Good Morning,

​The mountains have been enduring very active skies over the last twelves. Intermittent rain showers coupled with lightning and thunder have brought some much needed precipitation to the region. And some cooler temps to boot compared to how toasty the rest of this month has been, especially down below. Clouds should continue to dominant the skyline this Monday with more passing storms and rain showers possible throughout. Winds will be light and temps should mostly hover in the 50s. Count on trails being plenty soggy and the potential for wet unbridged creek crossings depending on your trail of choice.

We’re already 40% of the way through the 2022 season, and this year’s unique “I Hiked It” shirt is as popular as ever. We’ve recently had to restock the shelves with some new colors, so if you make it a habit of visiting the lodge multiple times a year, be sure and step inside the gift shop to see what’s new! Most lodge enthusiasts know this, but for those first timers who might not, any and all of our “I Hiked It” swag is unique to our location. As in, you can only purchase the real deal here at the lodge. Plus, every season comes with a new design that’s 100% original and exclusive to the lodge experience. This year’s artists did a superb job of referencing photos from Cliff Tops and hand tracing every single ridge line from that famous breathtaking view. And that creative and captivitating sunset depiction certainly evokes numerous memories of past stays for guests of all ages. If only we had more room to work with, we might have been able to squeeze Clingmans Dome in there! It’s always a treat to see the countless visitors sporting their “I Hiked It” apparel with pride at the lodge and on the trail.

Have a great day.

Good Morning;

How are we already down to the last full of week of June? This month is flying by, maybe because we’re all enjoying this lengthy dose of distracting sunshine. With that said, it looks like our sunfilled streak is drawing to a close and a more typical summer forecast is in the works. Starting today, we’ll be seeing higher chances of showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. Of course any rain we receive should also help keep the flaming temperatures down for our neck of the woods. Count on temps ranging between the 50s and 60s throughout the weekend. Winds should be light today but pickup a tad during the night with gusts of 25mph possible. Bring the sunscreen and the rain jackets if you’re staying with us over the coming days. Odds are you’ll be using it all!

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

It’s a beautiful and mild morning on the mountain as we roll out this Thursday. Skies will be a pleasant mix of sun and clouds today with light winds blowing over the upper elevations. Temps are in the 50s currently and should creep up close to 70° this afternoon. A few tiny storm cells could be spotted near and far yesterday evening, some putting on riveting electrical displays toward the horizon, but our peak managed to dodge the atmospheric action. There is a chance for some afternoon storms on Friday.

As always, keep the hydration happening before, during, and after your hike. Early starts are certainly beneficial in order to beat the high heat of the afternoon hours. It’s even worth planning your routes up and down the mountain accordingly to avoid the scorching sun and roasting temps, especially down low. For example, a trail like Bull Head, where hikers are exposed to the elements with little to no cover of trees for miles, should be avoided once the sun gets high in the sky. Especially as an ascent option. Trails like Rainbow Falls and Trillium Gap scale the mountain’s more shaded north side and are mostly forested. The Boulevard traverses ridge lines entirely in the upper elevations and are more apt to catch a cool breeze. of course each of these paths are longer than the more popular Alum Cave, so account for earlier starts and extra time on trail should you go either route.

Have a great day.
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Good Morning,

If you like sunshine, then this has been your week. We have another day of bountiful blue skies and warm rays on tap for this Wednesday. It continue to get toasty out there in the midday sun, even up this high. The lodge experienced temps in the lower 70s yesterday afternoon and should easily match that mark again today. Breezes will be light, and much later this evening there is a small chance for some cloud building and a passing rain shower. Another code orange Air Quality Alert is in effect for this region, especially as the summer haze seemingly continues to thicken with each passing day. Tomorrow should be dominated by the sun once again with a slight chance of an afternoon shower. Which in these temps might feel pretty good for someone making the ascent. Frequent stops, hydration, and nourishment are key!

Have a great day.