 a long life, many miles. To each of us comes the body gift. Mary Oliver Morning y'all, It's a beautiful, clear morning up top. The high yesterday reached 30 degrees. The overnight low was 7 degrees, recorded shortly after yesterday's observation. It was 29 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received no new snow or precipitation and there is approximately 3 inches of snow remaining. I would still recommend Microspikes if you intend to reach the summit, as there is slick black ice below the snow in various spots. Get out and enjoy the beautiful day!  Top photo: Oh yeah. Above: an evening run! Grace and I had a superb day yesterday sledding and meandering in the new snow. It's always one of the landmark days of a winter spent up here - fresh snow and a closed Hwy 441. In general, it is rare that we see the majority of day hikers, but there is an indelible inkling of other folks all around the mountain when the road is open. In just the same way that 'wilderness' is an indescribable feeling, the closed road days produce a sense of quietude and dignity. The tallest mountain on the east coast becomes our own personal playground.  Above: wandering amongst the giants. We hiked out slowly to a blustery sunset at Cliff Tops. That little half mile hike from the lodge to Cliff Tops becomes a joyous tour of the people's Christmas tree farm, with our familiar spruces transformed in coats of snowfall. I felt especially grateful to be in a National Park yesterday, a treeful and peopleless sanctuary when so much of our world is in peril. After we escaped the harsh winds, the last tints of orange and purple stuck around for a bit and guided us home reminding us of the peace of wild things.  the evenings ring out for us.
11 Comments
Pat N
1/31/2017 10:26:49 am
Beautiful fun!!!
Christine Nelson
1/31/2017 10:51:59 am
What a glorious day it must have been for you and Grace! Thanks for sharing these beautiful shots of this place I love so much! For now I have to go there in my mind and your post surely help take me there! Have a great day! :)
Tammy (Tx)
1/31/2017 11:26:31 am
Oh what fun! How wonderful! We witnessed the most amazing sunset I had ever seen when we stayed at the lodge last October. The colors you mentioned....the oranges, the purples.....are so befitting for a description of a Cliff Tops sunset. Now add in the reds, yellows, blues and greens, and the sunset we witnessed, as I'm sure you have had the pleasure to many times, was full of all the colors of the rainbow! Now, just dust the mountain with snow, and you have one stunning display right before day's end. How I long to see that....some day. Have a beautiful day!
Franklin
1/31/2017 11:30:31 am
Beautiful pictures today. Really glad you are getting your wish for snow. You are a very lucky man to live in such a great place for part of the year. I tried to hike up after the big snow early November 2014. Sadly had to turn around at the bluff because I forgot my traction devices. Safety first ! Saw Chris and Allison hiking back up that day. Enjoy your time there everyday.
Jenifer
1/31/2017 12:54:30 pm
Wow! The beauty of the Smokies covered in snow is unparalleled! What a wonderful opportunity you have to spend a "season" of your life in such solitude and splendor! Those are the experiences that really help to mold and shape a person. You are very blessed, JP and Grace! I was blessed to have a similar experience in the Lake District in England and up into the mtns. of Scotland when I was about your age. From an older soul, savor these moments and milk them for all they are worth (which it looks like you are)! Headed up that way this weekend. Hope Hwy. 441 will be open so that we can ascend via Alum. Keep enjoying that snow!
Paul Flanders
1/31/2017 05:13:39 pm
Congrats on finishing in the top 10 at Mtn Mist. Thanks for posting the excellent photos. Checking out the Leconte pics on the blog have b come part of my daily routine.
Dar
1/31/2017 05:49:17 pm
LeConte is number 6 highest, but we know what you mean, beeing up there when nobody is around and fore sure in the snow makes it seem like the very top of the world.
JP
2/1/2017 12:29:43 pm
Dar,
mcculley
1/31/2017 06:28:31 pm
it has become one of the highlights of the day to share with all of you, our common love for these mtns.
Walter Overby
1/31/2017 07:25:55 pm
Hey John, congratulations on your race last Saturday. I saw your results over the weekend.
norman (ga.)
1/31/2017 08:34:14 pm
Had to use "the evenings ring out for us" for wall paper , more than beautiful !! God is great ! Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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