Good Morning,
TGIF y’all! This morning the mountaintop is heavily fortified by cloud cover. Judging by the scattered rain showers in the vicinity and the looming forecast, it’d be a pleasant surprise if we saw them break open for some views or sunshine. It’s going to be unseasonably warm today ahead of the storms. We’re already in the mid 40s for breakfast. Our high temp for the period was 46° accompanied by a low of 34°. The lodge is expected to reach the mid 50s this afternoon and basically stay there until the storms run their course and the cold front pushes through. At that point, the thermometer is going to drop quite a bit and bring temps more in line with December. A High Wind Warning has been issued from 10:00 PM tonight through 4:00 PM Saturday. We’re talking sustained winds of 25-40mph with gusts up to 70mph (!!!) possible. These conditions are NOT to be taken lightly folks, and it’s entirely possible that the NPS opts to temporarily close roads in and around the park if trees start falling and debris goes flying. Sunday and Monday look sunny and beautiful. Be a good lad or lass and hike those days. The mountain welcomed a good number of people yesterday, which might seem like a lot for a caretaker, but when compared to the masses witnessed during the season it might inspire the sounds of crickets. There is something quite captivating to residing on such a calm and empty mountaintop though. It’s almost as if the absence of crowds heightens the senses. Every chirp of a junco, every flap of a raven’s wings, and every wave of a spruce branch in the breeze is amplified when breaking the stillness and silence of a dormant peak. Even the colors painting the sky at dawn and dusk seem to have an extra burst of flavor. The mountain magic never ceases! Be safe out there and have a great day. The Journeyman
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Good Morning,
Hold on to your Santa hats, because the winds are a’blowin’! We’re welcoming some overcast skies into the region this morning after enjoying a stunningly beautiful Wednesday. Despite the plunge our thermometer took yesterday evening into the mid 20s, temps decided to warm up through the night and start today off in the mid 30s. Our high yesterday hit 37° which felt delightful in the sun, but the winds certainly made having extra layers a necessity. Temps in the mid 40s are expected this afternoon. We’re looking at partly cloudy conditions for most of today, but by tonight the atmosphere is going to get rough. And it’ll be that way through most of the weekend. Aside from numerous rain showers, a High Wind Warning is in effect from Friday into Saturday, with gusts of 65mph possible. Sounds like a great idea to hunker down inside a cozy cabin with an inspiring book! The air over the mountain is typically at its clearest during the winter months. While performing some roof repairs yesterday, it was difficult not to get distracted by the exceptional views all around. Also a great opportunity to admire camp from a junco’s vantage point. There was going to be no skipping out on sunset either, regardless of the wind’s bite, and the spectacle at Cliff Tops did not disappoint. Seemed like even the ravens were enjoying the show, as a group of around twenty repeatedly swooped up and down the chutes funneling air along the mountain’s southern slopes. A near cloudless sky combined with a bright rising crescent moon were just the cherry on top. This morning’s sunrise might have been even more mesmerizing with numerous pink streaks painting the clouds above amid the growing light. It’s tough to roll out of that warm bed straight into the chilly air, but this morning’s show just needed to be seized. With so many photos and so little upload space, we’ll just have to spread them out over the coming days. Should help break up the onslaught of wind and rain heading our way. Time to partake of some oatmeal, bacon (courtesy of our Canadian neighbors), and some cheesy scrambled eggs doused with curry powder…or as lodge historian Al Bedinger likes to call them, LeConte eggs with an eastern flare! Have a great day. Johann Sebastian Rock-y Top Good Morning,
Nasty conditions atop the mountain this morning as we reach the midweek point. The winds picked up shortly after sunset and howled all night, gusting as much as 30mph at times. It didn’t take long for the clouds to sock us in either obstructing the twinkling city lights below. Somehow the Smokies have served as a dividing line between the rain to the south and snow to the north. As of sunrise, we haven’t seen a lick of precip. While the sun was out yesterday afternoon we achieved a high temp of 42° once again, but amazingly we never fell below freezing last night. We might see the mid 30s as the day marches on, but by tonight temps will surely plummet and ice things up. Conditions are expected to clear up for this afternoon, so we might catch a glimpse of the sun. Otherwise, today’s shaping up to be better spent cozying up inside one’s cabin. Tuesday was a nice treat for a December day. The mild temps and sunny skies made for a good opportunity to tackle some chores outside. But when you’re on mountain time, things are expectedly more laid back than during the lodge operating season, so taking advantage of an afternoon ramble to Myrtle Point was certainly called for. During the trek, one was impressed with how quickly the clouds rolled in. Skies were a rich blue over the lodge upon departure, but by the time Myrtle was in sight, the skies were blanketed over in grey. Just goes to show how quickly conditions can change on the mountain, for better or worse, so always wise to come prepared! Despite all of that, the views to be had from the mountain’s famous eastern vista did not disappoint. Endless mountains lined the horizons, ravens hovered and dove with the swirling winds, and the air north toward Douglas Lake was so clear you’d swear you could see fish jumping out of the water! Having to leave it all behind was regrettable, like any visit to Mt. LeConte. That’s what keeps us looking forward to that next visit! Have a great day. J-Train Good Afternoon,
Amen for the rain! After a week and a half of arid conditions across the region, a little wet weather finally found its way to the Smokies. Our gauge tallied just 0.41” of liquid precip, but we’ll gladly take what we can get. We managed to reach a high of 42° yesterday afternoon, followed by an overnight low of 22°. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for the rising sun to start warming things up as we’re already basking in the lower 40s this afternoon. The air is calm and the sunshine abundant, spectacular for getting out and about on the trails today. Now that we’ve had a fresh dose of precip, travelers to the mountain can expect icy patches under foot, particularly in the shaded areas, upper elevations, and during the bookends of the daylight hours. Having those traction devices handy can make the difference between staying upright or getting up close and personal with the rocks and roots via one’s backside. Better to leave the ice skating this time of year to Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and the gang! Could wake up to some brief snow showers tomorrow, but the sunshine beckons in the meantime. Time to get outside and soak up that crisp and clear mountain air! Have a great rest of the day. J-Train Good morning folks,
Its a windy start the week. Surges of wind rush through camp with breaks in the clouds here and there. Rain moves in mid morning with heavy downpours at times. Better pack those rain jackets today it’s going to be a soggy afternoon. A cold front moves in behind this system which will make it feel more like winter. The high yesterday reached 41 degrees. The overnight low was 36 degrees. It is currently 41 degrees with high winds. Be safe today if you venture up the mountain. Have a good day. One could say I welcome the rain on LeConte. It is much needed! Today marks the first day I’ve actually seen rain since being on the mountain. The spring welcomes the h20 as well as I. Should be a relaxing day today. See you at the top! Pnut Good morning folks,
It’s a breezy start to the morning in camp. Light winds push in from the south with mild temperatures to start this Sunday. The high yesterday reached 56 degrees. The overnight low was only 36 degrees. It is currently 37 degrees. Looks to be another fantastic day on the mountain. A mixture of sun and clouds with rain chances starting late tonight into Monday. The mountain could really use some rain. Not many times do you say that the Smokies need rain. Trail conditions are great so get out and enjoy the last of the warm, sunny weather. Snow is coming! Words cannot describe the sunset last night. With the warmer temperatures below the mountain still remained cool which began to form a cloud inversion on the North side around 3pm. With my camera ready in hopes of the same inversion on the South side of the mountain. I meandered towards Clifftops. Walking up I knew what I was in store for and WOW! A sea of clouds with Clingmans dome the only ancient looking mountain rising out of the clouds. By far the best sunset since being on the mountain this season. I enjoyed each moment as I stood feeling like on top of the world. A true masterpiece! Have a great day! SEE YOU AT THE TOP! PNUT Good Saturday morning folks,
Another weekend is upon us with superb weather to be on the mountain. One could get spoiled with weather we are experiencing before the winter takes hold on LeConte. This time last season the mountain had received over a foot of snow. I patiently wait! I welcome the warm temps and blue skies which has made for outstanding running conditions. The high yesterday reached 55 degrees. The overnight low was 37 degrees. It is currently 38 degrees with no wind. Trail conditions are in great shape and will make for a great hiking weekend. Take advantage of the warm weather folks. Have a good one! A silent morning on the mountain. No wind pushing through camp. Just the buzz of the oil lamp illuminating the early morning hours and the kettle warming. The stillness of the mountain puts me at peace. With a full nights rest after my run down Alum cave trail I am recharged and eager for the new day. The sun is rising and I’m off to Apollo overlook. Enjoy your weekend. SEE YOU AT THE TOP! PNUT Good morning folks,
It’s a warm, calm morning in camp. The weather streak continues with much warmer conditions today. The high yesterday reached 45 degrees. The overnight low was 34 degrees. It is currently 43 degrees with temps rising and calm winds. The stellar weather is sure to bring hikers to the mountain enjoying the warm mountain peaks. Ice is not an issue on the trail at the moment. That only means some much needed trail running is in store for today. Blue skies should take over the weekend so get out and enjoy this unseasonably warm weather. Have a great day folks. The evening was enjoyed at Cliff tops watching the sun sink behind Rocky top and Thunderhead mountain. The colors really show off after the sun sets. Soft blue skies paired with bright oranges and pinks were painted in the sky. A true masterpiece! The night was enjoyed by oil lamp and good tunes. Biscuits and gravy was on the supper menu from leftover biscuits made yesterday. Upon stepping outside this morning revealed a very warm start and should make for some outstanding weather outside. SEE YOU AT THE TOP! PNUT Good morning folks,
It’s another fine morning on LeConte. Breezy winds push through camp with heavy cloud cover this morning while entering the kitchen. Clouds cleared just as the sun rose over high top. Very soft colors this morning to ease into the day. I welcome it. The high yesterday reached 47 degrees. The overnight low only dropped down to 32 degrees. It is currently 35 degrees with light winds and clear skies. No precipitation was recorded. The warm weather should stick around today and much of the weekend. Which will make for some outstanding hiking weather folks. Also, there is no water on the lodge grounds or any services. The spring is located on the Trillium gap trail just below the lodge (camp). Remember to treat all water! It’s going to be a great day. Have a good one. The early morning hours are silent on LeConte. Unless the surge of out of nowhere winds. A much needed place to collect thoughts and recharge from the hustle and bustle of life below. Simple living is easy living. I like it this way. The mountain is my home for the next 3 months. I admire the opportunity life is giving me to enjoy the beauty here. Enjoy the day folks. See you at the top! Pnut Good morning folks,
It’s another splendid morning on the mountain. Light cloud cover is hovering with the sun rising and throwing some really neat colors in the sky. Light pinks and oranges have the back of the kitchen illuminated with colors. I sip more coffee and watch. The high yesterday reached a whopping 41 degrees. The overnight low only dropped down to 28 degrees. It is currently 36 degrees with light winds and partly cloudy skies. Cloud cover should hang around today but clearing skies and warming more by Thursday and Friday. With December here the kitchen is in full holiday swing. Miniature fake Christmas tree with battery powered lights, wreaths on the windows, and decorations inside the kitchen. If you happen to hear some holiday tunes I’m just in the holiday spirit. Have a great day! Yesterday’s hike down the mountain was warm and pleasant. Ice was only a issue in one spot but easy to navigate through. Alum was very busy as I descended the mountain and headed towards town. In need of some fresh veggies I made my way to the local grocery store. Meandering around looking at all the fresh things I could carry in my pack back up the mountain. I chose only what I needed. Items on the list consisted of Bananas, Apples, Oranges, Chili roasted pistachios, cheese, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, hummus, and other items. Heading back to the trailhead I ate some lunch then made it back to camp by 2:45pm. Unloaded and made supper and had a great nights sleep. See you at the top |
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 2024
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