Morning y'all, It's a gloomy morning up top, full of grey promise. The high yesterday reached a comfortable 41 degrees. The overnight low dropped down to 24 degrees. It was 24 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. The mountain received no new snow yesterday and had a bit of melt in the bright January sunshine. We are down to about 5 inches of snow up top. The trails are sure to be in pretty tough shape after yesterday's warm temperatures. Be prepared with Microspikes or some other traction device. The skies have clouded up and the temperature gauge has dropped out this morning. It is a wonderful contrast with yesterday's spring conditions. All is quiet and the clouds have wrapped the mountain in a peaceful ambiance. The occasional hum of wind building breaks the calm. Snow is in the forecast and the clouds are close enough to kiss. The character of the mountain is a finicky thing, with bluebird skies and perfect sunshine giving way to this confining greyness. It is similar to the moods of a mind, swinging ecstatically across a broad spectrum. It is none too surprising, given both are built out of stardust. The only constant is their playful variety.
Morning y'all,
It's a cloudy, wintry day up top. The high yesterday reached 23 degrees. The low was zero degrees. It was 17 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. Get the latest news on road conditions at the Park's twitter feed! The trails should still be in pretty good shape, as there has not been too much foot traffic and we haven't had high enough temperatures to start thaw/refreeze cycles. Enjoy the day! Morning y'all,
It's a beautiful, snowy morning up top. The mountain got slammed last night, winter is finally coming on strong. The high was 23 degrees yesterday. The low got down to negative 2 degrees. It was 0 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. The mountain received 6 inches of fresh snow, bringing our total up to 9 inches. It's going to be a serious task for the Park Service to get any roads open, so please have patience. Be prepared for intense winter conditions. Enjoy the snow! Morning y'all,
It's another beautiful, clear morning up top. The high yesterday reached 25 degrees. The low was 3 degrees. It was 16 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received no new snow yesterday. There is a total of about 3 inches on the ground. The road just opened up this morning, so there should be a bit more foot traffic on the trails. Be prepared for winter conditions, it's sure to be cold up top! The trails are calling, enjoy! Morning y'all, It's another beautiful, snowy day up top. The fresh snow is dazzling in the early morning light. The high yesterday reached 20 degrees. The low was negative 1 degree. It was 3 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received one inch of new snow, bringing the total up top to 3 inches. The trails are in good shape, as the powder is fresh and still has decent traction. Enjoy the trails! Last night will stand out when I think back on this season. I needed to clear my head. There is only so much consolation the written word can offer. Everything was calm. The full moon was a floodlight amplified by the white carpet, her brother stars shone diamond like on the velvety sky. The wind swirled like dark sea, coming in waves. The trees towered above like giant dreamcatchers. My fellow nightcreatures padded softly through the night. Pure grace.
Morning y'all, It's a gorgeous, snowy morning up top. The mountain is dazzling white. The high yesterday reached 27 degrees. The low was 16 degrees. It was 16 degrees and snowing lightly at 7am observation. The storm didn't hit quite as hard overnight as expected and the mountain received little snow. There is still about 2 inches up top and it looks like it will continue to accumulate throughout the day. The trails are in good shape, the fresh powder has great traction. I came up yesterday without any traction devices and didn't slip at all. Enjoy the trails and be safe! I had another fantastic, long hike yesterday. I timed it perfectly and had 10 miles to go at 4pm, the best time to be out. I enjoy the time of long shadows, preferring late evening to early morning. I have an easier time when I'm tired from the days effort, my mind slows with my legs and the languid, intuitive all seeing eye does it's best observing during these hours. My higher mind shuts itself down and all I do is see. It seems like the golden light breaks all barriers. Self doubt fades like early morning fog. There is nothing but glory and salvation in these hours.
Morning y'all, It's a beautiful, snow covered day up top. The high yesterday reached 42 degrees. The low was 27 degrees. It was 28 degrees and snowing lightly at 7am observation. The mountain received .54 inches of liquid precipitation. Once the temperatures dropped in the evening, the mountain then received 2 inches of fresh powder. It looks like we may have 3-4 inches before this storm passes. The trails should be ok with the fresh stuff, but once it gets packed down I am sure they'll become treacherous once again. It is probably best to pack the Microspikes just in case... I have a hypothesis that I am investigating: If there is snow, then JP is happy. Other corollaries include: if there is snow, then no reading gets done. If there is snow, then there are no existential crises. If there is snow, then there is no need for society. If there is movement, then there is hope. In order to test these hypotheses, I have to leave this world confining screen. I must go play in the life affirming fluffiness. Enjoy the joy!
Morning y'all, It's a gorgeous morning up top. The sky is on fire, the mountain is bright with promise. It almost feels like spring. The high yesterday reached 45 degrees. The low was 19 degrees. It was 44 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The trails are in pretty good shape. I headed down and up Alum yesterday and there were no significant obstacles. Most of the ice has melted and the remaining tricky spots are manageable. It looks as though we'll get some snow over the course of the next few evenings. No matter how many times I nighthike, the novelty remains. There is something special about flying up your favorite trail under the cover of darkness. All of my favorite landmarks are adorned in mystery, a cool, lucid presence settles in the movie theatre of my mind. Everything is charged with an element of danger, knowing it is the time of the night creatures. Primordial functions take over. I am always pushing hard, almost running up the trail. It's become a bit of a tradition for me to crest the final turn at Alum and have my breath taken away because there are eyes in the woods! Many eyes in the woods and they are getting closer! Bobcats, bears, who are you? No, wait - that is just the lights of Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge sparkling in the distance. I never fail to frighten myself, then laugh my way to the lodge whooping and hollering. It never grows old.
Morning y'all,
It's a gorgeous morning up top. The mountain received some unexpected traces of snow last night and everything is new, magically glazed over. It's amazing how fast the character of the mountain has changed in just 24 hours. The high yesterday reached 41 degrees. The low dropped down to 19 degrees. It was 21 degrees and clearing at 7am observation. The mountain received .75 inches of rain yesterday morning and a trace of snow overnight. I would bet that the trails will still be tricky, so pack all the gear necessary and hope for the best. Enjoy! Morning y'all,
It's another dreary morning up top. The weather can't seem to decide what it wants to do - light rain, hail, light snow, heavy rain, thunder & lightning, it sure doesn't lack for variety. The high yesterday reached 45 degrees. The low was 38 degrees. It was 45 degrees and raining at 7am observation. The mountain received 2.00 inches of rain yesterday. The trails are sure to be streams, I got soaked just walking out to the rain gauge this morning. On the plus side, it appears that most of the ice and snow have melted. Be prepared for a cold, wet day up top. Enjoy!! |
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April 2024
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