We wander, still as death, unwearied, on heights that we do not see as heights but as plains, as our safety. Nietzsche
Morning y'all, It's a gorgeous, wintry morning up top. The high yesterday reached 39 degrees. The low dipped down to 13 degrees. It was 13 degrees and clear up top at 7am observation. The snow is now patchy, but there are still going to be slick spots on the trail. I doubt that it will climb above freezing today. It seems like we're in store for some cold weather over the next few days. 
Top photo: Caretaker tracks. Above: Big clouds.
I had a fantastic hike out to Alum Gap yesterday along the Boulevard Trail. I started out while the sun was still rising, before it's shades ripened to a pure bright yellow. The gentle brightness softened the needles on the pines, the forest was enchanted as ever. The crepuscular hours have a special kind of magic. The hours still belong to the night creatures, I followed bear and bobcat tracks the whole way. The new snow hinted at their evening escapades, what I'd give to feel their wildness!
Larry O
12/12/2013 01:25:05 am
J.P. no one should enjoy their job as much as you do, it's just not fair!!!
Ronnie
12/12/2013 01:45:31 am
I agree with you Larry O. Beautiful pictures today JP. I guess the bear is still on the prowl for food. 12/12/2013 02:22:28 am
Ohhhh JP how I've missed your beautiful, encapsulating way with words! Thank you for describing our mountain so splendidly...truly it is appreciated!
Jan
12/12/2013 03:16:10 am
Love it!!! You lucky thang!! I don't know which time of a day I like more, early morning or the twilight hours, or the crepuscular as you wrote above; If I had to choose between the two periods my choice would have to be the evenings, and in any season. It's a preferred time of day for many photographers as well. In your photo of 'big clouds' I could envision that I was gazing at the earth from space orbit were it not for the silhouette of the tree in the top of the photo ! Regardless, it's a nice shot. I suppose one could crop out that tree. The top photo really brings home to me the loneliness of the lodge in its off-season. G'day 12/12/2013 03:51:05 am
JP, I just talked to Ronnie McCall. He said he's walking up your winter in a few days and bringing The Summer Boy with him.
The Real JP
12/12/2013 11:15:33 am
Henry!
jack
12/12/2013 04:02:53 am
JP: I was curious; when people and friends come up to the lodge during the off-season with the lodge closed, are you able to let them into any buildings at all ?
Kent
12/12/2013 06:40:30 am
Ok, I think I might have hurt my neck on that second photo. But it may be the most cosmic image I've seen on this blog yet. Beautiful!
Al on the Beach in Biloxi, MS
12/12/2013 06:56:07 am
JP, could you please clarify where Alum Gap is along the Boulevard. There's a picture of an old map in "The History of Mount LeConte" book that shows the "Huggins Hell Trail" connecting the ACB with the Boulevard. Could this be the "Alum Gap" you speak of? I'll jump in here since I know the answer. Alum Gap is two and a half miles from where the Boulevard Trail starts at the summit, close to Anakeesta Knob and the headwaters of Boulevard Prong. The route through Huggins Hell (which the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club has followed for many years but isn't really a trail) goes up the drainage of Styx Branch, further west (below Myrtle Point).
Debi
12/12/2013 06:59:33 am
One set of foot prints going up those stairs. Peaceful. Comments are closed.
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