Good Morning,

This final and fifth weekend of October is starting off in awesome autumn fashion. Mild temps across all elevations and sun-filled skies are sure to lure in the masses today. The mountaintop should easily ascend into the mid 50s this afternoon. Winds will start out light but are expected to ramp up later this evening in conjunction with the incoming rain. Sunday and the front half of Halloween are calling for plenty of clouds and precip possibilities. Folks wanting pristine conditions for a day trip to the summit should consider tackling the mountain today, especially if you want those captivating views. Count on plenty of congestion in and around the park this weekend.

More rain would be a welcomed sight these next couple days,
especially after what has been a rather quiet storm-producing season in the tropics. Today marks the 10th anniversary of the impressively momentous Hurricane Sandy that unloaded three feet of snow over three days on Mt. LeConte. Thankfully we aren’t expecting any of the fluffy stuff to fly anytime soon, but it just goes to show that we’re getting into the time of year where conditions in the backcountry can turn sour in a hurry. Research and preparation when it comes to forecasts and trail conditions will go a long way ensuring a safe and enjoyable time spent in the woods.

​Have a great weekend.

Good Morning,

​Some early cloud cover this Friday won’t last long, giving way to another sunny and beautiful October day. Skies will clear and temps will warm with each passing hour, taking us from the upper 30s this morning to the lower 50s this afternoon. Winds will be light passing overhead and through the bare trees, but conditions will be ripe for decent outdoor rambles in the woods. Tomorrow is going to start out pleasant as well, but weekend warriors will want to get their time in the mountains in early as wet and windy weather is expected to roll in Saturday night and linger until the month concludes. Temps this weekend will hover about where they are currently, but the crest could feel gusts around 30mph come Sunday. Down low where the leaf litter is still thick and fresh, be cautious when conditions turn wet as slick surfaces can be concealed underfoot.

Reminder not to delay in remitting payment if you have a reservation for 2023. The cutoff is next Tuesday, November 1st and phone lines are sure to busy with eager prospects hoping to snag newfound openings for next season. Contact our friendly and helpful reservations teams today and have peace of mind knowing you’re all set until stay next season’s stay.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

​A final Thursday of October is coming in sunny and mild. Mostly clear skies should persist atop the mountains today with relatively comfortable temps. Mid 30s to lower 50s is the expected range for today and tonight. Winds will be lighter as well, a good break after some strong gusts brought a few trees down on trails and roads yesterday. Kudos to the NPS maintenance crews for mopping it up promptly. Tomorrow and early Saturday look pleasant for some late autumn leaf ramblings before the rain chances return.

If you’re still hoping to catch some colors in the Smokies, about the best that remains is below 3,500 feet. Above that there is a slim range of brown varieties still clinging to their twig tips, and then it’s bare trees prepped for the inevitable arrival of winter. By Halloween, any leaf peeping left to be had might just be relegated to the lower fringes of the park boundary and gateway communities. Drives along the Cherokee Orchard and Roaring Fork roads are tantalizing, but take note that the NPS have temporarily closed a few paths in the vicinity (Twin Creeks and Gatlinburg trails) due to increased bear activity. This time of year is when bears actively forage for nuts and berries to tide them through the long winter months. Please respect the bears and all other wildlife by keeping a safe distance and not clogging up traffic patterns along park roadways.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Cloudy and breezy conditions persist over the mountains to start this Wednesday. Even though the Wind Advisory is set to expire this morning, gusts will continue to be a presence throughout the day, roaring as much as 45mph at times. Clouds and sunshine will battle for supremacy of the skies today with temps gradually dropping throughout the day. We’ll go from the 40s down into the lower 30s this evening, creeping closely to the freezing mark. Picturesque clear blue skies that have been the norm all month might be harder to come by these next few days, but the next rain chances don’t return until the weekend. With cooler temps and damp surfaces, be watchful for potential icy footing on trail when starting up early in the morning.

A quick shoutout to the Gatlinburg Recreation Dept. for putting on another great annual Halloween trick-or-treat event last night. Always a fun community gathering to be a part of right at the base of Mt. LeConte. Thank you to all the families and dressed-up kids who came by our booth for some tasty candy and sharing stories of past hikes to the lodge.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

We’re entering the final full week of October and more beautiful weather for exploring the great outdoors is in the works. The mountain will get to enjoy mostly sunny skies again today and decently warm temps as soon as the sun rises high enough the melt what little frost has accumulated overnight. High temps could reach the upper 50s this afternoon. Winds will be light today but are expected to gradually increase over the next 48 hours, gusting as much as 25mph come Tuesday night. At the same time we finally have our first rain chance in a while, and all would benefit if it came to fruition late Tuesday and lingering into Wednesday. After that, the remainder of the work week looks quite pleasant. This could be the last week to soak up any autumn colors in the lower elevations. As dry as it has been up here, it’s been even more so down below and in the gateway communities, causing some trees to go straight to brown. Drives to some of the mountain’s lower trailheads, like Cherokee Orchard and Roaring Fork, could provide some enjoyable displays. Just come prepared for long lines and traffic congestion if not getting an early start up the trail.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Glorious sunshine awaits us again this morning and hot cocoa hits the spot in fighting back the outdoor chill. Skies will be clear over the mountains today and temps continue to ascend higher up the thermometer. Although we’re starting off below freezing as the biscuits bake, we might reach 50° this afternoon. Winds will be light so it could feel rather toasty up top compared to where we’ve been in recent days. We have at least one more night of sun freezing temps ahead of us before what should be a beautiful and warm weekend.

​The trails have been loaded with hikers all week, nearly impossible to go without being in sight distance of another human during peak visitation. And with such a promising forecast on tap for the fourth weekend of October, the crowds are sure to pile into the park once again. What leaves have fallen in recent days have already been mulched up by the heavy foot traffic. About all that’s left on the trees now along Mt. LeConte’s slopes would be at the northern trailheads in Cherokee Orchard and while driving the Roaring Fork loop. The scene on the mountain’s south side once you get above the Chimney’s picnic area is already jumping into its winter dormancy. If anything, these cool temps have cleared the air and made for some great views toward the horizon.

Have a great day.