Good morning folks,

Its a soggy, wet morning in camp. The high yesterday reached 41 degrees. The overnight low only dipped down to 27 degrees. It is currently 35 degrees with socked in conditions. We received 1.25” of precipitation and trace amounts of snow and ice. Trails are sure to have some frozen parts so traction may or not be needed. Looking ahead into the forecast. Sunshine returns tomorrow and throughout the weekend with warmer temperatures. US Hwy. 441 remains closed for snow/ice. Cherokee Orchard also remains closed at the park boundary for snow/ice. Check updates for roads to reopen. Be safe out there folks. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

Its a bitter cold start to the morning. The high yesterday only reached 28 degrees. The overnight low dropped down to 16 degrees. It was 28 degrees and calm winds at 7am observation. No new precipitation was recorded but that’s sure to change tonight. The area will be under a Winter Storm Warning. The mountain could see 5-7” of snow out of this system once it moves out. Be safe out there folks. Have a good day!

Alum Cave trail was very rewarding. Inspiration Point was sunny and warm as I passed through. A beautiful day to be outside.

Good morning folks,

Its a crystal clear morning up top.rain has moved out and the cold has moved back into camp. The high yesterday was 42 degrees. The overnight low dropped down to 19 degrees. It’s currently 20 degrees with calm winds and much colder temperatures than prior days. We received 0.22” of precipitation. There are patches of snow in places. A thin layer of ice has formed on some areas this morning but nothing to worry about. Traction may or not be needed with the drop in temps. Just watch your step. Plan on much colder temperatures today and well into the weekend. Snow returns Wednesday so stay tuned on snowfall amounts. Have a great day folks.

Yesterday’s weather was a day to spend indoors. Heavy fog and high winds roared throughout the afternoon and well into the night. Periods I would glance out my window to make sure the trees weren’t going to uproot. All good! Reading a bit and catching up on some camp chores the day lingered into afternoon. Rain pelted against the wood shingles making a very enjoyable nights sleep. My normal 5 am wake up was an easy one with bright stars shining throughout the sky. The rustic cabins still in darkness. I step into the kitchen. Striking the match box the morning begins. All is well on the mountain folks. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

Its another misty morning in camp. Light drizzle paired with some surges of wind. The high yesterday was 40 degrees. The overnight low only dropped down to 35 degrees. It’s currently 39 degrees. We received 0.15” of precipitation dropping our snow depth to trace amounts around camp. Trails still have some snow up top which may require traction. Trails are sure to be soaked with recent rain and snow melt. Rain moves in tonight with clearing skies Tuesday. Much colder temperatures return Friday with lows in the teens. With the season getting shorter I’m wanting one more big snowfall before I head down the mountain. There is still plenty of winter remaining so we will see. Have a great day folks.

Clouds lingered over camp all day yesterday. There were no views of the valley below. No twinkling lights could be seen after darkness took over. Heavy fog coated the mossy forest as I admire my view filling up water at the spring. (Treat all water in the backcountry) The dense moisture floating through fir trees are enjoying a break from the recent snows and cold temps. Light rain falls against the wood shingles. A very relaxing sound in the loft. A good book in the loft is in order today. See you at the top folks!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,


Its a fine morning on the mountain. The high yesterday 40. The overnight low only dropped down to 34 degrees. It’s currently 35 degrees with calm winds. We received 0.40” of precipitation. The current snow depth is 1”. Traction is needed in a few spots around the mountain but the majority of Alum is melted off. There was tons of water rushing down the trail making it difficult to not get your feet soaked. It’s a cloudy day up today with socked in conditions. A very mild start to this Valentine’s Day. Have a great day folks.

Happy Valentines Day folks. Hug your loved one today. Don’t forget that box of chocolates and flowers. Last nights sunrise was short lived with heavy fog coating the valley below. Clingmans Dome was the only mountain poking out. Also, NPS TRAIL CREW has been working diligent to get the foot logs complete. Being I work trail crew based out of Cades Cove, these projects are some of my favorite to work on. Great craftsmanship goes in place with these foot logs. Next time you see your trail crews out thank them for the work they do to make the hiking easier. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Styx Branch foot log going in place.

Good morning folks,

Its a wet, misty fog morning in camp. Rain has turned to more of a drizzle. The high yesterday reached 39 degrees. The overnight low only dropped down to 37 degrees. It’s currently 38 degrees and rising as I type. We received 0.53” of liquid precipitation. The current snow depth stands around 2”. There are deeper spots around camp but bare ground is finally showing it’s face. I haven’t seen much ground other than white fluffy snow laying around camp. Today’s forecast is calling for light rain with warmer temperatures than yesterday. Much of the weekend looks the same with chances of rain. Pack your rain gear and a dry pair of socks. Trails are sure to be super mushy and wet. Traction is needed to reach the summit. There are some slick spots around camp as well as trails around the mountain. Be safe and have fun folks.

With Valentines weekend upon us. What are plans for your loved ones? A hike to Mt.LeConte? A nice supper date? A relaxing night at home cooking a meal together? Whatever you choose. Hold them tight and tell them how much you love and care. Enjoy the weekend folks. Don’t forget get the flowers and box of chocolates. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

Its a misty, socked in with clouds kind of morning. The hovering clouds have dominated the skies the last 24hrs. The high yesterday reached 41 degrees. The overnight low dipped down to 36 degrees. It’s currently 40 degrees with light rain falling in camp. The mountain rain received 0.60” of precipitation dropping our snow depth down to around 3”. All roads leading to the trails to LeConte are open. Have a great day folks!

​Most of the day yesterday was spent watching the light rain fall around camp. 2 fresh loafs of bread were made as well as one that was made in the seasoned cast iron skillet. The fresh bread smelled so welcoming in the kitchen. The pages of my book kept turning. I watched the day slip by and evening set in. I retired to my cozy cabin for another much needed nights rest. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

Its a cloudy morning in camp. Light winds race into the kitchen windows. Fir trees sway unbroken from winds. Pitter patter from rain hits the stove pipe hovering out of the kitchen roof. I take the first sip of coffee, sit back and enjoy the sounds of LeConte. The high yesterday reached a whopping 49 degrees. The overnight low only dropped down to 34 degrees. It’s currently 39 degrees with light winds. Our snow depth has dropped drastically to around 6”. Rain is forecasted for the majority of the area today. Pack your best rain jacket and ultra light umbrella, it’s going to be a wet day folks. Trails in the lower sections leading to LeConte should have melted much of the snow and ice with the warmer temperatures yesterday. There are still snow covered trails at the top. I would expect rain will wash the majority of snow off the trails. Traction shouldn’t be needed but should always be in your pack this time of year. Colder temperatures move back into the mountain after today. The warm weather yesterday teased of Spring days. We’re almost there folks! Have a great day folks.

Much of the day yesterday was spent resting from the hike back up the ole mountain. With a good book in hand I sat on Cabin #6 with the intentions of dozing off but the pages kept turning. The warm sun felt like spring was approaching. I soaked it all in. Fir trees painted against the blue sky dominated the afternoon. A great afternoon spent outside. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

It’s a fine, crystal clear morning in camp. The colors are popping over the East. Fog lingers in the valley. We are above the clouds today. The high yesterday reached 35 degrees. The overnight low only dipped down to 29 degrees. It’s currently 34 degrees with calm winds. Our snow depth stands at 8”. Traction is a must to safely reach the summit. Looking ahead into the forecast, rain is projected for the area on Thursday. There is still plenty of snow around camp and the mountain to enjoy. Have a great day folks.

Shewww doggies! What a day it was yesterday. A much needed town run was in store. With clearance from NPS, I was able to use Alum to get to town for supplies. The hike down was waist deep and slow going so one didn’t slide off the mountain. A very exhilarating section to say the least. With cables buried, I attempted to dig out most of them with my hiking sticks. Once off the upper section snow was still shin deep to the trailhead. Once reaching town I was greeted with all the things one could want in the town of Gatlinburg, TN. Late risers rushing in the Pancake House for a hearty breakfast. They had a great idea. I couldn’t resist the pancakes. I parked, sat down and ordered a very large breakfast for a man my size. 3 pancakes, 3 strips of bacon, 3 eggs scrambled, tater tots, and coffee. Devouring everything I sat back and sipped coffee from a very much different view than I’ve been use to. With breakfast out of the way, groceries were in order. Loading up with fresh veggies I headed back up the ole mountain. The last 1/2 mile really took its toll on me. Legs began to get weaker and didn’t want to move through the deep snow. Back in camp, I warmed my toes and put away the groceries, washed up, ate supper and crashed in my cozy cabin. A very hard sleep from the day hike down/up. It was a great day spent. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Best seat in the house for sunset.

Good morning folks,

Its a windy start to the morning. Hard gusts race through camp like a train whistling in between the cabins. The high yesterday reached 35 degrees. The overnight low only dipped down to 25 degrees. It’s currently 30 degrees with steady winds. With the abundance of sunshine yesterday the snow depth stands at 11”. Traction is a must in the lower sections of trails but may not be required once you get near the top. I’ve noticed snow clumps under the micro-spikes making a huge ball under your feet which is very uncomfortable. You are able to get good traction at the top because the snow is almost up to the knee in spots. They are a must in icy conditions. Anyways, looking ahead, plenty of sun the rest of the week before the next front that brings rain to the area Thursday. Have a good one folks. Remember, Alum Cave trail is closed this week Monday-Thursday for foot log replacements.

Winds pushed hard throughout the night in camp. Waking every so often admiring the weather patterns. LeConte makes it’s own mind up own weather. Yesterday’s carrying of water to kitchen was tough with unbroken trail to the trusty spring. Remember treat all water in the backcountry. 7 gallon jugs are no easy task coming up the hill. It’s much easier to carry two at a time. Very heavy!! With my workout complete, I relaxed with a good book and watched the winds sway the Firs in the bright blue sky. The day crept by and evening set it. An early night to bed was had. Another great day on LeConte. See you at the top!

​PNUT