Good Morning,
     Happy first day of Autumn!  It may still feel like summer in your neck of the woods, but up here there's no turning back the clock.  It appears as though the rain chances continue to withdraw, so this weekend is looking favorable for a day on the trail.  Yesterday's temperatures were an exact repeat of the day prior, with a high of 65 degrees and a low of 47.  If these blue skies persist through the afternoon we should once again enjoy the 60's.  These clear nights have been making for some fantastic sunsets and star gazing lately.
     Have a great day, and may the poem below get you in the seasonal mood.

Good Afternoon,
     Happy final day of summer!  The clouds have had a more active role today, keeping things a little cooler and veiled.  Yesterday's temperatures came out to a high of 65 degrees and our low was 47. We're about to go a week without any liquid precipitation, so a good rain would be a welcomed reprieve.  Although, it has been really nice to spend so much time outside lately.  The rain chances increase in the coming days, so we'll see how it shakes out for the weekend.  Come prepared for anything if you're joining us.

     The natural world of Mt. LeConte is changing, and one's senses are picking up on the annual transformation.  The forest has a glow to it as rays pass through the trees having already parted ways with their leaves, while those still clinging to their branches shine bright with gold.  New smells of cinnamon join the constant sweet aroma of spruce and fir, as ferns, coneflower, and snake root whither. Days in the sun can achieve a desired warmth, but the lowering solar orb invites a chill as shadows lengthen and sunlight wanes.  It may be hot and humid in the Tennessee Valley below, but atop the mountain that rises more than a mile above, autumn is in full swing.

     It's been another productive week with our friends from Crowder Construction.  Please pardon our progress while a few of our maintenance projects require the use of tools emitting unnatural noises one expects in the backcountry. We always strive to minimize this kind of impact during the guest experience, especially on a mountain that has visitors around the clock. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support!
     Have a great afternoon.

P.S.  Happy Birthday, Trooper!

Good Morning,
     We're off to a beautiful beginning of the day. Conditions above the mountain are clear and blue, but it looks like the fog from the valley below is blowing upward. The chance for rain later today is slight, so we're expecting a repeat performance of yesterday.  Still looking like Friday could be a wet one at times.  Yesterday's high was a cozy 64 degrees, and our low recorded Tuesday morning was 42. It's already in the 50's this morning.
     Clouds threatened to sock us in around supper time, and there was a brief mist that I'm not sure even touched the ground, so nothing to tally in the ole gauge there.  The sunset colors were breathtaking last night, and the show continued well into the evening as lightning on the northern horizon flashed for hours.
     Have yourself a marvelous day.

Good Afternoon,
     Conditions on the mountain continue to be favorable, as rain chances over the next several days have all been downplayed, with only Friday showing the best opportunity for storms in the PM.  Skies are pleasant, the air is calm, and the temperatures feel fabulous, which is making the outdoor projects go a lot smoother.  We managed to tag 66 degrees again, and our overnight low dipped down to 41. We're back in the comfortable 60's again today, and there's a decent crowd of hikers enjoying the mountain.  Our current streak of sans precipitation continues.
     Autumn is almost here, and it certainly has everyone excited.  Getting hard to believe there's only nine more weeks of serving guests this season.  We've had the pleasure of hosting so many fabulous folks.  It continues to be a joy and privilege to reconnect with so many friendly faces visiting the mountain, while also introducing newcomers to the magic of Mt. LeConte.  We'll start booking up cabins for the 2018 season very soon on Monday, October 2nd.

     As always, you can visit our online store to check out the latest in LeConte Lodge swag.  These are mostly items you won't find up top in our souvenir shop; thus, no "I Hiked It" memorabilia, but plenty of great logo apparel and gift-ware pieces.  Getting a jump on the holiday shopping is never a bad idea, especially if that special someone you're thinking of loves tallying up miles on Tennessee's famous mountain!
​     Have a great rest of the afternoon.

Good Afternoon,
     We've been enjoying mostly sunny skies of late, but we're starting to dodge some spotty clouds.  Yesterday turned out to be one of the warmer days in recent weeks as we tapped out at 66 degrees.  Our low remains consistent, coming at 45.  Tomorrow should be fairly hiker-friendly in terms of weather, but there is a slight chance of showers in the afternoon.  It definitely feels, looks, and smells like autumn up here now.  The Mountain Ash have really been shimmering as their gold catches the light. Along the trails, the smaller Witch Hobble trees have been transitioning to red.  Always a great time to spend outdoors, but be sure and pack an extra layer since it starts to get a little cooler faster these days.
​     Have a great day.

Good Morning,
     Aaaahhhh sunshine.  Good to have it back in leaps and bounds.  This week should make for some fabulous outdoorsy weather, so if you're in the vicinity, try and pencil in a stop to ole LeConte.  We'd be delighted to see you.  The rain streak was snapped yesterday, and clouds eventually broke enough in time for folks to enjoy the solar spectacles at Cliff Tops last night and Myrtle Point this morning.  Friday's high temperature managed to climb up to a rather balmy feeling 58 degrees, and our overnight low hit 42.  Today promises to be even warmer, but you'll still want that extra layer for the evenings and shady places.
     We've heard about a couple trees down on The Boulevard, but nothing that kept hikers from reaching the mountain.  Still waiting on word regarding Rainbow Falls. If you ever happen to see the trail crews and volunteers working on trails, and not just here on LeConte, be sure to say thanks.  It can be back breaking work that goes a long way into making people's treks much more pleasant when they visit the Smokies, work that often goes unnoticed.
     Enjoy your weekend wherever you may be!

Good Afternoon,
     Yowza! It's already the middle of September!  How time flies when you're having fun in fall (almost).  The sun and blue skies continue to tease us, but just can't seem to punch through and knock the clouds out.  The forecast looks promising though, and we should have ourselves a gorgeous weekend.  Irma's remnants leaked out 0.1" of rainfall yesterday, in what looks to be the last liquid precip we'll witness for a while.  Temperatures again didn't vary much, as we measured 49 degrees for a high and 42 for a low.  It's warmer today, as we sit in the low 50's.  Alan and the llamas have already come and gone, doing tremendous work in keeping us super stocked on supplies.
     The NPS trail crews have knocked out the beast of a mess on Alum Cave, so trail conditions are far friendlier to the average hiker.  We're still waiting to hear more on the mountain's other trails, so taking Alum Cave and Trillium Gap are still your best bets for smooth visits to and from the lodge.
     Even in this day and age, information from the outside world can still lag a bit getting to the top of the mountain, but we're all in tune with what's been happening in and around the country.  Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the major hurricanes that have ravaged the states surrounding the Gulf, the numerous Caribbean nations, and of course the fires that have torn through endless acres out west. One can't forget where we were this time last year during the extreme drought as fires burned throughout the southeast.  We're grateful for every drop of rain accumulated thus far.
​     Have an enjoyable start to the weekend.

Update on Alum Cave trail. The trail crew has made good progress on clearing the downed trees. They will be finishing up tomorrow.  Be sure to thank the trail crew for their work if you pass them.

Good Morning,
​     It's another quiet and gray day on the mountain.  We're still enduring the lingering effects of Hurricane Irma as it breaks apart over the region.  The winds have calmed down significantly, but we're still cloaked in cloud cover with a light mist.  We tallied 0.18" of rain yesterday, the third straight day collecting liquid precipitation. Temperatures didn't waver much, as our high came in at 46 degrees and our low was close by at 42.  The mid 40's are where we reside currently.

     We're hopeful that the NPS trail crews will make some headway on Alum Cave Trail today and have it in great shape for visitors this weekend.  We're still waiting to learn more on the mountain's other trails in The Boulevard, Brushy Mountain, and Rainbow Falls.  Trillium Gap, having been utilized by the llamas yesterday, we can say is clear with great certainty.  Bull Head, of course, remains closed due to fire and storm damage.
     Once Irma finally dissipates, we should see a break in the weather and even a slight rise in day time temperatures.  Autumn continues to march toward us faster and faster it seems like, as conditions cool and vegetation withers.  We are now at less than 10 weeks remaining in the 2017 lodge season, and just a few weeks away from beginning reservations for 2018.  Be sure and mark your calendars for Monday, October 2nd, as that is when our team will start accepting calls and sifting through the lottery to book folks for next year.  We look forward to hearing back from those of you who have been coming for ages and those who are still pondering that first visit to Tennessee's famous mountain.
     Have a great day.

Good Afternoon,
     A quick trail update for those visiting the mountain in the coming days. Alum Cave Trail has sustained significant damage in the way of downed trees, courtesy of Hurricane Irma. Many of these trees are large, mature red spruces which make passage slow and difficult. These heavily obscured stretches are at miles 2.7-3.0, 3.5, 3.8, and 4.0. Debris can be seen throughout the 5 mile climb.
     Guests are advised to utilize Trillium Gap Trail, which is currently clear of debris, for the time being. We will notify you once Alum Cave has been cleared and presents no trail blocking hazards.
     Rain is expected to move back in this evening and linger around tomorrow. Winds are still blustery up top and is making for cooler temps. Please be safe and dress appropriately if you intend to summit.