High On LeConte
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

January 05th, 2016

1/5/2016

5 Comments

 
Picture
If you love a flower, don't pick it up. Because if you pick it up it dies and it ceases to be what you love. So if you love a flower, let it be. Love is not about possession. Love is about appreciation. Osho

Morning y'all,

It is a beautiful chilly morning up top! The high yesterday reached 21 degrees and the overnight low was 3 degrees! It is actually starting to feel a bit like winter. It was 20 degrees and clear at 7am observation and some gorgeous purple pink alpenglow was lighting up the northeastern sky. The mountain received a trace of snow, but there is also plenty of black ice on the trails. Be sure to use caution if you intend to hike up more than half way! I night hiked up yesterday and there is plenty to keep you from going your normal speed. I'd definitely recommend Microspikes if you hope to reach the summit.

Picture

I had a wonderful, snowy hike down Bullhead yesterday afternoon. I am typically a morning person, but I was meeting a friend in the valley for a night hike up Alum. It allowed me to get a later start than usual and enjoy the late afternoon without the effort of having to go uphill. It was my first snowy outing of the season and it was well worth the wait. Although it was rather chilly, I was able to jog down, dodging sections of black ice and enjoying the relaxed pace that comes with caution. My friend Becca and I started up Alum at around 5:30 and it wasn't headlamp o'clock until we hit Inspiration Point. We caught the last rays of the sunset, then continued on our way. The stars were majestic and we saw the first bobcat tracks of the season (I might have squealed with joy). Nothing compares to the intensity of a cold, cold night hike in the snow. There was steam rolling off our thin baselayers by the time we felt the warm embrace of the lodge. If that day wasn't a fine kind of happiness, I'm not sure what is.


Picture
5 Comments
Tammy ( Tx )
1/5/2016 10:48:02 am

I'm jealous, JP, downright jealous! I've always liked night hiking, or "walking" around at night in the woods around here, for there are no beautiful mountains close by. Memories of night hiking at my grandpa's, night hikes with Ranger Mike in Cades Cove. Being out in the woods at night creates an entirely different picture of all that's around you. To me it's kind of magical, as long as I'm with a group and not alone! Haha!

My favorite thing I like to do every year on my birthday (which is in several weeks) is go to a state park close by where there are huge granite monoliths about 400 to 500 feet high. We climb, walk and sometimes crawl all over those rocks all day. Boulder hop as I like to call it! I've always wanted to be there after dark because when the warm days turn to cool nights the rock shifts and the granite domes actually "moan". Maybe I will stay long after dark this time in hopes of hearing that!

Enjoy your day, JP! You'll get some heavier snow this season I imagine!

Reply
Steve
1/5/2016 08:42:12 pm

Tammy that's a nice way to look at the simple outdoors. It's a special place and nighttime in the woods is a special time. I used to do a lot of alone camping/backpacking in the Smokies and nighttime was always a thrill. Amazing what is out there in the woods!

Reply
elktonbrant
1/5/2016 01:02:26 pm

Bobkitten.... hooray!

Reply
Elaine
1/5/2016 02:04:15 pm

My eyes could not adjust to today's photo. I had to turn my computer around so that it didn't look like you would be stepping off into the sky. Sometimes its hard to change perceptions once you've seen it a certain way.

Reply
Tammy ( Tx )
1/5/2016 08:55:37 pm

I noticed it this morning but didn't comment about it. Is there a reason why the bottom picture for today is upside down? Kind of makes you dizzy to look at it! : )

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    LeConte Lodge

    Welcome 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!

    For information regarding GSMNP's new paid parking tag requirements, please visit their website.

    For information regarding shuttle services, as well as overnight parking options in Gatlinburg, please visit our reservations website.

    Online Store

    Archives

    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

    RSS Feed

For current GSMNP road and trail information, visit the Park's Twitter page, official website, or call 865-436-1200 and follow the prompts.
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

Picture

Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture