The scenery surrounding camp continues to impress with each passing day.  The fields of Yellow Coneflower should reach peak bloom in the next week, but the show will last for a while after with other wildflowers joining the parade.  In what has already been declared a record number of squirrels seen on the mountain this year, I'm thinking the same can be said of the local deer population. Given the endless buffet lying before them, I can't blame the deer for choosing to call this place home for the summer.  The way they congregate makes counting them fairly easy at just about any time of day.  To date, we have seen five different bucks, with antlers ranging in size from 2 to 8 points.  There have been as many as six does seen at one time, and we know of three fawns still getting their running legs under them.  Everyone's pretty well used to one another by this point, so you'd have to come around a corner quickly to even startle one.

     Come on up and see the beauty!  Even without A/C, fans, ice cream, or swimming pools, this comfortable mountain air has to beat what's going on down below. Take care and be safe out there!

75!
75 was our high yesterday. 54 was the low and it is humid like you wouldn't believe.

Ok, we're overreacting a bit, but we can absolutely tell it's hot down there. Luckily everyone who hiked up yesterday was pretty prepared, hydrated, and were excited to sit on the office porch before heading back down

73 yesterday.

Ew.

Luckily for us and the llamas cloud cover hung out during the heat of the day.

Woke up this morning to 49 but it had already reached 54 by 6:30.

''Tis a sign for things to come today, unless we luck out with that predicted rain!

70% chance of rain tomorrow, definitely an umbrella day, and hopefully a lot cooler.

Keep hydrated guys, electrolytes, the full deal, the heat and humidity takes a lot out of you. If you are not feeling well, dizzy, exhausted coming up there is no shame in turning back.

You should be able to enjoy the mountain, not get stressed by it!

Starting super early in the morning will help, starting after 9:00am is a lot warmer for sure so please keep that in mind.

Happy Saturday!

It was 74 yesterday!

Hot stuff everybody. It's rumored to be very hot today so please be careful!

74! Then 49 for the low.

Some of our guests hiking up yesterday mentioned seeing bears on the trail. We greatly appreciate any information you can give us on trails, like bears and their locations and behaviors.

Trillium Gap/Grotto Falls is especially dear to us, since our llama friends come up that way, so if you notice bear activity or trail hazards like blown-over trees or fallen rocks, please let us at the lodge and the Park Service know.

Anticipated rain tomorrow so bring your umbrellas!

It was quite toasty up here yesterday , 70/50 were the temps with a random trace of rain during the afternoon.


​It was a nice way to cool off us and the llamas!

The crew has noticed it being more humid and hot so we can only imagine the trails down below. Please remember to bring plenty of water with you and electrolytes. A water bottle plus some more is strongly recommended, a lot of our guests and hikers are coming up dehydrated so please pace yourselves and don't push it coming up here. Starting as early as 7 will help immensely.

It's way too hot for racing!

Tomorrow especially is going to be HOT, be careful everyone. Even though water adds weight you lose it as you hike up! There is nothing wrong with turning back on the trail if it's too hot, Or for any reason really. We up here hike to work and we know how it is! Listen to your body and don't strain it!

It sounds like we might get hit pretty hard with rain on Saturday and Sunday, hopefully that will cool us off!

Llamas tomorrow!

Good Morning,
     It isn't taking long to warm up this morning.  It's mostly cloudy but we expect this gray veil to burn off before long.  Yesterday's high temperature was 69 degrees, and our overnight low never dropped past 50.  Whatever mist we received yesterday managed to squeeze out 0.02" of rainfall.  If you're hoping to see the llamas on the days they pack, please know that they might be arriving to the lodge a little later than normal, and/or departing the mountain later as well. Our wranglers are well versed in looking out for our favorite critters during these hot and humid stretches, which usually entails the train moving at a slightly slower click.

     Today we have the good fortune of turning the mic over to lodge friend, Ben Spicer, who has once again blessed us with another wonderful poem that speaks directly to the shared experience of visiting LeConte.  It was inspired by a recent trek up the mountain, accompanied by a first time visitor in his daughter.  Allow the words to guide your mind in wonder, and enjoy!

I took my daughter to the mountain
Just herself and me
We walked behind a flowing fountain
Springing to the sea

We journeyed on a stair of stone
Neath a rocky pass
We frolicked as the morning shone
In water clear as glass

We reveled in the petaled flowers
Strewn upon the way
We laughed an talked for wooded hours
Happy for the day

We stood at length at summit vistas
Taking in the views
Reviving in the clouds that mist us
Riding skies of blues

We sat awhile upon a ledge
In a sunset trance
Watching rays pink, orange, and red
In a vivid dance

Atop at peak we welcomed evening
Rocking chairs for thrones
With stars above so brightly gleaming
City lights below

In cabin beds a sweet rest finds us
As we drift asleep
Adventure now a joy behind us
Memories to keep

I took my daughter to the mountain
Just herself and me
And left with bond we both can count on
Treasured revelry

Good Afternoon,
     It's been a busy few days, so thank you for your continued patience in regards to our updating of the blog. The theme of the month continues to be the rain, as we've endured some amount of liquid precipitation on 14 of 18 days so far. After a sunny yet hazy morning, the clouds have set in, as there is a chance of showers today before possibly clearing back out tonight. Yesterday's high temperature turned in at 68 degrees, and our low got down to 48. We're currently hanging out in the mid 60's.
​     Over the weekend we were finally able to eclipse last year's rain total. With almost half of the year ahead of us, that's not a bad position to be in coming out of an extreme drought. It'd still be great to rake in another 30+" to get us closer to our yearly average.

     In the coming days, temperatures, humidity, and heat indices are expected to rise for the first time all summer. We can't stress this enough: please pay attention to the weather alerts, and take as many precautionary measures as possible to ensure that you can enter and exit the backcountry safely and enjoyably.  We're well into the time of year where dehydration and heat exhaustion takes its toll on hikers.  If you find yourself in a struggle while climbing this mountain or any mountain, please do yourself and others a huge favor...don't keep climbing!  There's no shame in stopping to rest and rehydrate, or turning around completely.  The mountain is not going anywhere, you can always come back when conditions are favorable. Always let someone else know where you are going, how you intend to get there, and in what time frame.  Always eat and drink enough water before hitting the trail, and stay diligent about replenishing electrolytes during and after your activity.  Your body will thank you.
     Thanks for checking in on us and have a great rest of the day.

Good Afternoon,
     We're hopefully listening to what should be the back-end of this thunderstorm.  There have been some steady rumbles and downpours over the last 2.5 hours, but the sun is trying to reclaim control of the skies.  Yesterday's high temperature of 72.3 degrees set our new top mark for the year thus far.  Our overnight low bottomed out at 55. We received just 0.1" of rain Friday, but today's totals should be significantly higher.  Stay dry out there if you're hoping to hit the trails.  Have a great weekend.

Good Morning,
     Tis a bit cloudier today, but we're still enjoying a dry morning.  It sounds like the chance for storms and showers won't increase until later today and continue through tomorrow.  Either way, what precipitation we've garnered continues to be underwhelming.  We only tallied 0.05" yesterday.  Thursday's high temperature came very close to our current high for 2017, reaching 71.5 degrees.  Our low was mild otherwise, bottoming out at 57.  It's comfortably hovering in the mid 60's currently. 

     The grand attention grabber yesterday was the fabulous double rainbow that appeared during the backside of dinner service.  This time of year, as showers cut in and out through late afternoon and early evening, the chances of catching a rainbow over High Top are pretty good.  Last night was no exception to the rule.  It was vivid in color, and lasted quite a long time compared to most we witness up top.  What made this one particularly unique was that it could actually be seen touching down in the woods just below Basin Spring.  Curiosity led me down Trillium in search of the desirable pot of gold, or even to see if the greatest spring water in the world had been transformed into some sparkling liquid gold.  Unfortunately, no so such luck, but it was still a wonderful sight for guests and crew to behold.  If you're staying with this summer, maybe you'll encounter such a sight, a great reward for those folks who have to endure hiking up in the rain.

Greetings Readers,
     Despite what the forecast has been calling for, we've been enjoying a mostly sunny Thursday so far.  Yesterday's intermittent showers only saw 0.2" of rainfall pour down on the mountain.  It continues to feel warmer than it has all year, as we barely missed tagging 70 degrees for a high temperature.  Our lowest reading came in at 55.  As the sun dances in and out of the puffy clouds filling the sky, we keep hanging out in the upper 60's.  Curious to see how it'll shake out as the day progresses.

     No need to hesitate, let's feature another one of our lovable llamas, a valuable veteran of the team...ELLIS! This guy is the epitome of small but mighty, able to hold his own with the rest of the herd.  His consistent work performance makes him a great member of the team, and he's never shied away from lugging loads like those of the bigger dudes.  Despite being the shortest of all enlisted LeConte llamas through recent years, he's learned to grow up tough, and in no way yields to the thirst for dominance from the "alphas" or the annoying curiosity of the young bloods.  And his attitude is pretty much always on display, with ears pinned back and eyes almost squinting in disgust, although he's never one to seek out trouble. It's safe to assume Ellis is generally put-out 24/7, but he seems to soften up to Chrissy's sweet coaxing when needs be.  One of his more comical traits is watching him depart the trailer after returning home from a long day's work.  The taller and longer legged llamas are able to stride out with ease, but Ellis being shorter in stature has to do an odd but cute spread eagle to complete the leap.  It's hard not to giggle every time.  Attitude or not, we wouldn't change anything about him, and we appreciate all that he's done for our operation.  Let's salute this small but mighty llama, and here's to seeing Ellis churn out miles with the likes of the big guys for ages to come!
     Have a great rest of the afternoon.