Good Afternoon,

We’ve entered into another stretch of life above the clouds. The lowlands seem to be routinely socked in of late, and if we don’t have to endure our own private little cap cloud, we get spoiled with stellar views out into the open ocean of white fluff as far as the eye can see. Temps have again been moderate, hovering in the 40’s. Today will be one of the warmer days we’ll have for the next while. There is a chance for showers tomorrow morning, clearing out by the afternoon. Tuesday night we expect a sharp drop in temps, so come layered up.

If you’re looking for a fall color update specific to Mt. LeConte, here it is. If there was ever a time to try and catch optimal leaf change on our mountain’s slopes, it would be this week. After an extensive tour of the mountain, colors are peaking between 3,500 and 5,500 feet. Where can you expect to see the best color right now in terms of popular landmarks? Here are some helpful hints in case you still have to plan your next hike...

*Alum Cave - the lower half of the trail.
*Rainbow Falls - above the falls and below Rocky Spur.
*Bull Head - a mile above Old Sugarlands all the way up and around Balsam Point.
*Trillium Gap - particularly in the range of Brushy Mountain.

The drive around the Roaring Fork is serving up some delicious eye candy, just come ready for the line of traffic. Have a great rest of the day!

Good Morning,

We’re staring out into a dense fog, a mountain top shrouded in mist and mystery. Temps have been mild, dancing around in the 40’s, and we received more rain in a single day yesterday than we have in a while. 1.8” on the mountain to be exact, and we’re sure the rest of East TN was delighted to receive some as well.

​Conditions should improve throughout the day and tomorrow, with temps getting quite a bit warmer across all elevations. Should make for a nice day to play in the woods before the next cold snap and rain chance returns Tuesday. If you have plans to visit the mountain during such a crossover, come ready with all the appropriate shells and layers.

Reminder to overnight guests, that we are serving you supper at 5:30 instead of the usual 6:00 to allow you ample time to summit Cliff Tops for sunset. Once we hit the time change in November we’ll of course swing meal service times back the opposite direction, allowing folks to enjoy sunset before supper. Hard to believe, but it’s coming quickly!

Have a great end to the week!

Good afternoon,

​What’s been a glorious stretch of sunny days is coming to a halt today, as clouds fill the sky and the threat of rain looms for the latter of the day. Yesterday’s high reached 50° and our low dipped to a chilly 31°. It is currently 42 and cloudy.

Sunday should be better for exploring the woods in drier conditions. We’re more than halfway through what is one of the busiest months in the Smokies. Remember to get to the trailheads early if you’re hoping to snag a paved parking spot, otherwise you’ll be adding to your hike by parking along the road.

Have a great weekend!

Good Morning All,

We could not ask for a more picture perfect morning. When I awoke to make breakfast this morning it was a chilling 29 degrees. We are warming up fast though as it is already 41 degrees outside. No rainfall is keeping the icy conditions at bay for now. Today we can expect clear bright blue skies all day. No rain on the forecast. It looks like, for the next couple of days at least, temperatures will remain above freezing. Still expecting to see temps in the mid 30s so plan to pack those warm layers. Getting later into winter we are seeing sunset times drop fast. Currently seeing the sunset at 6:55PM with total darkness arriving a few moments after. Be sure to get an early start if you are planning a trip up to avoid being caught in the dark.

Good Morning,

Burrrr, its a cold morning on the mountain. We dropped last night to a bone chilling 22 degrees! Thankful for clear skies today to warm us up. Currently 31 degrees. We are expecting to stay in the 30s for most of the day. Looking ahead into the weekend we can expect warmer weather averaging around mid 40s. If you are planning a trip up be sure to pack some warm layers as winter is making its way to us. There is no ice to be found around camp but still take precautions and pack those traction devices. With the air cooling day we are getting some great visibility. Sunsets can be expected to be spectacular these next few days.

Good morning,

Well the rain clouds finally caught up to us. 0.6 inches of rain last night and still counting. Thick layers of cloud cover are reducing visibility to just a few feet. Temperatures are staying above freezing for now but forecasts are calling for that to change this afternoon as we expect to see temps in the lower 30s and possibly the upper 20s. Rainfall is not expected to continue into the night but ground conditions will still be wet so take precautions for icy conditions at higher elevations. It is currently 47 degrees outside.

Good afternoon

its another beautiful day for us on top of Mount LeConte. Partly cloudy with a gentle breeze is keeping us cool. It is currently 48 degrees outside which is a nice improvement from last nights low of 37. No rain is expected for today but forecasts are calling for small chances tomorrow. Temperatures are going to continue to drop over the next few days and with possibility of rain we might see some icy conditions at higher elevations.

Good morning all,

Those cold temps are continuing for us at 6593 feet. Crew is finishing their mourning routines bundled in warm layers as it is currently 39 degrees outside. Last nights overall low came it at 37 degrees. We can expect to see this lower temps for a while. If planning a trip up be sure to pack some warm layers and look to see temps ranging from low 30s to upper 40s. Thankfully no rain fall recently so not expecting icy conditions at the moment.

With the cold air making its way through the mountains we are graced with crystal clear views as far as the eye can see. Don’t forget to swing by cliff tops or Myrtle point for some fantastic vistas. Even though things are getting chill outside the lodge, inside it is warm and toasty. Heaters are roaring and hot coffee is pouring to create a wonderful oasis out of the elements.

Good Morning,

The mountain held its own against the first threat of cold this season. There was very little temperature variance, as our high of 49° was accompanied by a low of 45°. No new precipitation once again. Today expects to be slightly warmer, especially in the lower elevations. Tonight’s low should be about the same, while the next chance for a cold spell will hit the region mid-week.

Somethings we overhear or get asked a lot - likely not as often as the fine folks staffing the Park visitor centers - are the pronunciations of certain names and places around our favorite mountain. Ever wanted to sound more like one of the locals? Here is a helpful guide to a few key names...

LECONTE - As in our very special mountain. Even here in southern Appalachia, this word sticks pretty close to its French roots. The first E comes out as more of a relaxed “uh” while the second E is nonexistent. So phonetically...luh-CONT. One hears several variations out there...Luh-Contee, Luh-Contay, LayContay, LeeContee...all interesting and exotic sounding, but alas, incorrect.

ALUM - As in the ever popular Alum Cave Bluffs. Imagine you’re taking to your friend Al, but then forgot what you we’re going to say next (“ummm”). AL-um. The emphasis being on the front end, unlike shared spellings such as aluminum or alumni.

NEWFOUND - As in Newfound Gap. It’s interesting to hear folks try and tie this to the way our Canadian neighbors to the north pronounce Newfoundland, where “found” becomes “fund.” Here in East TN/West NC, the original namers weren’t trying to make it difficult. A “new” way was “found” across the mountain range: hence, Newfound Gap.

LLAMAS - As in our awesome supply packers! Although in Spanish the “LL” takes on a “Y” sound, llama is a Quechuan word from the indigenous people of the Andes, long before the Spanish arrived in South America. There are numerous takes on what the correct pronunciation should be around the world. But here in America, especially East TN, we’re sticking with the LL’s. Side note, the animals under the employ of LeConte Lodge are 100% llamas. Not to be confused with alpacas.

Good Morning,

We’re already into the second weekend of October, and it looks to be busier than the last. Conditions continue to feel more autumn-like, and the changing of the colors is beginning in the upper reaches of the park. The crisp air around the lodge and the crunching of leaves under foot helps to set the mood. No pumpkin spice up here though, just good old fashioned Mt. LeConte Hot Chocolate!

Yesterday’s high temp topped out at a comfy 59°, and our low dipped down to 40°. We didn’t see any precipitation at the time of reporting. Skies are partly cloudy with temps hovering in the mid 40s. Whether our temps plummet in unison with what is expected in the valley is yet to be seen, but the next two evenings ought to see some of the chilliest temps we’ve felt in some time.

Some helpful tips as one prepares for an upcoming trip to the lodge...
*Stay hydrated! Even though the heat and humidity have dissipated, and your body doesn’t work up as intense a sweat, it is still important to replenish those electrolytes.

*Bring extra dry/warm layers. Your body temp will rise during the ascent and you will want to shed layers to prevent overheating and moisture buildup. Shortly after you stop being active upon reaching the top, your body will start cooling down and the air temps will intensify the shift. Applying dry/warm layers will keep you comfortable and stave off the threat of hypothermia.

*Ascend and descend early. We’re into the part of the calendar year now where we lose daylight fast. The sun sets around 7:00 PM currently, but in the deep valleys and hollers of these mountains it can get darker much sooner, especially if it’s cloudy. If the thought of hiking in the dark sounds daunting, consider the time it takes you to do a hike of this nature. The average hiker will typically take 3-4 hours to descend the mountain. Allowing yourself enough daylight for the hike down and the drive out of the park means leaving the lodge by mid-afternoon, ideally between 2-3 PM. Starting early means getting to take your time coming up while still having enough time to relax and enjoy the mountain. Our day hiker services begin at NOON, so that leaves one plenty of time to purchase one of our famous “I hiked it” shirts and a no-bake cookie before departing.

It’s a fabulous time of year to enjoy these mountains. It’s our hope that everyone does so safely and responsibly. Have a great weekend!