 Greetings and good morning! What a superb day for hiking yesterday turned out to be. And conditions are going to be just as splendid today as well, albeit a tad windier as the day marches on. We’re expecting sunny skies and warm temps near the mid 60s this afternoon, with some cloud-building late in the day and the slight potential for a passing thunderstorm tonight. Some wind and precip might just help in clearing out this dense yellow haze that has enveloped the region and ramped up the allergies. The next few days are calling for higher possibilities of rain, so consider packing the waterproof gear again until the back half of the coming weekend. Lucky for us the temps seem content hovering between the 50s and 60s at our elevation. Such conditions are really going to inspire rapid plant growth from valley to peak. On popular trails like Alum Cave, some trillium are popping up along the river walk, witch hobble are peaking in the saddle, and bluets line the path ascending Monotony Ridge. There’s even the first myrtle in bloom at Inspiration Point. Enjoy the day. 
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 What a gorgeous day to spend in the mountains! We knew there’d be an improvement to the atmospheric conditions today, but it still came as a surprise just how nice it turned out to be in actuality. At times there were cloudless skies, beaming sunshine, and warm temps gracing the crest. And as one would anticipate after a rather wet and dreary week prior, that the crowds had this Sunday circled for getting outside and exploring. If you had to find a blemish in it anywhere, it would simply be that visibility is a tad hazy in these parts because, well, pollen is king this time of year. It’ll require another region-wide rain to clear the air and offer up better-defined views, but such chances are a few days away yet. Anybody with plans of hiking up to the Lodge tomorrow has a delightful day ahead of them. Mostly sunny skies with afternoon high temps near 60° sounds like a superb late-April day along the Smokies upper elevations. Winds are going to pickup a bit, gusting near 25mph on Monday, so a long sleeve might be worth throwing in the pack. Have a great rest of the weekend.   Good Morning,
It’s been a wet week for sure, but it appears the damp and dreary days of late will finally be getting the boot after today. Clouds at varying elevations are still present this morning and should be much of the day. Scattered rain showers remain in the region and will continue to come and go until conditions improve by this evening. Everyone deciding to spend their Saturday on trail would be wise to have the rain gear with them, even if skies look decent at the time you start the hike. Storms can pop up in an instant here and can turn a pleasant wilderness escapade into a miserable one in a hurry for those folks unprepared. Temps at the summit will range from 40s to 50s for another day, then tomorrow we’re hoping for sunnier skies and a re-injection of warmth. As April gradually winds down, it seems all the heat and precip of recent weeks finally has the lowlands showing a bit more green. At least from what we can see at 6,400’. Although the woods still look rather winter-like up here, the grasses around the lodge are slowly beginning to thicken and grow. Even the patch of spring beauties just outside the kitchen have shown out in recent days. Pretty soon all that lush vegetation on the slopes will make its climb upward, filling in the canopy and providing more shade along the way. Enjoy the weekend and stay dry!  Good Afternoon,
The clouds and rain continue to hold their advantage of the mountains in recent days, with occasional breaks in the action providing hikers with precious sunshine and rewarding views. The region is pock-marked with pop-up storms and will be well into Saturday as long as warm, moist air keeps wafting in. So don’t let your guard down and be sure and have that rain gear at the ready. Come Sunday, drier air should move in and assist with finally reducing the possibility of rain showers for us. Temps are consistently splitting time between 40s and 50s, so not too hot and not too cold if venturing up to our elevation. Heads up to anyone transiting in to the Smokies from the TN side in the coming weeks. The NPS will be conducting routine maintenance along the Spur (US 441) between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. This work will require single lane closures at times during the following dates: April 26 (7:30 AM - 12:00 PM) April 28 - May 1 (7:00 AM - 4:00 PM) May 5 - May 8 (7:00 AM - 4:00 PM) So if you would prefer to avoid potential traffic backups, best to plan your routes to and from the Mt. LeConte trailheads accordingly during the above week days. Although the weather this week is going to be gloomy, there is still beauty to behold among the wet and gray of the mountains. In fact, sometimes gaps in the clouds or pauses in the precip can produce some of the most awe inspiring scenery one could ever see. So don’t let this week’s forecast bog you down. Keep a chin up and be thankful we have the opportunity to explore these woods of wonder. The percentages for rain and storms is going to be high all week. Looks like by Sunday the atmospheric turbulence will begin to calm down a bit. As dry as this region has been since the winter, there’s no denying we could benefit from a steady balanced soaking. Especially when it comes to helping out those dedicated folks responding to recent wildfires. Earth Week might be over, but it’s rolled right into this year’s National Park Week! And we’re proud to heap praise on the dedicated people donning the green and gray uniform here in the Smokies. There are so many knowledgeable people providing an array of services at the nation’s most visited national park who we have the pleasure of working alongside as a concessioner. From biological to medical, interpretive, law enforcement, maintenance, and air quality just to name a few, we are grateful to be able to enjoy such a magical place because so many caring and hard working people make it possible. So if you see a uniformed representative of the NPS anywhere during your visit to the Smokies this week (or anytime really), be sure and give them a big thank you!   Howdy and Happy Earth Day! It was a good run of sun, but the rain finally moved in during the night and appears it will be hanging around all this week. There’s a chance for scattered storms and precip everyday, so except gloomy skies and wet trails if you have a visit to the summit planned anytime soon. Looks like temps will consistently range from 40s to 50s, that sort of middle ground where it’s not too cold but not warm either at our elevation. Be sure and include adequate layers for staying dry and warm though should the winds or rain catch you while venturing outside. Since it’s Day 7 of Earth Week, culminating with Earth Day itself, it’s another great opportunity to share what’s being done to care for this beloved mountaintop and surrounding area. In 2022, the Dept. of Interior mandated that the National Park Service phase out single use plastics across their managed lands, the goal being complete elimination of SUP’s by 2032. Never one to shy away from a challenge, LeConte Lodge embraced the opportunity to evaluate and revamp its environmental impacts to meet the changing NPS standards. And as leaders in an increasingly rare rustic backcountry experience, we’re proud to say that the steps we’ve already taken have us well ahead of schedule to meet the new requirements. When a business takes a closer look at the items it procures, uses, or sells - across any industry - it can come as a shock to some just the vast volume of SUP’s companies go through in a given day, month, or year. Fortunately, there are a growing number of effective alternatives available that are made from recycled, compostable, biodegradable, and/or reusable materials. Already the Lodge has converted the entirety of its paper goods, cleaning supplies, waste disposal means, food and beverage necessities, protective work gear, and provisioning methods away from SUP’s and toward an impressive assortment of eco-friendly alternatives. It is our hope that all visitors to Mt. LeConte and the Smokies embrace such an important mission, as fewer and fewer SUP’s coming into our nation’s fragile wilderness spaces means less going out and fewer negative impacts on the various important natural resources here. And who knows, maybe we’ll see such practices get put into action in other places we humans frequent outside our priceless national parks.   We’ve made it through the holiday weekend. Easter Sunday turned out to be calm and mostly quiet for us…to be expected as most folks would prefer to be home and attending relevant festivities to mark the occasion. It was another toasty day up top as we scraped the upper 60s. Mostly sunny skies at similar temps should grace us once again today before rain chances move in tonight. The week ahead is looking like a wet one. Choose your gear and trails accordingly for hiking in storms and precip after today. It’s Day 6 of Earth Week, and it’s a great time to talk about connecting visitors with nature and history. A major draw to the average Lodge guest is the rustic and simplistic nature of this venue and its accommodations…a way to step back in time and escape the bustling lifestyle and technological saturation of off-mountain civilization. Advancements are often slow to take root near 6,593’ because it’s important not to lose sight of what made this magical place so special these past 100 years. The Lodge predates the National park in its founding because it was an integral piece in securing the future and continued preservation of its precious resources for all to enjoy. A rustic lodge without all the bells and whistles allows one to relate and reminisce as to what life was like at such a time. All these years later - up here - it’s all about balance, ensuring our impacts don’t stretch farther than is absolutely necessary beyond this humble mountaintop oasis. At its core, the Lodge has never been about what’s new, flashy, or complex, nor does it need to be. Granted, such a laid back and off-grid experience isn’t for everyone…and that’s okay…but an overnight stay at this Lodge could provide someone with the purest, rawest, and closest interaction with the natural world in their entire life. And while that may not be the case for this blog’s average reader, given the record and diverse visitation this summit continues to host, for some that can and will hold true. The cabins are muted and humble, not towering and offensive. Trees are aged and close, not blitzed and forgotten. Wildlife are frolicking and free, not abused and endangered. And it’s all so readily available and intimate the moment you get here! The back-breaking work and careful execution by the stewards of the last 100 years have made and continue to make such an opportunity possible. It’s one that requires boots on the ground, hands in the dirt, loads on the back, and sweat on the brow…just ask any of our longest serving hosts and their families by the names of Huff, Brown, Line, or Northrup, who know better than most the efforts and sacrifice necessary to lead such an endeavor. The next time you’re up top relaxing in that rocker with a cup of hot cocoa in hand, take a moment to appreciate and respect all that you see and hear.   Good tidings and Happy Easter! The holiday weekend has been stunning atop the mountain. The sunshine and warmth does well to lift spirits and inspire folks to be active and explore the outdoors. We might not scrape 70° again today, but the thermometer is expected to creep close to it. Skies are incredibly hazy today due to both the unseasonable heat wave striking the region, but also the presence of several wildfires in neighboring counties. Be aware if you are someone with respiratory issues, as the air quality could affect your hiking enjoyment until the precip returns. We have one more dry and sunny day ahead of us before rain chances roll in sometime Monday evening. It’s Day 5 of Earth Week, so let’s bring up the topic of sustainability. Up here, conditions are tough, and outfitting a rustic lodge in a remote location requires resourcefulness and durability. Throw in record visitation year-after-year and you can understand that just about everything here receives an exceptional amount of wear and tear. And while things up here need to last, they also have to possess and display the appropriate fit and feel. There are reasons the buildings look the way they do, why the products we sell are what they are, or why the meals our guests consume are what they are. It’s also about evaluating our impacts both near and far by what we use and offer. The Polywood outdoor furniture we began incorporating in 2024 is produced in neighboring North Carolina from entirely recycled materials, are long lasting, easy to maintain, and complement the existing decor. The various LEED certified cleaning supplies we use in our kitchen, dining hall, cabins, or restroom facilities are safe, effective, and ensure no harm is done to our natural surroundings after their use. Several souvenirs like our balsam scented pillows, wooden coasters, or plush llamas are constructed from recycled materials preventing them from just becoming more waste in a landfill or burn pile. Our newest mattresses are PFAS-free to help protect our precious water sources, and new vegan pillows mean no animals were harmed in order to provide guests with a comfortable night’s sleep. These are but a few examples of the ways LeConte Lodge is leading the charge in providing a sustainable experience that still holds true to its rustic and timeless charm. Enjoy the holiday wherever paths lead you today!   Good Afternoon,
Wooooo it’s been a hot one. It’ll take some record digging to figure out what the hottest temp has been on this particular April day, but we managed to quickly tag 70° this afternoon and it certainly felt out of place for the time of year. Seems the unusual heat and dry conditions have the air extra hazy today, with a few noticeable active wildfires visible from our nearby peaks, likely contributing to the poor air quality. Even more concerning was an abandoned and active camp fire illegally constructed on Cliff Tops earlier today. Thanks to the quick thinking and efforts of hikers and lodge crew, the doings of some foolish and reckless individual(s) were extinguished. Such carelessness and ignorance could have had drastic consequences for both the precious natural resources and obviously the large concentration of people atop this mountain. Easter Sunday is calling for more sunshine and high temps that should come close to where they crested today. The national park is sure to be bustling once again tomorrow. Well it’s Day 4 of Earth Week, and seeing all these visitors today taking advantage of the Lodge’s numerous services got one thinking. It’s a question we get asked quite a bit from guests and day hikers, particularly first timers. “How does all this stuff get up here?” Everything we do is thoroughly critiqued in regard to any potential impacts on the park’s natural resources, as well as the visitor experience, while certainly turning an astute eye towards all things health and safety. Let’s start with arguably the cutest and most famous load luggers around…our lovable pack llamas! While their weight-limited loads are very specific to meeting operational needs, the llamas make multiple trips weekly bringing valuable cargo in the way of linens and fresh foods. Not only are they absolutely adorable and hard-working, but their impacts on the landscape are basically unrecognizable compared to their horse and mule predecessors. Obviously there are many items that appear atop the mountain every season that are clearly beyond the capabilities of even our mighty llamas. That’s where a hefty helicopter comes in to play. Visitors flock to the Smokies to enjoy the sights and sounds they can’t find anywhere else. And a place as popular as Mt. LeConte welcomes crowds steadily from early spring to late autumn. So in order not to impede upon those desired experiences of our record visitation, the Lodge is permitted a single annual airlift to outfit the operation with all its needs. Lastly, when push comes to shove, certain situations require expediency and simple brute strength to keep the supply chain moving. And although an individual backpacker’s boots and quiet presence will be the least impactful on the environment of all the provisioning methods described, it takes a special kind of person to be willing and able to sacrifice their back and knees to keep our countless backcountry guests happy. Some years these situations can be a rarity. Then you have outliers like the Lodge’s 100th season in 2024, where visitors’ insatiable appetite for the most popular shirt in any national park anywhere in the history of ever saw Herculean super-human efforts to keep the souvenirs and lunches coming. If you or someone you know happened to make a retail purchase during the latter part of 2024, you have the backs of several dedicated Lodge employees to thank for making that on-site in-the-moment satisfaction possible. Leave it to our GM to lead the charge, setting the Mt. LeConte record books ablaze once again in the process. For example, ever wonder what the most summits of Mt. LeConte are in a week? In a month? Well, as of last October they are now 15 and 30 summits respectively, but more on that mind-blowing-ness later. When you don’t have a service road or cable cars to cheat with, resourcefulness and creativity are key when it comes to provisioning a remote and multi-faceted rustic operation like LeConte Lodge. And when you’re located inside a national park, there are far more environmental impacts to consider than say in your typical municipalities. It’s a responsibility we’ve embraced for decades and look forward to fine-tuning every season.  It’s a Good Friday for great hiking in grand weather! As expected, we’re welcoming a surge in eager visitors today to kickoff the holiday weekend. And with these bountiful blue skies and stellar temps, it all makes sense that an escapade to the mountain is on the to-do list. We should see the mercury near the mid 60d this afternoon, although the winds have ramped up and could gust as much as 40mph tonight. Right now Saturday is forecasting a high close to 70° for our elevation with slightly weaker winds. One would think this dreamy destination will be absolutely hopping tomorrow. So pack the patience for those parking lots, popular trails, and gift shop lines along with the hat, shades, and sunscreen. Our reservations office is closed today in observance of the holiday and will resume normal business hours on Monday. It’s now Day 3 of Earth Week, and it’s only fitting that we look to the skies on such a day full of sunshine. That’s right, today we’re talking about the unique qualities of solar power here at the Lodge! From various rooftops and masts, visitors to the summit have likely noticed a number of systems pop up gradually over the past 25 years. Each is uniquely designed to harness the power of the sun to provide operational efficiency while reducing carbon emissions and a dependence on noisy, fossil fuel-burning machines and instruments. Said systems also allow us to take it the next level, from using rechargeable battery powered equipment to allowing our on-site staff to maintain their sanity while living off grid for months out of the year. And new this season, we’ve gone another step further by offering our overnight guests the opportunity to utilize rechargeable lanterns as an alternative to the traditional rustic kerosene lanterns that have graced our cabins for a century. They’re a great eco-conscious option for those guests (especially those folks traveling with kids) who aren’t as familiar with our old-school means of illumination. Just inquire with our knowledgeable crew when checking in to your cabin. That’s just one example of solar-related sweetness that’s been rolled out this season, but more innovative yet tasteful implementations are on the way and we’re beyond excited to bring them to you!  |
LeConte LodgeWelcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain! Archives
April 2025
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