Jack Frost is Hanging On

3/22/2013

Jack Frost has definitely been nipping at my nose. Temperatures on the mountain remained in the teens all day yesterday. The high was 15º. The weather forecast is calling for more precipitation this weekend with freezing temperatures. If you decide to go for a hike this weekend, please make sure you have plenty of warm clothing and I would recommend some sort of ice crampon for your boots.

Now, as for trails leading to the lodge. As we all know, the park has been hit with budget restraints. That means the trail crew consists of three amazing men who are doing their best to maintain the trails on the TN side of the park. They have not been able to get up the mountain. As of now, Trillium has not been cleared. I am not sure it will be by the time we open. If any of you have been up Trillium in the past day or so, maybe you can help us out and let us know what the trail is like. Now remember, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is closed until April 12th. This means, if you wish to hike Trillium Gap trail, you will have to park at the Rainbow Falls trail head parking lot and hike the extra 2 miles on the connector trail. That will make for a long day.

Alum Cave trail is going to be extremely icy. You will be fine as long as you have some kind of ice crampon for your boots.

Rainbow Falls trail is going to be icy as well. If you do not like heights, it may be your best bet, as of now, to reach the lodge.

Bullhead trail has not been cleared since the big snow in October. If you are an experienced hiker, you may still enjoy this trail, just be ready for a long, long day.

I would not even attempt the Boulevard trail at this time. It is going to have deeper snow drifts and the ice tends to stick around a lot longer. I am not sure on the condition of the trail in regards to blow downs. I will keep you posted if I hear.

I hope this information helps you make some informed decisions. I will keep you up to date on the conditions over the weekend.

Kristy Anderson

3/22/2013 01:49:21 am

Glad the drop went well. We have a friend from Florida Bo Wilkes there helping. Tell him hello from all of us here in Perry, Florida.. We come up twice a year, me and my family, to hike up...See everyone soon. Enjoy.! :)

kathy

3/22/2013 02:00:50 am

Any kin to Marsh & Brailyn? Our group goes first weekend in April and they are always with our group.

Dave

3/22/2013 01:55:23 am

Thanks for the updates on the trails. We are headed up Monday and are packing more and more layers! Anyone know if there is a difference going down the boulevard trail vs coming up it? We were planning going down the boulevard to the AT but might have to change plans. Thanks.

doug y

3/22/2013 01:56:01 am

Great report Allyson. Exactly spot on correct ! It's a shame in my opinion that the so-called budget cuts have to affect our Park; just three men to clear trails !? I wish I lived right next to the Park because then there'd be four, only three of them on the payroll ! Can't give those guys enough credit. Tony Ga, Tanya, others: I posted some comments this morning on yesterday's post for you. Allyson, your photo for this morning is very interesting: reminds me of some famous artist - - I just can't recall which one ! Nice abstract. I was thinking last night about all the chores the crew has to complete prior to opening day ! You folks do a wonderful job of it ! Good morning all.

Tony Ga

3/22/2013 02:07:00 am

I caught your comments on yesterday's post. Maybe one day this summer we can meet and do lunch on the mountain top. Maybe we'll invite Debi to eat with us.
Where's spring??? Has anybody seen it?

Pam

3/22/2013 07:55:16 am

Spring? Around the corner, but which?? Heard Buckeye Chuck met an undertaker!! Heading To the Burg this weekend and next week. Can't wait to be on a trail!! Sure hope the weather improves!!

Debi

3/22/2013 01:12:04 pm

Tony and Doug, I will be up there to spend the night July 4th. I would love to meet you both.

Duane

3/22/2013 02:04:22 am

Is it worth the extra two miles to Trillium for better trail conditions?

Brian N bama

3/22/2013 02:20:43 am

Good morning to all. Allyson, are there certain requirements as far as clearing the trail? Could someone go up with say a battery powered reciprocating saw and clear it as they trek up the mountain? Just curious.

Mary F

3/22/2013 09:06:41 am

Brian, and anyone interested. The National Park does have an adopt a trail program. They train you in the proper and safest way to maintain the trails. Anyone fortunate enough ( as I am) to spend at least six months in the summer can volunteer to do this. You will get to pick trails which are not already taken, I have a trail on the NC side of the mountain. Anyone interested can inquire at either visitor center and receive the information on the next available class training. Basically we maintain water bars, clear trash :-( and remove blow-downs of less than 6 inches. Larger than that they have a volunteer chainsaw crew which will go out. It is unfortunate that budget issues should effect such a National Treasure. I'm sure all us hiking people already help while we are hiking :-)

3/22/2013 09:33:01 am

I only wish I could spend the time up there. My oldest son and I hiked up to the bluff on Alum last sunday and picked up to plastic bottles, a piece of cloth and a few other small pieces. I know most on this blog live by if you bring it in, take it out. I had words with a lady last year who threw down a banana peel. She said "it's ok, and something will eat it". If I see someone doing something wrong on the trail, I will tell you about it. Happy trails.

Amy

3/22/2013 02:30:46 am

Hi! We are set to arrive on Wednesday to stay until Friday morning. My Husband and I will be hiking with our 7 and 9 year old children. What are your recommendations as far as which trail to take and necessary gear given the current conditions?

3/22/2013 02:42:12 am

I'll try to brief this time, but most of you know that's not one of my virtues !! Brian: great idea but I fear that liability issues / concerns of the Park Service wouldn't allow that, sadly. Duane: Personally, I think the extra distance is well worth it. Tony Ga: capital idea my friend ! We'd have to include Gina and anyone else who might be interested. If it were Debi, Gina, you, and myself, well, that'd be two thorns amongst two roses, eh !? We'll have to see what develops. I went out a few minutes ago and looked at my 'old' library of hiking / camping / baqckpacking books. I'll list the main ones I've depended on for a lot of years for those interested. Of course, I'm sure that you couild find updated / new versions at the visitor center gift shop and proably completely new ones. Having hiked every trail in the Park I guess I could and should write my own some day.
"Hiking Trails of the Smokies" Great Smoky Mountains
Historical Association 1999 issue

"Day Hikes" (brochure) Great Smoky Mountains National
Park; this has a nice foldout map highlighting
particular trails; a nice brochure

"Hikers Guide to the Smokies" a Sierra Club Totebook
1973 !!

****National Geographic G.S.M.N.P. a very nice foldout map
waterproof / tear resistant topographic map I take
this one along with me occasionally

***there's an old, detailed book called "The Complete
Walker III" by Colin Fletcher which some consider the
'bible' for hikers and campers, etc. I believe there's
a "IV" version out now, if not newer.

These are my favorites, but surely there are others. G'day

3/22/2013 03:10:09 am

I can't believe you called Gina and Debi thorns!

3/22/2013 09:09:06 am

LOL!!

3/22/2013 01:15:01 pm

Ha!! I'm probably the thorn. Ha!!!

3/22/2013 01:13:42 pm

Yes, include Gina. shes my future AT partner.

3/22/2013 02:46:49 am

Just caught your questions; had to reply: nice age for children to be hiking, but as many others here will suggest: Prepare thoroughly for WINTER conditions ! Allyson's post at the head of today's page gave great information regarding the trails. Prepare well, hike carefully, be safe !! Good luck.

Shawn Gregory

3/22/2013 02:55:26 am

A group of friends and I hiked from Loop Road/ Cherokee Orchard road up to the shelter at Le Conte via the Trillium Gap on Wednesday 3/20.

Trillium gap had four or five downed trees that required some crafty maneuvers to get around. There was also an extremely icy patch where the guide wire was, and this was before the fresh poweder dropped Wednesday night.

On Thursday 3/21, We decided to cut our trip short, and just head back to the cars after we saw how much snow fell. We were only expecting .5 inches according to a forecasting website- not 4. We figured trillium gap would be very difficult where that icy patch was, so we headed back on Bull Head. Bull head was relatively safer. Fewer downed trees and no intense intense ice patches. However, there was still a nice amount of snow and slick patches as expected.

Hope this helps!

Stretch

3/22/2013 03:37:32 am

Just to echo what Shawn said about Bull Head, there are currently about 8 or 9 blow downs along the trail, but only 2 required some tricky moves. Katoohla Micro Spikes - best investment you can make for these conditions!

Liz

3/22/2013 03:38:31 am

We are hiking to the lodge on Monday with 2 children (ages 9 and 12). Given the current weather predictions, ice etc, we were thinking about taking Rainbow Falls. However, from reading today's posts, do follks think it would be wiser to take Rainbow to Bullhead vs just Rainbow? Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

Chad

3/22/2013 03:57:43 am

We are hiking up Wednesday. I'm getting nervous about the conditions because I am coming with my 7 year old. What would be the safest route to take?

Tara

3/22/2013 04:02:00 am

Our family is also hiking to the lodge on Wed and back on Thurs. From the comments, I'm thinking that an investment in Micro Spikes for our family (children age 15 &11) will be a safety essential. Given the price to outfit 5 of us, I was trying to avoid it. We also will be watching posts for the safest hike.

Kent

3/22/2013 04:29:57 am

Fifteen degrees! Sheesh, and I was complaining that it didn't get out he 30s the past two days. Is this the beginning of the new Ice Age, perhaps. I didn't get a flyer or anything.

Best of luck to everyone who is hiking up next week to kick off the new season. I hope the weather takes a turn for the spring-like rapidly.

jay

3/22/2013 04:54:27 am

Thanks Allyson for the update on conditions. I urge everyone going up or down any of the trails to heed Allyson's advice.

3/22/2013 06:00:32 am

Hey Debi & Gina !! DO NOT LISTEN TO TONY GA !!! You KNOW who I was referring when I mentioned thorns !! I guess, Tony Ga, I gave you a prime opportunity there !! When summer comes, we'll have to get our heads together, eh !? PEOPLE: IT'S STILL WINTER, DESPITE WHAT THE CALENDAR INDICATES !! PREPARE FOR WINTER; SPEND WHATEVER IT TAKES TO OUTFIT YOU AND YOUR YOUNG ONES IF YOU VALUE SAFETY. It's well worth it. Listen to the ones who are the authorities on hiking up to the lodge: Allyson and all the crew. Then, enjoy your adventures !

3/22/2013 01:16:58 pm

July 4th guys. You guys are cracking me up.

Allison Block

3/22/2013 06:22:50 am

I'm hiking up tomorrow for the 3rd time and never have been in the snow I come via Alum Cave, I'm excited to see the snow.....

Susan B

3/22/2013 06:43:21 am

Yes, I think Mother Nature forgot it's Spring! I too was complaining about it being in the 30's here in St Louis. And Sunday - dang! We're getting up to 12 inches of snow! I am so over Winter!

Everyone be safe hiking!

Steve D

3/22/2013 07:12:44 am

Regarding trail conditions and equipment needed-I agree completely with all who have weighed in on this and everyone always needs to listen to the Lodge caretakers-when they say use microspikes BELIEVE IT! These are very experienced folks up there. The fact is the mountain can be dangerous under any conditions but especially with ice the way it is now and will be next week. A man was hurt pretty bad on the upper section of the Alum Cave Trail just two weeks ago on a really bad narrow icy section and had to be rescued by the park rescue team. Alum is certainly the shortest and takes less time if you are equipped well, but if you are not equipped well the extra time it takes in ice and snow is significant. I ran into some young hikers the other day who did not have microspikes and they were going to take 6-7 hours just to go up one way. If anyone has a fear of heights Alum has some places on the upper section that are bound to stimulate those fears. Rainbow is less scary and doesn't have quite the severe ice until you get to the last mile, but it still will have snow and ice to deal with. However, Rainbow is a mile and a half longer and is more of a strenuous climb so you really have to figure much more time for that trail. Please get your microspkes before you get here as I just spoke to NOC and they are out in Gatlinburg and the Day Hiker store does not carry them. Also, I would highly recommend Goretex shoes/boots as in snow and ice it would be easy to get your feet wet without them. I find as well that trekking poles are a great safety and stability addition to have in snow and ice. The Day Hiker store in Gatlinburg does have a good buy on those, and NOC carries a big selection. If the snow is deeper than 3-4 inches then gaiters are huge to have also. Don't wear jeans or anything that is cotton if you can help it, as when you sweat they won't dry out. Use 100% polyester and you will be glad you did. Remember, the upper side of the mountain can be so totally different than the lower side and a lot of inexperienced hikers don't realize that. You can start out on the lower side with 1-3 inches of snow and when you get to the upper section it could easily be 8-12 inches, I have experienced that often this winter. Also, the snow and ice do not melt very quickly on the upper side like it does on the lower half and it is colder and can be very windy on the top side as well. I can tell you that I would not even begin to get on that mountain in the winter with my kids or grandkids without the proper equipment. I want us all to enjoy our beloved Mt LeConte and am so excited the season is beginning there, but want every one to be safe! Have a great day all!

Larry

3/22/2013 09:48:56 am

Very good advice.

3/22/2013 07:44:54 am

Steve D: Bravo ! Bravo !! Your words were very well composed and written. Anyone with less experience should write them down and carry them along in their packs and read them until memorized ! Yes, the crew up there is the first and most valuable source for trail information. I've had many, many years of hiking and camping experience, but I am not there on the mountain, so what I write is only secondary to the first-hand knowledge of the crew, and, those who are the most recent followers of the various trails offer great advice to supplement and enhance the rest. So, Steve D. I must nominate you for the "Golden Staff Award" for today ! Thanks and g'day !

3/22/2013 12:25:42 pm

Thanks Doug-I just have seen a lot of people ill equipped out there during these winter months and worry about them. I was on Alum one day, and just before the Bluffs I had to put my microspikes on and watched a man and his teenage son with tennis shoes on try to climb up a sheet of ice and couldn't-then crawled across the ice thinking it was really cool to do that. It is just asking for trouble.

Tracy G

3/22/2013 08:06:01 am

3/22/2013 08:14:31 am

Kathy....
Yes. it is Marsh, I know him as Bo. Enjoy your trip... I guess that you will enjoy easter up there.

3/22/2013 10:29:01 am

We are thinking of hiking up to alum cave bluff tomorrow afternoon. Is the trail up to that point pretty icy or has that part melted?

3/22/2013 02:26:10 pm

J-you really won't know until you get out there, as it can change by the day. I have seen the ice really bad around Arch Rock and then up near the Bluffs as well. A lot depends on the temperature between now and then. If you don't have spikes then you will have to make the decision whether to turn around if it gets too dicey. I always say "there is no shame in turning around, there will always be another day to hike." I have turned around before, and will do it in a heartbeat if my safety is at risk.

Tammy

3/22/2013 11:56:28 am

My family and I are hiking up April 4 ( so I guess there is a chance it could be more Springlike by then.) I was wondering if the parking lot for the Grotto Falls trailhead is open? I was reading that the Rainbow Falls is open and Trillium Gap is closed, just curious about Grotto Falls ...

Meg

3/22/2013 12:40:41 pm

Tammy, Grotto Falls is located on the Trillium Gap Trail.

3/22/2013 01:19:04 pm

Steve D: You and I share the same concerns; I, too, worry about those people who are inexperienced in many ways of the outdoors and especially winter hiking, let alone summer jaunts ! And why on earth do they feel the need to take foolish chances, unnecessary dangerous risks !? I suppose that one reason that I tend to write such long posts here is that I like to think that perhaps I am helping someone learn some vital things that will make their hikes safer, better, and lessen the chances of them getting injured, etc. I could write many more pages than I ever have here relating accounts of the people I've encountered throughout my years in the Park. One of my favorites, or perhaps I should say most memorable, is the story of "Penny Loafer Paul" and "Flip Flop Fanny" !! I'll tell it again if anyone wants to hear it. Preparation, preparation, preparation !! It's a 'cardinal rule' of any outdoor adventure in my opinion. Just use your common sense.
Tammy: Meg is right. Trillium is my favorite trail to the lodge because on this trail I feel more solitude than, say, Alum which is the most spectacular in my mind. It may be a long while before I take Alum again for I do so love Trillium these days. I believe in a post here a few days ago, I cannot this moment recall on what day, that it was reported that the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail will be close until April 12, but please check earlier posts to verify this, I could be mistaken. If it is closed beyond the Rainbow Falls trailhead & parkling lot, you will havge to hike 1.2 or 1.7 mi (can't recall the correct mileage there) from there on over to pick up the Trillium route. Yes, Grotto Falls is nice I like resting there sometimes when I'm out ahead of the llamas, let them catch up to me at that spot, then follow them on up to the lodge, although it's getting a wee bit more difficult for me to keep up with their pace ! Good hiking whatever trail you choose. As I like to say: "No matter where you go, there you are ! The journey is the destination." G'eveniing.

Jean S

3/23/2013 07:48:36 am

Doug, I agree with you. I've been up and down all the trails to Laconte and Trillium is my very favorite! Plan on doing it again early May and the Llama's always make good traveling companions!

Workman

3/23/2013 12:39:30 am

doug y, I enjoy reading your comments and have come to the conclusion that you are the man in the Dos XX commercial :)

3/23/2013 01:12:32 am

Workman: No, but thanks for the compliment. I've led a good life, done a lot of things, been a lot of places, and am interested in a lot of subjects, and I simply like to share my experiences. Fame and glory are reserved for those who seek them. One thing I've come to have a better awareness of, and it's a reason why I have become more concerned about them, is the number of people that hike all winter long. I don't know why but there are more than I realized, and I think it's great. I do my share of hiking in the cold months and love it, preparing adequately to insure the success of any little journey I undertake. I simply love hiking. I am completely alive when doing it ! Yet, I am ready fro spring and summer and the delights that each season delivers. Saturday morning now and it's only a matter of hours before Leconte Lodge is once again occupied by all those wonderful individuals who enjoy that atmosphere and experience. Knowing that the crew is already up there, busily and eagerly preparing for the guests, is a great thought and feeling ! G'day.

3/23/2013 01:36:37 am

Im not convinced you're not Mr doug y :)) would like to meet you up there some time and sit at your table. oh yeah and Chris does a fine job of keeping that bottomless glass topped off. lol Enjoy your day

3/23/2013 02:12:08 am

Thank you very much Workman ! I must warn you: brevity is not one of my virtues as I have often said here, and I can talk your head off ! We'll have to see how things fit into place in the coming months. I'll post my email address here if you wish to communicate more directly: [email protected] In fact, I welcome anyone; my own website is "under construction" right now, and I hope to 'register' it with Google in a few days; it'll be simply another forum where I can discuss at length hiking, camping, backpacking, and such wonderful matters ! Do you play chess ? Good morning.

Sara link

3/25/2013 11:39:01 am

Hey, folks. I am sheepishly dropping a line or two on this board to express regrets that I have not made it up the Boulevard Trail since mid-December to submit a trail report, and get those few maintenance guys up there to clear the blowdowns. When I was up in the icy conditions in December, there were many huge, thick and stumpy blowdowns on the Blvd, and the AT down to the Gap parking lot was treacherous with ice. I am sure that those were cleared, but I am not kidding when I say that there were about ten blowdowns that I could not move on my own. I am sure there are a few new ones, with all of the storms since then!
I day-hike the AT and the Blvd RT, and I need warmer days in order to have time to safely get back down. In the winter, I barely had enough before the glaze set in. Small window, there!
Just want all you folks to know, I check your reports often, and think about getting up that trail literally every day so I can make certain it is safe for others to hike. So...as SOON as I can get up, I will! I hike it solo (since I can't find a buddy that wants to hike that many miles at that elevation), but have a couple of buddies that work in the Park and live very close, and I check with them on the trail with my cell so they know where I am at certain points, and exactly what time I am on the trail and off. I have spikes, but still....ehhh. Small comforts, lol.
Anyway, humbly apologizing. I am just waiting for just a few degrees of relative warmth. Hope to take care of business soon!
(PS, I do follow the links for 72-hour weather windows and freezing points at different elevations each day....gonna craft a perfect day and come up)

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Jack Frost is Hanging On

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