First day of the season!

3/23/2015

First official sunrise of the season.

Good morning and welcome to the start (officially) of the 2015 LeConte Lodge season! We were so ahead of schedule by yesterday with all of our opening tasks that we ended up with a whole day off to relax and hike. It was both odd and wonderful to have an entire day on the mountain void of responsibility and practically alone at the lodge.
This morning the weather is looking great for hiking! Our high yesterday was 51 with a low of 31, we had 2.3" of precipitation and even had a few snow showers around dusk last night. But there is no snow on the ground today, just blue skies! It is a bit chilly this morning, around 36, so don't forget your layers of course.
Also, a reminder that Trillium Gap is still closed to the public (although the llamas will be up tomorrow for their first trip of the season!).

Alright, ya'll, hold on to your hats because this is the beginning of a brand new season- in more ways than one. It is going to be amazing.

Chris Schultz link

3/23/2015 02:00:12 am

Hi Ruthie,

My niece, Calliana (Ruth), says hi and that she's looking forward to another visit with you later this year.

On Thursday I took two copies of my new thriller novel, Lincoln's Treasure, to Christie at the LeConte office. She said she would have them added to the next shipment coming your way. I wanted to donate them to the small guest library maintained at your office for your team and guests to read but didn't want to wait until our trip up for a nights stay later this year. Although we live within sight of LeConte we don't climb her for day trips very often anymore.

Inside the cover you'll find the novel was dedicated to the workers at Leconte Lodge and three nonprofits including Friends of the Smokies, GSM Association and Cades Cove Preservation Asso.

Thanks for all you do for those of us who enjoy the park. I hope you and your guest enjoy the read.

Chris Schultz

Allyson

3/23/2015 02:04:50 am

Chris and I wish the 2015 crew an amazing season. Have fun and enjoy the beauty around you. We hope to see you and our favorite mountain soon.

TwistyP

3/23/2015 02:46:19 am

If this were Facebook, I would "Like" these first two posts. Best Wishes for the 2015 season.

Tim Johnson

3/23/2015 03:11:50 am

We are on our way up today. It is such a pretty day that I was thinking of taking some of the warmer layers out of my pack. I guess I won't. See you at dinner tonight!

Pat N

3/23/2015 05:14:59 am

Happy happy 1st official day!

elktonbrant

3/23/2015 05:49:27 am

Opening Days are one of the events that makes Spring so much fun. Unlike baseball's opening day, though, a season on LeConte is guaranteed to be a success and a pleasure!
I can resume my dreams of LeConte no-bake cookies and bottomless cups of hot chocolate and coffee and lemonade (but not at the same time). Good luck, and hopefully we'll see you in the not too distant future!

Hamp Kirkland

3/23/2015 06:02:01 am

Great to here,
And now my personal countdown begins for my first overnight stay at the lodge, after many years of trying, in October. The calendar is marked and I am hoping to get at least one day trip in to scope out a cabin to request for my overnight stay

TracyG

3/23/2015 06:11:36 am

Wishing all a great first day and season!

Kent

3/23/2015 06:16:26 am

I'm going to be attempting my first off-trail summit of LeConte next month -- probably on April 13 or 14 -- via LeConte Creek. Looking forward to being up top again.

AliceW

3/23/2015 10:05:19 am

Happy start of the LeConte Lodge 2015 Season!
I've started my countdown ... See ya in 22 days.
So excited to be able to make it this year. I guess it's true what they say - the third try's a charm. Woo-Hoo and a Yiiipppee ki-yay!

Susan

3/23/2015 10:14:01 am

Never have been more excited to the start of a new season! Best wishes to the new managers and crew! It's going to be great!

doug y link

3/23/2015 11:22:29 am

I drove by the Alum Cave parking lot this morning and sure was tempted to park and hit the trail to the lodge ! Guess I'll have to wait for another ten days to get up there. A few minutes ago, right at about 6:00p, I heard the evening dinner bell ring all the way up here in London, KY !! G'day.

Mike

3/23/2015 11:28:07 am

You mentioned that Trillium Gap is closed to the public. I'm hiking up on April 13 and had hoped to take Trillium. Can the public still access the trail from the Rainbow Falls Trailhead? If so, how much does that add to the hike? Thanks.

3/23/2015 11:48:41 am

I've hiked to the summit twice on Trillium Gap from the RF trailhead. The total distance is 8.8. The extra mileage is 2.3 miles, but it's an easy stretch, I think, with nothing in the way of serious climbing. .

3/24/2015 05:34:00 am

We did the extra trail from Rainbow Falls parking a few years ago so we could avoid getting stuck on that one way loop road. I agree with Kent that the extra mileage is a relatively flat trail, and in many places you'll be up next to the Roaring Fork Motor Trail loop. It isn't that scenic but you'll still be able to enjoy Trillium.

3/24/2015 01:50:01 pm

Thanks for the info.

Debi

3/23/2015 12:52:37 pm

Have a great season LeConte crew. You all, and those mountains are what makes it all. :)

Rick

3/23/2015 01:28:32 pm

LeConte crew have great season. God bless you all.

Craig

3/23/2015 03:39:07 pm

congratulations and happy 2015 to the crew and new manager, best wishes for a wonderful season. 🌙⭐️

Ronald

3/23/2015 03:52:07 pm

When does Alum Cave trail shut down for repairs though the week days?

ut-k

3/23/2015 04:16:42 pm

Ronald, May 04. There are two different 03/17/15 LeConte blogs. One of them details road/trail closures. Have a great evening.

3/24/2015 01:34:29 am

Thanks so much UT-k

Chris

3/24/2015 01:40:04 am

The closing of Alim cave trail has been mentioned here several times. I wouldn't expect them to state it every day so I don't get the sarcasium. Lighten up a bit.

3/24/2015 05:21:17 am

You are more than welcome :))

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First day of the season!

LeConte Lodge

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