Good Morning,

We’re entering our final day of hosting guests for the 2020 season, and what a season it has been. Shaping up to be a picturesque day on the mountain as the pink hues of sunrise streak across the pre-dawn sky. Conditions are expected to be fairly decent throughout the day with the potential for increasing cloudiness. Temps will remain mild, already in the mid 30s, and could see us climb well into the 40s in the afternoon. Winds out of the south are going to be a bit breezy today and then pick up for Wednesday, especially once the rain moves in tomorrow afternoon. It would appear we will escape seeing any autumn snowfall before the lodge closes, but current forecasts show a chance by the end of this month. Today is the last llama trip of the year, so if you happen to catch them up top or in passing on Trillium Gap, give them a big thank you and wish them a prosperous winter slumber.

In the spirit of the coming holiday, it’s only appropriate we start doling out thanks to the numerous groups and individuals who help in making this entire backcountry experience possible. Since there are so many and simply too many to list here, we’ll break it up and use this time to thank our park and business partners first. Each of them have had to overcome great and unforeseen obstacles, just like this lodge, to be able to continue to operate and provide services in spite of the pandemic. Despite setbacks and inconveniences, their commitment to our operation has remained steadfast, and for that they should all be commended.

To the fine people donning the green and gray uniforms on behalf of GSMNP - from administration, law enforcement, medical, interpretative, resources, maintenance, and volunteers to name a few - thank you! To the countless business partners who provide our expanse of provisions - from food to merchandise, to cleaning supplies and laundry services, to hiking gear and llama tack, to furniture and DIY fixer-upper parts, and of course flying a big helicopter - thank you! To the behind the scenes folks who make “house calls” to a place not accessible by road or in close proximity to a home improvement store - from mechanical to plumbing, from electrical to carpentry, and any other obscure trade necessary for maintaining a unique backcountry lodge - thank you! And lastly the hardworking team of people who took time away from their own jobs and families to help us get the season kickstarted back in March, both on the mountain and at our airlift staging sight, even in the face of the pending pandemic - thank you!

Again, there are surely folks not mentioned here equally deserving of thanks for providing us with the goods and services to keep this train rolling. Know that you all are appreciated and we look forward to doing it all again in 2021!

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Starting off this Monday above the clouds but beneath the stars. A cold front pushed through in the middle of the night bringing some rain and much cooler temps. What rain we got eventually froze on the surface so there is plenty of slick ice around the mountain. We dipped down into the lower 20s before sunrise and are not expected to escape the 30s as the day progresses. The sun will be out and shining, but these winds are going to give the air some significant bite. Sustained winds of 10-15mph with gusts of 25mph are happening already, so windchill factors will have it feeling like the low teens up here at times. Layer up and come ready for cold if a summit is in your plans today. And know when to turn around - day hikers - as it will get even colder tonight, wasting no time as soon as the sun drops.

Today and tomorrow are the last opportunities to partake of any visitor services, whether they be purchasing merchandise or snacks. Once we halt hosting overnight guests on Wednesday, all other on-site services stop for the season as well. They will resume in late March 2021, although our reservations office and online store will keep charging hard through the winter months. Until then, visitors to Mt. LeConte will need to come fully prepared for their hike and the elements. That means plenty of food, hydration, and the appropriate gear to safely and comfortably traverse the mountain in typically harsher climates.

​Have a great start to the week.

Good Morning,

Looking like a breezy and cloudy Sunday is in store for Mt. LeConte. We’re kicking things off in the upper 30s for breakfast, although a biting wind can make it feel cooler. We expect to see the mid 40s later on. Clouds will continue to thicken as the day progresses, and sometime after sunset the rain chances ramp up. By tomorrow morning the precip should clear out, and Monday will turn into a beautiful day to play in the outdoors.

​Today marks our annual Mountain Thanksgiving for the crew, and our cooks have been hard at work preparing what will undoubtedly be a delicious and hearty feast. Always a treat and a great way to conclude any lodge season. Today will also be the penultimate trip for our awesome llamas, and their last venture of 2020 will be on Tuesday if you hope to catch them in transit on the trail on more time.

Have a great finish to the week.

Good Afternoon,

What a picture perfect day in the Smokies. Our final Saturday of the season is making out for one epic opportunity for the weekend warriors. The sun is beaming across the sky in all directions and the temps up top feel great. Enjoying the lower 50s as we speak, and lows continue to hang around the freezing mark but not for very long once the sun rises. Tomorrow should be a pleasant day in the mountains as well. The possibility of increasing clouds and a chance for some rain will roll in later that evening.

​Have a great rest of the day.

Good Morning,

Approaching the final weekend of the season and it’s going to be a beautiful one. Looking at abundantly sunny skies today, tomorrow, and much of Sunday. Starting off in the upper 30s, but it shouldn’t take long to warm up with the rising sun and find ourselves in the lower 50s by midday. A slight breeze is possible adding a minor chill for some in those shaded places. Continue to watch for slick spots on the trail as temps flip flop around the freezing mark early on and late in the day. In a few days time we’ll also be at 10 hours of daylight, so remember to pack those headlamps and know well in advance of your hike when it is safest to turn around.

​Have a great day.

Good Afternoon,

Soak up that sunshine! Skies are clear and beautiful across the Smokies yet again today. Despite a slight occasional breeze, conditions should feel great from top to bottom. The lodge might even tip toe close to 50° this afternoon. Lows will still hang around the freezing mark. We are expecting a few more gorgeous days in the park leading into the weekend. As it stands there is a slight chance for showers late Sunday. From that point up until lodge close we could be doing a tango with clouds and passing showers, but temps will remain mild. We might actually escape without an autumn season snowfall or flurry by the time we close our doors. Just six more days to find out! Alum Cave and Trillium Gap trails we can confirm have been cleared of all recent storm debris. Bull Head and Rainbow Falls have had some obstacles reported, but may not be cleared right away this late in the year as things wind down across the park.

Have a great rest of the day.

Good Morning,

The skies remain clear and the air is still cold. Should be the story for the next several days before a slight weekend warmup. Temps are starting off in the 20s again today, and a breeze will certainly bring the wind chill factor into play. We might get above freezing by midday when the sun is at its highest, but with the lower angle this time of year and the lodge positioned on a northern facing slope, there tends to be more shade longer with each passing day. There are no precip chances until late Sunday, but these freeze/thaw cycles along the trails will see icy patches come and go throughout the day and night. Not to the extreme that everyone should wear traction devices on their feet, but enough that one should be extra mindful of foot placement. We’re at the one week to go mark, and everyone’s excited about putting a ribbon on a very busy season.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Well, we can’t say for sure if Dorothy is still in Kansas anymore, but we do know the worst of the winds are behind us. The mountain was howling like a jet engine for much of the day yesterday. There was a brief period of rain around lunch time that didn’t hang around very long. Although it was quickly followed by sunny skies across the Smokies, the front brought us much cooler air. We’re looking at several nights this week with temps getting below freezing before finally warming back up by the weekend. Highs will be in the upper 30s and lower 40s. Today will start calm, but strong winds return this evening and will persist through the week. Calling for sustained winds of 15-20mph and gusts as much as 35mph. We have a steady stream of trail conditions intel coming in on Alum Cave and Trillium Gap, but if you stumble across any freshly downed trees on the mountain’s other trails, please let us or the fine folks at the NPS visitor center’s know so the hazards can be addressed. Thank you.

The season is down to single digits now! Have a great beginning to the week.

Good Morning,

The winds are howling this Sunday and halfway point of November! We are currently under a strong High Wind Warning that lasts until 3:00 PM this afternoon. Sustained winds of 25-30 mph with gusts now up to 60mph anticipated. We’ve already received reports of trees down on area trails. Use caution while out and about in these conditions today until the winds subside in a few hours. A quick cold front will push through around lunch time bringing a slight chance of rain, but once it passes temperatures will begin to drop. We’ll be feeling much cooler temps the next few days and get well below freezing at night. Fortunately we’re looking at a solid streak of sunny days this coming week, but folks will still need to be wary of possible ice on the trails in the morning as we dance through the daily freeze/thaw cycle. Tonight and tomorrow morning there will be a break in the strong winds, but they are expected to ramp up again Monday night. We’ll pass along specific details of post-storm trail conditions as we receive them, but in the meantime, be cautious out there.

Good Morning,

​Happy sunny Saturday from high above Tennessee. It’s going to be a gorgeous November day for outdoor exploration. Temps are starting off in the low 40s but should have no problem jumping up into the 50s today. It feels great in the sun, but can have a slight chill in the shade, so be sure and have those extra layers just in case. Beginning late tonight clouds should start to roll in along with an increase in wind activity. We’ll be under a High Wind Advisory tomorrow as sustained winds of 25-30mph and gusts up to 45mph are expected. There is a slight chance for rain showers during the early part of the day before clearing off in the afternoon. Trails are still a bit soggy in places, and there is still plenty of leaf litter in the lower elevations to obscure slick or jagged surfaces.

​Have a great weekend.