times, whipping up to 35mph. Sunday looks to be even warmer and sunnier for travelers. As we look back on the first full month of the 2024 season, one thing certainly stands out, and that is folks are absolutely inspired by it being the 100th season! Seems like we say this every year, but this year’s shirt design might just become the most popular of all time. It’s a long season, but the excitement on visitor’s faces is unmistakable, and that brings us joy too. And although the gift shop experience is a little different this year, what’s also undeniable is that guests and day hikers are having a great time shopping, eating, lounging, and gaming in the dining hall. So much of what makes the Lodge experience so special is that shared communal experience. We’re no strangers to overcoming challenges and changes out of our control - sometimes in rapid succession if the last few years have taught us all anything - but that shared experience with family and friends passionate for spending time in the natural world remains front and center. Have a great weekend. |
LeConte LodgeWelcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain! Archives
May 2024
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