February 23rd, 2013

2/23/2013

Morning y'all,

It's another blustery morning up top. The high yesterday reached 41 degrees. The low hit 30 degrees. It was 37 degrees and overcast at 7am observation. The mountain received .21" of rain last night. The high temperatures yesterday made for plenty of melt, there's only about 2 inches of snow left up top.

I came up Alum yesterday afternoon. The trail is in pretty good shape. It's very wet, but the ice is manageable. Enjoy the day!

Ryan--La

2/23/2013 12:36:25 am

Let me be the first to say, morning all. Nice shot JP. Anyone been on Bullhead lately, looking at making a round trip up Rainbow and down Bullhead next Friday.

Ben F

2/23/2013 01:00:21 am

Ryan,
I just posted a comment on the "eye of the needle" thread on yesterday's blog. Happy trails to all.

Ryan--La

2/23/2013 04:35:54 am

Would have liked to have gone up there, but as you say Ben F we must respect the parks rules. Looks like you and I are the only ones up on a Saturday or everyone checks in from work during the week. Still looking for a report on Bullhead if anyone has traveled it in the last week or so, Thanks Ryan

Rachel

2/23/2013 05:52:23 am

My husband and I came up the Bullhead trail on the 21st- it's fine until you get closer to the top. There are at least 5 downed trees over the trail where you have to climb over or through- there was also a lot of snow. We made it to the top but didn't walk all of the way to the lodge because we were afraid of loosing too much daylight. Don't know what the trail looks like without snow but parts of it were kind of scary going over the trees because I wasn't sure where there was snow or ground.

Ryan--La

2/23/2013 06:31:15 am

Thanks Rachel, I"am assuming that was a couple of days ago. JP, let me know for sure if you are going to be up top on Friday.

Brian N bama

2/23/2013 09:04:45 am

I am stuck here at working wishing I was on any trail leading to Mt. Leconte.

Debi

2/23/2013 12:52:23 pm

I hear ya Brian!

Kent

2/23/2013 01:10:30 pm

Hey, everyone. I cam across an interesting story on the original lodge built by Jack Huff back in the 20s, and thought I'd share it.

http://williambritten.com/wordpress/great-smoky-mountains-national-park/smoky-mountains-history-the-house-that-jack-built/

Tony Ga

2/23/2013 01:31:31 pm

Thanks for the link Kent. Like the old pictures. I wonder if the commenter at the bottom of that page is our own doug y?

Mary F

2/23/2013 02:28:07 pm

Yes Kent, thanks for the link, interesting. I was wondering the same thing, if that was Doug who is faithful to this site?? Awesome photo JP, as usual!!

Kent

2/23/2013 03:14:11 pm

No problem. I don't know anything about the identity of the person who left the comments. (In fact I didn't even notice them until after Brian pointed them out.)

Rexanna

2/23/2013 02:36:51 pm

THANK YOU Kent!! VERY informative & enjoyable website!

JLeonard link

2/23/2013 10:48:44 pm

@DougY...they built LeConte & people came, they built a "site" (LeConte) & people came, some without leaving a trace (discounting Google, the Fed., etc.) yet most notice, and this is the important part, when DY is absent!

Some wonder if he might be related to Sgt. York (fm the link Kent built (ok, provided... got carried away!)? Some of us were wondering if that was you who made the comments?

http://williambritten.com/wordpress/great-smoky-mountains-national-park/smoky-mountains-history-the-house-that-jack-built/

Rexanna

2/23/2013 11:29:31 pm

Yes, JLeonard, we DO notice when DY is absent! Maybe he will check back-in today. We hope.

Rexanna

2/23/2013 11:34:44 pm

Another beautiful sunrise this morning behind LeConte on the Park's webcam:

http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/WebCams/parks/grsmcam/grsmcam.cfm

doug y

2/23/2013 11:52:06 pm

JLeonard: I'm almost always around, except for when I'm in the Park on some trail, preferable to any and all other alterntives of course ! Yes, as a matter of fact, I am related to Sgt. York who was awarded the Metal of Honor in WWI. He and my paternal grandfather were cousins; my granddad served as a cook then; when I was young I'd get into a lot of fights after being teased over the movie with Gary Cooper;; they never wanted to fight me twice. A.C. York passed away in the late fifties and I sadly never got to shake his hand. I've visited his homeplace and museum a couple of times which has strengthened my own knowledge of that part of my family history. Kent: thanks for reminding me with that link to that website on the beginnings of Leconte Lodge; I am not the most knowledgeable nor trained in using the internet and I sometimes forget about this link or that, etc. As for posting comments at the bottom of a page there, I did, if that's the question. I have a scientific background in my engineering degree, taught science for a while after that, and I hae been very, very blessed in being allowed to live a good life. I've travelled, I've been and still am interested in many, many things, and I love doing things for people, despite the way our world and societies have developed. Regarding the "House-that-Jack-built" etc., I would have loved to see the place back then. If I believed in time travel that might well be the first place I'd travel back to ! My mind staggers when I contemplate how the Park might have looked well before the arrival of people ! As I've said before, what rugged people those were ! I pale to insignificance when compared to them and their abilities to survive and exist in their environment of the time ! I do love this site and I make every attempt in my comments to be helpful, creative, and informative to others. Everyone please forgive me for my somtimes lengthy remarks; as I've said: "Brevity is not one of my virtues." Tony Ga: let me know if you get a sore throat - - I need a good excuse to get out my "miniature still' and brew up a batch ! It's a fully functional and productive one, too ! Not much in quantity, but the product is excellent. It's been in storage for a few years now. You know, I can feel the approach of spring in my old bones, the building of the excitement as it increases daily. I have no way of being certain of being able to assist with the airlift next month, but I want to try to make it for that. I really believe that I can fly that helicopter for them but with my luck I'd wind up landing on top of the dining hall ! Not. I used to have a pilot's license for single engine planes, but that was long ago. About the only helicopter experience I have is with a little remote controlled model that I sometimes sneak out and fly around the living room when everyone else is gone ! So far I haven't broken anything ! It's funny in a way to me that right now I'm thinking that I can detect the aroma of a big breakfast meal in the dining hall at the lodge ! This happens all during their open season as I seem to get on this site right around breakfast time at the lodge each time. Have a good day all ! [2-24-13]

Tony Ga

2/24/2013 12:26:38 am

Mr. y...you never disappoint. Be careful if you get to fly the helichopper (as Madea calls it), I would hate to see you get a F.U.I. ( flying under the influence). Hope all have a good day.

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February 23rd, 2013

LeConte Lodge

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