 Sun ascending, coffee perking, biscuits baking, robins running and juncos jumping. We have the makings of a sensational spring day ahead of us! Despite the thermometer hovering around the freezing mark this morning, the clear skies and inspiring sunrise are greeting guests with a sense of optimism this morning. Warmer temps are on the way beginning this afternoon, and pleasant skies should be the norm now on through the holiday weekend. One expects that the mighty Mt. LeConte will be high on everyone’s travel plans priority list over the coming days. As winds shift from the south, the summit could see temps in the mid 50s today, mid 60s tomorrow, and who knows maybe even scrape 70° on Saturday. Such a forecast will surely draw out the weekend warriors and vast crowds of vacationers. Winds will be calm today over the crest, making for prime sun bathing at places like Myrtle Point or Cliff Tops, but breezier conditions are on the way by tonight. It’s Day 2 of Earth Week, so let’s pick right up with recognizing more of the natural wonders around us here atop Mt. LeConte! Have you heard of unique locations like ours referred to as “islands in the sky?” If not, that in large part references the incredible biodiversity that exists at this elevation and remote mountain peak, specifically the unique vegetation types still prevalent here. The various trees and wildflowers that occur here and not many other places this far south of Canada make what we have extra special. And although some far-reaching human-caused or non-native insects have impacted the area in recent decades, there is careful work actively being done to preserve and rehabilitate the natural resources that make this highly-sought summit so attractive. Our team and the hard-working NPS trail crews work in unison to manicure trails and the lodge grounds in a way that still look natural. Other steps being taken include shaping of paths and transplanting of native plant species to control water erosion, promote pollination and proper foraging for local wildlife, and to beautify this small mountaintop village. It’s with that attention to detail that some species in and around these rustic cabins are as old if not older than the buildings themselves! So the next time you visit this Smokies gem, take a moment to admire and appreciate the ancient scenery around you and the work done by those honorable stewards of the last 100 years. 
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 Greetings to you on this glorious afternoon, It’s been a chilly day in our neighborhood, but the sun has been shining bright since the first pancakes were getting flipped. The ground is finally getting a chance to dry out as well now that the recent snow has had adequate time to melt away and soak in. That means the trails should be in decent shape and not require traction devices or waterproof-ness. We have one more evening below freezing ahead of us, and then Thursday should kickstart our next warming trend. Expect mostly sunny skies tomorrow with temps in the 50s. Apparently there is a slight chance for an afternoon or evening rain shower, but not enough to dampen what should be a great day to spend outdoors as we approach the holiday weekend. In case you didn’t know, today officially commences Earth Week! As dedicated stewards operating within a beloved national park, taking careful consideration of the natural environment around us is very much entwined with our every decision as a lodge that provides a multitude of services. And given the exponential rise in this destination’s popularity especially within the past few years, it’s that much more important that not only we as hosts constantly assess our impacts on this small corner of the planet, but that our growing number of visitors are aware of their impacts as well. For years now, we have required our staff to achieve Leave No Trace certification so that we can put to good use that knowledge both in how we operate and to educate those visitors who are maybe less informed about how to engage this majestic and raw wilderness. The Smokies are home to an impressive amount of natural and historical resources, and it’s everyone’s responsibility - not just the NPS - to be mindful, care for, and preserve said resources so that others may appreciate and enjoy them in their purest form for generations to come!   And the pendulum swings… After a warm, bright, and sun-filled Monday, lodge occupants this morning are waking up to cold, cloudy skies, and intermittent rain showers. Yesterday’s afternoon high near 63° is already a distant memory, as the summit will be lucky to spend time in the 40s today. Hikers will be spending the front half of their day under gloomy conditions and trodding wet trails. But by this evening, the views will return and the air will clear, hopefully in plenty of time to promote a satisfying sunset. Our elevation will be cool the next couple days before another gradual warm-up takes us into the holiday weekend. Once we get past this morning, we shouldn’t have to contend with any precip for a while. That will make all the incoming travelers happy as they map out their plans for exploring the park.   Rise and shine on this fine Monday!
Conditions at the top of Tennessee are warm yet windy to kickoff this next week in April. Temps hovered in the 40s overnight, continuing the melting process of the weekend’s snow. Trails should still be slushy in numerous places today. This afternoon we are expected to see the mercury leap into the 60s with mostly sunny skies overhead. The only factor that might prevent it from feeling superbly comfortable up here would be the day’s increasing wind speeds. By tonight, the crest could be listening to whipping gusts of 50mph. Some rain showers are projected to roll through late tonight and early Tuesday before clearing off for what should be a rather glorious week for hiking. All the recent precip and mild temps will surely have the plant life bursting open with a fresh round of blooms and leaves. Also pollen…lots of pollen here in the South.  It’s another frigid and frosty morning waking up among the firs. Skies are clear, the sun is scaling High Top to the east, and the constant crunch of boots meeting snowpack can be heard echoing across camp. With sunrise temps near 20°, everything is still solidly encased in ice, from the trees to the ground. But with a day full of sunshine expected, and temps slated to surge into the 40s, this weekend’s ice palace is about to melt away in a hurry. Once it does, all that is slick and crunchy on trail will turn to squishy, presenting a different kind of hazardous hiking. Keep bringing the traction devices until the paths are rid of it, and even though we have some warm afternoons ahead, those added layers for those sunsets and early mornings are advised. After these past few days of winter, tomorrow is going to feel downright toasty, as we might slide into the 60s. Mt. LeConte remains firmly in the crosshairs of the northern hemisphere’s seasonal tug-of-war! Have a marvelous day.  Good Morning from the Mt. LeConte Ice Palace! For much of Friday, the sky couldn’t make up its mind about what it wanted to do until mid afternoon. At that point, winter firmly took hold and let the flurries fly. By the time evening rolled around, a very wet and heavy 3” of snow covered the ground. Now all surfaces are cold and crunchy after the clouds lifted overnight and temperatures dropped into the low 20s. The precip chances once expected to linger this morning have since disappeared, and the Lodge is currently admiring the stars and moon hand off illumination responsibilities to the rising sun. The air is cold and clear as residents of the summit look out over a cloud sea. Temps will remain cool today, barely stepping above freezing, but the sunshine should kickstart the melting process. Sunday and Monday will both bring a substantial uptick in warmth and really inspire some rapid thawing, likely turning all trails into a slushy slog. That means tricky and even treacherous footing for those visitors unprepared for the conditions. Traction devices will be a must for safely navigating the slopes this weekend. Waterproof footwear will also improve one’s comfort and well-being instead of marching many miles in cold, soaking wet feet. Please don’t let spring naivety make for a miserable mountain experience with winter being far from over. Even in mid April, injuries from slips and tumbles or hypothermia for the underdressed are very real threats in remote wilderness locations. Lack of preparation in an age of abundant information access garners no sympathy. Please make smart decisions when it comes to your health and safety, and that of those dependent upon you, in these conditions.   You may recall that we said yesterday was shaping up to be an interesting day. That theme held true well into the evening. Mt. LeConte felt like it experienced all four seasons as if it were on a roller coaster ride for hours and hours, as conditions changed rapidly. Temperatures, precipitation, clouds, sunshine…it seemed just about every variation made an appearance on Thursday. During guest supper was when the show put on its grandest (and strangest) display. A severe thunderstorm warning gave us the heads up before the clouds swooped in and smothered the summit. The air then turned that eerie green one witnesses during the strongest of storm fronts. Soon followed the blustery wind gusts, and then another round of unrelenting hail. If you happened to blink during that moment, you might have missed the transition from green grass to a near solid inch layer of hail stones and sleet. The thermometer plummeted as fast as the icy pebbles fell, and once it hit the freezing mark, all that had accumulated formed a congealed mass more reminiscent of a fresh snowfall, although that’s not what it actually was. But the show wasn’t over, as clouds broke just in time for a vivid and breathtaking sunset. Even this morning we continue to see random temperature swings and bouts of varying precip. The ground is soft at the moment and the footing rather slushy. Still, the conditions pose enough of a concern that the NPS have temporarily closed US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd). For how long is anyone’s guess, but given that more snow chances are anticipated for the upper elevations of the park today, the closure could be an all day affair. So guests with reservations best consider alternate routes up the mountain today. As always, traction devices and adequate layers should be in everyone’s packs now and into the weekend.   It appears the skies have an interesting day planned for us! Clouds have dominated the sight lines since day break, with breezy conditions making it feel quite cool. Although the thermometer is above freezing for the time being, it’s abundantly certain that we will not be baking in warmth and sunshine like yesterday. In fact, visitors who timed their summit arrival around noon are appreciating the opportunity to step inside for a quick reprieve from the elements. Over a very short span we have already witnessed hail, rain, sleet, and snow in unpredictable succession. It originally wasn’t looking like we’d witness flurries until Friday, but we could be in for a surprise much sooner. Traction devices, plus layers for staying warm and dry, are all going to be musts the next couple days as trails are sure to present some slick challenges. If you thought winter was done for, guess again!   Oh, how splendid it is to have sunshine! Although it was another brisk morning atop the mountain, the peak was absent of clouds at day break and has enjoyed open skies full of light and bountiful blue. Despite starting out in the 20s today, the sun worked quickly to warm things up shortly after cresting High Top. Whether or not we tag the 50° mark this afternoon, it feels downright pleasant up here today. We all know to enjoy it because another round of sloppy weather and cool temps is on the way beginning tomorrow. What should start out as rain Thursday has the potential to transition over to snow showers Friday at our elevation. You know the deal…monitor park road conditions carefully as one could be required to alter their travel plans up and down the mountain accordingly. And please mind your boot placement in the presence of ice. One wrong step can send your mountain adventure spiraling into a world of hurt in a hurry. Mt. LeConte hasn’t seen the last of Old Man Winter just yet. Up here, we’re miles and hours away from modern conveniences when it comes to medical attention and resources. Ambulances aren’t able to drive up Alum Cave Trail, insta-doctors aren’t inhabiting the spruce trees, nor do free helicopters magically appear out of the sky to whisk patients away lickity-split. It’s always smart to evaluate your gear before heading out into the wilderness, playing out scenarios should an injury or health scare befall you. Clothes for staying warm, traction devices for slick surfaces, lighting for visibility at night, means of remedying allergic reactions to plants/insects/foods…these are but a few examples to consider when packing for an extended stay in the wilderness.   It’s a chilly mountain top this morning! We were spared from receiving any snow last night, but freezing rain and sleet did enough to coat everything in a very fine layer of frost. The summit remains cloud-capped for the time being, although the sun is trying to make a breakthrough. Once it finally does, it should make quick work of removing the icy white. Temps easily dipped into the 20s last night, and thankfully the air remains calm so as not to give us an even more frigid-feeling windchill. We’ll be fortunate to exceed the freezing mark today, and another brisk evening in the teens is expected tonight. Wednesday is teasing an upswing in the temps with more sunny skies. With receiving over 2.5” of total rainfall over the last couple days, trails will continue to be damp in places. Be sure and watch for ice higher up and around lodge grounds, particularly on rock faces and log steps. Roads into the park remain open, so elevations at or below Newfound Gap must be in decent shape. Pack those layers and stay warm out there!  |
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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