Beautiful Rain

11/4/2012

I awoke to the sweet, sweet sound of rain coming down. It has been raining off and on all night. With yesterdays high of 45 and the temperatures staying in the low 40s overnight, we have had a good amount of snow melt. This will help conditions on the trail considerably. There were a lot of day hikers who made it up yesterday. We got some good information on the trails.

I want to explain about the information you get on this site. I am giving information for the beginner to average hiker. Someone who may have never hiked in these conditions, or someone who has and is still trying to make an informed decision. I am also giving this advice for the day of the post. The conditions can change day to day. If the weather stays this way, we could see clear trails with in the next week.

Rainbow Falls- The most traveled within the last week. It is going to be slushy in places. I have seen folks make it up with out ice crampons. It will still be a bit slow going, so start early and take your time.

Alum Cave Trail - We had about 10 day hikers make it up Alum. They said it was tricky. The rhodo thickets are bouncing back to life and that should not be an issue. Be careful if you choose Alum. The area around the cables are going to be slushy and slick.

Trillium - We have had reports from guest going down Trillium. The rhodo thickets are no longer an issue. There are still some trees down. They are passable. This trail is has a lot of northern facing slopes. This means the sun has not melted it off as much. The rain may have helped the situation.

Bullhead- I have not heard of anyone coming up or going down Bullhead. If this is the case and you decide to try Bullhead, you may be breaking trail.

Boulevard - No one has gone out Boulevard that I am aware of. This trail is north facing and usually the one that clears up. There are going to be deep drifts on this trail. The reason I told people to not try it was because people tend to take this trail thinking it is going to be the easiest. This is not the case. If you are an experienced hiker who has hiked in conditions like this, you will probably be fine. If you are an average hiker, this could be very difficult. If you are a beginner, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS TRAIL. I do more rescues on this trail then any other trail leading to the mountain. I am talking about people needing assistance to a make it to the lodge because they are warn out from attempting this trail.

Once again, this information is for today's post. Conditions may change by tomorrow.

I am heading off the mountain for a few days of rest and relaxation. Nathan will be keeping you up to date on conditions. It has been a fun week, but this girl needs a break. See you on Friday.

Katie Bruno

11/4/2012 12:42:35 am

Thanks for a great night up on the mountain. Worth the very difficult final mile up Rainbow.

Paul B

11/4/2012 12:48:35 am

Your information has always been much appreciated, whether hiking in the heat of July or the three feet of snow in November. The positive sharing of information by others is appreciated as well. Not everyone is an all conditions experienced hiker and genuine suggestions help others along in their love of the outdoors. That is one of the great things about LeConte and the lodge. It's accessibility brings out people of all experiences and abilities. Getting conditions reports and equipment suggestions is just another added benefit of logging on to this site.
Your photos are inspring as well. Seeing the unique views such as today inspired me to look around the lodge area for more to capture than the amazing far off views. I took some photos of the cone flowers out the window of our cabin among many others.
Enjoy the time off. Well deserved!

Debi link

11/4/2012 12:53:53 am

Very well deserved break, been a wild one for you and just loved all your pictures. Thanks Allyson for all you do (and the crew). Enjoy your break.

Dana

11/4/2012 01:14:57 am

Thanks from a wife of a hiker for your trail updates! My husband, daughter and one of her friends are scheduled to be hiking up Tuesday and back down on Wednesday. I do believe they plan on taking the Trillium trail. I've been watching your updates since last Thursday now and the pictures are just beautiful!

doug

11/4/2012 01:04:12 am

Allyson: your regular and sound advice is worth its weight in gold to those hikers that you called beginner to average; I'm sure that many a trip up to the lodge has been greatly enhanced because of your advice and the dependability of all the crew there. One thing you mentioned that I'll paraphrase is that there is no one "easiest" trail to the lodge. So much depends on the individual's particular ability and experience. I simply say: Stick to the basics and time-honored suggestions and you should do just fine. I'm always more than willing to help others in the Park, but the first and most dependable advice comes right from the source up there on the mountain !! Have a good few days off for you've earned them ! Gee, your season is nearing its end ! G'day to all on the mountain. Be safe.

Bill

11/4/2012 01:11:13 am

What are the current conditions at the top or the forecast?

Pat N.

11/4/2012 01:12:42 am

Have a happy and safe trip down, Allyson. This is certainly a well-deserved "time off" the mountain. Great chance for you to experience the current trail conditions and beauty.

Paul romanick

11/4/2012 01:30:03 am

Thanks for all the great pics the past week and the useful info enjoy your much deserved rest

Robert Geer

11/4/2012 01:32:10 am

Allyson,
Thanks for all the updates. I'll be coming up tomorrow and I am bringing desert for the crew for tomorrow night. So Nathan, I'll check in with you. Have a great time off! Everybody be safe.

11/4/2012 04:18:42 am

The biggest issue with the Boulevard Trail are the narrow sections along the back of LeConte where the side drops off precipitously. There are no cables here and last year I fell trying to cross one of these sections and near went over the 100 foot drop. If you're not using crampons or something like them you're taking a big risk.

Tony Ga

11/4/2012 04:34:48 am

There's a spot right past the Rock Slide is really scary. I couldn't believe how far down it was. The trail is narrow and one slip or trip it would be all over. Really something to stand there and look over the edge.

Nietzsche

11/4/2012 06:44:45 am

Be careful Tony. If you gaze too long into the abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.

mark

11/4/2012 08:38:18 am

Just returned from a wonderful night at the lodge on Friday. The experiance was priceless. I would like to Thank the staft for the trail updates and the accomadations. Also I would like to Thank Stephanie for allowing my wife and I to hike with their family and here is my e-mail for pictures pmwhite1958@hotmail.com

Robin

11/4/2012 10:31:11 am

Thanks for all the beautiful pics Allyson. Enjoy your well deserved time off. Looking forward to more of your posts of conditions on the way back up. Stay safe. Kudos to the crew for all they do!

Jon

11/4/2012 11:33:34 am

Went up Rainbow today in about 4 1/2 hrs and got back down in 31/4 hrs using headlamps and flashlight about 6:40.Would like to do a different one tomorrow as we have reservations to stay,Any updates on Trillium or Alum? Thanks!

Katie B

11/5/2012 12:05:17 am

Jon - Trillium! Alum sounds very frightening and with the very cold temp this morning, it's probably super icy!

Bill B.

11/4/2012 11:16:36 pm

Nathan: Is Clifftops accessible now? How about Myrtle Point?

11/4/2012 11:20:02 pm

David D.: How was Rainbow on Saturday? Did you come down Rainbow also? Did you need your YakTrax?

Paul H

11/5/2012 12:12:57 am

My son Finn and I broke Bullhead yesterday afternoon. The snow in the first mile or so was still 12-16 in. in most spots but not bad. The main difficulties with going Bullhead is the downed trees. Within the first few miles we had to crawl, climb, and go off trail about 8 times... After that it is good going for a few miles and then back to downed trees.... just a few though. So, if you don't mind getting a little dirty and have the time it is fun. Being we were the first to use this trail we felt like we had the whole park all to our selves..... except for the bear we shared the trail with, tracks everywhere and finally saw him about 2 miles from the trailhead. Some really nice views in winther as well!

Jacob

11/5/2012 12:31:11 am

Now that sounds like an awesome time! Good workout too!

BetsyPa

11/5/2012 02:06:17 am

Sounds awesome Paul. Glad you got to experience that!

11/5/2012 12:46:31 am

I envy you Paul H; that was surely a great hike ! Being the first on a trail, in the snow, is a whole different experience ! Seeing the bear was an added treat.

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Beautiful Rain

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