Good Morning,

Today marks the last day of Septemberrrrr, and it’s a chilly one at that. The wet weather that burst onto the scene late Monday evening insisted on hanging around all day yesterday, smothering the mountain in continual cloud and mist and with the occasional downpour. By the time the afternoon rolled around, our temps began to steadily drop, eventually dipping below the freezing mark for our coldest night in a good while. As we approach sunrise, the clouds have finally broken free, giving way to stars above and city lights below. Today’s forecast calls for sunny skies from start to finish, and the days to come are looking bright as well. If anything, we’ll continue to experience some cooler days and nights. Unfortunately, autumn doesn’t last very long this high up with winter eagerly knocking on the door, so have those warm layers handy. Cooler mornings also mean the potential for icy or slick conditions on the trails, so until the sun comes out or day time highs can thaw the ground, smart to have boots with decent grip and before you know it, those helpful traction devices.

We will begin accepting reservations for the 2021 season starting tomorrow October 1st at 8:00 AM! A wealth of information about rates and amenities is available 24/7 on our website www.lecontelodge.com/reservations for you to browse.

​Have a great day!

Good Morning,

Monday was a beautiful autumn day to kick off the week and the last few days of September. The Mountain Ash trees are really adding character to the landscape with their touch of gold against the evergreens and blue sky. Not long after sunset the wind and rain moved in and has been pouring on and off ever since. Looks like it’ll be hanging around most of the day with precip percentages slowly decreasing later tonight. Temps won’t change much as the hours pass, as we start off in the 40s and could see upper 30s overnight. Currently no threat of the fluffy white stuff, though that time of year is fast approaching.

​Be safe and stay dry.

Good Morning,

Sunday was a reverse to what we witnessed Saturday, spending most of the day clouded in, with only teases of the famous valley view afforded from the lodge. Temps were held in check between the upper 40s and lower 50s, and the barely noticeable mists at times amassed just 0.1” of rainfall. Today is expected to be fair to start, but by supper time the rain chances ramp up and could last all of Tuesday. It looks like whatever tonight’s low temp ends up being will also tomorrow afternoon’s high. We’re talking lower 40s and upper 30s, so guests should come prepped for wet and cold on the mountain top. With the beauty of the autumn season comes the sometimes turbulent changes in weather.

​Have a great start to the week.

Good Morning,

It was splendidly sunny day from start to finish yesterday, which was not the case for the lower elevations it appeared. Temps were great for hiking, especially once you popped above the clouds about a half mile from the lodge. We managed to scrape the lower 60s, and our lows were once again in the mid 40s. Today will be a little cloudier with only a slight chance of an afternoon shower. It was a busy day on the mountain yesterday, and it’s a smart bet that the next several weekends throughout October will be much in the same. So count on packed trailhead parking lots and a beehive of activity at the lodge with folks out to enjoy the autumn air and changing leaves.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning.

The rain has finally cleared out after dumping close to 3” on the mountain over the last couple days. Sometime during the night the clouds above us gave way to a stunning astral display, with the Milky Way streaking across from opposite horizons. The sun is slowly creeping up from the East this morning, shining a dim light over the fog layer that has socked in the valley below. Despite what conditions end up being like down there, it appears we’re in for a sunny fall Saturday atop Mt. LeConte. We’re currently in the mid 40s and temps ought to approach the 60s this afternoon. Sunday isn’t looking half bad either.

Have a great weekend.

Good Morning,

We’ve endured a solid day of steady rain, but we aren’t to the finish line for this one yet. Beta appears to be slowly sliding out of town, but there are still several hours of rain expected today. Around sunset time conditions should finally improve. Saturday is calling for a return of sunshine, but after all of this precip, count on trails being a bit wet and muddy in places. Temps are currently in the upper 40s, but we’ll spend much of the day in the 50s.

One last reminder that today is your last chance to submit written requests for 2021 reservations and have them included in our October 1st booking period. Written requests received after today won’t be entertained until the several thousand requests already received have been reviewed. Our lodging and meal rates for the 2021 season have also been posted to our website. Visitors interested in learning more can visit http://www.lecontelodge.com/reservations/ or click on the Rates specific tab.

Have a great day and stay dry.

Good Morning,

We’re in the midst of what could be a 48-hour soaker as the remnants of Tropical Storm Beta sweep over the Appalachian mountain chain. Now until late Friday night should see a constant stream of clouds and rain across the region creating the potential for localized flooding. A trail like Alum Cave without numerous unbridged stream crossings is recommended for the time being. Today’s temps will be an odd bird as both the high and low won’t see much variation. We’re currently in the 40s and are unlikely to stray much into the 50s with these conditions. By Saturday the weather is expected to improve with slightly warmer temps. Until then, dress for rainy skies, wet trails, and cool breezes.

Good Morning,

Plenty of people were out on the trails yesterday enjoying the first official day of autumn, and with so much sunshine you can’t blame them! The temps have felt great, the views have gotten clearer on average, and the smells of a forest transitioning away from summer have begun. Conditions at sunrise are a bit cloudier today, and the varying layers of white and gray are expected to stay. Temps barely tapped the upper 30s last night, and we will have no problem spending time in the 40s and 50s this afternoon. Thursday and Friday are looking be soakers, so folks with reservations those days should layer up for precip and warmth.

Reminder to anyone inquiring into reservations for 2021. As is the case annually, the booking process begins October 1st, but anyone looking to submit a written request online or by mail needs to do so by 5:00 PM this Friday, September 25th. Written requests received after this Friday will not be considered for any available 2021 spaces until after all requests received by the 25th have been processed. As we receive thousands upon thousands of requests for what amounts to a handful of cabins, your best chance is to get on that ship now and not delay. Visit http://www.lecontelodge.com/reservations/ for more information.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Summer is over and autumn is here. At least the calendar says so anyways, and for the time being the temperatures seem to be in agreement. Waking up to a welcoming sunrise this Tuesday with breakfast temps in the upper 30s. Should be a mostly sunny day today with temps ascending into the lower 50s. Tomorrow should be a decent day for exploring the woods, but by Thursday we could start to feel the effects of Tropical Storm Beta. Nothing crazy anticipated but some occasional rain showers. By the weekend, temps will actually warm up a bit compared to where we’ve been. Ought to be a nice way to wrap up September and lead into the leaf season.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

One last day of summer, and it should be a pleasant one. Any patchy fog or clinging clouds ought to give way to superbly sunny skies today. It was another chilly wake up call on the mountain this morning in the low 30s. With plenty of sunshine expected today we should soar into the 50s easily this afternoon. Tuesday is looking decent as well with the potential for a few more clouds.

With these cooler morning and evening temps, it’s worth reminding folks about the potential for slick footing in places along the trail. Recent rains or overnight condensation buildup can lead to ice formation on log steps and smooth rock faces. It’s excessive to use microspikes until there’s snow and an all-encompassing layer of ice, but important to consider where you are placing your feet until the sun has a chance to raise air temps and thaw surfaces after first light.

​Have a great conclusion to summer 2020!