UPDATE 3:15 PM - Cherokee Orchard and Roaring Fork are back open. Use caution on roadways and trails, as water levels are still high.

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UPDATE 11:00 AM - Cherokee Orchard has been temporarily closed due to high winds and downed trees. NPS crews will look to assess and reopen roads as soon as the wind advisory expires this afternoon. Guests with reservations for November 1st should contact our reservations office at 865-429-5704 for guidance.

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UPDATE 10:00 AM - US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) has been temporarily closed due to high winds and downed trees. Visitors still have access to trails emanating from Cherokee Orchard.

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Significant Weather Advisories are in effect for the East TN region today. Use caution on all Park roads and trails.

*Wind Advisory til 2:00 PM, calling for sustained winds of 15-25 mph and gusts of 45 mph.
*Flood Watch til 8:00 PM, calling for 1-3” of rainfall through this evening. Potential for ponding and swelling creeks.
*Freeze Warning overnight into Friday morning. Expect slick trail conditions along the upper elevations in the morning.

Upon reaching their high around NOON, temperatures are expected to plummet some 45° in the valley. Expect frigid below-freezing temps on the mountain, especially if winds persist. All roads and trails accessing Mt. LeConte are currently open as of 6:30 AM, but strong winds, heavy rain, and freezing temps could invoke temporary closures as the day progresses.

Remember to follow twitter.com/smokiesroadsnps or call 865-436–1200 *2*2 for up to date Park road information.

Good Morning All,

Looks like we are in store for some wild weather patterns ahead. Today we are in the clouds and not looking to change. Light showers are scattered throughout the morning with not much hope of letting up but instead to get heavier. Looking to receive well over an inch. Thankfully temps are staying warm, currently 52 degrees with overnight lows in the lower 40s. This rainfall looks to continue into the better part of tomorrow with some high winds on the radar. If you are planning a trip up be sure to pack that rain gear. Looking closer to the weekend we are seeing temperatures drop pretty significantly, expecting below freezing temperatures (possibly even in the teens) but will keep you updated as the weekend gets closer. Be sure to pack some warm/dry gear and traction devices just incase of icy conditions after all this rain.
It may be gloomy outside but crews spirits are high because tomorrow is Halloween! Pumpkins have been carved by the crew and will be on display at the lodge all day tomorrow as visitors vote for their favorite. Costumes are being assembled for the festivities tomorrow. Rain or shine we will certainly have a good time (pics to come soon). 

Good morning all,

It’s a happy Monday here at LeConte Lodge. With temps currently in the upper 40s and expecting the mid 50s as our high, everyone is running around outside enjoying the beautiful weather. Over the next 24 hours, you can expect to see our temps ranging between 40-55 degrees. Perfect for sitting on the porch in a rocking chair to take in the views of the valley below. ​

Roaring Fork remains closed for the moment meaning the llama trip for today has been postponed until tomorrow. We hope to see you at the top soon!

Good morning, 

Highway 441 remains closed as of 8:00 this morning. Follow the NPS road closure information throughout the day as they hope to reopen is ASAP. Until then, overnight guests reaching the lodge will need to utilize Bull Head, Rainbow Falls or Trillium Gap trails accessible by Cherokee Orchard road. ​

It’s going to be a beautiful day at LeConte Lodge as we sun is out and the squirrels and birds have come out to play. While currently at 43 degrees and a high of 53 yesterday, we’re expecting much of the same for the next 24 hours. Additionally, 1.9 inches of rain were added to our yearly total. Over the next couple of days we’re expecting no rain and for temps to remain relatively warm although by Wednesday, there will be a different story to tell as temps are expected to drop again. More on that as we get closer. Until then, enjoy the last of the weekend!

Good morning all, 

It’s a wet and windy morning at 6593’. High winds and heavy rainfall falling on our cabins overnight lulled is to sleep. Beginning at roughly 6:00 yesterday, 1.7 inches of rain were added to our total. Be cautious on trail as there may be some fallen trees and slick spots from the amount of rain and wind that we’ve had. We’re expecting the rain to continue throughout the day today and into the early hours of tomorrow and while currently at 46 degrees, temps will remain in the mid 40s for the next couple of days. Be careful out there on the trails and we hope to see you for a hot beverage at the top!​

Picture below, longtime crew member, Henry, has gotten into the Halloween spirit with a window decoration on his cabin! We’re excited to see what else happens in the next couple of days leading up to Halloween!

Good afternoon,​

We’re experiencing more of a wet a dreary day here at the top with very few day hikers running around as expected. But even rainy days can be enjoyed at the lodge with Hot Chocolate and Coffee, warm heaters and shelter from the chilly rain outside. While currently sitting at 47 degrees, don’t let that fool you, the cold rain brings a chill to the bones. Wear plenty of layers and waterproof gear for your hikes today as well as tomorrow and possibly into Sunday morning. While our temps will remain cold and above freezing, much of the rocky areas leading up to the lodge may be slippery. Watch your footing and come join others by the heaters!

Happy Friday Eve!

It’s yet another cold day here on the mountain with a current temp of 31 degrees. Our high and low over the last 24 hours are much like the day before ranging between the mid 20s to mid 40s. This time of year, this average range is to be expected at the upper elevations. The sun is shining and there is a light dew on the ground creating a foggy layer around sunlit areas as they dry. Today is also our last predicted sunny day until midday Sunday so come enjoy the day with us before the weather changes!

Good afternoon!

It’s a chilly day here in camp as numerous day hikers bundle up around the warm heaters and drink hot coffee before their journey back down the mountain. At 6593’ we are currently at 37 degrees. While chilly to most, we see it as a nice warm up from our 25 degree overnight low. Be cautious while on trail as the higher elevations are likely to have some slippery spots where the sun hasn’t warmed the earth yet. While we have no clouds in sight, the trees with their beautiful fall colors will keep much of the trail covered and cool. As we head into the weekend, we’re expecting a warm up with 55 as the predicted high and rain beginning Friday afternoon and through Saturday. Enjoy the nice weather while it lasts!

Good Morning,

It's been a wet start to this Tuesday, but conditions around the mountain are expected to improve as the day progresses.  We tallied 0.2" of rainfall at time of reporting, with liquid precip still coming down.  Temps have once again been moderate, hanging out between 43 and 49 degrees.  Once this front pushes through, we're looking at a sharp drop in overnight temps...the freezing variety.  Come ready for the cold, but also consider having those traction devices handy.  All this rain we've received recently may not have made its way off the mountain entirely by the time temps plummet, causing it to freeze on trail.  That means greater potential for slick places.

As stated yesterday, we're well into the autumn season now in the Smokies.  Any leaf change at the highest elevations has come and gone with the wind, but we're into the phase now where the middle elevations are glowing with vivid glory.  When the sun is out, the forest understory shines bright in gold as the light passes through the changing canopy.  Depending on what elevation you're at, there are opportunities to enjoy the various reds and oranges.  The lowest reaches remain true to the greens of summer, holding on tightly in these brisk winds, refusing to transform despite the abrupt nudge from frigid temps.

The scenery along the Bull Head Trail these days is a mixture of inspiring and heart wrenching.  The views are expansive and breathtaking.  The devastation from the fires and landslides is sobering.

But there is hope...

Among the slim and charred spines of now-dead tree stumps are chutes and saplings of infantile vegetation full of life and frenetic growth.  Table Mountain Pine, Rhododendron, Fetterbush are all knee high, with numerous Oaks and Maples already achieving head height as they reach for the sky.  There is solace in knowing that beautiful places like Bull Head were not completely lost, but reborn from the ashes.  Consider a hike on the Bull Head Trail in the future, not only to marvel at nature's resiliency, but at the handy work of the NPS trail crews to rehabilitate and reopen the trail this past year.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great afternoon!