Good morning folks,

Its a windy, cloudy morning in camp. Attempting sunrise at Apollo Overlook with socked in conditions was short lived. The high yesterday reached 46 degrees. The overnight low only dropped down to 42 degrees. It’s currently 45 degrees with winds blowing in from the south and racing over camp. We received 0.02” of precipitation. There is no snow left in camp. Ice isn’t an issue so spikes are not necessary. Looks to be another cloudy day on the mountain. Come on up and enjoy the Spring weather. Have a great day folks. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Chipped Beef and gravy with waffles

Good morning folks,

Its a moody, misty morning in camp. High winds push through the mountain with warm air floating around. The high yesterday reached 44 degrees. The overnight low only dropped down to 33 degrees. It’s currently 43 degrees. We received 0.83” of precipitation and melting all snow in camp. There is still traces of ice around camp so traction may or not be needed today. We have moved out of the snowy conditions and into our more seasonal rainy February weather. Anyways folks, the bluegrass music is tuned and the coffee is flowing. Have a great day folks. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

It’s a calm morning on the mountain. Light rain is falling in camp. The high yesterday reached 46 degrees. The overnight low only dropped down to 30 degrees. It’s currently 35 degrees with calm winds. We received 0” of precipitation as well as 0” of snow. There are trace amounts of snow lingering around camp. Traction is a must with the freeze thaw cycle. Today is going to be a rainy day so prepare for that if you venture up the mountain. Heavy rains move into the area Sunday with totals around 2-3” of precipitation. The high country rains will roar down into the many tributaries within the park. The next week looks spotty with rain and sunshine mixing up the normal winter weather I’ve had the past 2 months. It’s been great having the abundant snowfall this season. It’s been a spectacular season as the Winter Caretaker. Have a great day folks!

​Sheww doggies. The warm weather has me jumping for Spring. It’s right around the corner folks. Hang in there. We had a taste of what’s coming the past two days. Blue skies dominated the day yesterday with more seasonal like temperatures. Sunbathing was mostly all I did. Switching from cabin 5 to 6 chasing the sun felt so amazing warming my bones up from the cold winter. Apollo Overlook was another place I sat and warmed the toes in the sun. Life is great folks. The mountain has provided many great things. I’ve learned to make homemade biscuits, which I’ve gotten pretty good at. Also, whole wheat bread has turned out fantastic. The cozy kitchen is where I spend 90% of my time. Eating and cooking is one of my favorite activities to do on the mountain. Won’t be long and the mountain will be flourishing with people to stay overnight. Hang in there folks we are almost there! Have a great day! See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

Its a warm start to the morning in camp. Heavy fog rolls in from the northern slope on LeConte. The high yesterday reached 48 degrees which was warmest day so far this winter. The overnight low dropped down to 32 degrees. It’s currently 32 degrees with calm winds and socked in conditions. We have not received any new precipitation dropping our snow depth to around 1”. There is tons of ice around camp as well as trails leading to the top. Traction is a must today. Clearing skies later this morning once the sun comes out and burns off the fog. All roads are open. Also, Alum Cave trail opens back up today from recent foot log work on the three bridges that needed to be replaced. The weekend is fast approaching with heavy rain in the forecast. Better enjoy the last of the sun today. The forecast is calling for rain and very wet conditions all next week. Have a great day folks.

Wow. What a day it was yesterday. Blue skies paired with spring like weather had me jumping for joy! Spring is almost here! Signs of Daffodils are popping up within the park in the lower elevations so, be on the lookout for the flowers beginning to wake up and pop out from a long winters nap. Enjoying the sun on Cabin 6, I took boots off the let the feet enjoy the abundance of sunshine. It was a glorious day on the mountain. We’re you able to get out and enjoy the weather? Did you take a hike? Whatever it was hope you enjoyed the sun. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

It’s another fine morning up top. Calm winds paired with warming temperatures will make spring feel so close. The high yesterday reached 39 degrees. The overnight low only dropped down to 22 degrees. It’s currently 32 degrees with clear skies. We still have around 2” of snow in camp. Traction is a must with the freeze/thaw cycle. US Hwy. 441 is opened to all vehicles. Alum cave is still closed for foot log repairs. Will open after tmrw. Looks to be a beautiful day up top. Have a good one folks. See you at the top.

​PNUT

The local deer was out and about a few days ago.

Good morning folks,

It’s a fine morning in camp. The golden light burns through the fir trees. Coated with snow again. The high yesterday reached 31 degrees. The overnight low dipped down to 18 degrees. It’s currently 22 degrees and rising. We received 0.74” of precipitation. We received 2” of fresh snow. Traction may or not be necessary with the fresh layer of snow but I would have them in my pack. US Hwy. 441 (Newfound Gap Road) is closed for snow/ice. Cherokee Orchard remains open. The next 2 days look to be the warmest of the winter. Looking forward to trails melting so I can get some running in before the season is over. With less than 2 weeks left up top, I’m soaking it all in. Have a good day folks.

Heavy winds dominated the morning yesterday. Snow began to fall heavy around daybreak. A true sight to see when the lodge is bare one minute and 30 minutes later covered in snow. By mid afternoon skies cleared with a blue bird day over head. I cooked the majority of the day. Making fresh bread and chicken stir fry. It was a great day. See you at the top.

​PNUT

Fresh Wheat Bread

Chicken Stir Fry

Good morning folks,

Its a breezy morning to say the least. The smoky mountain fog returns. High winds roar from Cliff Tops through camp. Light snow is falling but is being blown around pretty hard from the wind. The high yesterday reached 33 degrees. The overnight low dropped down to 20 degrees. It’s currently 30 degrees with extremely high winds. We received 0.08” of precipitation and Trace amounts of snow. The mountain is under High Wind Warning until 10am. US Hwy. 441 is closed due to the weather. Traction is needed in some areas around the top. Today looks to be a relaxing day catching up on some camp chores and reading in the loft. Have a great start to the week folks.

This isn’t kite flying weather that’s for sure. Winds roared after sunset and throughout the night. Slamming into camp my cabin creaks from the sudden surge of wind. Light snow is falling in camp and coating the fir trees. Their needles and branches have missed the snow. It’s a bread making day on the mountain. Always a great smell once the second rise has occurred and it’s baking in the oven. Mmmmm. Stay tuned! Be safe out on the trails and driving in the park with the winds folks. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

​Its another fine morning at 6593’. Blue skies are above with puffy white clouds floating in the sky. The valley below is awaking in this Sunday morning. The high yesterday reached 24 degrees. The overnight low dipped down to 8 degrees. It’s currently 24 degrees with calm wind. We have not received any new precipitation. There are still patches of snow and much ice coating the trails. Traction is definitely needed to reach the summit. Chances of snow return tomorrow with accumulations around 2”. Looks to be a great day on the mountain. Come on up! Have a great day folks.

Hiking down Trillium Gap trail with one goal, Brushy Mountain Overlook. I set off. A very smooth walk since last snows have melted. Only ice coats the walking path. Making my way to famous ice wall. The whole area was incased in heavy chunks. One definitely needs traction here! Amazing formations created by the single digit temperatures. Moving down the ole mountain. I reached the Gap and hustled up to the overlook. The trail opened up with warm sunshine that felt a bit like summer. Ahhh. Won’t be long folks. Stretching out and taking in the incredible views from this area. The eye could see Mt. Kephart, Charlie’s Bunion, the Sawteeth on the AT and Mt. Guyot. Views up to LeConte were also rewarding catching reflections from windows off the cabins you could actually see where camp sits. Soaking up the sun, my clock read 2:27pm. Welp time to head back up top. Made it up just in time to relax and get ready for sunset. Supper was heavy on my mind with New York Strip Steak, Sautéd Asparagus and Mac & Cheese. I enjoyed some music and retired to my cabin. All is well. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

Its a fine Saturday morning on the mountain. A frigid start to the day. The high yesterday reached 26 degrees. The overnight low dipped down to a bone chilling 7 degrees. It’s currently 7 degrees with light wind and clear skies. We received 0.02” of precipitation. Light flurries fell yesterday morning but only accumulated to just a dusting. Traction is needed to reach the summit and just walking around camp. Some very slick spots! Today looks to be a warmer day today with more sunshine. Come on up and see the views! Have a great day folks. All roads are open. Check out the new foot logs on Alum.

Yesterday’s snow fell lightly until mid morning. Clearing skies with inversions all around. We were above the clouds. Mid afternoon clouds broke to the west with lingering clouds hovering in the hollers. Chimneys looked ancient with the exposed rock and clouds rolling over. It was a day spent outdoors soaking up the sun. I dozed off at Cliff Tops for a bear nap and it was incredible. Much of today will be the same so if your planning a hike up we may cross paths. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

It’s a great morning here on LeConte. Light snow is falling in camp with the sunlight coming in and out over High Top. The high yesterday reached 37 degrees. The overnight low only dropped down to 23 degrees. It’s currently 23 degrees with calm winds. We received 0.03” of precipitation and 0” of new snow. We have trace amounts of snow in camp. Traction is needed in some areas with the recent freeze thaw cycle. Many tributaries are swollen, roaring down the mountain so prepare for some wet trails. US. Hwy 441 remains closed for snow/ice. Cherokee Orchard remains open with Rainbow Falls and Bullhead trails awaiting your arrival. Looking ahead into the forecast. It’s going to be a great weekend to be out on trails with abundant sunshine and a bit warmer temperatures. What are you waiting for come up top and enjoy the sunshine! Have a good day folks.

Last nights hike up Alum started right before dark. Not needing a headlamp until Arch Rock the hike up was warm and misty with heavy fog. Noticing recent work from NPS Trail Crew on the foot log projects. The crossing at Styx Branch is complete and they have moved down to the foot log below Arch Rock. The foot log at Arch Rock is across the creek but the old one still remains set until next week when they roll the new log into its spot. Moving up the mountain my pack was loaded with 33.2 pounds of food and supplies needed for the last stint up top. Walking into camp at 9:30pm I was glad to see the warm kitchen. I made a mad dash inside to warm some leftover crawfish pie. Thanks Janice! I retired to my cabin. All is well. See you at the top!

PNUT