January 20th, 2016

1/20/2016

A Russian writer named Prishvin said, 'Home is where you have found your happiness.' I think I know where that may be, at least for myself. I'll reveal this much: it has something to do with those mountains, those forests, those wild, free, lost, full-of-wonder places that rise yet (may they always!) above the squalor of the towns. Edward Abbey

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, snowy morning up top! The high yesterday reached 25 degrees. The overnight low was recorded yesterday morning and it was 3 degrees. It was 24 degrees and snowing lightly at 7am observation. The mountain received an inch of new snow, bringing our accumulated total to 4 inches. The trails are very -slick, Alum took me at least 50% longer than usual due to the ice dancing - and that was with Microspikes. The new snow should add some traction, but I would absolutely recommend traction if you intend to get very far. As of this posting, US 441 is closed. Get out and enjoy this beautiful day!

I had a wonderful hike up yesterday afternoon. It was so refreshing to be back in the rhododendron tunnels, indulging in the distinct smells of the Smokies after my time skiing out West. There is a sparseness and unspeakable beauty, a delicacy beyond words in the Western landscape. There is not a thing but the aspens, pines and deep (40 inches of base!) snow... but the forest here has so much going on. I missed the mosses, the understory and ice formations of my home mountain. I got up to the double stair just as the sun was setting and the reds on the horizon seemed to hold on forever, revealing the sun's secrets to my friends and I.

17 Comments

Moose

1/20/2016 10:08:40 am

Yay- you're back!!
Glad you had a safe hike back up the mountain- enjoy!

Jodie

1/20/2016 10:25:01 am

Glad you're back! Missed reading your posts about the mtns! I'm a newbie, a friend just told me about this blog/page a couple weeks ago when we hiked to the top for the 1st time. (Came Alum and LOVED IT!) what an experience?! We've hiked a lot of trails in the Smokies, but had never ventured to Mt.Leconte, so glad a ranger recommended it!

Johnno

1/20/2016 10:29:49 am

Now THAT is a view of the mountain you never see pictures of. Nice!!! NOC Hard, my friend.

pat n

1/20/2016 11:03:40 am

Glad you're back on top safely. We are watching you from Gatlinburg

Grant

1/20/2016 01:03:02 pm

When you get a chance, insert some landmark labels on this amazing picture. Love the Smokies and always interested in different views. This one takes the cake.

tomk in SC

1/20/2016 03:35:41 pm

I believe the view is generally from west to east and behind the wing is the crest of LeConte and High Top. The giveaway, on enlargement, is the loop in the road! From there there are two giveaways: LeConte cannot be far and MUST be the first roughly parallel to the road, ridgeline and that ridgeline must end on the nearside with the unseen Rainbow Falls trail or the visible West Point on the ridge. In between is our beloved Cliff Tops and High Point just a bit further to the right. I imagine you could see out to the Boulevard or at least where it hits the AT were it not hidden by the wing. An extraordinary shot, indeed! Well done!

Grant

1/20/2016 06:05:17 pm

Yes, the 360 loop is what caught my eye first and then helped me get oriented a little more (after I made the post). Thanks, tomk in SC, for the further details.

stephen

1/20/2016 01:32:11 pm

looks like your gonna be getting a lot of snow over the next few days...I'm already anticipating the photos from Saturday and Sunday

phillip

1/20/2016 02:08:08 pm

Yes, quite a view from 10,00 feet up, but just where are we looking down at !? Beneath that airplane wingtip next to a dark shadow, it rather looks like that may be Chimney Tops, but I am unsure of this.

Kent

1/20/2016 03:16:43 pm

I thought it was Clingmand Dome, at first. But after further examination I'm pretty sure it's Mt. LeConte.

Peppermint Pattie

1/20/2016 02:39:14 pm

Welcome back JP ! You were missed. Gorgeous photo today. You must be in your glory; skiing out west, and home to more snow. ;) stay warm. Th fog is so dense, I cannot see the mountain range yet today.

doug y link

1/20/2016 03:22:06 pm

Phillip: I think that you are correct. That's the peak of "Chimney Tops" a little below he plane's wingtip. I looked at a view on Google Earth and rotated that until I cold make a reasonable match, sort of overlapping the two views, and, if you enlarge the photo here today you will see that 360+ degree loop in Hwy. 441 which is just above the Chimney Tops trailhead and slightly to the left wee bit. I am convinced. Nice view regardless.

Grant

1/20/2016 03:42:46 pm

To phillip - Yes, that was my guess, too.

Grant

1/20/2016 03:43:49 pm

It's a unique perspective, that's for sure.

elaine

1/20/2016 04:34:05 pm

Glad to have you safely back on the mountain. My first visit to the Tetons and Yellowstone set me back with the sparseness of greenery in my vision. By the time my stay was over, I had fallen for those Aspens and the Grand Tetons. We occupy a beautiful planet. More snow to come Friday and Saturday but sounds as though you've had bunches already!

norman

1/20/2016 06:55:12 pm

Love pictures taken from a plane with wing showing at ?,??? ft. up and mountains below, where ever they are. (airborne all the way) Glad you are back! Waiting for some snow pictures. Any one know 'NC girl'? HAGE

debnfl

1/20/2016 11:51:37 pm

Hey! Haven't checked out the website in a while but thought about how the weather must be where you are. Cold!
I've been to the Lodge twice. Loved it so will be back in nicer weather.
Stay safe and warm!

Deb

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January 20th, 2016

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