December 11, 2024

HOWDY!!
The Lodge actually experienced a couple of hours yesterday with occasional sunshine! I decided to take advantage of this unexpected and infrequent opportunity and take a few pictures for you to see the lodge in sunlight instead of fog.

Please notice the sign! This means that the lodge, more specifically the gift shop, is CLOSED. The National Park Service does not permit us to sell you souvenirs or sack lunches during the winter months, only in-season from March to November. This practice is not new, and such info is viewable on our websites when doing your responsible pre-hike research. If you need water, I will be more than happy to show you the natural flowing spring. That’s one aspect of what “off the grid” means—obtaining our water from the earth—not a plastic container from a vending machine! And if you do decide to purchase bottled water down in the “front county”, please, please, please DO NOT discard your containers at the lodge or anywhere else in the wilderness! If you “Pack It In—Pack It Out!” The Lodge is not a recycling center for the National Park! Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

The gate on Highway 441 up to Newfound Gap was closed at 7 AM in anticipation of snow that is forecast for later this morning. Hopefully the road will be reopened later today. The current temperature at the lodge is 32 degrees. The high temperature yesterday was 45 degrees and the low was 32 degrees. The Lodge received .40 inches of rain yesterday. Any prior snow has all melted on top of Mt LeConte.

Be sure to bring proper rain gear if you get out today. Stay safe and dry today.

HAPPY TRAILS!!
WILDCAT/ Bert