Statement from LeConte Lodge:

The devastation left behind from Hurricane Helene is horrific and will be remembered many years from now. The Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina regions have been greatly affected in ways that we cannot fully wrap our minds around at this time. Here is what we can confirm to our guests at this time: Much of the Tennessee side of GSMNP is accessible and open; however, it is up to each visitor to make that decision for themselves as to whether they are capable & willing to trek into the park and hike Mt. LeConte. In no way do we expect any guest or hiker to be put in dangerous and risky travel situations in order to make their journey.

While we understand there may be confusing or contradictory information circulating, we fully operate within the National Park’s guidelines and safety procedures. At this time, LeConte Lodge and multiple of its trails remain open and operational after being deemed safe & navigable.

This is an unprecedented situation for Leconte Lodge and our guests. The Lodge is an extremely unique operation even during normal circumstances. We kindly ask for your patience as we handle the many emails and phone calls coming in. We will be evaluating situations on a case-by-case basis. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate through this. All situations are of equal importance. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Good Morning,

Conditions in the Smokies keep improving, while plenty of cleanup and assessing of roads and trails continues. The Lodge racked up another 0.6” of rainfall yesterday, bringing our combined storms total to 10.85” thus far. Believe it or not, remnants of Helene are still spinning over the Midwest with outer bands occasionally grazing the southern Appalachians. So it’s possible we still see these clouds squeeze out some more precip today before finally bidding farewell to this significant tropical cyclone. Winds have eased off substantially, now only gusting as much as 20mph. Temps up top will be mild again in the 50s, with skies expected to remain mostly cloudy.

As of this morning, the most recent road closures remain in effect, with only Cherokee Orchard Rd providing access to some of Mt. LeConte’s trailheads. That means visitors to the park can utilize Rainbow Falls (6.7 mi), Bull Head (6.9 mi), or the entirety of Trillium Gap (8.9 mi) trails this morning to reach or descend from the summit. We’ve received confirmation that with the exception of one lone blowdown on Boulevard, all approach trails are clear and safe to pass. So once US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) has been safely assessed by the NPS and reopened - hopefully as soon as this afternoon - visitors can confidently resume hiking the ever popular Alum Cave Trail.

All hazardous weather related alerts expired Saturday evening and, at this time, none have been renewed. So there are no active wind, storm, or flooding concerns on or around Mt. LeConte currently.

Our crew have been diligently keeping an eye on the place this entire time, looking out for guests caught in the stormy crosshairs of Helene, and keeping tabs on trail conditions. It’s also created some opportunities for well-earned down time, which has led to some interesting creations…like noodles or banana bread!

As is typical when we get into fewer daylight hours in autumn, today is the first day we move up the guest supper meal service time. Starting today and lasting for the next couple weeks, guest supper will be served at 5:45 PM. This ensures guests have ample time to enjoy that warm meal and safely make the trek up the quarter mile trail to Cliff Tops for sunset. Breakfast will remain at 8:00 AM thru the end of the season. Gift shop hours will remain from 9:00-10:00 AM / 12:00-4:30 PM.

Have a great day.

ROADS UPDATE:
🟢Cherokee Orchard Rd is open. Visitors have access to Rainbow Falls and Bull Head trails.

🛑US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) and Roaring Fork remain temporarily closed.

TRAILS UPDATE:
Rainbow Falls, Bull Head, Trillium Gap, and Alum Cave trails are all clear.
Boulevard has one tree down, but is passable.

All hazardous weather alerts have expired!⚠️

Conditions this evening and into Sunday will be mostly cloudy with light winds and intermittent showers as remnants of Helene continue to weaken.

ROADS UPDATE:
🟢Cherokee Orchard Rd is back open. Visitors now have access to Rainbow Falls and Bull Head trails.

🛑US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) and Roaring Fork remain temporarily closed.

TRAILS UPDATE:
Bull Head is clear.
Alum Cave is clear.
Boulevard has one tree down, but is passable.
Trillium Gap is clear above the gap. Below is TBD.
Rainbow Falls is TBD.

⚠️A Wind Advisory is in effect until 5:00 PM Saturday. Gusts of 40mph still possible.
⚠️A Flood Warning is in effect until 8:00 PM Saturday.

🌀It didn’t take long for Helene to move on through and out of town. The steady rainfall of the past few days has finally subsided, as current conditions over the Smokies are mostly cloudy and breezy. Although the winds will be a nagging presence a little while longer, conditions on and around Mt. LeConte are already improving from a flooding standpoint. With the dramatic reduction in rainfall, creeks and drainages along the approach trails will quickly subside in the coming hours.

⚠️The Flood Watch has expired.
⚠️A Flash Flood Warning has been issued until 4:00 PM Friday.
⚠️The High Wind Warning has been extended until 8:00 AM Saturday. Gusts of 65mph are possible.

🛑US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) remains temporarily closed.
🛑Cherokee Orchard Rd/Roaring Fork are now temporarily closed.

🥾We are in the process of gathering intel on trail conditions, so that when roads reopen, visitors will have a better idea of what to expect. As of this afternoon, we can confirm that Alum Cave Trail is clear of any downed trees, and is safely passable. As creeks and drainages empty out tonight, the likelihood of hiking with wet feet will decrease as well by the time the NPS decide to reopen US 441.

📣With the recent closure of Cherokee Orchard Rd / Roaring Fork and the extended Flash Flood / High Wind Warnings, guests with reservations for Saturday 9/28 and Sunday 9/29 will have the option of rescheduling their stay to later this season, or to the corresponding day in 2025.

We will continue to provide updates regarding weather, trail, and road conditions as we receive them.

Good Morning,

Well we haven’t washed away yet, despite the now days-long presence of steady rain. As of the breakfast bell, the lodge has received 8.7” of total rainfall since the first storm began. Winds picked up during the night, but have only tapped about half their potential, gusting no more than 45mph over the crest this far. Water is certainly finding its way into unusual places, with trails going to be like walking in a river for a while. Hopefully with winds not being as intense as originally predicted, that means a lesser chance of trees coming down on roads or trails.

Several weather alerts remain in effect for our area. The Flood Watch until 2:00 PM, the Flood Warning until 9:00 AM, and the High Wind Warning until 8:00 PM. Another couple inches of rain over the coming hours is still possible, as are gusts up to 80mph. The eye of Helene is surging thru NE Georgia at the moment, and its remnants are setting up to pass directly over Mt. LeConte as it pivots across Tennessee. By mid afternoon, tropical storm conditions will dissipate and skies might even begin to clear off. Don’t be fooled though, as it takes plenty of time for all this water to drain out of the park, so flooding risks will still be prevalent tonight and into tomorrow.

US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) is currently closed, but Cherokee Orchard and Roaring Fork remain open. Anyone attempting to ascend via Rainbow Falls, Bull Head, or Trillium Gap trails at this time is doing so very much at their own risk. Please don’t be foolish in such conditions. Reminder that guests with reservations tonight and tomorrow have rescheduling options available to them, and should contact our reservations office if they haven’t done so already.

​Have a great day.

Wind speeds over the crest of Mt. LeConte are gradually starting to increase, currently gusting upwards of 25mph. Total rain measured since the storms started is now at 6”. Rainfall has been light and steady all day, but heavier downpours associated with the coming hurricane are still expected.

⚠️A Flood Watch is still in effect until 2:00 PM Friday.
⚠️A Flood Warning has been extended until 5:00 AM Friday.
⚠️A High Wind Warning is in effect now through 8:00 PM Friday. Wind gusts of 80mph expected.

🌀Hurricane Helene is now a major category 4 hurricane and will churn through the south quickly after making landfall this evening. Helene will likely pass directly over the Smokies as an intense tropical storm. With the ground thoroughly saturated after 36 hours of steady rain, the likelihood of localized and widespread flooding, as well as falling trees in strong winds, is very high. The eye of Helene is projected to pass near Mt. LeConte shortly after sunrise Friday, which is when conditions will be at their worst.

🛑US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) is currently closed due to the deteriorating conditions. Although Cherokee Orchard Rd and Roaring Fork remain open, the Mt. LeConte trails accessed from these roadways become incredibly dangerous during flood conditions due to the numerous unbridged stream crossings and tight drainages that can funnel deep and fast moving waters unexpectedly.

Guests with reservations for Friday 9/27 and Saturday 9/28 are reminded to contact our reservations office to discuss rescheduling options.

Per the NPS regarding the inclement weather:
⚠️US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) will be closing at 2:00 PM today.
⚠️All park visitor centers will closing at 3:00 PM today, and will not reopen until Saturday morning at the earliest, weather pending.

Due to these closures and the risks associated with the coming hurricane, Lodge guests with reservations for Friday 9/27 or Saturday 9/28 will be given the option of rescheduling later this season or for the corresponding date in 2025. The affected Lodge guests should contact our reservations office for more details if you have not already done so.

There is no indication if Cherokee Orchard Rd or Roaring Fork will be closed ahead of the hurricane, but visitors should be advised that there are numerous risks for downed trees or flooded creeks along those roads or connecting trails (Rainbow Falls, Bull Head, Triilium Gap) during such forecast conditions. Please use caution.

⚠️A Flood Watch is scheduled for our area, in effect from 11:00 AM Wednesday - 2:00 PM Friday. The Smokies are in the crosshairs of a storm-filled one-two punch these next few days. Severe storms will be moving across the state tonight and tomorrow, bringing heavy rain, lightning, and hail potential. Then Thursday and Friday, Hurricane Helene will be pushing up from the south bringing more rain and strong winds.

Guests with reservations for Wednesday 9/25 should consider hitting the trails early to get out in front of the worst of the storm.

At this time, all roads and trails remain open in the park. We will provide updates at any point we receive them.

Good Morning,

Summer keeps hanging on, as it’s set to be warm and humid again today across all elevations. It’s breezy at the lodge, so that will assist with cooling down after making the climb. We’ll see temps in the 60s for one more day at least, but the rest of the week shows solid 50s. Although skies started out sunny this morning, clouds are already blowing in and getting thicker by the hour. Wet and windy is going to be the norm here on through the weekend. Careful attention to the forecast and what gear to pack is paramount this week!

Beginning today, a typical pattern of scattered storms from the west will keep moving across the region with regularity now thru Wednesday. Sometime on Thursday, those winds will shift from the south and east as Hurricane Helene makes landfall and curls toward the Smokies, impacting our area that afternoon and deep into Friday. Its current forecast cone shows the eye passing just to our west, which lines up Mt. LeConte for the strongest winds and heaviest rains. Current predictions show 60mph winds at our elevation. Between now and then there will certainly be some changes to its track and strength, but we can all expect to see soggy trails and swollen creeks if we get a consistent dose of precip over the coming days. If we receive any insight from the NPS regarding road and trail conditions, we will obviously share that information ASAP. Guests with reservations later this week need to be making plans and having contingencies in place now for getting to and from trailheads and what to pack.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Skies are a mix of sun and clouds this Monday, while the heat and humidity remain in place, obscuring horizons and blurring distant ridge tops. We have another warm day lined up, with the summit likely to hit the mid 60s easily this afternoon. There is a chance for some pop up rain showers and thunderstorms this afternoon, so don’t get lulled into thinking we’ll be basking in uninterrupted sunshine all day. On that note, we’ll be watching the tropics very closely over the next few days. A cyclone with the potential to of developing into a hurricane in the Gulf is currently showing a track over the Smokies region. If that prediction holds, we could begin experiencing heightened winds and outer rain bands as soon as Thursday, with the stronger impacts occurring into the weekend. Even with some uncertainty still this far out, it is wise to be considering alternate plans for accessing the mountain and reaching the lodge if inclement weather inspires some temporary closures of roads or trails. We’ve witnessed plenty of significant tropical storms during the months of September and October in years past, so this latest edition is falling right in line. We’ll continue to monitor and advise accordingly.

One last reminder to get in those online written requests. If you are hoping to throw your hat in the ring for a chance to stay at the Lodge in 2025, you have until this Wednesday afternoon to do so in order to be considered for when bookings begin Tuesday, October 1st.

​Q: When can I submit on an online written request to be considered for a 2025 reservation?
A: NO LATER THAN 4:00 PM Wednesday, September 25.

Q: Where do I complete and submit a written request?
A: Go to this link, READ through the instructions THOROUGHLY, complete all fields in the form FULLY, then click submit!
https://lecontelodge.com/2025-reservation-request-form/

Q: What dates are available to request for the 2025 season?
A: The 2025 season begins Monday, March 24 and the last night is Tuesday, November 25, so any dates during that 8 month span. The lodge is closed for the winter months and does not host guests or provide visitor services during that time.

Q: What do I include on my form if I have a specific request regarding dates or accommodation types?
A: Please do just that…BE VERY SPECIFIC! We can’t read minds, and vaguely written requests leave a lot open to interpretation, especially when our team is processing them by the thousands and trying to book spaces quickly. If you can only stay on certain dates, if you want a certain type of cabin or number of cabins, or if someone in your party has an allergy or dietary restriction worth knowing, it is to your benefit to include that in your written request. That way nothing important gets missed and you aren’t left disappointed should you receive a booking date or accommodation that is different than what you desired. The more info you include, the better, so take advantage of the “Additional Comments” section of the form if need be!

Q: If I submit my request form today, will my request be processed before someone who waits to submit a form on Sept. 25th?
A: No. All forms are compiled together then processed at random once the booking process begins October 1st. Just don’t wait until after Sept. 25 to submit your form, because any form received after that date will not be considered until all those received prior to the cutoff have been processed. Again, we receive thousands, so missing that cutoff reduces your chances at securing your preferred date significantly!

Q: Should I submit a written request if I just plan on calling in beginning October 1st?
A: ABSOLUTELY! That is the benefit of submitting an online written request form now. Your preferences have already been received by that point, and you don’t have to give up any part of your October day to sit on the phone. Instead, do something fun like go for a beautiful autumn hike!

Q: What if I don’t receive a 2025 reservation after the initial bookings in early October?
A: Don’t fret! Cancellations happen throughout the year as people’s plans change. We also offer wait lists that go live during the winter off season. So there are still ample opportunities to secure a future stay at the lodge!

Q: So I received a confirmation and invoice for a 2025 reservation. Should I call you to pay right away?
A: Please take note, this will be happening a little differently this year. We will not be requiring payment until December 2nd, 2024. Please do not call our office to remit payment before that date should you secure a reservation after the initial booking process.

Q: I’ve tried to secure a reservation for years, but just don’t seem to have any luck. Is there something I need to do differently to increase my odds?
A: Availability matters! Securing a reservation at the lodge is highly competitive. We have but a handful of spaces available each night during the 8 month season, and we don’t mix strangers in a single bedroom. For example, there are only 7 single room cabins available nightly. So when thousands of people all request a cabin on the same Saturday in June, inherently the odds of snagging that date are quite slim. Counter that with requesting a weekday in March, November, or a time when the kids are back in school, and the competition is much less, so your chances at securing a reservation then increase!

Good Morning,

What’s the saying in our neck of the woods? … “Happy Fall, Y’all!” Well autumn is indeed here, and although the leaf change is already beginning in the upper reaches of the park, the temps sure seem to indicate otherwise. We’re setup for at least one more hot, humid, and hazy day in the mountains as we complete the equinox. The lodge barely missed out on hitting 70° yesterday afternoon, but we have another shot at it today. Meanwhile, the lowlands will easily spend time in the 90s again. The sun will be shining far and wide today, with views going to be not-so-distant due to the lingering summer haze. We have the slightest of rain chances late tonight, so expect some cloud building as the hours pass by, even if precip never comes to pass. Starting tomorrow, those rain possibilities become more substantial, which will be the case heading into the new week. We sure do need it, as much as visitors will need to remember to pack the appropriate gear for staying dry on trail and up top. Until then, enjoy what is sure to be another glorious September Sunday for spending time in the wilderness.

Have a great day.