Greetings,
     It's hard not to sound like a broken record with these reports, but the mountain is basking in bountiful sunshine yet again.  We've already tapped the 60's today and it feels downright toasty in the sunniest places.  Thursday's high temperature came in at 61 degrees and our low was 39.  This weekend continues to look stellar for spending time in the outdoors.  Word coming up from Gatlinburg is that this could be the busiest weekend of the year, which in all likelihood should play out similarly for us.  So if a trip to Mt. LeConte is in your plans, understand that you'll be dealing with a lot more congestion on roadways, trailhead parking lots, and on the trails themselves.
     Monday will bring about the beginning of change in the weather.  The precipitation is expected to return, and over the course of a couple days, the temperatures will steadily drop.  There is a strong possibility that this could bring about snow for the upper elevations of the Smokies.  If hiking in snow/ice is foreign to you, be sure and stop by some of the local outfitters for essential winter gear.  Traction devices for your shoes, trekking poles, and waterproof layers are a few of the basics you'll appreciate having on the trail once the temps drop and the fluffy stuff starts to fly.
     Again, as such an event draws closer, we'll do our best to keep guests appraised of the situation so that the best preparations can be made.  Until then, have a great weekend!

Good Afternoon,
     The sunny streak continues, and today feels even warmer than the last.  Absolutely gorgeous time of year to be on the mountain.  Yesterday's high temperature was 59 degrees, with a low of 35 coming back in the morning.  It remained in the lower 40's last night.  The warming trend is expected to continue through the weekend, so I imagine the mountain will be drawing in the crowds making the most of autumn in the woods.  Looking ahead, next Tuesday/Wednesday could be interesting, so please pay attention to the forecasts if you're visiting in that time frame.  Sounds like a legitimate chance of rain/snow for our area happening then.  We'll see how that shakes out and provide pertinent details for guests as we draw closer.
     Have a great day.

Good Afternoon,
     It was another endless sunny day on Tuesday, and those clear conditions persisted through the evening and up to the present.  Gorgeous solar spectacles were to be had for anyone willing to make treks either to Cliff Tops or Myrtle Point.  Yesterday's high temperature was recorded at 57 degrees, and our low was 32 from the morning prior, as we only tapped 35 earlier today.  Visibility is once again limitless and the sun against the skin is just enough to keep the chill at bay, with temps in the upper 50's.  Not to sound biased, but this is the place to be!
     The clock is ticking. Just five weeks remain in this current lodge season.  After that, those popular No-Bake Cookies, cups of Hot Chocolate, and relaxing moments on the rocking chairs will have to wait until next March.  But until that time, we look forward to hosting more great folks up to Thanksgiving.
     Enjoy the day!

Good Afternoon,
     What a gorgeous day we're enjoying on the mountain.  When the temperatures cool and the humidity drops, we got spoiled with crystal clear views as far as the eye can see.  It's almost as though you can pick out every tree on the foothills below and as far out as Douglas Lake.  Even the Cumberland Mountains to the north look like you could reach out and grab them.  The rolling fog in the lowest reaches this morning added that extra special flare to the vivid colors already happening above during sunrise.
     We reached and then passed below the freezing mark yesterday for the first time since May 25th, eventually bottoming out at 29 degrees, which certainly would've felt even cooler for folks braving the light winds at places like Cliff Tops.  Our high temp only managed to tap 46.  Today, conditions are a bit milder, as we've returned to the daytime 50's.  Visitors have taken notice of the prime autumn conditions, and the mountain is certainly hopping today.  The next several days look to be more of the same...sunny and beautiful.  If you're in the area, we hope you can fit in a trip up Tennessee's famous mountain.  Nature will not disappoint!
     Have a wonderful rest of the day.

Good Afternoon,
     Well, we missed out on getting any snow last night.  We received 1.2" of rain last night, which concluded by 4:00 AM; thus, giving way to starry skies before dawn.  We didn't finally hit the chillier temperatures until breakfast time, bottoming out at 33 degrees, although 36 was our low for the period.  Yesterday's high came in at 58.  Despite today's abundant sunshine, the cool air isn't going away, as temps continue to hover in the lower 40's.  Warm layers are your best friend, as tonight's low is expected to be even chillier.  The kind of October we know on the mountain is finally here.

     We have the pleasure of hosting llamas today, up on an irregularly scheduled trip due to recent downed trees.  They are certainly fans of these cooler temps when it comes to packing, grateful to have the hot and humid days behind them.  Let's feature another one of our supply hauling heroes...ANDY!  He's one of our bigger boys, and despite being the caboose of his team (hence, the orange saddle bags), he's actually the alpha over his section of pastureland back at the farm.  And you can always count on Andy to be first through the gate when it comes to feeding time.  The brown and black patches around his face can help distinguish him from among the rest of the herd.  He's put in several solid years of service, and we hope to see him keep trucking along.  A cup of hot chocolate will hit the spot on cool day like this, so let's raise one up and toast to Mr. Andy!
​     Have a great start to the week.

Good Afternoon,
     Wow! Can you believe it's already the middle of October?  Although, today is the first day it's really started to feel like it should this far along in the calendar.  Conditions have been mostly cloudy since day break, with only brief glimpses down into the valley.  There's also the occasional breeze which brings on the sense that things are about to change.  The radar is showing some spotty showers over the Smokies currently, and we even felt a few drops while loading the llamas earlier.  The significant chance of rain will take place this evening and last through tomorrow morning.  It's still anybody's guess if the temperatures will drop low enough tonight to convert the liquid precip into something a bit more powdery.  Crew members with squares filled in on our annual Snow Pool are watching and waiting with excitement.
     Saturday's high temperature came in at only 61 degrees, but the low remained mild at 49.  We've been hanging around the low 50's much of today, and tomorrow should be much less, so bring those warm layers if you intend to summit.  After tonight's rain chance, the extended forecast looks quite promising for sunny and dry conditions, so it should be a fantastic rest of the month for playing in the woods!
     Enjoy the rest of your weekend and thanks for stopping by the site!

Good Morning,
     It's another gorgeous Saturday in October, so you know what that means...a busy day on the mountain!  The pots of hot chocolate are roaring and the popular "I Hiked It" shirts are flying out the door.  We have a wide selection in styles and colors remaining, but busy weekends can see some significant sell through, so the sooner you can make it up, the better your selection.  Our ability to restock this time of year, if necessary, depends on the llamas abilities to keep up with all of our vital supplies.
     We've been dancing in and out of the clouds this morning, with occasional views down into the valley, but that isn't stopping folks from hiking up to the lodge.  Yesterday's high temperature reached 65 degrees, followed by a low of 49.  Despite the ample amount of dew on the grass at dawn, there was no new precipitation.  These spotty clouds are keeping us in the upper 50's for the moment, but conditions remain quite comfortable.
     Just a reminder that we're expecting a dramatic temperature drop Sunday night through Monday compared to what we've been seeing.  There's also a chance of precipitation, and this time of year, it's entirely possible that could transpire into some little white flakes.  Initial reports are saying rain, but anything could happen above 6,000 feet.  If you anticipate visiting Mt. LeConte during that time frame, please pack and dress accordingly for the cold and wet.  If you're someone coming up on a dayhike, please keep in mind the rapidly decreasing hours of daylight.  Sunset is at 7:00 PM now, and can catch hikers off guard who make it up here in the middle of the afternoon.  It's important to us that all visitors can come to and depart from the mountain safely and comfortably.
​     Have a wonderful weekend.

Good Morning,
     Happy Friday the 13th. The conditions this morning are appropriate for today's date, as we're currently shrouded in cloud cover with the occasional spine-chilling breeze slicing through the now bare trees.  We were spoiled with total sunshine yesterday, which brought our high temperature up to an enjoyable 66 degrees.  Our low was once again mild, only hitting 47.  We're expecting more of the same today, which will of course depend on the sun's ability to break through the lodge.
     Some downed trees on Trillium Gap Trail have thrown our llama schedule out of whack.  We are anticipating trips today, Sunday, and Monday before resuming our normal schedule for the rest of the season.  As always, if you come across adverse conditions on the trail in the way of downed trees or slides, please be sure and pass that information along to the NPS or us here at the lodge so we can work to get it remedied as soon as possible.
     Have a great day.

Good Afternoon,
​     It may feel like summer down in the valley, with humid conditions and temps in the 80's.  Fortunately, here on the mountain things are quite pleasant.  Yesterday's high reached a nice 62 degrees, and our overnight low was a mild 48.  No precipitation to record, but the recent tropical storm caught us up in that category right quick.  Currently we're basking in bountiful sunshine, with temps again hovering in the lower 60's.
     This weekend looks promising as far as clear skies and comfortable temps, but expect a big drop off come Sunday night and into Monday.  You'll certainly want those extra layers of warmth and protection once the cold front passes through.
     Upcoming guests should also take note of our shift in meal times.  We do this annually to accommodate our guests' desires to attend sunset and sunrise while staying on the mountain.  We never want you to feel rushed or risk running late to a warm, delicious meal that you've earned after climbing the mountain.  Currently, guests should plan to eat supper at 5:45 PM and breakfast at 8:15 AM (EST).  Once Daylight Savings Time concludes on November 5th, we'll make a shift in the opposite direction for supper, in which case guests will attend sunset before we serve them food.  Expect a reminder on that later!
     There is still quite a bit of fall color to admire on this mountain's trails.  A great deal of gold along the middle elevations.  The show should remain strong through the weekend before fading away.  If you're in the area, enjoy your time in the outdoors, as October is a fabulous time to be in the mountains!
​     Have a great rest of the day.

Happy Columbus Day!

Yesterday was a doozy. Warm temps, 51/58, with chilling breeze and a deluge.

4.24” inches of rain!

In one day!

The dining room steps were quite the waterfall show and the few day hikers who challenged the weather were peppy and unafraid of our blustery mountaintop.

We are expecting scattered thunderstorms through Thursday so please pack accordingly and remember to check the weather! What we experience up here is often vastly different from what it is down in Gatlinburg and may be a lot c older than expected.

Llamas on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday this week.

See you then!