Good Morning,
Approaching the final weekend of the season and it’s going to be a beautiful one. Looking at abundantly sunny skies today, tomorrow, and much of Sunday. Starting off in the upper 30s, but it shouldn’t take long to warm up with the rising sun and find ourselves in the lower 50s by midday. A slight breeze is possible adding a minor chill for some in those shaded places. Continue to watch for slick spots on the trail as temps flip flop around the freezing mark early on and late in the day. In a few days time we’ll also be at 10 hours of daylight, so remember to pack those headlamps and know well in advance of your hike when it is safest to turn around. Have a great day.
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Good Afternoon,
Soak up that sunshine! Skies are clear and beautiful across the Smokies yet again today. Despite a slight occasional breeze, conditions should feel great from top to bottom. The lodge might even tip toe close to 50° this afternoon. Lows will still hang around the freezing mark. We are expecting a few more gorgeous days in the park leading into the weekend. As it stands there is a slight chance for showers late Sunday. From that point up until lodge close we could be doing a tango with clouds and passing showers, but temps will remain mild. We might actually escape without an autumn season snowfall or flurry by the time we close our doors. Just six more days to find out! Alum Cave and Trillium Gap trails we can confirm have been cleared of all recent storm debris. Bull Head and Rainbow Falls have had some obstacles reported, but may not be cleared right away this late in the year as things wind down across the park. Have a great rest of the day. Good Morning,
The skies remain clear and the air is still cold. Should be the story for the next several days before a slight weekend warmup. Temps are starting off in the 20s again today, and a breeze will certainly bring the wind chill factor into play. We might get above freezing by midday when the sun is at its highest, but with the lower angle this time of year and the lodge positioned on a northern facing slope, there tends to be more shade longer with each passing day. There are no precip chances until late Sunday, but these freeze/thaw cycles along the trails will see icy patches come and go throughout the day and night. Not to the extreme that everyone should wear traction devices on their feet, but enough that one should be extra mindful of foot placement. We’re at the one week to go mark, and everyone’s excited about putting a ribbon on a very busy season. Have a great day. Good Morning,
Well, we can’t say for sure if Dorothy is still in Kansas anymore, but we do know the worst of the winds are behind us. The mountain was howling like a jet engine for much of the day yesterday. There was a brief period of rain around lunch time that didn’t hang around very long. Although it was quickly followed by sunny skies across the Smokies, the front brought us much cooler air. We’re looking at several nights this week with temps getting below freezing before finally warming back up by the weekend. Highs will be in the upper 30s and lower 40s. Today will start calm, but strong winds return this evening and will persist through the week. Calling for sustained winds of 15-20mph and gusts as much as 35mph. We have a steady stream of trail conditions intel coming in on Alum Cave and Trillium Gap, but if you stumble across any freshly downed trees on the mountain’s other trails, please let us or the fine folks at the NPS visitor center’s know so the hazards can be addressed. Thank you. The season is down to single digits now! Have a great beginning to the week. Good Morning,
The winds are howling this Sunday and halfway point of November! We are currently under a strong High Wind Warning that lasts until 3:00 PM this afternoon. Sustained winds of 25-30 mph with gusts now up to 60mph anticipated. We’ve already received reports of trees down on area trails. Use caution while out and about in these conditions today until the winds subside in a few hours. A quick cold front will push through around lunch time bringing a slight chance of rain, but once it passes temperatures will begin to drop. We’ll be feeling much cooler temps the next few days and get well below freezing at night. Fortunately we’re looking at a solid streak of sunny days this coming week, but folks will still need to be wary of possible ice on the trails in the morning as we dance through the daily freeze/thaw cycle. Tonight and tomorrow morning there will be a break in the strong winds, but they are expected to ramp up again Monday night. We’ll pass along specific details of post-storm trail conditions as we receive them, but in the meantime, be cautious out there. Good Morning,
Happy sunny Saturday from high above Tennessee. It’s going to be a gorgeous November day for outdoor exploration. Temps are starting off in the low 40s but should have no problem jumping up into the 50s today. It feels great in the sun, but can have a slight chill in the shade, so be sure and have those extra layers just in case. Beginning late tonight clouds should start to roll in along with an increase in wind activity. We’ll be under a High Wind Advisory tomorrow as sustained winds of 25-30mph and gusts up to 45mph are expected. There is a slight chance for rain showers during the early part of the day before clearing off in the afternoon. Trails are still a bit soggy in places, and there is still plenty of leaf litter in the lower elevations to obscure slick or jagged surfaces. Have a great weekend. Good Morning,
It’s the penultimate weekend of the season, and because it’s 2020, also throwing Friday the 13th into the mix. Already shaping up to be a beautiful day on the mountain as the evening’s starry sky gives way to a soothing sunrise. We had the good fortune of living life above the clouds all day yesterday. Calm air and a warming sun made for an enjoyable treat for any hiker reaching the summit. Temps are cooling a bit compared to where we’ve been of late, with highs in the lower 50s and bottoming out in the mid 30s last night. Today and tomorrow look to be sunny and beautiful, although winds are expected to ramp up leading into some stormy weather in Sunday. Calling for gusts upwards of 45mph in the coming days, so be ready to hold on to your hats! Trails are still going to be squishy in places from all that rain we had the other day. Have a great day. Good Morning,
Now less than two weeks remaining in the season and it’s going by quick. As expected, yesterday was spent entirely in the clouds with rain showers rolling in and out much of the day and through the night. There’s a chance for some lingering showers this morning, but otherwise the remainder of today should be mostly cloudy. If these sunrise conditions are any indication, the top of the mountain might actually get to enjoy life above a sea of clouds. Temps are mild again, although our lows the next few nights could slowly find themselves dipping back into the 30s. Friday and Saturday are looking sunny and stellar for spending time in the outdoors. Eta appears to be blowing out to sea and away from our region, but it’s still too early to rule out any late season tropical storms given how active this year has been. We’ll see how these remaining days shake out. Have a great day. Good Morning,
In recognition of Veterans Day, a heartfelt thank you to all those who have so honorably served for our nation. It might have been a superbly sunny day everywhere else but the mountain top yesterday, as the summit struggled to let go of its cap cloud. That coverage has only further taken hold through the night with wind and rain set to dominate this Wednesday. Wet conditions the last several hours will have the trails thoroughly soaked, so watch for slick surfaces and mud underneath any leaf litter. Temps should remain mild again today in the 40s and 50s. The rain is expected to last well into Thursday before easing up. Winds upwards of 25mph will persist as well during that period, so pay close attention to the trees as they dance and shake around you. Stay dry out there! Good Morning,
Oh, beautiful weather please don’t leave us! Today could be the last absolutely stunning autumn day for a while. Late tonight and throughout the week we are expecting the return of the rain. So if you are to be on the trail tomorrow, come dressed and ready for wet conditions. Temps will remain mild, between the 40s and 50s. Fall color is wrapping up in the lowest elevations, while deep in the park it’s beginning to look more like winter (sans snow of course!). Today marks the official reopening of Trillium Gal Trail. The Trails Forever team have completed their two year rehabilitation work, so now visitors to the Smokies can access Mt. LeConte via Trillium Gap everyday of the week once again. LeConte Lodge can’t thank the hardworking trail crews enough for all that they’ve done to improve the trail for lodge visitors, guests, and our beloved llamas. May their work last for ages to come and stand up to all that Mother Nature decides to throw at it. And a special thanks for Friends of the Smokies and GSMNP for making this work possible these last six years, not only on Trillium Gap, but Rainbow Falls and Alum Cave as well. Have a great day. |
LeConte LodgeWelcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain! Archives
April 2024
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