High On LeConte
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

Crew Thanksgiving!

11/21/2011

 
Picture
Nearing sunset on Cliff Tops. Take notice of the strong wind blowing in the tree tops.
Morning!


We had a high of 51 yesterday. It felt a bit muggy all day. The overnight low was 42 and it was 47 degrees and overcast this morning at weather observation. We're expecting a 60% chance of afternoon showers, so be prepared for rain!

We had crew thanksgiving dinner yesterday. Allyson prepared an amazing(!) meal. It's going to be tough going back to lentils and veggie soup.

I went for an evening hike to Cliff Tops. The wind was blowing hard from the valley. It was overcast, but you could see some nice orange hues in the clouds. I hiked back in the dark and finished my first book of the season (Wanderlust by Rebecca Solnit).

I'm hiking down to Gatlinburg today. I'll be picking up some staples and repackaging them for the llamas. Looking forward to getting all my gear, books, etc. up the mountain on Wednesday and really settling in.
Galen
11/21/2011 12:20:49 am

Morning JP. What kind of camera and lens are you using? The wide angle shots are super. Have a good hike.

JP (Winter Caretaker) link
11/21/2011 12:37:49 am

Galen,

I am using a Pentax W80 Optio. It's a small digital camera with 12 mp. It stitches together the wide angle shots on it's own. It's a great, tough little camera.

Chris D
11/21/2011 01:16:05 am

They filmed a movie by that title not to long ago in my area ( Clarkesville, Ga). Which is about 90 miles south of you on 441.

Diane D
11/21/2011 01:41:08 am

How was the book? I've had a copy in my possession for several years now and have not got around to reading it. Should I move it to the top of the book pile?

Bill Klein
11/21/2011 01:51:04 am

Hope you don't get blown off the mountain. If you get a chance hike out to the Jumpoff off of the Boulevard Trail

Devin R.
11/21/2011 02:42:40 am

I cannot believe a high of 51 yesterday? Isn't that unseasonably warm? I saw that Gatlinburg had a high in the 70s today which also seems very high for this time of year. I thought Winter was finally starting to move in but I guess it's not quite ready. We broke a record in Tampa yesterday with 86! We're just under 3 weeks away from our Gatlinburg trip so I hope that winter finds its legs and starts moving in by then. Us Floridians are looking forward to using our Microspikes and Wintergear for a change!

Robbie R
11/21/2011 07:09:35 am

nice pictures like the panorama ones

sandee link
11/21/2011 07:43:58 am

I can see we are going to enjoy some different pictures from you this season. I look forward to more panaramic views of the mountain. Batten down the hatch! :)

Alan in Kingsport
11/21/2011 08:00:59 am

Enjoying your panoramic mountain photos JP. Looking forward to reading about your winter adventures ahead.

Carol
11/21/2011 10:11:06 am

Wow a hike down to Gatlenburg you make it sound like you are going to the corner for a cup of coffie.

Teresa
11/21/2011 12:07:59 pm

Walking the Alum Bluff Cave Trail; how long would you say it takes to hike it to the Lodge? We are trying to get our timing right; so we won't be walking back in the dark.

Teresa
11/21/2011 12:10:37 pm

Walking the Alum Cave Bluff Trail; how long would you say it takes to walk it; on average? We are trying to get our timing down, so we won't be walking back in the dark.

Teresa
11/21/2011 12:12:24 pm

Sorry, did not mean to post two of the same posts; my Computer got hung up or something.lol

Randy from Mississippi
11/21/2011 12:50:27 pm

My wife and I stayed the night of the 20th and we had a wonderful time. The crew was great and meeting everyone was awesome. Becky from Florida,it was nice meeting you and your husband. We had a super trip

Galen
11/21/2011 11:55:59 pm

Teresa,
I'm sure you will get numerous times for hiking Alum trail. From my own experience and talking with others, 3 to 3 1/2 hours up and 2 1/2 down is about average. I have gone up in 2 1/2 and down in 2 but have also gone up in 5 hrs. It all depends on your condition and how often you stop to enjoy the scenery and talk with other hikers.
Just be prepared for weather changes and have plenty of water. But most of all enjoy yourself and be safe.

Devin R.
11/22/2011 12:29:50 am

Hi Teresa,

I argree with Galen's statements. We usually average 5 hour roundtrip (not including our stopoff at the top) but it varies depending on your condition. I've had some trips where I shouldn't have pushed myself as hard as I had and end up limping back down rather slowly because of a bad knee. Just be prepared with rain gear as the weather can change pretty quickly, and bring some headlamps with you just incase you do end up doing your last mile in the dark. You can pick them up for about $10 each at Walmart and they work wonderfully.

JP
11/26/2011 02:04:33 am

Diane,
It was on my bookshelf forever, too. I really enjoyed it. It's a pretty quick and interesting read.

Bill,
I'll be sure to make it out there. Your enthusiasm and knowledge of the park helped me fall in love with this place!


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    LeConte Lodge

    Welcome 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!

    For information regarding GSMNP's paid parking tag requirements, please visit their website.

    For information regarding shuttle services, as well as overnight parking options in Gatlinburg, please visit our reservations website.

    Lodge Gift Shop Hours:
    9:00 - 10:00 AM
    ​12:00 - 4:30 PM

    Online Store

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

    RSS Feed

For current GSMNP road and trail information, visit the Park's Twitter page, official website, or call 865-436-1200 and follow the prompts.
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

Picture

Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture