The clouds gave way and made for a perfect day on the mountain. The high was 62º with a low of 49º. My daily chores kept me from walking out to Myrtle Point to check on the sand myrtle. I hope to get our there soon. The mountain is becoming greener by the day. I love seeing new growth on all of the vegetation around camp. It is as if you can see the mountain coming to life before your very eyes. The squirrels are starting to get bolder. Remember, if you are at the lodge, or anywhere in the park, do not feed them. They will bite. This is the time of year when we find them climbing on our window screens on the kitchen. They would love to find a way in. I have found that splashing water on them gets them off the screen pretty quickly. I guess we are lucky it is squirrels and not bears. Back in the day they would have crew members sleep in the kitchen to make sure the bears did not get in. I wouldn't want that guard duty. Since the lodge put in the incinerator, it has cut down on our bear activity. We may see one or two a year, not the dozen or so they use to see. I do like the idea of the bears staying wild and relying on nature for their food. We have not seen any in camp this year. We have had tells of one around the shelter, bu that didn't last long. Maybe it has moved on. Just remember when you are hiking, do not feed the wildlife. If you are camping in the backcountry, hang your food. If you are a lodge guest, keep your food in the designated food cans and do not leave your snacks unattended. The boomers, a.k.a. squirrels, are quick and will chew through anything. I hope everyone enjoys the mountains this weekend. Come on up and see us. We will have plenty of our famous "No-Bake" cookies waiting for you. 
Do you see our little friend? She is enjoying her dinner of grass and more grass.
Elaine
5/22/2014 01:55:48 am
Well stated, Allyson, and this applies to all wildlife. A fed animal is a dead animal. Keep our wildlife wild and safe! Nice pics: I still can not wait for our stay up top 8/28/2013 be our first trip to TN. NH is our home we have the White Mountain that we love to hike. But a vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains is going to be cool and then get to hike Mount LaConte and get to meet you.
Jay W.
5/22/2014 03:56:36 am
I'll be coming up Tuesday on a day hike as a birthday present to myself. I turn the big 5-7. I'll be the sweaty one with the dragging rear end. Can't wait.
Jackie
5/22/2014 04:12:48 am
My husband, Steve, and I will be up to see the mountain tomorrow for a day hike. We can't wait to be back again! This will be our 9th trip and is always as exciting as the first time.
Al on the Beach in Biloxi, MS.
5/22/2014 05:22:43 am
Jackie, I know what you mean. We had to pass on the 2014 season but are planning on getting reservations for 2015. We've been to The Lodge 5 times and never get tired of seeing it all again - for the first time. Enjoy your day on the mountain. Happy trails, y'all.
Karen
5/22/2014 05:20:55 am
Coming up to stay this weekend! Can hardly wait! 4 ladies in our group.. Just learned that bears HATE moth balls and they are cheap
H Clark
5/22/2014 07:34:03 am
Karen, the moth balls theory is interesting, but does it really work to deter the bears.
jean d
5/22/2014 09:05:27 am
Yes, I wondered that too. How does it deter them? Do you throw them at the bears? HAHA Would be interesting to find out if they would keep bears out of food if they were stored with the food--oh no that would probably make the food smell like mothballs like it does to clothing when stored with mothballs.
Tenderfoot
5/22/2014 01:46:09 pm
Do you know how you can recognize bear scat in the Smoky's? It has moth balls in it.........I don't think the moth ball theory works but that's just me. lol
Kent
5/22/2014 10:27:18 am
If you plan to carry mothballs with you while you hike, be very cautious. Don't forget, moth balls are highly toxic and poisonous. I don't think I'd want to messing around with them, myself, at the off chance they might keep bears away. You might even do harm to wildlife.
Matt
5/22/2014 04:18:47 pm
Can you share the no bake cookie recipe?
kat
5/22/2014 11:21:42 pm
I have been making them for years, but always buy one when I hike up because they taste so good up there. Most cookbooks list them as Boiled cookies or no bake cookies. Comments are closed.
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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 2023
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