Good Morning!

The mountain received almost 2 inches of rain last night and lt’s cloudy and very windy this morning. Consequently the road is closed at the present time.

Yesterday was a beautiful day on the mountain with very little foot traffic on top.

If you plan to visit Mt LeConte today be sure to bring your raincoat.

From High On Leconte!
​WILDCAT
​

Good Morning!
After a rather chilly beginning, yesterday turned out to be an awesome day on our favorite mountain! The clouds burned off by lunch time and left us with clear blue skies and sunshine above and an inversion of clouds below.

​Skies above LeConte are clear this morning. Be aware that there is a high wind advisory for this afternoon
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The lodge had no day hikers visiting yesterday so it was very quiet up here on top. My big excitement for the day was my first ever attempt at baking a French bread baguette. I was very pleased with the results ! I will no longer have to hike down to town for fresh bread!

I hope that you have a great day today
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HAPPY TRAILS!!
​WILDCAT

Good Morning Y’all!

It’s a chilly 29 degrees up here this morning and yes, of course we have fog. This is actually the lowest temperature that I’ve experienced since I came up a week ago. But at least the winds have died down during the night.

There was a lot less foot traffic on the top of the mountain on Sunday than what we saw on Saturday. We did see a nice sunset from Cliff Tops last night.

The Llamas packed up some Swiss cheese on their last trip of the season to the lodge last Wednesday, so we enjoyed cheese fondue for dinner last night. For breakfast this morning I’m learning to bake biscuits on the lodge’s new kitchen stove. Later today I’m planning to practice baking French bread baguettes.

I’m anticipating a nice quiet day on the mountain.

From High On LeConte,
WILDCAT
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Hello from Mt LeConte!
Today got off to a rather miserable start—high winds, rain, and of course fog/low clouds. The temperature at 7:00 AM was 46 degrees. Yesterday’s high was 52 degrees with sunshine.

We had a lot of day hikers yesterday since it was Saturday and the weather was nice. There were still reports of some icy spots on some of the trails, so watch your step!

Be certain to wear and/or carry adequate jackets and layers because the wind today is brisk and cold. Wear caps and gloves. The good news is that the wind has blown the clouds and fog away from the top of the mountain and the sun is now shining brightly.

It’s another beautiful day on top of our favorite mountain!

From High On LeConte,
​WILDCAT
​

Happy Thanksgiving!

Guests, crew, and llamas all had a gorgeous day for bidding adieu to the rustic mountaintop and descending down to the busy world of lights and technology below. It’s a beautiful holiday today for anyone spending time with family and friends in the Smokies. Despite the lodge being closed during the winter months, it’s not unusual for numerous day hikers to visit the summit when the weather is tantalizing, which is certainly the case today. With sunny skies above, we could creep close to the 50° mark again this afternoon. Winds will be light to keep some areas cool, but open slabs of rock at vistas like Cliff Tops and Myrtle Point will feel fabulous for basking in the sun or sitting down for a snack. Lows tonight should stay in the 40s before another mild day in the mountains tomorrow. Friday is calling for the reintroduction of clouds and a strong chance of rain, which will probably send folks inside for tackling some holiday shopping or sleeping off a bountiful feast.

There is much to be thankful for on this special day, an appropriate time to reflect on the memorable moments of the past season and appreciate all those who made it possible. It’s no minor feat to bring thousands of visitors a safe and enjoyable experience in the backcountry. Whether out front selling shirts and serving up savory platters, or working the magic behind the scenes booking reservations or tending to our lovable llamas, we are thankful for the many wonderful people who are committed to our guests and making a positive impact on our beloved national park. Of course, this beautiful shared experience atop a majestic mountain is only possible because of you, our dear patrons, whether staying overnight or dropping in for an afternoon. Thank you for choosing us as your preferred getaway from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

From all of us at LeConte Lodge and Stokely Hospitslity Enterprises, we wish you a safe and satisfying Thanksgiving holiday. Happy trails!

Good Morning,

It’s Closing Day of the 2022 season! Last night’s guests who helped us bookend what was been a busy past eight months are slurping down the last coffee and pancakes to be whipped up until March 2023. The jubilant crew is ready to put a ribbon on all they’ve accomplished this year. The weather is fantastic for a final day on the mountain. Plenty of sunshine is expected today, and even though we’re starting out around freezing with some light frost on the grass, temps should soar this afternoon jumping as high as 50°. Much of the ice on trail has melted in recent days, and today’s warmth might just take care of the rest. The Thanksgiving holiday is shaping up to be nice for outdoor ramblings, but rain showers are expected to roll in tomorrow night and persist through the weekend. After today, the weather can throw all it wants at the mountain.

Even though all visitor services at the lodge will stop until next spring, folks hiking to the summit will still have access to the pit privies at the far west end of camp. Our caretakers always do a great job keeping them stocked and cleaned daily. Anyone looking for water will need to filter it from the natural spring located 100’ down the Trillium Gap northeast of camp. There will be no inside shelter at the lodge for anyone at anytime, so come prepared for all climate conditions if attempting the mountain this winter. Camping of any kind on all lodge grounds is strictly prohibited. The backcountry shelter a quarter mile up the hill from the lodge requires permits, all regulated by the NPS. And as always, caring and responsible visitors to the Smokies are expected to pack at all trash.

Even though our on site gift shop will be closed, there is a great lineup of lodge swag available 24/7 through our online store. With the holiday season swinging into gear, there’s no better time to get that sweet lodge memorabilia for loved ones and friends. Check out this year’s exclusive ornament and more here!

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

A heat wave is coming, and by that we mean the possibility of an afternoon high temp in the 40s. Today should be another splendid day spent in endless sunshine with grand views in all directions. Winds will still have an effect on conditions as gusts of 20mph will keep a nagging chill in the air at times. Tuesday is looking pleasant as well for the last full day of the season, with the forecast calling for a bit more clouds. Trails continue to have plenty of ice, but hopefully the return of warmer temps combined with sun will help thin down the remaining patches. Today and tomorrow are the last opportunities for day hikers to visit our gift shop to purchase souvenirs and snacks. After that, everyone making the journey to the top is solely responsible for having adequate apparel and sustenance until next spring. The crew enjoyed a most delicious feast yesterday, sharing great company among friends and colleagues while reminiscing over what has been a memorable past eight months plus. With just two guest nights remaining, everyone is excited to power through and to see what their winter off-season has in store.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

It’s a bone chilling start to this Sunday after another frigid starry night atop the mountain. We got down to about 2° in the middle of the night, and when you factor in wind chills we were bottoming out around -10°. The sun will be shining brightly over the Smokies again today but little warmth will come of it compared to these icy temps. Plenty of slick places still remain on the trails, and traction devices are essential the higher up one climbs. Monday looks like another promising day for outdoor rambles with hopefully slightly “warmer” temps in the 30s, as the thermometer is finally expected to ascend out of this wintry blast we’ve been enduring. Just 3 more days to go in the season!

Have a great day.