 Good morning, It’s currently 27 degrees with heavy snow falling - roughly 3” inches of snow has fallen since my weather report at 6:45AM. We received 2” of rain, yesterday. Recent radio reports are scheduling for HWY 441 to close due to weather conditions. Stay up to date on the road’s status here: https://goo.gl/HikrMr 24 hour temperature range | High: 40 Low: 27 -- Waking in the night, I listened closely for the silence of snowfall. The percussion of rain remained as I drifted back to sleep. Dreams of a winter wonderland lulled me deeper into the abyss. Would the snow come? My watch alarm reminded me to start the day. I jumped out of bed and ran to my window - it was raining. Darn. Geared up for another saturated day on Mt. LeConte, I grabbed my flashlight and walked out into the morning haze. Suddenly, the rain stopped. Silence. Mammoth flakes began tumbling from the sky. A white Christmas was being served ahead of schedule… I wasn’t going to complain. Onward, Seth Gone away is the bluebird here to stay is a new bird He sings a love song as we go along walking in a winter wonderland Richard B. Smith
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 Good morning, It’s currently 29 degrees with high winds and freezing rain. The trails are extremely slick. Be wary if you’re venturing out. 24 hour temperature range | High: 47 Low: 25 -- Cold winds press heavily against the wood cabin walls. Climbing out of bed, I go to the skylight and peer out at the landscape. A sheet of ice grows on the window pane. The mountain will soon be sealed in a jacket of ice. A smile eases across my face - I should have brought my ice skates. It’s during these days of winter that I take the mountain’s offerings as they come - never over-planning; never over-worrying. Runnable trail has now become a skating rink; I take the sentiment as a cue to smear preserves on a hot slab of cast-iron corn bread. Savoring the last bite; I prepare another. In the moment, I wonder how anything could dowse a positive attitude; especially when you add-in a slice of cornbread. Onward, Seth  “Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.” Bruce Lee
 Good morning, It’s currently 40 degrees, partly cloudy with low winds and a chance of minestrone. There are still signs of snow in the dark corners of the mountain but with warming temperatures, that will continue to change. There is still lingering ice on the trail in the higher elevations. 24 hour temperature range | High: 50 Low: 31 -- The smell of warm butter and fresh preserves pulls me away from the computer. Staring at the plate of homemade biscuits, I wondered if I’d ever make it back to the glowing screen. Would the blog ever get done? Fresh eggs scrambled with gruyere and spinach joined my warm companions - I’d make it back to my computer, just not yet. Well into my breakfast, I pause and let my thoughts rest on the sunrise. Tucked behind a curtain of clouds, the sun never made the stage. Ready for the moment, grapefruit streaks of pre-dawn light danced high in the atmosphere, stealing the show. I come back to the golden scramble waiting patiently on the tip of my fork… …a fitting encore. Onward, Seth  “We plan, we toil, we suffer -- in the hope of what?
A camel-load of idol's eyes? The title deeds of Radio City? The empire of Asia? A trip to the moon? No, no, no, no. Simply to wake up just in time to smell coffee and bacon and eggs. And, again I cry, how rarely it happens! But when it does happen -- then what a moment, what a morning, what a delight!” J. B. Priestley  Good morning, It’s currently 35 degrees and clear up top. There are trace amounts of snow still present, but with warming temperatures, that will likely change. There is still plenty of ice on the trail in the higher elevations. 24 hour temperature range | High: 35 Low: 25 -- It felt like a summer morning on the slate ledges of Myrtle Point. The wind whispered softly in the distance. My mind drifted to specific spot in my dresser drawer - was that old t-shirt still resting there? Pastel brush strokes danced across the northern sky, beckoning my attention; no - the morning light demanded. Back in the moment, every ray of light was a celebration. The Boulevard Trail glowed with glee - I happily mirrored the sentiment. Making slow progress home, I stopped in another patch of light to let the sun’s golden rays warm my cheeks. The day was off to a good start. Onward, Seth  “We are all broken, that’s how the light gets in.”
Ernest Hemingway  Good morning, It’s currently 27 degrees and clear up top. The north face of the mountain is getting most of the wind. With these cold temperatures - the trails have become quite icy in spots. 24 hour temperature range: High 33 Low 25 -- Well caffeinated, I felt my legs being whisked up the ice glazed trail. Probably moving too fast, I couldn’t help but chase the layer of lemon meringue skyline bursting through the spruce. In the distance the wind pushed and pulled like a gentle ocean. Soft morning light began to fill the dark corners of Mt. LeConte. Many of those corners hadn’t seen light in over four days. Welcoming the contrast, I couldn’t help but smile at the scene. It would be a crisp bluebird Monday up top. I suddenly felt a need to celebrate... Homemade LeConte Lodge pizza’s should do the trick. Onward, Seth  "Art is a celebration of life, intended by the artist to put the spectator in touch with the divine." Joseph Plaskett  Good morning, It’s currently 28 degrees and socked-in up top. We received .5” inches of new snow. The road (HWY 441) is currently open. Stay up to date on any changes at the link below. https://goo.gl/HikrMr 24 hour temperature range: High 38 Low 26 -- The soothing hum of wind can be heard in the distance. Fresh snow clings to my boots. Damp sleet kisses my cheeks. I smile. Winter was back up top - I was back in the shaken snow globe. How long before the glass ornament settles? How long before blue skies return? The thoughts don’t worry me much. I have plenty of books to keep me company during the grey days. It’s colder than I anticipated and my coffee rest coolly back in the kitchen. How long do I want to dwell out here in the frozen rain? Again, the thoughts don’t worry me much. I have plenty of time to warm up… I disappear into the forest. Onward, Seth "I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move."
Robert Louis Stevenson  Good morning, It’s currently 37 degrees and socked-in up top. There are trace amounts of snow remaining on the ground. The trails are still quite icy; and with a slick coat of rain on top, the higher elevations will be particularly slick. 24 hour temperature range: High 44 Low 37 -- The world is quiet; the battle for Mt. LeConte is at its end. Winter’s control over the ridge has succumbed to warm rains and the steady advance of gulf winds. With a strong cup of black coffee, I move quietly up the trail. The mountain has a haunted feeling - in a good way. It feels as if, at any moment, something supernatural might occur. I could just as well bump into a unicorn as I could the headless horseman. Finishing the morning loop, I come back to the lodge - grabbing the black lantern and going out again. With the master key in hand, I begin taking a tour of the cabins. This adds to the eeriness of the day; I want the full experience. Making my way into the office, the once bustling building remains quiet, hollow. The warm glow of the lantern adds a comfort to the place. How many people have passed through these doors? How many more will feel the joy of the LeConte Lodge? I wonder at the former and smile at the latter. What a special place - this mountain, this lodge. How fortunate I am to witness so many days, so many of Mt. LeConte's moods. I grab the lantern and leave - locking the door behind me. Onward, Seth  “I felt a wish never to leave that room - a wish that dawn might never come, that my present state of mind might never change.”
Leo Tolstoy  Good morning, It’s currently 34 degrees and cloudy with high winds. Mt. LeConte is in a mood. We still have 5” inches of snow on the ground, but that is changing rapidly. 24 hour temperature range: High 41 Low 30 -- The wind screamed like a banshee. Staring out my single pane loft window, I watched the forest ebb and flow like an upset ocean. What ice remained on the trees flung like bullets against the cedar board & batten. I was under attack. Checking my watch, I couldn’t delay any longer - I geared up and joined the fray. The snow was melting fast. The compacted footpaths had become a thick sheet of ice. Skating toward the kitchen, the wind flanked me on the left - pushing me down the hill. Bracing for impact, my hand found the wood railing. I pressed on. Stomping into the kitchen, I dropped my backpack and lit the kerosene lanterns. My eyes drifted toward a jar filled with fresh ground coffee - ammunition. Huddled over my mug, I made a loop around camp. The wind continued to push and pull in every direction. I took cover under the deck of the main office. Each sip of coffee left me better calibrated. With weather like this, reinforcements were unlikely. I laughed inside - the coffee was loading up my imagination. I looked down at the ceramic mug - one shot left… Outnumbered, I called in the retreat. Onward, Seth  "When the wind is blowing and the sleet or rain is driving against the dark windows, I love to sit by the fire, thinking of what I have read in books of voyage and travel."
Charles Dickens  UPDATE! I keep mentioning that you should plan for icy conditions; and yet, I haven't shared any "what to have" information. Let's change that shall we? There are numerous options available. I’ll keep it brief and mention two options that should be available locally.
I’ve used both options extensively and they are excellent safety tool for traveling in the higher elevations during the winter. Ultimately, in the world of ice traction, you get what you pay for. Local Option: NOC Gatlinburg 1138 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738 (865) 277-8209 --- Good Morning, It’s currently 34 degrees, and cloudy up top. There is currently 6” inches of snow on the ground. Prepare for snow and slushy conditions in the higher elevations. 24 hour temperature range: High 34 Low 25 -- Walking quietly through the forest, I listen as the spruce celebrate their new found freedom. Warm air was softening the frozen grip of snow and ice. Cascades of slush slipped joyously from the emerald branches. I pause. Like a soft snap of the fingers, the whole mountain dripped in unison. Continuing up the trail, I was happy to see the mountain making moves, making changes. The sun didn’t sing long; a short ballad above the mountain tops before disappearing into the wispy curtain above. I smiled for the gift - grateful for the moment. Looking around, the evergreens stood taller than before - continuing their dripping ovation. Onward, Seth P.S. - You are amazing! When I walked into the NOC to check my mail, they said I that I now have my own box for all my mail. I was confused; then I saw all the goodies you sent! I'll say it again, YOU ARE AMAZING! The list of goodies is incredible: Ten different types of dark chocolate, every dried fruit imaginable, a new book, fresh baked cookies, Collins Street Bakery Fruitcake, and on and on. My cheeks still hurt from smiling. I must say, it was not a light load heading up the mountain, but I was happy to do it! Thanks again for making my day, yesterday!  "Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been."
Mark Twain  Good morning, It’s currently 29 degrees. There is currently 7” inches of snow on the ground. Prepare for snow and icy conditions in the higher elevations. 24 hour temperature range: High 29 Low 12 -- Good morning, Crunching up the Cliff Tops trail, I listened as the wind slapped the tree tops. Sunset would be a battle. On top of the ridge, I huddled next to the myrtle and continued marching toward the ledges. I walked out onto the Cliff Tops; the light was a vibrant orange, peak golden hour. Sharp gusts of wind threw the powdery snow into my eyes. Ducking deeper into the forest, I found a vantage point to watch the setting sun. Crouched in the snow, I marveled at the perfect combination of beauty and peril the wilderness never fails to provide. Onward, Seth  "Someday is not a day of the week." -Denise Brennan-Nelson
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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
March 2025
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