April 11, 2013

4/11/2013

We were treated to a nice sunset as the sun called it a day on top of Tennessee.

Good afternoon to all of you. We're still enjoying a nice afternoon on top of LeConte, though the forecast calls for changes. Our high Wednesday notched 67 degrees, supplanting Tuesday's 65 as the warmest day of 2013. The low registered 45.

The wind picked up last night and breathed life into all the tree limbs on LeConte. The boughs of the magnificent spruce tree overhanging my cabin slow danced with the wood shingles on my roof, sounding much like a turkey call. Alas, I was the only turkey being called. Although last night was a new moon night atop the Smokies, that same spruce filters the full moon glow over the summit of LeConte through my bedroom window. Last night's new moon allowed for a lovely dark canvas to stargaze over the Tennessee Valley. Skywatching is always one of my favorite things to do on the mountain.

If the forecast holds true, skywatching may get more interesting this evening with a fast-moving storm front moving through. If you're hiking in the next couple of days, I'd expect the trails to be muddy and carrying plenty of water to the valley. However, as of early afternoon Thursday, the morning clouds have lifted and given way to mostly sunny skies and comfortable temperatures in the 50s.

In trail news, the National Park Service trail crew hit it hard yesterday and completed clearing Bullhead Trail of blowdowns. We can now recommend Bullhead as a sound option to arrive at the lodge (or use for the return descent on a day hike up Rainbow Falls Trail). As I mentioned yesterday, hiking Trillium Gap Trail should become easier Friday when the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail reopens. We had some guests who arrived via the Boulevard Trail Wednesday but reported it tough going and still slippery in some troublesome spots. I like the Boulevard Trail, but I'd opt for any of the other main trails to LeConte at this point.

Thanks for reading. Have a fine day. Happy trails.

Robert Geer

4/11/2013 07:09:55 am

Wes,Kim,and I will bring up desert on Saturday. :-)

Tracy G

4/11/2013 08:56:25 am

Another beautiful picture. Thank you for your posts! Very much enjoyed. Would love to see the night sky from up top. Have a great day!

Gina

4/11/2013 08:56:27 am

Happy to hear Bull Head is now open! Another reason to go back up top, haven't did this one yet.

doug y

4/11/2013 10:33:05 am

Great Galloping Gertie !! Technology and I don't always get along ! This is my fourth attempt to post a few comments here. I either need to purchase a brand new computer [the preferable choice probably] or put new rubber bands in this old machine ! Can't figure out the problem, yet. The Boulevard Trail is one of my favorites, too, and about a week or so ago I had a relatively rough time traversing it, beginning at Newfound Gap and ending at the Rainbow Falls trailhead via the Trillium Trail, a very nice route I now want to repeat this summer. Next year I'm planning to do my once-every-five-years- hike-through- the-Park-via-the- A.T. I'm somewhat overdue for this favorite hike of mine. I've done it regularly since 1969, taking from four to eleven days to complete it, always alone. If I can find two or three hiking companions I would entertain dong it in such a small group, and the next time taking a two-day detour for a nice stay at the Lodge ! I have always begun at Davenport Gap, ending at Fontana Dam. 68 mi + or - A very nice journey and not so long as to wear you out. I always find it amusing during this hike that when I arrive at Newfound Gap there's generally a few tourists who come up to me with plenty of questions. I don't really seek nor like the attention, but since by then I am well bearded I try to at least be entertaining; I sometimes tell these tourists that my name is "Jeremiah Johnson" !! I usually, though, try to limit my rest here and move on. I also like stopping at Clingmans Dome for a short detour to the observation tower, with tourists there gathering around, too. Regardless, it's a great long(er) distance hike. Good evening.

ric

4/11/2013 02:06:23 pm

the walk through the park is a reallynice walk. did it the easy way though - started at clingmans dome and went to fontanna. spent the night ay spence field. had a bear head in the shelter with me. luckily was able to keep the rest of her out. the started at newfound gap ad went to davenport spending 1 night. in between was day hike. starting at newfound gap to davenport is a cake walk compared to the other direction, but i know from day hikes coming out of davenport is a work.. another good trip is up ramsey cascade to the at coming out at the cosby campground. i hve 1 more trail to do to be done in the smokies 2.5 mile deep spring. only problem is its going to be 45 mile 3 day walk to get it.

Leigh

4/11/2013 06:51:36 pm

Doesn't time fly? You posted last Saturday that you would be making this hike on Sunday.

Deedee//MI

4/11/2013 04:07:41 pm

A cheery 'heLLo' to you, Nathan! :)
I am glad that you are back at the helm up there, and should the mood strike you for a story or two I'll be a rapt listener, away up here in Michigan

awesome

4/12/2013 03:21:44 am

4/11/2013 06:58:16 pm

Hope you guys made it through the storms okay. My family and I were on vacation in the Smokies when the tornadoes came through in April 2011. It was scary there, but devastating when we got home.

Debi

4/11/2013 09:52:23 pm

Hope you made it through the night. Nasty weather out there. Come on Spring!

4/12/2013 12:55:42 am

ric: The route from Ramsey Cascades on up the mountain is one I haven't been on in a long time - - I'm glad you mentioned it - - might have to include it in my plans for this season. I've hiked to the cascades several times ini the midst of winter; always a pleasant walk. G'day.

4/12/2013 05:15:19 am

yeah, ramsey is my favorite place in the smokies. like to start walking around 7 so i can have the place to my self. really good feeling sitting there on the big rock.

4/12/2013 06:15:01 am

Yes, ric, I can clearly see why it's your favorite spot in the Smokies; I cannot begin to narrow down, let alone choose, my favorite spot in the Park - - there are so many I've been to in over fifty years. Yet, there is one particular place deep in the backcountry above Elkmont campground, isolated, seldom-visited, but relatively accessible. It's not a backcountry campsite, nor a particularly spectacular vantage point, certainly not marked or delineated in any way, just a spot on a trail that by pure chance I stopped for a rest at many years ago. For whatever reason, and I simply do not seek to discover the reason, this one little, quiet, secluded spot held me in such a spell that time that I have returned to it without fail at least once a year since. I have never encountered another human while resting there, although at times I wish I had simply to share the magnificence of the location and its utter tranquility that emanates gracefully from its surroundings. It's not a dark recessed spot, but possesses a bit of almost everything that I personally seek within the woods. Despite the Park being the most visited in the country, I don't believe that there are too many folks who even walk by this spot. I've been there in every season and type of weather I can imagine, and each time the same spell of its magic overcomes me. How can one explain this to someone who doesn't hike, who doesn't share the feelings that we, as hikers, campers, lodge visitors, and the like understand so thoroughly, deeply, and profoundly !? I'm not a selfish man, yet I would hesitate to share "my spot" with anyone, unless of course it's someone of like mind and passion for hiking and the mountains. I could tell anyone exactly where this is, but I doubt that my description would be quite adequate enough for someone to locate it. Perhaps as I age a bit, and will now welcome hiking companions, I might take someone there to share the magnificent atmosphere that surrounds me when I'm at rest at this idyllic retreat. Just writing about this place makes me crave to go there as soon as I can manage ! For now, I wish I had a couple of nights up at the lodge, but it seems that no one is cancelling, at lest not for a two-night stay, but that's simply good and fine. I'll keep inquiring, though. I suppose that the mere thought of being there brings some satisfaction. Hope everyone has a good afternoon and weekend ! May your steps on the trails be sure and true ! G'day.

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April 11, 2013

LeConte Lodge

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