Good Morning,
It’s sunny and beautiful above, below, and all around the mountain. Temps starting off nicely today in the low 50s, and we should have no problem rising into the 60s this afternoon. Winds will remain present today with gusts up as high 25mph through this evening. Otherwise, the conditions now and through the weekend are stellar for outdoor exploration. Count on crowds coming to the park in droves with such nice weather and hot temps expected down below. Parking lots will fill up quickly, vehicular traffic will experience occasional delays and slow downs, and popular trails will be bustling with bodies. So pack plenty of patience along with the hat and sunscreen. Friendly reminder that all of the same COVID-19 health and safety protocols as when we opened at LeConte Lodge remain in place. That applies to mask wearing, occupancy limits, building accessibility, social distancing, and meal services. Despite what changes have been going into effect in Sevier County and the state of Tennessee, our governing authority is the National Park Service. As soon as GSMNP and the lodge are ready to announce possible changes to our routine (which we will obviously mention here!), please continue to abide by current practices, on-site signage KC and respect our hard working staff. Thank you. Have a great rest of the day.
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Good Morning,
Got some nagging clouds to start this Thursday, but conditions shouldn’t take long to improve. We have what should be a gorgeous day, and weekend, ahead of us calling for abundant sunshine and steadily rising temps. Currently in the mid 40s and we’ll have no problem sliding up into the 60s today. With such high temps being forecast down in the valley, it’s possible we even scrape close to 70° this weekend, a bit higher than the norm this time of year even for us. There’s no rain expected for a while, so trail conditions will be plenty dry with creeks and waterfalls likely to run on the low and slow side. Still some potential for gusty winds the next couple days, upwards of 20mph at times. Pack the sun screen, hats, and shades! Have a great day. Good Morning,
Rolling into the middle of the week with a thick cover of clouds. There is a slight chance for a late afternoon rain shower, otherwise conditions up top should be a mix of sun and passing clouds. Temps are starting off mild in the mid 40s and we could achieve a high of 60° today. Winds will remain present with gusts up to 20mph possible. The greenery is slowly creeping up the mountainside, and the beckoning of summer along with it. The thermometer continues to average higher figures, and one can sense the humidity is following close behind. Looking ahead at the forecast, it’s going to get good and toasty in a few more days. Remember to stay adequately hydrated during your hikes up and down Mt. LeConte with all the additional perspiration. If you aren’t used to the climbing or the mileage, be sure and take plenty of breaks along the way to rest up and reload on calories to help power through. Have a great day. Good Morning,
These clouds thick as soup are getting intimate with the higher elevations of the Smokies this morning. Although there is only a slight chance of any rain showers today, the cloudy conditions are expected to persist throughout. Average temps are continuing to warm with each passing day. We are starting things off in the upper 40s this morning with a chance to see 60° later on, although the mist from this cloud cover combined with winds gusting as high as 20mph might keep a lingering chill in the air. Layer up to stay dry and warm so long as these sour conditions hang around. And the same can be said for tomorrow, with occasional rain showers still a possibility. Reminder that the repaving work along US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) is ongoing, so traffic delays are to be expected. Crews are currently tackling the section around Newfound Gap (which remains open), so folks coming over from NC or hoping to access the lodge via The Boulevard should plan accordingly. Have a great day. Good Morning,
Starting off the new week under fairly open skies with a bit of haze on the horizon. In the coming days we are expected to make the slow climb out from mild afternoons and cool nights up to more summer-like conditions. One can already feel the humidity making its return to the region, something hikers will now get to cope with the next several months. Temps are beginning in the low 40s this morning and with help of the sun we should rise into the upper 50s. There is a chance for light afternoon showers each of the next few days, and with them a chance for some increased wind action gusting in the 20mph range. Keep an umbrella or rain shell handy in case a pop-up storm makes a sly entrance. Reminder that this is the second of two weeks where Rainbow Falls Trail is closed to the public Mon-Thur for bridge repairs. Still plenty of great trails open elsewhere for visitors to ascend Mt. LeConte. Have a great day. Good Morning,
What a stunning day Saturday turned out to be in the mountains. The sunshine persisted much longer than originally anticipated. Although it seems like we’re already on track to experience more of the opposite today. Overcast skies are dominating the atmosphere with spotty rain showers passing through the region this morning. It’s possible they move on out by the afternoon, but the clouds are likely to hang around. Temps will once again be in the 40s and 50s with the potential for light winds. The forecast to start the new week should continue our current pattern, bringing slightly cooler temps than the seasonal norm with a small chance of isolated rain showers. Have those extra layers for warmth and wet weather protection on standby! Have a great end to the week. Good Morning,
We’re midway thru May and have a beautiful weekend on tap. Looking at mostly sunny skies today with the possibility of clouds increasing later in the day. Temps are starting off in the mid 30s but we should warm up enough to reach the 50s this afternoon. The air should be relatively calm with only the occasional light breeze. Sunday should be fairly decent as well, only showing a slight chance for rain showers. Good to have that rain shell in tow just case if you are staying tonight or making the trek tomorrow. Have a great weekend. Good Morning,
It should be a pleasant weekend for outdoor exploration. Starting off this Friday a little cool still in the mid 30s with partly cloudy skies. Temps ought to rise into the upper 40s later this afternoon. There’s only a slight chance for a rain shower each of these next couple days, but nothing that should cause great concern. Winds will be relatively calm. The weekend weather even with plenty of sunshine is going to be cool stop the mountain, so continue to bring those extra warm layers. The extended forecast doesn’t show a warmup for the region until well into next week. Reminder that all of our current COVID-19 protocols remain in place at the lodge, viewable here. The situation continues to evolve rapidly, and even though changes are happening at the local and state levels across Tennessee, LeConte Lodge operates under the federal jurisdiction of the National Park Service. So until the NPS provides the lodge with new instruction, our current practices remain in place and enforceable under the law. Thank you for your cooperation and respect shown to our dedicated and hardworking staff as they continue to provide a safe and enjoyable experience during these unusual times. Have a great day. Good Morning,
Winter’s chill is struggling to let go as we are still experiencing mornings around the freezing mark. Hopefully after this weekend we finally make the jump into a consistently warm temperature range. Probably just as the lowlands welcome in summer! In the meantime, be sure and watch for frosty patches until the sun has a chance to adequately thaw the ground, even as far down as some of the trailheads. Skies will see a mix of sun and clouds today, with the latter increasing as the hours pass by. There is a slight chance for some rain showers later this evening and into early Friday. Winds could gust as much as 25 mph at times along the peaks. Looking ahead to the weekend, conditions should be rather pleasant but still on the cool side. An extra layer or two would be a good thing to have with high temps hanging around in the 40s and 50s. Our region is now enjoying 14 hours of daylight, giving hikers a great deal of time to enjoy the mountains. Soon the evenings will be filled with the chirps of spring peepers and cicadas, and illuminated by the captivating blink of fireflies. Have a great day. Good Morning,
We’re waking up to a rainy Wednesday in the mountains. Conditions at the lodge are cool in the mid 30s and the peak is blanketed in cloud cover. This system of rain should linger well into the afternoon, with some partial clearing possible by this evening. Winds will be breezy gusting as high as 35mph at times this morning before calming later on. Expect wet and sloppy trail conditions today and pay close attention to slick surfaces. Temps shouldn’t get much higher than the mid 40s today. Take your time in these sour conditions today because there is still a great deal to admire and enjoy on the hike up. Nature is putting on a vivid show as spring continues to make its climb up the slopes of the mountain. The Myrtle are in full bloom at places like Inspiration Point, which means the grand display at Myrtle Point should be in the next week or two. The dense pink and white clusters sure make for a stunning backdrop when admiring a famous Mt. LeConte sunrise. Have a great day. |
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
November 2023
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