Good Morning,

​We have a mix of sun, clouds, and tiny speckles of rain across the Smokies this Monday morning. It will continue to be a mixed bag of treats until this afternoon when the forecast swings more in favor of producing some storms. Even at that, any storms that come to fruition today should be brief and infrequent. Going to be mild up top again today with temps tagging the mid 60s along with light winds. Tuesday looks promising with more sunshine being called for than possible precip. Now that we’re decently into June, the haze and humidity is here to stay. But at our elevation there’s some reprieve compared to what’s endured down below these next couple months.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Well, as anticipated it has been a busy couple of days on the mountain. And with such delightful weather to help us kick off the first weekend in June, it all makes sense. Travelers were able to enjoy sunny skies and warm temps all day yesterday. It wasn’t until early evening that clouds began thickening in earnest over the mountains while some produced brief rain showers. Today will start out decent as well, but by mid afternoon we’re looking at stronger rain and storm possibilities. Probably won’t be as warm today either with a high temp only in the lower 60s.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

To no surprise, the mountain was a beehive of activity yesterday. The trails were lined with people from top to bottom, early and often. And with stellar weather on tap again today, we figure on seeing more of the same. Count on trailhead parking spaces filling up early and roads in and out of the area being thoroughly congested. Skies should bring plenty of sunshine at least thru the afternoon. Clouds could form later on and might just squeak out a laugher of a rain shower, otherwise conditions for time in the woods today will be pleasant. High temps at the lodge will climb into the upper 60s. The weather for Sunday will start nice but the possibility of storms in the afternoon will be much greater. Have the rain gear handy just in case.

Sometimes you round a corner and almost come nose to nose with a beautiful black bear. Fret not, as many of those found in the Smokies have no interest in people, so long as all visitors behave responsibly around wildlife. This bear, seen a mile down Alum Cave, had only foraging on its mind. Remember, this is their home, and they live just fine on what comes naturally in these mountains…nuts, berries, and bugs. Feeding them human food or leaving backpacks unattended are poor decisions that can be detrimental to a bear in the end. Be sure and visit the NPS website for helpful informative tips about what to do when coming upon a black bear.

​Have a great weekend.

Good Morning,

A thin haze coats the atmosphere at sunrise, but skies are mostly clear of clouds to start this Friday. Skies finally began to open up late last night and the moon shined bright over the lodge. Conditions are looking superb for today now, with temps expected to reach the mid 60s. Should feel delightful at all elevations this afternoon. Saturday will be another gorgeous day in the mountains with only a slight chance of a pop-up afternoon rain shower. Expect the park to bustling with eager adventurers this weekend.

Have a great day.

Good Afternoon,

It’s been a dark and dreary mountain from top to bottom this first day of June. At times there has been the pitter-patter of light rain or mists, otherwise it’s soupy and socked in conditions all around. Perhaps this is a taste of what this year’s edition of June will bring, after 2022 saw it become the driest month on record. Temps are in the low 50s today and might not budge from there unless the sun comes out this afternoon. The forecast is calling for similar conditions tomorrow, but Saturday is looking like it could be stellar. Sunshine over the Smokies and high temps creeping close to 70° at our elevation.

​With families kickstarting those summer vacations as schools let out, and weekend warriors thirsty for a picturesque day to explore the woods, we could have a real busy weekend on our hands. So far trailheads like Alum Cave are getting filled shortly after 8:00 AM. It would be a wise bet to figure trailheads will be maxed out of permissible parking spaces well before that this weekend and as we cross into the summer season. So overnight guests and day hikers should plan accordingly.

Have a great rest of the day.

Good Morning,

Skies are a mix of sun and clouds as we wake up to the last Wednesday in May. This should be the norm for today, although there is a slight chance for a light afternoon shower. Temps will be similar to yesterday, which felt great in the sunshine but still cool in the clouds, with a high near 60°. Overnight lows continue to hang out in the 40s. The greenery is getting thick in the lowlands now and just about filled in atop the Smokies’ highest peaks. And the colorful blooms of flowers and shrubs are creeping up the slopes as well. The famous Catawba Rhododendron that line Alum Cave Trail are really putting on a show at Inspiration Point now, and will keep appearing higher up over the coming weeks. Even the wildlife are sharing in the spring season’s sense of renewal, with junco nests up and down the mountain full of new hatchlings.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Some patchy fog at all elevations greets the early risers this Tuesday, but otherwise the skies are mostly open and the sun should help keep it that way. After some cooler temps across the south, recent precip, and a change in the winds, the air across the Smokies is significantly clearer than it had been this past week. Temps are going to start warming up gradually throughout the week, with the lodge looking to tap 60° this afternoon. The extended forecast will be more typical of one we’re quite familiar with during the summer time, with that slight chance of a pop-up rain shower or storm late in the day. So don’t be fooled by the early morning sunshine and forget to pack that rain jacket or umbrella.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

It’s shaping up to be a beautiful Monday in the mountains. Some lingering clouds and fog should eventually break up and move out as the day progresses, giving way to bright sunshine and clearer skies. We’ll start out cool once again this morning, but the thermometer will begin its climb back toward more seasonably appropriate temps, hitting the mid 50s this afternoon. Tuesday should be decent early on with a slight chance for some stormy activity late in the day.

Reminder that our reservations office is closed today in observance of Memorial Day and will resume accepting calls and e-mails tomorrow during normal business hours. The park is sure to be busy today with families still in town for the holiday weekend or kickstarting their summer vacations. If you aren’t attending a parade or ceremony today, but are opting to spend time in the wilderness, be sure and take a moment to remember the fallen. Paying tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, perhaps from a vantage point of Myrtle Point or at the base of Rainbow Falls, offers an opportunity to reflect. To those who gave all in service of our nation, and to those surviving families and fellow service members who lost a friend or loved one, we thank you.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

​Cool and cloudy is the name of the game today with temps in the 40s. Even scraped the upper 30s recently which has surprised some folks eager to welcome summer on full time. Rain spilling over from the southeast arrived overnight and will continue to be a nagging presence much of today, although it might just be a mist the majority of the time. Rain possibilities are on deck for tomorrow as well but should decrease as we progress through Memorial Day. Trails will certainly have some slick and muddy spots. As we wrap up the month of May in the coming days, temps will return to their norm for this time of year in the mountains. Best to layer up in the meantime.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

It’s mostly overcast skies to kick off this final weekend of May. We’re looking at mostly cloudy conditions atop the mountain this morning with patchy glimpses of sunshine. Later this afternoon the storm chances ramp up and we anticipate seeing some rain overnight and into Sunday. Precip could even be heavy at times, so hopefully that doesn’t occur while anyone is out on trail. Between winds gusting up to 20mph at times, and temps hanging around the 40s, it’s going to feel quite cool for some compared to the onset of summer being felt below. Being a holiday weekend, it’s smart to assume that vehicular traffic in and around the park and its gateway communities will be busier than normal. Plan accordingly to have the most enjoyment and least frustration for your entire time here in the Smokies.

​Have a great day.