Good Afternoon,

These clouds of late have been a nuisance in more ways than one. Internet connections have been difficult, and we are still waiting for an opening to fly. Conditions on the mountain are pleasant, with temps on the 40s. Rain is expected to return this evening and last thru Tuesday.

Good Afternoon,

Been a busy day trying to take advantage of not-rainy conditions. Yesterday was mostly pleasant, giving the crew a grand opportunity to bask in the beauty of the mountain as they made their ascent. Our high temp Friday was 47° and our low was 39°. We’ve been comfortable in the 40’s today without any rain, although these skies are beginning to look threatening. Late tonight and into early Sunday could be a wet one.

Our crew has already been hard at work cleaning, organizing, and getting excited for the upcoming season. We have an outstanding group of several familiar faces and a couple new folks who can’t wait to meet you atop the mountain.

A special “happy belated birthday” to one of our Airlift staff, Pat, who also happens to be the GM’s mother. Still climbing the mountain and pitching in! Delicious cakes courtesy of our talented Head Cook, Emily!

Wind and rain has been the name of the game this Friday the 13th.

What turned out to be a mostly pleasant and productive day outside eventually turned sour as night descended upon the mountain. Around supper time the winds started to surge, and the rain followed suit after midnight. The gusts and sudden surges of water dancing on rooftops have been riding a seesaw back and forth all night. At reporting we had received 0.75” of rain, and it’s still coming down. Trails are sure to be wet and muddy. Yesterday’s high was 47° - also our current temp - and the low from the morning prior was 38. The rain is expected to let up by lunchtime, but the clouds are likely to stick around.

Today the 2020 crew makes their annual pilgrimage to the mountain. This weekend we will be cleaning and organizing in earnest, and if the weather decides to cooperate, we’ll do some flying next week. Reminder that lodge grounds are closed to public access during our annual Airlift. With a forecast such as this, exactly when those closures will occur is unpredictable.

Happy trails!

Good Morning,

Yesterday was about as pretty a day up top as one can hope for, especially considering what forecast lies ahead. Those of us up here getting things ready for the season spent as much time working outside as possible. If it’s going to rain cats and dogs (llamas and bears?), then there’s no sense in doing those inside chores just yet. It would not be far fetched to say any of us did five miles of hiking. No that wasn’t Alum Cave, just zigzagging up and down and all around camp!

Wednesday’s high temp was a good bit higher than the day before, topping out at 48°. Our low was 35° during the night. Currently conditions are cloudy and calm, with a slight chance of an afternoon rain shower. Temps should be mild once again today. There is a wind advisory set to begin late this evening running through early Friday morning, so use caution if out and about in the park at those times.

​The mountain started the day clouded in as the showers slowly eased up, but eventually the veil broke open and much of the afternoon was pleasant. There are a lot of folks hitting the trails these days, particularly the spring break crowd enjoying these mild temps and longer afternoon daylight hours. Great time to be outside in that fresh mountain air!

​Have a great day.

Good Morning from high above Tennessee!

The still silence. The whipping of the wind. The pitter-patter of passing precipitation. The consistency of the clouds. The calming trickle of the creeks. Mt. LeConte sits idly in the crosshairs of winter’s last gasps while spring insists on making a roaring arrival. March, a month known for its climatic turbulence in these parts, signals not only a changing of the guard among seasons, but also a reawakening of the heart, mind, and spirit. While bare trees and light frosts linger for several more weeks atop coniferous covered peaks, some of the smallest and most fragile of species punch their way through compacted and leaf-laden soil and announce to the world, “I’m awake! I’m alive! And I’m here to stay!”

The summit of Mt. LeConte is about to make its own grand proclamation as it slowly stirs and staggers out of its winter slumber. The clanging of hammers, the cadence of increasing footsteps, and the return of tantalizing smells rising up from the kitchen mean another season for LeConte Lodge is creeping ever closer. Soon a revitalized crew will make their annual ascent to perform the long list of necessary tasks to get these cozy cabins ready for an excited group of distant travelers. That means eight months of memory making once the supplies have been delivered, the beds made, the tables set, and the shirts folded.

The weather has the most obvious impact when it comes to living life in the wilderness and operating a backcountry lodge. Looking at the forecast these next couple weeks has made this much apparent...everyone needs to do their favorite happy sun dance. Yesterday marked day one of what could be a lengthy stretch of cloudy confines. Our temps hovered around 40° much of the day. Most of the rainfall we received fell during the night, totaling 0.48”. Trails are clear of snow and ice, but count on having to meander through some mud.

Special thanks to our stable of winter caretakers these past few months, specifically Steve, Kemp, and Pnut. Hopefully you all enjoyed their musings and visual offerings of life on the mountain.

Time to get after it. Those water tanks won’t fill themselves!

Good morning folks,


It’s a glorious morning on the mountain. The high yesterday was 47 degrees. The overnight low was 32 degrees. It was 35 degrees at 7am observation. No precipitation fell and there is trace amounts on the mountain.


Well folks today is my last full day on the mountain. It’s has been a great ride! Thank you all for reading and keeping up with the blog. It was a pleasure serving as caretaker at Mt.LeConte! I will be heading down the mountain tomorrow and I’m excited to see my puppies! Hope you all have a wonderful day! SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

​P-NUT

Good morning from the high country,


It’s a gorgeous day on top of Mt.Leconte! The high yesterday was 34 degrees. The overnight low was 10 degrees. It was 28 degrees at 7am observation with clear skies! No precipitation fell and we have traces of snow on the mountain. Thick ice has coated the trail so traction devices are a must!

Yesterday was a cold start to the morning with warming temps as the day progressed! There have been flocks of these certain birds that have really caught my attention so I captured a picture of these little ones! Today is shaping up to be a beautiful warm day on my favorite mountain. My days have been number and I will be heading down the mountain on Tuesday. It has been a blessing to have this opportunity and I will cherish this time spent here forever! Hope everyone has a wonderful day! SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

​P-NUT

Good morning from the arctic,


Its a gorgeous morning on the mountain. The high yesterday was 21 degrees. The overnight low was a brisk 10 degrees. It was 10 degrees and clear skies at 7am observation. We received 0.07” of precipitation. We accumulated 1” of snow. Our snow depth is 1”. Hwy 441 is closed as of now so Cherokee Orchard is your access to the top. Traction devices are a must today! Sunshine will be abundant this weekend so get out and enjoy our beloved Smoky Mountains.

Yesterday was a cold windy day up top with wind gusts upwards of 35 mph blowing light snow around the lodge. My run down Alum was 1 hour 17 minutes! After returning to the top I enjoyed the afternoon with my Haley Bug and we made a fabulous taco dinner with Apple and Peach cobbler for dessert. As I’m typing we are having a huge breakfast consisting of bacon, sausage, eggs, and homemade bread for toast! Today will be a day for exploring the mountain! Hope y’all have a wonderful day! SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

P-NUT

Good morning from the high country,


It’s cloudy with clearing skies this morning up top. The high yesterday was 38 degrees. The overnight low was 25 degrees. It was 22 degrees at 7am observation. Clearing skies broke at sunrise with amazing views into the valley floor. A “Winter Weather Advisory” has been issued until 10am Saturday. Upwards of 5” is forecasted for the higher elevations of the Smokies! Wind gust will pick up throughout the day, with gust upwards of 30mph so be safe out there folks! Traction devices are a must!

Another gorgeous day on the mountain yesterday! Sunset was one for the books! Pictured here, the ever changing clouds made for something I’ve never witnessed. It was as if a ball of fire was headed right towards Cliff Tops. Also, I met a feller that is a Smoke jumper in Canada. Very interesting person to say the least! These men and women risk it all the save our land from forest fires. Thank you for all you do! I hiked down Alum to meet my Haley Bug before 441 closes with the incoming snow! Now back safe and sound at the lodge with hot coffee and breakfast! It is open as of now so keep your eyes on Twitter for road closures also, I will keep you updated on our blog with pictures and closures. It will be a gorgeous weekend so get out and enjoy the weekend!

Good morning from the high country,


It’a a beautiful morning on the best mountain around! The high yesterday was 42 degrees. The overnight low only dipped down to a measly 30 degrees. It was 33 degrees and partly cloudy at 7am observation. We received 0” of precipitation. 0” of snow. The current snow depth is trace amounts on the mountain. Rain is forecasted today with chances of a light snow fall! Traction devices are a must to safely reach the summit. Flocks of college kids have made their way to the top enjoying their Spring Break. It’s great to see the younger crowd out and about in the Smokies!

Yesterday was spent enjoying the mountain with incredible views of Mt. Kephart and Charlie’s Bunion. We enjoyed my favorite coffee from Appalachian Bear Rescue in Townsend, TN. If you have never heard of the work they do, they take in orphaned black bears and release them back into the wild after they are fit for duty! With the days counting down I’m enjoying all that this mountain has to throw my way! Have a great day everyone! SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

​P-NUT