Good morning folks,

The winds have calmed which in comparison from yesterday it’s much calmer up top this morning. The high yesterday reached 38 degrees. The overnight low was 28 degrees. It is 37 degrees and socked in this morning. We received 0.03” of precipitation with our snow depth around 2-3”. Warmer weather returns with chances of rain tonight into tomorrow. A High Wind Watch will go in effect later tonight through Friday evening with heavy rain.

It was a good day to stay in rest yesterday. Heavy clouds layered the mountain with misty soaking rain. Winds howled the majority of the afternoon yesterday making it a very chilly day up top. With New Year’s Eve upon us . Saying goodbye to 2020. Hopefully clouds will clear tonight to see the fireworks at the Island in Pigeon Forge. A brand new year and new adventures begin tomorrow. How will you spend your first day of the year? See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

The misty mountain returns. Clouds lay heavy this morning on LeConte. The high yesterday was warm 47 degrees. Our overnight low dropped down to 24 degrees. It’s currently 28 degrees and socked in up top. We haven’t received any new snow so our snow depth stands around 4”. The trails are very slick with the foot traffic that has been around the mountain. Pack those traction devices folks they will be needed. Looks like rain moves into our area for the New Years. Have a great day folks.

The oil lamps burn strong this morning. Illuminating the much needed kitchen for a hot cup of coffee. Winds raced through camp as a take a sip and gaze out the back door. It’s always a great day on LeConte. The morning was set. What will today bring. Stay tuned! See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

Its a fine morning with clear skies and calm winds. The high yesterday was 34 degrees. The overnight low dipped down to 24 degrees. It is currently 26 degrees on the mountain. The snow depth is 5”. Trails are super slick and traction devices are a must for a safe trip. Also, there is no camping on the lodge property. Weather looks great with abundant sunshine until later this week with chances of rain.

Im back! Well I’m back home from Christmas break. It was a great time off the mountain with family. A special Thank You to Larry R. You’re the man! My hike back up Alum was slow with soggy conditions. Very warm day so my body temp heated up fast with a pack full of groceries and 10lbs of coffee. With evening approaching the skies teased me as if we were going to have a sunset. Well that didn’t happen. Clearing skies in the later evening made for a pleasant night on the mountain. My night was set and I was back home. See you at the top.

​PNUT

Good Morning,

Looking at another sunny and beautiful day across the Smokies, but conditions on the ground continue to make life difficult for foot and vehicular traffic. All roads accessing Mt. LeConte remain closed and there is no ETA for their reopening. Park road crews will continue to focus their efforts on an icy US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd). Hopefully these warmer temps today and bright sunshine will help in those endeavors. Any trees still coated with snow and ice could pose a threat for falling down, as light winds are expected still expected across our region. Temps around the lodge this morning are already around the freezing mark, but still plenty of snow on the ground upwards of a foot.

Special thank you to the road maintenance crews and electric companies who have been working tirelessly these past few days throughout East TN to restore power and road access to the Park and gateway communities. Stay safe out there!

Good Morning and Merry Christmas everyone!

It’s been an eventful start to the holiday. Here’s where we stand currently...

​*Currently 12” of snow and still coming down. Overnight low of -3°. Winter is here!
*US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) and Cherokee Orchard Rd remain closed due to ice, snow, downed trees, high winds, and just outright dangerous conditions. No ETA on when the park hopes to have any or all of these roads back open, but these closures could last well into the weekend.
*A WIND CHILL ADVISORY remains in effect until 4:00 AM Saturday. Wind chills as low as -20° are expected because of the frigid temperatures and high sustained winds upwards of 30 mph. The threat of falling trees, especially under the weight of ice and snow, remains very high.
*The region remains under a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY until 4:00 PM this evening, as lingering snow could continue to fall on the mountain. By Saturday clearer skies should return, but that doesn’t mean the park will suddenly become accessible. Cleanup inside the park and our gateway communities that were hard hit Christmas Eve will take time to remedy and make safe for travel.

Stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy the holiday season as best as you can.

Good Morning and happy Christmas Eve!

A lot going on so we’ll keep it simple and cut to the chase...

*US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) and Cherokee Orchard Rd are temporarily closed on account of the rough weather rolling in. High winds, heavy rain and snow all expected through the holiday. Don’t anticipate either reopening until well after the storm.
​*A HIGH WIND WARNING is in effect now until noon today, but strong and blustery winds will persist into the weekend. Today there will be sustained winds of 30-40mph with gusts upwards of 70mph. The risk of falling trees is high, not to mention incredibly fierce wind chills in these frigid temps.
*A WINTER STORM WARNING is also in effect through Christmas Day. Heavy rain will transition over to heavy snow these next couple days, with possible snow accumulation in excess of one foot. Wind chills felt will be 10 to 20 BELOW ZERO.

These conditions are not to be taken lightly. We’ll provide updates from our safe and cozy confines while you stay warm and safe at home for the holiday.

A reminder that our Reservations Office is closed today and tomorrow for the Christmas holiday. We will resume our normal business hours and respond to phone calls/emails beginning on Monday. Thank you.

Good morning folks,

Its a partly cloudy calm morning on the mountain. The high yesterday was 35 degrees. The overnight low was 21 degrees. It is currently 28 degrees with calm winds. No new precipitation or snow. Our snow depth stands around 1”. But wait! There’s chances for a white Christmas in the valley. Snow is in the forecast for the higher elevations. Temps will plummet into the single digits to negatives on the mountain. Prepare for extremely harsh conditions! Conditions look great after the holiday so hope everyone can get out and hike off that turkey and dressing. Have a great day!

A very breezy morning/afternoon on the mountain. Winds subsided and it was a glorious day on the mountain. Soaking in the sun at Cliff tops it was a very clear day for views. Cades Cove was visible today. I was eager to return for an early supper. What a trea I was in store for. Shrimp, kiolbassa sausage, peppers, onions, and tatters. This was a very hearty meal. My evening supper was set. All was well! See you at the top!

​ PNUT

Good morning folks,

The high force winds have moved out and all is calm on the mountain. Yesterday’s high was 34 degrees. The overnight low dipped down to 19 degrees. It’s currently 20 degrees with clear skies. We still have around 2” snow on the mountain but with much more ice in most areas. Tread safely folks! Today looks to be another warm day up top with increasing clouds tomorrow and chances of snow on Christmas Eve. The mountain could see 0 degree temperatures with wind chills well into the negatives! It will definitely feel like Christmas on the mountain. The valley below could see a dusting of snow and could wake up to a white Christmas. Have a great day folks!

High winds took over my evening sunset. Retreating into the bushes for cover. The winds slammed into the south face of the mountain and hammered over the ridge which funneled into camp with great force. I wasn’t able to get any pictures of the Conjunction last night due to cloud cover just after sunset. Darkness sets in on the mountain and the oil lamps help keep it away. Left over pizza was on the supper menu with a fresh garden salad. I retired to my cozy cabin. The night was set. See you at the top!

​PNUT

Good morning folks,

It’s a fine morning on top of the mountain. Stars shining above. No winds stirring around. The lodge is in silence. The high yesterday was 31 degrees. Our overnight low was 20 degrees. It is currently 21 degrees and crystal clear skies. We received trace amounts of snow yesterday morning, which didn’t accumulate to much. Warmer temps up until Christmas then a dive in the weather as some extreme arctic weather pushes into East Tennessee. LeConte could see below 0 temperatures. Brrrr!! It will feel like Christmas with the temps and the possible chances of some snow. Very exciting having a white Christmas. I have had a entire month of snow on the mountain. I literally haven’t seen bare ground in areas around the lodge since Thanksgiving. What a treat it has been to be here with the beauty of this winter season. A very interesting event happening tonight in the sky. Well, an hour after sunset be on the lookout into the southwest. The Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn is happening tonight. These two planets will appear to be as one. This rare event is definitely one to watch. Also, today is the Winter Solstice it’s the start of winter and the longest/shortest day of the year. Pack those headlamps if you plan to watch the Great Conjunction and hike back down in the dark. Traction is a must which should always be in your pack this time of year on the majority of the LeConte trails especially Alum Cave! The next couple days look to be great to be out on the trails soaking up the sun. Have a great day!
See you at the top!

​PNUT

​“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves”.
​“Edmund Hillary”

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Good morning folks,
Light winds are racing through camp. The valley lights shine below. Light flurries are falling on the mountain this morning. The high yesterday was 37 degrees. The overnight low was 23 degrees. It is 25 degrees and cloudy skies above but clear into the valley floor. The forecast today shows rain so pack your rain gear if you plan to reach the summit.

Yesterday’s run down Trillium Gap trail was so pleasant. Snow covered trail was just enough to give good traction over the ice. I do carry my traction wherever I go this time of year. The ice wall on Trillium gap was covered in huge icicles. This trail went under a 2 year rehab and it shows. They made such great improvements in tons of areas. It was a great Saturday to be out on trail. Hope you were able to do the same! See you at the top!

​PNUT