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

June 4, 2014

6/4/2014

 
Picture
Good afternoon to you.  It's been a busy day on LeConte with people (and critters) coming and going ahead of the storms forecast for tonight.  The most noteworthy thing is this morning I captured the first known photo of a whitetail deer and a bobcat in the same frame in the history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  That's important evidence for the diversity of species in park, and I've posted the photo at the end as a public service.

The weather has been better today than the last couple of days.  We've seen periodic (short) intervals of sunshine between our walls of gray.  I hope it will be enough to get our solar power up to a better charge.  The high was 58 degrees with a low of 48 and no precipitation.

We were treated to a lovely concert last night by the occupants of lodge number 2 (or New Lodge as the staff knows it).  After a day hemmed in by clouds, the skies began to open over LeConte during supper, a prelude to the music to come.  We ended up with a nice sunset, beautiful night sky and impressive sunrise before the clouds rolled back in this morning.  As last night's sunset was bowing out, I heard some beautiful hymns being sung in harmony floating off the porch above the kitchen. 
It was good enough that I turned off the Merle Haggard I was listening to (and that's high praise) while I was doing manager's reports and tuned in. 

Guests would stop by and listen and applaud after each song. 
They wrapped up just before quiet hours began at 10 p.m. and serenaded folks headed back to their cabins for slumber.  You hear lots of folks singing up here.  Most carry a tune admirably after hiking up to the top of Tennessee.  However, once in a while, you'll hear someone who sounds like an alley cat is fighting an accordion in a loser-leave-town match.  These folks last night could sing and were on the other end of the spectrum.

I was also pleased to meet Jenny (who comments here at times) this afternoon.  She hiked up LeConte off-trail via Styx Branch
and dropped by to say hello.

We welcomed the llamas back to LeConte Lodge on a Wednesday food resupply.  Llama wrangler Alan told me he saw a bear in the Trillium Gap parking lot.  We've had some bear sightings on the mountain in the last week, including the first one I've seen at the lodge this season about three days ago.
  Make sure you're conscientious about your food and storing your pack.

Also, as the top photo shows, we had some rare guests show up at the lodge.  I noticed three men strolling through the lodge and heard the familiar "clink, clink" of spurs as the boots hit the wood floors.  I think I've only seen two instances in the four seasons I've worked on LeConte in which people brought up horses for pleasure.  There are some soft edges to the Trillium Gap Trail, which a llama can navigate with ease but a much heavier horse must skillfully maneuver.

It was different in the past, but now it's a rarity to see horses at the lodge.  These horses were resting at the tie rack on Trillium Gap Trail just before you reach the spring.  Horses are not allowed in camp and can't stay overnight.  Trillium Gap Trail is the only one servicing LeConte that is open to horse (and llama) traffic.  Usually, when we see horses up top they've come to assist with park service work (and may arrive via the Rainbow Falls Trail as the pre-llama, former LeConte pack horses did).


Happy trails.

Picture
The only known photo of a whitetail deer and bobcat in the same frame in the history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
dan waits
6/4/2014 08:11:21 am

a deer & a bobcat? VERY funny ;-) LOL

Wally Houston
6/5/2014 10:04:12 am

If only J P could see his bobcat now he would be happy

Melissa
6/4/2014 08:17:05 am

Hah Hah....I knew there was going to be something funny about that picture but made myself read the article first. I promise not to sing when I come up in September. It would not make for pretty listening! :)

Ronette
6/4/2014 08:31:00 am

Very nice post! I had no idea that there were any trails up to LeConte that allowed horses so fun new fact to learn. So glad to know about the bobcat ;-)

TracyG
6/4/2014 08:44:39 am

Ah, You got me with the deer and bobcat!

Val
6/4/2014 01:42:30 pm

Got me too! I believed you were serious...lol.

doug
6/4/2014 08:53:21 am

Is that a real deer or a decoy? no way a bobcat wouldn't attack a real deer

Debi
6/4/2014 09:16:00 am

Well, I'm a little slow. Had to read the 1st comment to figure out where the Bob cat was. I had my son looking for it too. But he had a good excuse, he didn't read it. I did. Duhhhh! That was cute.

cincy seibs link
6/4/2014 09:17:00 am

You can laugh about the bobcat/deer picture, but I think the best line is "sounds like an alley cat fighting an accordion in a loser-leave-town match." Classic. Missed LeConte last week but had a great hike down Sweat Heifer Creek and Kephart Prong. Keep up the great work!

Sharon S
6/4/2014 09:26:38 am

Glad to learn about the Styx Branch route. This blog is so informative (and enjoyable)!

Elisabeth
6/4/2014 11:28:32 am

I fell for it too. very clever! I would have loved to been topside while the horses AND llama were there. Id be a Happy camper, for sure. great pics and narrative, thanks
seems there are lots of bear sightings lately going up to LeConte, even on the busy Alum Cave trail. wow. Be safe ya'll !

Val link
6/4/2014 01:56:04 pm

There have been lots of Bear sightings in Gatlinburg lately too! Hungry right now. Maybe they will calm when the blackberries ripen. The ABR (Appalachian Bear Rescue) had a 500lb wild male checking out the orphan cubs through the fence 2 days ago, here is a link to their posting of it! Just click the arrow next to my name.

Sandra
6/4/2014 12:01:06 pm

Now, that was a good one! LOL

Janet
6/4/2014 12:25:30 pm

Oh that's good! Love the deer and bobcat!!! And to think, I held off scrolling down to that, to finish reading. I could hardly wait to see the photo! You're ROTTEN! I have a serious question though, bobcat aside. You were talking about the llama wrangler seeing a bear in the parking lot. Has there ever been an incident with the llamas and a bear on the trail? You said that today the llamas' were carrying up food supplies. I'm sure they weren't unloaded until after the bear was long gone! But what about when they are on the trail carrying food? That thought occurred to me as I was reading that. I do know bears usually aren't a problem unless they've been "tampered" with. Thanks for your informative posts! I always enjoy reading them!!!!

High on LeConte
6/5/2014 02:55:47 pm

Janet,

That's a fair question about the bears and food-packing llamas. To my knowledge, we've never had any issues with bears being aggressive to llamas. There's always a llama wrangler, Alan or Chrissy, with the llama string, so most bears steer clear and head for the woods. Have a fine day.

Nathan

Jenny B. link
6/4/2014 12:26:24 pm

It was great stopping by and chatting with Nathan. He was a very gracious host despite his very busy schedule, especially on a day when the llamas came up! I've written something on my blog about my hike today up Styx Branch. You can see it by clicking on my name with the arrow.

doug y link
6/4/2014 01:54:59 pm

Jenny B. I just finished looking at your wonderful collection of photos from your Styx Branch adventure. Marvelous indeed ! My compliments to you. I must shake your hand some day. It's been a few years since my last off-trail or cross-country trek, and when I get this problematic bad knee replaced not too long from now I am going to make very definite plans to follow your steps up Styx ! it might be next spring when I do this, but I surely will. Thank you for your brilliant composition. I've hiked all the trails in the Smokies twice, but perhaps you have given me another goal, hiking as many off-trail routes as I can manage. It will surely help me avoid the heavily "touristed" trails. Going to get your book on Amazon also.
Yes, Nathan, I fell for your subtle little antic, too. I'm always interested in accounts of wildlife in the Park, especially around Mt. Leconte, and I read your story eagerly. Good job. For some reason the account of a bear in the Trillium parking lot didn't surprise me. This has been my favorite trail for three or four years now and I've encountered a few bears along it. And I, too, have wondered about bear/llama encounters. Thanks and good evening.

Jenny B. link
6/5/2014 12:26:09 am

Thanks for your interest, Doug Y. If you want to get back into off-trail hiking (after that knee surgery), think of doing an outing with the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club. They've been doing off-trail since the 1920s--there have been some famous members like Harvey Broome and Ernie Dickerman--and they still do several off-trails every year.

Jamie Barnes
6/4/2014 01:45:45 pm

Nathan - cabin #2 thanks you for the mention. That is high praise and we got a huge laugh out of your analogy. :) I always your posts! Very entertaining.

elktonbrant
6/5/2014 07:31:58 am

When I saw "Bobcat" and knowing that Nathan was writing this blog, I was expecting shenanagans.... and I consider them delivered!

Wally Houston
6/5/2014 10:05:17 am

If only J P could see his bobcat now he would be happy

Leigh
6/6/2014 05:22:01 am

LOL! Great post Nathan! Hope you are having another great day on LeConte.


Comments are closed.
    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!

    Online Store

    Archives

    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