Good Morning,

Those of us at LeConte Lodge join the rest of the nation in observance of Memorial Day, as we honor those who gave their lives in service of our country. We remember the fallen men and women in uniform, who so proudly and bravely wore our nation’s colors. Thank you to those who we have lost, standing up for so much in the name of freedom.

Sunday was something else, a bit like the inside of a washing machine one could imagine. An afternoon wash cycle of rain, hail, sun...and repeat. Whenever there were breaks, the skies were dramatic and stunning. The varying cloud types throughout the atmosphere, the waning sun’s rays, intermittent streaks of rain showers on the horizon. Such sights just add an entirely different level to the magic of being atop Mt. LeConte. The weather finally made up its mind halfway through dinner service, giving way to breathtaking skies and an inspiring sunset. The crew took the opportunity to unwind with a friendly, albeit competitive, game of baseball using what creative sports equipment was available to them.

Yesterday’s high was 65° and the low was 48°. Our final tally for rainfall came in at 1.2”. The strongest chance for storms today occurs from lunch to dinner time, so an early start for a hike will help one avoid the downpours and rumbles of thunder.

Good Afternoon,

It’s a busier day on the mountain, and the weather has certainly been more interesting than yesterday. Beginning to lose track of how many rain showers and thunderstorms we’ve had roll through this afternoon. A couple moments of hail as well. Just when you think it’s over as skies clear and the sun shines, the next squall sneaks up on us. Temps continue to hang out in the upper 50s and lower 60s. Winds remain calm. Saturday’s precip tally was an unimpressive 0.05” of rainfall, but enough to keep the streak of wet days alive.

Conditions could not have been better than what occurred Saturday evening. The clouds finally broke by dinner time, the sun was out, a pleasant 60° and no wind. Every guest was out eating dinner on their porches. You could feel the vibes of happiness and relaxation radiating across camp, all while our dedicated crew scurried between kitchen and cabins offering their services. A different experience than the decades long history of lodge interior dining, but a fine example of folks making the most of the situation, enjoying the company of those they are with, and appreciating their time in a wilderness setting. There was even a sunset spectacular to be had.

The calls for rain in the extended forecast don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. So keep those rain jackets handy. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Good Afternoon,

What began as a stunning morning above the clouds eventually turned into a socked-in mountaintop with the occasional rain shower. Despite that, it feels pleasant up here with temps in the 50s, a nice reprieve from the summer like conditions below. We tallied 0.88” of rainfall yesterday, the bulk of which fell right as we were loading up the llamas for their descent. It’s never always sunshine and rainbows, and we’re thankful for all those boys do. Sunday’s forecast looks similar to today, if not slightly better. A little bit of sunshine would go a long way if that’s the case.

Alum Cave has officially reopened, and folks are certainly taking advantage of the shortest route to the summit this holiday weekend. With the Roaring Fork back open, the shorter portion of Trillium Gap is NL accessible as well. Along with Rainbow Falls, these three have recently been cleared of hazards and obstructions. Bull Head, The Boulevard, and Brushy Mountain are open but are yet to be fully cleared by NPS trail crews, so take that into account if planning to hike either of those.

Good Morning,

Clouds. Some rain. Repeat. We appear to be stuck in a dreary weather cycle this week, with no end in sight. The amount of liquid precip received Thursday wasn’t much, just 0.17”, but the ever-present gray and mist has one longing for the return of the big bright orb. Temps were fairly steady yesterday, never leaving the range of 42°-49°. We anticipate similar conditions today. Temps down below are expected to rise in time for the weekend in the lowlands, but we’ll see if such a trend finds its way as far up as 6,593’.

We’re on the cusp of a major holiday weekend, and the reopening of the most popular trail to Mt. LeConte, if not the Smokies. We’re all under the impression that this weekend will see the largest influx of people to the mountain in quite some time, so come ready for dealing with the crowds. Better yet, consider one of the lesser used approach trails to the lodge to really hone in on those safe social distancing practices.

With decent chances of rain and pop up storms all weekend, visitors need to come prepared for sudden changes in the weather. As we continue to progress through our modified operations and limited occupancy, visitors who forgot rain jackets, wore the wrong type of shoes, or just aren’t used to hiking in such conditions, won’t be able to rely on hanging out inside our public spaces to dry off or warm up. Reminder that all purchases, food and gift related, are “to-go” to ensure everyone coming to the mountain gets a fair opportunity at making said purchase and that we don’t exceed the set occupancy limits. That means no inside dining or hanging out by the big space heaters at this time.

Please come ready for the conditions, and have the sense to turn around if things turn sour. With limited NPS staff, and the lodge likely being stretched in dealing with the holiday traffic surge, this is no time to make ill-advised decisions that require a medical rescue. Thank you for considering those who are already working extremely hard to provide visitors with a safe and enjoyable experience here in these majestic mountains.

Good Morning,

It’s a misty mountaintop this Thursday. It doesn’t appear as though we will see any heavy rainfall today, but the chance for something stronger to roll through the region persists in the coming days. The lodge tallied a meager 0.25” during the night. Trails are still plenty wet, but drainages should no longer be overflowing their banks. Temps remain mild in the 40s.

We unveiled our updated logo Camelbak Eddy 0.75L Bottles several months ago via our online store, but new to the hydration lineup this year is our insulated bottle, the Camelbak Stainless Steel Chute Mag 0.6L. Simple and sleek with our mountain’s profile. Ideal for hot and cold beverages. Also great for decorating with your LeConte Lodge stickers. Come check them out on your next summit!

Good Morning,

The mountain has seen a substantial amount of water over the last couple days. We tallied another 2.05” of rainfall, most of which fell in the front half of the day. Temps continue to hang out in the 40s. Winds once again dominated the twilight hours. So far today the rains seem to be staying to the East, often times visible from our position here at the lodge. Better for the guests hiking and the llamas packing if it stays that way. Visibility is clear beneath the cloud base but that window is shrinking, and current temps remain mild.

The NPS has announced a few changes taking place to their phased reopening process, specifically as it relates to Mt. LeConte, with the permissible use of Alum Cave beginning this Saturday. Since it’s a holiday weekend, combined with folks incredibly eager to get outside and revisit one of the park’s most popular trails, expect huge crowds. Plan accordingly for parking and safe social distancing. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail will also reopen, so visitors will have access to the shorter version of Trillium Gap Trail. That means this weekend all trails accessing the lodge will be open, a few not without hazards and obstructions.

Some new items lodge enthusiasts can look forward to, some neat new stickers. Perfect for your water bottle, notebook, file cabinet, whatever suits your fancy. These wood stickers are made by the folks at Dust City, whose new mini stickers are all the rage. Spice up your life with some of this sweet LeConte swag!

Good Afternoon,

We’re officially a full day’s cycle into the new season now. Certainly want to give a shout out to our first night’s guests, whose understanding, patience, and flexibility was greatly appreciated by our staff as they put theory into practice. Not to mention, a great deal of it got underway just as torrential downpours decided to lambaste the mountain. So kudos to our crew as well!

Temps have been fairly mild, hovering in the upper 40s and lower 50s both day and night. We seem to have a stretch going where conditions are windy during the night, but subside once the sun lights up the sky. At recording time we had 1.45” of rainfall. That much, if not more, has fallen since then.

​There has been a lot of water rolling off the mountain these last few hours and trails are sure to be soggy. Keep that mind if you are considering Rainbow Falls, whose crossing of LeConte Creek a few tenths above the falls can become quite treacherous in high water. Bull Head has the potential for some wet crossings as it circumnavigates the slopes below Balsam Point, as does Trillium Gap both above and below the namesake gap. Both Bull Head and The Boulevard have trees down. The NPS has announced that Alum Cave and Greenbrier (Brushy Mountain) will officially reopen to the public starting this coming Saturday, May 23.

If there’s an item we are excited to see on hiker’s noggin’s, it’s our brand new Trucker Hats! Coming in a variety of colors, and in two styles, these hats are available in both women’s and men’s fits. Plus they are adjustable! Artwork concepts drawn up by our own GM, John Northrup, put into reality by the fine folks at Legacy Brand Hats. So you know you’re getting a quality cap by a reputable brand, and they look even better in person. There’s our vivid mountain profile with sunset look for those who prefer loud and proud, and our single-tone hiker beneath tree for something that’s subtle. Enough talking about them, come see them for yourself!

Good Afternoon,

Today is the day! The lodge has reopened its doors, and is once again providing services to overnight guests and day hikers. Our team has been working hard in preparation for this moment, and we are eager to welcome folks back. If you are looking to make the climb in the coming weeks, come ready for a modified experience that puts visitor and staff health and safety at the forefront. All around camp, visitors will observe instructional signage that will help guide and inform them about where to go, and what safe practices to follow. Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience as we, like so many others, navigate these unusual times while staying true to our commitment to public health and safety.

Sunday was another stunning day to enjoy the outdoors. Fabulous temps and pleasant skies have certainly spoiled us. This week is shaping up to be a different tale, with clouds and passing showers expected through much of it. As of reporting time this morning, we had only received 0.1” of rain, so trails - especially those with stream crossings - should be manageable. Our high temp reached 65°. Current conditions have us hanging out in the 50s. The next few days will be slightly cooler before the warming trend returns by the weekend.

As is tradition, when we (re)open our doors, we unveil the season’s highly anticipated shirt design. For 2020, available in a myriad of colors, we have a two-sided design. On center chest we have a new look on our famous logo. Occupying the back is a simple but tasteful map of the mountain’s trails intermixed with artwork paying homage to the lodge’s unique qualities. Available in unisex short sleeve, long sleeve, and hoodies, as well as a women’s short sleeve option. Each style coming in a wide range of sizes. All 2020 apparel is sold exclusively atop Mt. LeConte, so hike on up and collect yours!

We’ll unveil several new merchandise items that have us excited to share soon. Stay safe and happy trails!

Good Afternoon,

It’s another gorgeous day high above Tennessee. We’re enjoying a balanced mix of sun and clouds with favorable temps for being outside. Saturday’s high topped out at 61° and our overnight low stayed in the upper 40s. We’re back in the 60s again with light winds.

Tomorrow is calling for the return of rain, which could linger throughout much of the week. A cool down is also expected, so despite what conditions one is experiencing in the lowlands, it’d be wise for our first week of guests to come ready with a rain shell and an extra warm layer.

​Rainbow Falls has been cleared of debris offering smooth passage for hikers. Bull Head still has numerous obstructions. The Trails Forever project resumes its work this coming week, so even with Roaring Fork closed, hikers attempting Trillium Gap will not have access beyond Grotto Falls on Monday’s through Thursday’s. The Boulevard is open. Alum Cave remains closed.

Well, tomorrow is the day we’ve all been anxiously waiting for. Beginning at NOON Monday our doors will open to overnight guests with reservations and afternoon day hikers. The crew is excited to welcome back visitors who share an appreciation for this special mountain top. You can count on our team to give you the best possible experience, even as we work through these COVID-19 related challenges.

The visitor experience will look different at first, especially as we work through a phased reopening process. This process is geared heavily towards visitor and employee safety, with every intention of returning to a more typical lodge experience. Since the situation surrounding COVID-19 is constantly changing, there is no set timeline for the longevity of the different phases. The lodge will continue to lean on guidance from the NPS, CDC, and public health officials as it moves through the reopening process, while maintaining our commitment to visitor and employee health and safety.

Here are a few quick points to help you plan for a trip to the lodge in the near future...

​*Day hikers can purchase Sack Lunches and Baked Goods from our Dining Hall, or snacks from our Gift Shop, during the hours of 12:00-5:00 daily. Beverages will not be available at this time.
*Interested in buying this year’s shirt? Know your typical Gildan cotton shirt size before visiting, as customers will not be able to handle any merchandise until they have completed their purchase.
*To ensure that every visitor receives an equal opportunity to make a purchase, while adhering to current occupancy limitations, there is no inside dining for day hikers at this time. Outside picnic tables are available and separated to encourage safe social distancing.
*At this time, overnight guests can expect to be served their meals at their respective cabins. Overnight guests will still have access to beverages from 12:00-5:00, but not during meal services. Morning coffee will be available from 7:30-8:00 only. All wine purchases MUST occur before 5:00.

Good Morning,

Wow, was it a beautiful day on the mountain yesterday. This peak hadn’t felt that kind of warmth from the sun in quite a while. The way things look, the rest of this weekend should feel the same. We managed to reach 65° in the afternoon, and our low was only 41°. Skies are mostly clear and we should see the upper 60s sometime again today.

Should be a great day to explore the trails that are open, like Rainbow Falls, Bull Head, Trillium Gap, and The Boulevard. Alum Cave remains closed, and is being patrolled by NPS Law Enforcement issuing citations to those disregarding the safety closure. The lodge is closed and will not open for business until Monday. Shirts? Monday. Cookies? Monday. Overnight stay? Monday. Picture in front of the Dining Hall? Monday.

The Crew had another productive day readying the lodge for our first guests come Monday. The cabins are looking sharp, and overnight guests can stay with the confidence in knowing that our dedicated staff is diligently cleaning and sanitizing all commonly touched surfaces and objects between reservations. Blankets will be changed out on a multi-day rotation as an approved and effective way to combat COVID-19. Even a little UV treatment will be thrown into the mix to take our commitment to your health one step further.