Fall Equinox and Harvest Moon

9/20/2013

The flowers are turning to seed and the nights are cold. It is hard to believe this weekend brings the fall equinox. We have also been lucky enough to see that beautiful harvest moon. Fall is in full force on the mountain. The high yesterday was 61º with a low of 50º. So far, today is looking good. We hope to soak up some of the sun before the rain moves in for the weekend. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Come on up and see us. We will have some hot chocolate waiting for you.

Ronnie-Tn

9/20/2013 03:21:05 am

I will be up next week to see everyone. I can't believe this season for the crew is almost over. Have a great weekend!

Darryl

9/20/2013 03:43:04 am

I'm new to this site and to the lodge, and I'm hoping to get a reservation for next year. I am somewhat aware of how to do that, and I've met a woman who told me that they use a lottery system to allot dates. I spoke with a couple who told me that they get the same dates every year, and have for many years. I don't understand how that's statistically possilble with a lottery system unless they're getting preferential treatment ?

Al on the Beach in Biloxi, MS

9/20/2013 09:03:14 am

Darryl, you may get a bit more info from the lodge home page. As for those folks who get the same dates every year, I think I read that their families had been "grandfathered" in. Not sure, but the lodge may be trying to phase that out. One important thing I've found in getting a reservation is be a bit flexible on your travel dates. If your first choice is unavailable then maybe your second choice will be. Also, on Oct 1st at 8:00a.m. Eastern Time, dial the reservation number. If busy redial. And keep redialing. It may take all day; it may take only a few minutes. One year it took me a day an a half to get through. My first choice was already filled, but my second choice was available. Also, keep in mind that weekend dates usually fill up first. Good luck. Prepare for your hike; take your time; take plenty of pictures. I hope this helps. Happy trails...

Barbara O.Davis

9/20/2013 09:27:51 am

I found that e-mail was the easiest way to get reservations. Your e-mail is put in line with the phone calls. Try LeConte Reservations.com

Brian N bama

9/20/2013 04:37:31 am

Trying to get into Cosby Knob shelter on October 13th. If anyone has made a reservation and not going to use it, please cancel it. My son and I are wanting to hike from Davenport Gap to Newfound gap.

Steve

9/20/2013 04:49:57 am

Make a reservation at another shelter close by and if you can't keep the itinerary, the rangers do understand. I shouldn't give this advice but I have done the AT thru the Smokies a couple of times and sometimes you get at a shelter that was booked and no one was there.

tomk in SC

9/20/2013 05:36:48 am

How old is your son? Davenport to Cosby is a BIG day. Lot's of distance and lots of UP. Carry PLENTY of water. Is your next stop Pecks Corner? How many nights will you spend in shelters. I did this hike with three HS classmates three years ago. Great hike! We stayed at Cosby, Tricorner, Pecks and out. We were booked into Icewater, but blew past seeking hotels rooms and showers!

Brian N bama

9/20/2013 06:40:42 am

tomk in SC, my son will be16 next month. Yes, Pecks Corner is the 2nd night stay. It's not him I am worried about, it's my old wore out self.LOL..we plan on 3 days and 2 nights...any advice would be great..then its LECONTE LODGE in november for a nights stay.

Brian N bama

9/20/2013 09:01:26 am

Paul B, i only have sun, mon & tues available. It is open the other way( newfound gap to davenport) I do not know which way is "easier", but feel that going southbound would be best for my situation with transportation and all. Hopefully it will all go well.

Debi

9/20/2013 05:00:58 am

Have a great hike Brian. And that reminds me I need to get my name in the lotto and set a date. Just not sure which date. Better hurry soon.

Brian N bama

9/20/2013 07:11:23 am

I know Debi, I have been telling my bunch to let me know when they want to go so I can send in my request. My wife says I have been a little bit excessive the last year or so...I told her I havent stayed up top since May '13..she said true but since Oct '11, we have stayed on top 6 times!!!! she just does not like it like I do I suppose...

Paul B

9/20/2013 07:57:02 am

Brian, I am considering the same hike next year and am looking at a possible "easier" version going from Newfound Gap to Davenport. Instead of the big up the first day you have the less intense hike to Ice Water, then the big down Cammerer on the last day. Switching around might catch the shelters open. My proposed itenerary is...
NFG to Ice Water 3.0 miles (this allows us to hike the afternoon the day we drive down.
Ice Water to TriCorner 12.2 miles
TriCorner to Cosby 7.2 miles
Cosby to Davenport 8.7 (make time for the Cammerer Fire Tower side trail).
There has been much discussion about Ice Water and the presence of "squatters" interfering with those having permits. I stayed there last month and it was fine. Of course it was a Sunday night after many schools were back and it rained like crazy (imagine that).
Keep us posted on your trip. I would like to hear how difficult the trail is between Charlies Bunion and Mt Cammerer.

Marilyn

9/20/2013 10:12:00 am

Darryl, those of us who get the same dates every year were grandfathered in in 1998 when the park decided to change how reservations were made. Our grandfather clause is good through 2018 and then we'll be back dialing and redialing etc. Good advice to have a couple dates in mind and remember that through the week is a lot easier to get than on a weekend because some people like to be able to come down one day hike up and go home the next day. I prefer to have 5 days in the Smokies where I am not rush and can savor my time there. Good luck with your reservations..I know once you've done it you will want to go back again and again.

Al on the Beach in Biloxi, MS

9/20/2013 02:42:23 pm

Marilyn, thanks for confirming the "Grandfather Clause." On our stays at the lodge we've met several folks who hike up, spend the night and then hike back down the next morning. We've found that we like to spend at least two nights so we don't feel rushed. There's just too much to see and do.

darryl

9/21/2013 03:13:28 am

Yes, I understand that, about "grandfathering in", etc. Nonetheless, it remains to appear as preferential treatment at a facility operated by a federal agency which is tax-payer funded and therefore subject to Freedom of Information Act regulations if one wants to take it along that course to discover records and information and such. But it isn't worth one's efforts. Reservations seem difficult to obtain regardless. thank you

Brian N bama

9/21/2013 04:30:51 am

darryl, openings at the lodge are like the weather at the lodge, ever changing. They are not that hard to get, I have stayed at the lodge 4 times since nov 2011 and this nov will be our 5th stay. If you can be somewhat flexible with scheduling, you can go just about as often as you like. If I could have more time off from work, one could go just about every month. Pick out 3 dates you like and send them in. HAPPY TRAILS

Lynn

9/21/2013 06:29:51 am

The Lodge is run by a private organization, not a federal agency, and it is not supported by tax dollars; therefore, it is NOT subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

Paulrom

9/21/2013 08:30:27 am

Darryl ,I have stayed at the lodge every year since 1996 and never had a problem getting a reservation. Just have to be flexible with your dates,and keep calling

Kaye

9/20/2013 03:54:07 pm

I wait until the following spring to ask for certain dates. I usually pick one week for a particular month that I want to make the hike. This way has always worked for my group. We are flexible about the day of the week , so that helps. I have a friend who was grandfathered in. He likes having that date set, but says he would also like to hike a different month of the year. Some years, he also picks a week and gets to make 2 hikes. It is so worth hiking up this beautiful mountain. I do like to spend several extra nights in this area. Will be hiking up in October. Can not wait!

Kent

9/21/2013 05:05:14 am

Had a great hike up to the lodge on Wednesday via Trillium Gap and down Bullhead. Caught a few hazy views on the way up, but the top was enshrouded in clouds. But that's ok. Spent some time warming up by the heater in the office, had a nice conversation with Nathan in the dining room, and consumed an ample portion of the hot chocolate.

I hiked out to High Top after reluctantly leaving the lodge. Once again, I decided to leave Myrtle Point to a clearer day.

This was my longest haul to the top at 8.8 miles, and I was a bit concerned the extra mileage from the Rainbow Falls trailhead might do me in. But it wasn't too arduous at all all the way to the Brushy Mountain intersection. My legs were still feeling fresh after a little rest there and were ready to tackle the last 3.6. miles. (That last mile will put you to the test, though.)

It was a very solitary descent down bullhead as I didn't encounter a soul. About two-thirds of the way down, there was a moment when I stopped for my last rest in the fog. There wasn't even a suggestion of a breeze at that moment and the forest was void of sound -- almost eerily so. Very peaceful.

About the best views I had were on Monday during my hike to Mt. Cammerer from the Cosby Campground. When I got to the AT, the ridge line was enshrouded in fog, but it cleared off substantially awhile after I reached the summit and the hike down offered some sun and views of the valley below.

Have a great weekend, all!

Lydia link

9/21/2013 09:06:31 pm

Darryl, I am so grateful for your question. The comments responding to it gave me more information in one place than I've gathered all year about how to get a reservation. And thanks to all the people who gave information about getting a reservation. I feel a little better-equipped to handle the process now.

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Fall Equinox and Harvest Moon

LeConte Lodge

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