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

December 20, 2019

12/20/2019

2 Comments

 
Picture
12:00 PM Update - US 441 is back open. Watch for ice and snow on the roadway.

​—————————————————————--

Good Morning All,

We’re off to a picture perfect winter day atop the mountain. Currently 23° under clear skies and after a stunning sunrise. Still about 0.5” of crunchy snow underfoot. Yesterday’s high reached 38° and our low was 17°. Today looks to be much the same in the way of temps, with the possibility of increasing clouds as the day progresses. Hopefully these conditions inspire a little more melt.

US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) is still closed because of ice and snow on the roadway, and rightfully so. It’s easy to overlook the fact that the sun is at its lowest angle this time of year, which means some areas of roads and trails just don’t see any sunshine. That can also mean a staggering temperature difference between sun and shade, enough to keep some places iced up. Such is the case on US 441 and the trails ascending Mt. LeConte. Alum Cave has icy sections from top to bottom, which would mean all the trails can be treacherous, so traction devices are imperative for the time being.

When approaching the bluffs yesterday afternoon, a VW beetle-sized ice sheet sprang free from the ledges above, concluding its straight line dive in a thunderous thud amid a million fragments. Trying to quickly navigate the ice covered steps through the bluffs while keeping a fixed gaze upward for falling ice proved to be an awkward task, but fortunately one was able to pass through unscathed. Hopefully the sun takes care of the remaining ice missiles before anyone gains access to the trail.

It’s beautiful out there, but as always, proceed with caution!
Picture
2 Comments
Doug Y
12/20/2019 11:13:11 am

I full well know what you stated about those humongous ice blocks falling to the ground at the "Bluff"....I had just passed there once when I was totally startled by one of those thunderous crashes behind me; I nearly jumped out of my skin ! Scared the ______ out of me, too ! It noticeably shook the ground beneath my feet; had to be at least a ton or more of that ice that dislodged. These days when I pass beneath the Bluff I am always glancing upward to make sure that there is no threatening ice waiting to pounce upon me, not that any ice is there in warm weather ! So be it.....G'day...

Reply
caner Dave
12/21/2019 06:22:38 am

July 6, 2019 - going down the steps at the Bluffs. Where they come to a landing and turn left 90° a lady coming up stopped and backed up off the trail to let us pass. We stopped to speak and a softball size rock hit the step between us.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    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!

    Online Store

    Archives

    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.

Picture

Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture