Good Morning,
We’ve woken up to this scene before. Clouds and mist greet mountain top residents this Saturday, as scattered rain showers dot the southern Appalachian region. Our socked-in state is expected to be the standard today, with chances for precip being low this morning but increasing during the afternoon. There is also the possibility for thunderstorms later. Temps are in the upper 40s as the last fluffy pancakes get flipped and farm fresh eggs get scrambled. The summit should spend some time in the 50s later on, with light winds possible. The entire weekend will be a wet one, as more sloppy weather is slated for Sunday. Keep toting those adequate layers for staying dry. Spring’s arrival to the lodge is becoming more evident. Grasses and native perennials continue to gain height and thicken. And although there are but a handful of non-evergreens and shrubs suited for our elevation, those that are have begun to leaf out and blossom. The fire cherries and red elderberries visible from the trail are infrequent, the witch hobble a bit more common, each currently in bloom above 6,000’ now. The mountain ash of course occupies the most space that isn’t filled by spruces and firs, but its flowers won’t form until June, if at all, as their production of berries is inconsistent year to year. The Catawba rhododendron down lower at places like Inspiration Point appear to be having a recouping year after last spring’s mega bloom, as the vast majority have gone straight to putting out new leaves. We’ll anxiously wait to see what happens over the higher elevations in the coming weeks. Have a great day.
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Good Afternoon,
Despite what the skies, your eyes, and sticky skin might tell you, we are in fact, NOT, located in the Pacific Northwest. But it’s certainly understandable that a person would think so if they’ve spent any extended time in the Smokies this May. Day after day, clouds and rain maintain their stranglehold over East TN skies, and more specifically, the peaks of Mt. LeConte. We’re no strangers to holding on tightly to the last puff of cloud in the sky even on the sunniest of days, but even we appreciate a little bit of variety at our altitude. In the meantime, we recommend wearing vibrant and vivid colors to help brighten everyone’s day. Temps are going to remain in the 40s and 50s this weekend. Winds will be light, with the occasional surge preceding a pop-up thunderstorm here and there. The rain and storms will come and go over the coming days with great irregularity, so don’t get lulled into thinking you won’t need any protective gear for staying dry should you witness a break in the action before hitting the trail. Every hiker, whether staying the night or coming up for the day, would be wise to have those shells and umbrellas on the ready for the entirety of their trek. Heavy rains can appear out of nowhere in a hurry in these mountains and put those folks unprepared for the conditions in a predicament. Hypothermia is no joke when you’re miles from warmth or care, even during the months of spring and summer. The same can be said for heat exhaustion when the sun is baking and temps are toasty. Responsibility is key when exploring the backcountry! Have a great day. Good Morning,
Clouds are thick and creeks are high this Thursday atop Mt. LeConte. After receiving just under 1.5” of rainfall yesterday, the ground is a slippery slog in numerous places. Today is offering a nice break from all the wet weather though, and hopefully those folks dwelling at the summit today catch a few rays of sunshine. Tomorrow morning will offer day hikers who are quick on their feet a chance to scurry up and down the mountain before storms and precip return. The skies are expected to come alive by lunchtime Friday, persisting through the weekend. So let’s all enjoy the opportunity of staying dry today before we all refamiliarize ourselves with jackets, boots, and umbrellas for another extended period. A mountain top shrouded in fog has a unique way of making certain characteristics stand out that might not otherwise be noticed when basking in full sun or blanketed in snow. The same effect can be recognized after a recent rain, as some surfaces glisten in a manner that suddenly catches one’s eye. Even to those folks who have scaled this mountain hundreds of times and can instantly pick out the faintest changes (like a tree fell or a boulder moved), there is always something new and magical to behold. Sometimes one might even start imagining things in the mist. That rock I stepped on is shaped strangely like my home state…did that chattering squirrel just wink at me?…am I the only one who thinks that tree stump resembles a dog? But a taste of things we can ponder when immersed in the woods and detached from our devices. Have a great day. Good Afternoon,
Storms continue to be the norm this month of May. Halfway through, and one wonders if all this routine rainfall might threaten July 2022 for wettest month on the mountain. Not exactly the kind of record we’re interested in breaking, as a healthy balance of precip and sunshine is preferred by crew and visitors alike, and the vegetation and geology of course. As it stands, we can at least anticipate an exception to the trend tomorrow, as Thursday calls for a mix of sun and clouds over the Smokies. That’ll give trails and creeks a chance to drain out a bit before the next round of rain returns for the weekend. If traversing the mountain on a day hike sounds more appealing to you with the prospect of staying dry, then tomorrow is the day to give it a go. Friday afternoon through Sunday is calling for steady storms in our area, which means a very high likelihood of putting that rain gear we always recommend to good use. Temps seem quite content hovering in the 40s and 50s this week. Winds can be felt closer to the summit on occasion, but the calm air and moisture really have the lower valleys and hollers feeling clammy recently. And we’re not enough to summer yet! Have a great night. Good Morning,
Clouds and rain found us yesterday, and here they are to stay. The higher elevations of the Smokies are getting quite familiar with spending time in the clouds, exactly how conditions are shaking out this Tuesday. Rain chances pick back up this afternoon, and will only grow stronger between now and Thursday. The threat of thunderstorms also enters the equation beginning today, as will gusty winds depending on how each system strikes and slashes the region. Expect temps to remain in the 40s to 50s from night to day. Gear for staying dry from head to toe remains essential to all visitors. The signs of spring and new life continue to burst upon the mountain. Dense greenery and flourishes of color accompanied by the youthful exuberance of wildlife are observable from valley to peak, now and over the coming weeks. It’s that time of year when dark-eyed juncos dart out from their trail-side nests to divert predators (resulting in exposing their locations to hikers, oddly enough). Soon those tiny eggs will hatch and transform into the faintest “meep-meeps” as the next generation prepares to take flight. And fresh fuzzy bears the size of footballs will begin bouncing about while young fawns just after finding their leg strength will race speedily between cabins and coneflower patches. These are but a few beautiful sights to behold during one’s visit to the Lodge, each playing their role in the magic of the mountain and to be respected. Have a great day. Good Morning,
Yesterday was a delightful day to recharge, and a special Mother’s Day holiday for folks spending time in the wilderness. What power blue skies and bright sunshine have in rejuvenating the spirit. Hikers were out taking advantage of the beauty by spending time at the lodge and hitting up all the famous vistas like Cliff Tops and Myrtle Point. And from a crew perspective, after enduring a solid week of rain, storms, and clouds, a serene Sunday like this is always greatly appreciated. Especially when one looks at the forecast for the week ahead. Skies are clouding up already this morning. Sometime after lunch, the possibility of rain returns. The chances only increase through the night and will persist the next few days, with significant rain and storms lining up for Tuesday and Wednesday. Trails and creeks had the weekend to recover a bit from last week’s deluge, but don’t be surprised if they quickly fill up and turn sloppy again this week. Never hurts to evaluate the traction of your hiking footwear, as a variety of trail surfaces can become dangerously slick when continually wet, not just when coated in ice. So mind the foot placement and utilize those trekking poles for all their might when scaling rock steps and navigating unbridged creek and drainage crossings. Temps are going to range from 40s to 50s, so a layer or two for warmth will be a good addition to those necessary for staying dry. Have a great day. Good Afternoon, What. A. Week! The skies have brought us an assortment of awesomeness in recent days. From the fearful to the fantastical, there has been no shortage of spectacular sights to capture our attention and inspire deep humility and wonder. While much of the nation was basking below the heavenly pinks, purples, and greens well after the sun had set, a window of opportunity presented itself to those atop Mt. LeConte to get in on the show. For about 30 minutes, anyone not already cozied up in their cabins who happened to take a peek outside would have gotten a brief glimpse of the geomagnetic action. Once the clouds formed over the summit, there they remained the rest of the night, preventing anymore astral observations. Kudos to crewmembers Kade and Sydney for taking notice and capturing the moment in time for all to enjoy from everyone’s favorite mountaintop! Perhaps a repeat performance will take place tonight, in which one hopes the clouds work more in our favor. We shall see! Speaking of clouds, skies are a mix of them today, with occasional rays of sunshine cutting through at our elevation. There remains a slight chance for rain showers late this evening, so that might keep the clouds overhead intact and prevent us from being able to witness another aurora event. It’s also decently cooler up top today, as we dipped down to the freezing mark overnight. No ice to be had thankfully, as the thermometer is wasting little time in climbing back up toward the 50s. Sunday is slated to be even better, with uninterrupted sunny skies and temps in the mid 50s. The trails are absolutely bustling with people today. Expect packed parking lots, long lines of cars, and above average wait times in transit. After a week of steady rain, no surprise that folks are flocking to the mountains to soak up some sun and admire the fresh greenery of peaks and valleys. Have a great rest of the day. Good Morning, When the mountain receives nearly 6.5” of rainfall in the last week, with two thirds of that falling in a most recent 24 hour span, that gets to be a lot of water. And all that freshly fallen liquid precip wasted no time rushing and gushing into every low point and channel it could find. As guests witnessed yesterday morning, suddenly every footpath and staircase becomes a river. It’s impressive just how much water can gather so quickly, even so close to the tippy top of any peak on the Mt. LeConte crest. And naturally, all that water has to go somewhere, which in the case means down the trails and slopes, building in strength and volume with every inch of ground descended. At one point water would have been overtaking creek banks and spilling out onto or over trails, creating wet hazards for any hiker attempting to cross. Waterfalls were even appearing in places that are rarely seen except for during times of exceptional rainfall. For example, anyone looking south from Alum Cave Trail yesterday near the bluffs would have witnessed a great streak of white cascading down the side of nearby Mt. Mingus. With that said, it should be noted how proud we are of everyone who took yesterday’s storm and less-than-ideal conditions seriously. Guests heading down were attentive to advice from the knowledgeable crew, checking their gear, and being mindful of their options before heading out. And hikers hoping to ascend the mountain showed exemplary patience in heeding advice about waiting for the surge to drain out before hitting the trail. Those that did were rewarded with staying mostly dry during their trek (personal sweat excluded of course), with ample time to reach the top at a leisurely pace, while even getting to enjoy some sunshine as skies eventually cleared. In terms of individual safety and enjoyment, it really goes a long way when folks take the weather conditions and challenging elements in these mountains seriously. So to all those who showed great responsibility and courage during the recent deluge, thank you and keep up the good work! Now, we aren’t quite out of the woods yet (figuratively, as literally is impossible given our locale). Rain is still going to be a nagging presence today and even a bit tomorrow. Much of today will bring a mix of sun and clouds over the Smokies, with the greatest threat of rain by mid afternoon. The same can be said for Saturday, but with a lesser chance for active skies late in the day. Sunday, for a welcome change, is calling for unabated and glorious sunshine. With the forecast gradually improving for rambles in the woods, expect the mountain and nearby roads to be absolutely bustling with travelers this weekend. Patience and early starts will serve everyone well in coping with the crowds.
Have a great day. Good Morning,
We’re still in the midst of a Smokies soak session. Between brief heavy downpours with hail stones, and slow but steady drizzles, the mountain has been thoroughly saturated over the last 24 hours. In the time since the first major round of rain and lightning yesterday morning, the lodge has received several inches of liquid precip. All that runoff has regular creeks raging and every wet weather drainage flowing. When such a saturation point gets reached, that amount of water turns the trails into creeks themselves and the main channels begin to overtake their banks. Storms and showers are going to persist throughout the region at least through lunchtime today, with spotty showers and clouds lingering into the afternoon before we see some partial clearing of skies. The Flood Watch remains in effect until 8:00 AM, followed by a Flood Advisory until 10:15 AM, but it’s still going to take some additional time to drain out of the park. As of now, all roads accessing Mt. LeConte trails remain open. Since conditions are supposed to gradually improve as the day goes on, there’s no harm in hanging back this morning before starting up or down the trail. It’s not like visitors will have to contend with bustling parking lots today given the current state of things. Allowing some time for the storms to weaken and creeks to subside will make for a slightly less taxing trek up or down the mountain. Temps will continue to be in the 50s, and having the proper rain gear for keeping dry will prevent one from feeling uncomfortably cool until the sun returns. And check that footwear, because getting the toes wet might be unavoidable on every trail. Friday is calling for continued wet weather, though slightly less turbulent. We all just need to bridge that gap, then we can look forward to what is shaping up to be a pleasant weekend for outdoor exploration. Have a great day. Good Morning,
The upper reaches of the park have already gotten an appetizer of storms early this morning, while the main course is still on the way. Pop-up showers could appear over the morning hours, but skies will otherwise be mostly cloudy now through lunch time. Once we get into the afternoon, the severe storms are expected to fire up, bringing the potential for heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds. A Flood Watch goes into effect for our area beginning at 2:00 PM and will last into tomorrow morning. That should give folks ample time to make it up or down the mountain today without having to contend with most if any of the worst weather. A repeat performance is on tap for Thursday. The chances for turbulent conditions finally dissipate as we head into the weekend. Temps today and tomorrow will continue to range in the 50s and 60s. All this rainfall and warm temps has the vegetation greening up and growing thick around the mountain. Plants and trees continue to bloom, gradually with greater frequency the higher one ascends with each passing week. The stroll along Alum Cave is seeing trees slowly leafing out and filling in. Dainty flowers continue to appear and dot sporadic sections of the trail. Several varieties of trillium can be found these days, specially among them the eye-catching painted trillium currently showing out above the bluffs and below Inspiration Point. The explosion of life and vivid color on Mt. LeConte is just getting started. Have a great day. |
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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