July 16, 2020

Good Afternoon,

​We appear to be marching in lockstep with what’s happening down below during this heat wave. In consecutive days we surpassed 70° and have a new high of 73° for the year so far. With rain percentages increasing in the coming days, the return of clouds and slightly cooler temps should prevail, above 6,000’ anyways. Still nice to be 20-30° cooler than what’s being felt in the lower elevations this time of year.

There is endless beauty all across the mountain. Rosebay Rhododendron are in peak form along the lower reaches of Mt. LeConte, and the drive around Roaring Fork is tremendous. The Dwarf Rhododendron are still hanging around up top. In the coming weeks, we should start to see the summer explosion of color around the lodge. Purple Monkshood, Yellow Coneflower, Crimson Red Bee Balm, Green Bush Honeysuckle, White Snakeroot, and even a few orange American Turk’s Cap Lilies. Great time to be on the mountain!