June 28, 2019

​Good afternoon, 

The last 24 hours have been a roller coaster of weather. With a high of 71 yesterday and overnight low of 48, guests went from shorts and T-shirt’s to hoodies and flannel pants. Yesterday, we added .42 inches of rain to our total for the year. Today, we are staying in the low 60s with scattered sprinkles of rain and thunder in the close distance. If you plan on hiking up, remember that rain gear!

​Please check out this press release from our partners at the NPS:

“GSMNP officials announced that Trillium Gap Trail will be temporarily closed through Thursday, July 11, due to hazardous trail conditions. The area received heavy rainfall over the last couple of weeks causing extremely slippery, muddy conditions on the trail surface undergoing rehabilitation.

Park trail crews will continue to diligently work on these sections during the closure to make needed repairs. The full closure will allow time for the trail tread to set up and harden for use. Weather depending, the trail is expected to reopen after July 11 for weekend use each week on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and on federal holidays through November 15.”

Guests and visitors to LeConte Lodge will not have access to Trillium Gap Trail (this means Grotto Falls) on weekends during this closure.  Your best opportunity to see the llamas will be at the lodge on packing days, whose schedule remains tentative.  Alum Cave, Rainbow Falls, Bull Head, and The Boulevard are fully open to use.