Good Morning,

It’s the last weekend of September, the first weekend of autumn, and it’s time to cue the sunshine! Yesterday welcomed the transition from wet and dreary to cool and clear. We’re in the chilly 30s again this morning but shouldn’t take long to warm up once the bright orb ascends over High Top. The forecast both short and long term still shows abundant sunshine, so one can expect the crowds to be flocking to the mountains this weekend. These mild sunny days and crisp, cool nights are going to provide the leaf change just the motivation they need to begin. One can see that the upper elevations are ready to transition given their faint yellow hue of the tree tops. Sort of like that golden brown on our delicious cornbread served up daily by our cooks.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

The wool blankets are being held a little tighter this morning, as the mountain top wakes up to temps in the lower 30s. Summer is long gone now! Clouds are still capping the peaks of the Smokies, but we should start to get some gradual clearing as the day progresses. Then it’s abundant and beautiful sunshine for what could be an enjoyably long stretch to kickstart autumn. Still going to be breezy today, which will only add to the chill in the air, as gusts upwards of 20mph are possible. Our high temp should get up around 50° this afternoon, but tonight we’ll expect to dip back down into the 30s.

As is typical once we reach the final two months of the season, the waning daylight hours and cooler temps can catch a number of day hikers and overnight guests off guard. It is critically important that you prepare for these rapidly changing conditions that at times could be life-threatening. Do not get fooled by clear and sunny skies during the day, because once that sun starts to descend, the temps plummet right along with it. Before you know it, you could be caught out on trail in the dark and without sufficient layers to stay warm. It is each hiker’s responsibility to bring the appropriate clothing and provisions to stay warm and dry, especially if you were to get hurt on trail miles and hours from help. There is never a guarantee that your phone will get a signal, another hiker will pass by, or that the lodge or NPS can send medically trained personnel in a timely manner. At that point you are at the mercy of whatever layers and gear you brought. So please do yourselves and those you have the potential to affect a huge favor and come prepared.

​Thank you and have a great day.

Good Morning,

So long summer and welcome to autumn! As we reach the nine-weeks-to-go mark for the season, one can literally see and feel the climate turning the page. We have one more day ahead of us with substantial winds, clouds, and rain, but by tonight conditions will quickly make heat and humidity a thing of the past. Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will be present throughout the day, so come dressed for sloppy trail conditions. Winds are going to be strong again with gusts of 30mph today, 25mph tonight, and dropping to 20mph tomorrow as the cold front pushes everything out. Temps this morning will actually be close to our high for the next 24 hours, as they are expected to fall steadily with the approaching front. We’re talking 50s to start, but by tonight, say hello to the 30s. Despite all this moisture and precip, there isn’t great concern for ice formation underfoot yet because the ground will still be retaining its warmth for a while. Come tomorrow, we should witness the return of the sun making for a fabulous final week of September.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

It’s the last official day of summer on the calendar, and what a wet summer it has been for the mountain. Only fitting that we make the seasonal transition during a deluge. We’ve still got two solid days of steady precip to endure, and although the wind advisory is set to expire shortly after sunrise this morning, conditions will be breezy up top for a bit longer. Wind gusts today could tap 30mph, and even though they are expected to ease slightly this evening, they’ll pick back up tomorrow with gusts of 20mph possible. And with the scattered showers set to hang around through Wednesday, a couple more inches of rain are likely to fall. So continue to be diligent about how you prepare for your hike and use caution while outside in such elements. Temps are to remain fairly stable in the 50s until late tomorrow night when it appears the bottom of the thermometer will drop out, welcoming us to the 30s and what could be some of our coolest temps since spring. Another great way to welcome in the autumn season.

A couple important reminders as the month winds down:

*We’re down to the last week for submitting written requests to be included in the booking process for 2022 reservations that begins Friday, October 1st. Any requests received after 4:00 PM on Monday, September 27 will not be considered until all requests received during the open period have been processed. So get those requests in now to give yourself the best chance at securing a stay next season!

*We’re quickly approaching the time of year where less daylight means adjusting meal times. We know that enjoying a stellar sunset at Cliff Tops is a rewarding part of the lodge experience for overnight guests, so we shift our dinner service accordingly. Beginning this Saturday, September 25, guests will be served dinner at 5:45 PM. This will allow everyone adequate time to finish digesting a delicious meal before making the climb up to enjoy sunset. As our hardworking crew has a great many tasks to accomplish every morning before day hikers and the next round of guests arrive, we are unable to delay breakfast service for sunrise, so it will remain at 8:00 AM.

*Starting this Saturday, a slight adjustment to our morning gift shop hours will also be taking place. Early rising day hikers or overnight guests about to depart will have an opportunity make souvenir purchases from 8:30-9:15 AM daily. Afternoon gift shop hours will stay at 12:00-4:30 PM.

​Have a great day and stay dry out there.

Good Morning,

Rain and increasing wind continue to hound the mountain, a status not likely to change much the first half of this new week. Depending on how the scattered showers strike, a few more inches of liquid precip are possible over the coming days which is going to keep trails soggy and cause the creeks to run higher than average. Winds today could gust as high as 35mph this afternoon, with the strongest surge happening this evening as the forecast calls for 45mph gusts. Conditions will still be breezy leading into Tuesday but should improve as that day progresses. Temps are going to hang around in the 50s and gradually cool with each passing day this week. We could be looking at overnight lows in the 30s by this weekend, temps that will surely kick the autumn leaf change into gear. With the saturated surface soil and strong winds, please pay extra close attention to your surroundings during the hike, and please make studious notes of any downed trees on trail. It’s important that any new obstructions or hazards get addressed promptly for safe passage of hikers and our llamas.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Rain and clouds have taken hold of the mountain this weekend. After lunch time yesterday, a mix of light and heavy rain all afternoon kept things saturated unloading a couple inches of liquid precip. More rain is expected throughout today and lingering well into the coming week. Winds across the mountain will also be picking up day by day, hour by hour. By tonight gusts could be as high as 20mph, gradually climbing to 35mph by Monday night. Temps are to remain consistent, spending much of our time in the 50s and perhaps lower 60s. Come ready for soggy hiking conditions and hold on to your hats!

Have a great rest of the weekend.

Good Morning,

The clouds are in control as we head into the weekend. Going to help keep things cool up top for the time being. Temps are in the low 50s for breakfast and we should reach the lower 60s this afternoon. Winds will be on the light side. There is a strong chance for mid afternoon showers and thunderstorms in the mountains today. The possibilities for turbulent weather appear to increase each day as we proceed into early next week, so come prepared for occasional precip.

Reminder that area schools will be dismissing on the earlier side today to help relieve congestion associated with the Rod Run. And if there is sour weather in the forecast, then visitors tend to gravitate toward the outlet malls. So if sitting in traffic is not your idea of a good time, be sure to plan your routes to and from the mountain accordingly.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

And so begins the last week of astronomical summer. Mind blowing to think that we are only 2-3 weeks away from when the first wave of autumn color historically begins in these mountains. Better soak up as much of that lush green as you can before it all goes away until next spring! Starting off the day capped in cloud cover, with temps in the low 50s. We hope to tap 60° this afternoon. Air movement will be light today but is expected to ramp up this evening with gusts of 20mph possible. Rain and storm chances increase for this afternoon, and seem to be in the cards now through the weekend. So plan accordingly for sunny and beautiful conditions one moment, then wet and dreary the next if you have plans to visit the mountain. As we approach the weekend, remember to consider alternate routes through and around Pigeon Forge with the final “Rod Run” of the year taking place. There will be plenty of traffic congestion in the area, combined with the maintenance closure of the Cades Cove loop road, so that could see a lot of folks all flocking to the same popular parts of the park.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Well it’s been an enjoyable run of atmospheric awesomeness, but today the bill finally comes due. Between rain bands spiraling up from Nicholas to the south, and thunderstorms firing up from the west, the mountain is in the crosshairs to see the return of sour skies this afternoon. Leading up to the action, the mountains should see plenty of cloud cover. Winds are expected to remain relatively light which is good, and temps seem to be holding steady with lows in the bottom 50s and highs in the mid 60s. This is the beginning of a new pattern in which rain chances are going to have a presence clear through the weekend, so come prepared for a wet trek at some point during one’s journey to and from the summit. It continues to look more and more like summer is on the way out around the lodge, as trees shed their first leaves and the dense floral patches brown and wilt. Soon the slopes of the Smokies will put on their annual display of vivid color. Hard to believe we’re already halfway through the month and with only ten weeks remaining in the season!

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Looking like our streak of splendid late summer weather will come to an end after today. And what a good run it has been. Tuesday will see mostly sunny skies with clouds building later in the day. There is only a slight chance of a rain shower for the evening, but percentages start to pickup for liquid precip come Wednesday and beyond. Winds should be light over the mountain. Temps are in the low 50s and we should get into the mid 60s this afternoon. We’re of course keeping an eye on Hurricane Nicholas as it slowly creeps into Texas. It’s still unknown if it’ll come close to the Smokies or even have the strength to sustain over land. Right know we might endure some of it’s outermost northern bands which would only be enough rain to keep the salamanders and snails happy.

Have a great day.