Good Morning,

It’s currently 29 degrees and socked in up top. We still about a half inch of snow on the ground, but it just started snowing heavily. Expect road closures.

24 hour temperature range | High: 32 Low: 21

NOAA 7-Day Forecast 
Mountain - Forecast Weather

--
Wandering back up the Alum Cave Trail, my footsteps carried me upward, toward the sky. Emerging from the cloud, I was above it all. Never have I seen a mountain in so many ways. Golden light poked through cracks in the fir. Continuing across the ice, I soon approached my home. Mount LeConte smiled in the sun.

Sitting with a warm cup of coffee I opened my mind and began digging for words. They wouldn’t coming easy. I explored further. My attention fell to the window. What would the mountain decide to do? Rain, snow, or continued inversion? I took a large gulp of coffee. The first snow flake landed on the window pane. A crowd of flakes followed - old man winter was knocking at my door once again.

I took another sip, and welcomed him in.

Onward,
Seth

Good Morning,

It’s currently 23 degrees and cloudy up top. We still have 1” inch of snow on the ground. We received no new precipitation, but it looks as if that might change. Hard to tell what the mountain will do, today. Expect plenty of ice on the trails up top.

24 hour temperature range | High: 30 Low: 16

NOAA 7-Day Forecast 
Mountain - Forecast Weather
Smokies Road Info

--

Wrestling off the weight of yesterday, I drag on my overalls and do what must be done. I begin the day as if it were my last. The weather report harmonizes with the smell of smoldering coffee grounds. The warm lantern light invites me to sit down. Grabbing a book, I oblige.

My ice traction creaks loudly up the trail. A dark cap of clouds began to roll in, menacing. I wasn’t deterred. To be honest, I had no choice in the matter. My heart would carry me up the dark corridor whether the rest of me wanted to or not. Such is loving the mountains - such is loving the light.

Like the warm glow of a lantern, the morning light called...

I obliged.

Onward,
​Seth

Good Morning,

It’s currently 19 degrees with 1” inch of snow on the ground. The clouds have sunk down below the horizon, creating a remarkable inversion. Expect plenty of ice on the trails up top.

24 hour temperature range | High: 29 Low: 16

*US Hwy 441/Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC is temporarily closed due to snow/ice.

Stay up to date on road conditions here: https://goo.gl/HikrMr

NOAA 7-Day Forecast 
Mountain - Forecast Weather

--

Legs moving slowly, I listened to the mountain. Frozen solid, the forest creaked and wailed into the heavy silence. My feet crunched up the trail. Hints of light began illuminating the horizon. Maybe I’d misinterpreted the sounds of the forest - they were, in fact, cheering. It was a celebration.

The sun was going to make an appearance once again!

Looking out into the ocean of clouds, I danced with excitement. Oh, how the mountains have their way with my soul. An island paradise in the sky, Clingmans Dome smiled. Predawn pastels brushed the atmosphere. I released the camera’s shutter….

I was living the dream.

Onward,
Seth

"You’ve got to dance like there’s nobody watching. You’ve got to love like you’ll never get hurt. You’ve got to come from the heart if you want it to work."

Susanna Clarke

Good Morning,

It’s currently 26 degrees with 1” inch of snow on the ground. Light is beginning to trickle through the cloud cover. Overall, the mountain is very calm.

24 hour temperature range | High: 31 Low: 25

*US Hwy 441/Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC is temporarily closed due to snow/ice.

Stay up to date on road conditions here: https://goo.gl/HikrMr

NOAA 7-Day Forecast 
Mountain - Forecast Weather

--

Old blue dangled quietly at my side, illuminating the path away from the lodge. The cloud covered ceiling overhead displayed gentle hues of blue. It was enough to inspire a walk around the mountain. I slowly disappeared into the haze.

On the cliff tops I admired an armor-clad fir tree. I found myself inspired, yet again. The steadfast resilience of nature was like nothing else I’d seen. The wind picked up slightly; a nearby evergreen creaked in agreement.

I blew out the old lantern and made for home.

Onward,
Seth

"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for mankind.”

Horace Mann

Good Morning,

It’s currently 31 degrees and snowing intermittently. The .47” inches of precipitation we received resulted in a .2” inch layer of ice/sleet on the trails up top. As of right now, the mountain has a thin layer of snow covering the ice.

24 hour temperature range | High: 32 Low: 23

*US Hwy 441/Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC is temporarily closed due to snow/ice.

Stay up to date on road conditions here: https://goo.gl/HikrMr

NOAA 7-Day Forecast 
Mountain - Forecast Weather

--

The mountain was in transition - it could be felt before it could be seen. An invisible shower of rain coated Mount LeConte, encasing the mountain in a shield of ice. Too cold to be wet and too warm to make snow - my home balanced in limbo.

A silent mist began creeping through camp. The sky began to spit sleet. Heeding the warning, I found shelter in a warm familiar corner.

Feeling the warmth - I lingered longer than expect.

Onward,
Seth
​
P.S. - Today has been a battle with the internet, but a battle I will happily lose day in and day out for the beauty offered by Mount LeConte. Thank you for your patience. Have a restful Sunday!

Good Morning,

It’s currently 28 degrees up top with a large storm on the cusp of overtaking the mountain.

There hasn’t been any snow accumulation on the mountain, but the winds are building and I’ve seen a few flakes swirling around the mountain.

24 hour temperature range | High: 36 Low: 14

*US Hwy 441/Newfound Gap Rd from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC is temporarily closed due to snow/ice.

Stay up to date on road conditions here: https://goo.gl/HikrMr

NOAA 7-Day Forecast 
Mountain - Forecast Weather

--

Wishful thinking led me down the trail. Above, the clouds continued to roll in, carrying wishes of their own. Maybe they would part and provide a sunrise to write about, maybe the sunset would merely remain a wish.

I sat - I waited. The crows laughed in the distance. Feeling chilled, I couldn’t help but laugh back at my flying friends. Maybe they saw something I didn’t. I continued to wait.

Patience always pays, or so I’ve heard. The sun crawled out from under the covers …

proving me right.

Onward,
Seth

Good Morning,

It’s currently clear with almost not wind. Mountain LeConte is experiencing is in a spring mood today with a balmy temperature of 36 degrees.
It should be another gorgeous day, but I would still recommend warm layers if you plan on making it up to the higher elevations.

24 hour temperature range | High: 36 Low: 14

NOAA 7-Day Forecast 

Mountain - Forecast Weather

--

The rich aroma of fresh brewed coffee powered me toward the rising sun. What would the day bring? I let the thought come in one here and out the other - right now, the moment - was all that mattered. The unlit shadows of the forest gazed at me with interest. I returned the gaze and continued toward the point.

Arriving at my destination, the mountains shared a one of kind surprise. My eyes feasted on the boiling bowl of clouds as they poured over Charlies Bunion. I closed my eyes, the flavors were too rich. How could a man ever look at the world the same again? It couldn't be done.
​
Onward,
Seth

Good Morning,


It’s currently clear with a beautiful inversion. Mountain LeConte is experiencing high winds and a temperature of 17 degrees.
It should be another gorgeous day, but I would recommend warm layers if you plan on making it up to the higher elevations.

24 hour temperature range | High: 20 Low: 9

NOAA 7-Day Forecast 

Mountain - Forecast Weather

--

Cliff Top Surfers

The crowd congregates at the Cliff Tops. High winds hold them is place as each brandishes their obsidian feathered wings. Drifting into another’s lane, a territorial dispute unfolds. Heavy gawking and sharp nipping at tail feathers, pride was being tested. Death defying acrobatics soon filled the stage. What is the reward for victory, I wondered. Dozens more take advantage of the good surf, each content with in their own enterprise. The duel subsides like a receding wave. Territorial terms were either delayed or merely forgotten with the coming of fresh currents. A large crow emerges overhead. Flanking the port side, honor is being tested yet again.

...another wave breaks.

Onward,
Seth

Good Morning,

It’s  crisp, clear and moderately windy up top this morning. The temperature dropped steeply overnight with our current temperature hovering right at 13 degrees.

It should be a gorgeous day, but I would recommend warm layers if you plan on making it up to the higher elevations.

24 hour temperature range | High: 39 Low: 13

NOAA 7-Day Forecast 

Mountain - Forecast Weather

--

The familiar trail quickly disappeared under my feet. My legs were feeling strong and well rested - time off the mountain had served me well. A feature packed trail, all the sights and scenes of Alum Cave Trail pale in site of a familiar footstep, in view of a well known bend in the trail. It’s funny how sometimes the things that once brought us to a place no longer serve as the reason for our return. It’s those moments along the journey that shape our interpretation of the trail, those little experiences along the way that motivate us to lace-up the boots, again and again.

I looked out at the billows blanketing the horizon. Golden rays of light burst through wind worn holes in the cloud cover. Knowing that I could make it home to Mount LeConte before dark, I slowed my pace - savoring the experience - making new moments.

It was good to be back home.

Onward,
Seth

​That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much.
​
Robert Louis Stevenson

Good Morning,

The mountain, wrapped in the arms of a dense cloud adding to an already glorious and windless silence, is exuding a special kind of peace this morning. A welcome reprieve from some of yesterday’s blustery-ness. We managed another sunny and seasonably mild day yesterday, with one more spring-like spin of the earth left in the mix. It appears a swift return to a winter reality lies ahead, beginning late this afternoon with a brief rain shower. It was 36 degrees at observation, remaining snow is patchy at best. Between today’s eventual high temp and tomorrow night’s low, we could witness as much as a 40 degree difference.

24 hour temperature range | High: 42 Low: 33

This time of year presents numerous opportunities to admire the rare beauty of these mountains and it’s easy to become distracted. The mind tends to wander when peering out over an endless horizon of tightly woven technicolor, or in the blindingly white blanket of snow underfoot. Appreciate the moment, but beware not to let that moment become perilous. Conditions can change in a hurry up here, sometimes for worse.

Remember to take all the necessary steps in ensuring your personal safety, especially if out traveling alone. Resarch the weather forecast, find out trail conditions from a local source, determine when the sun sets, stay hydrated and well nourished, notify someone else of your plans, and know when to turn around. These are but a few important tips that can make or break your Smokies experience. If you have questions about your gear, there are several outfitters in the area ready and willing to provide great advice.

Have a great week!