March 07th, 2013

3/7/2013

sunrise.

Morning y'all,

It's a stunning morning up top. We're above the clouds and the snow is just incomprehensibly pretty. The high yesterday reached 17 degrees. The low was 9 degrees. It was 15 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received another inch of new snow, bringing our total up to 15 inches. The drifts are waist high in places, so be prepared for epic wintry conditions.

big sky.

The Park Service is doing their best to open up the roads. Check for updates on their twitter feed. Please plan on short hikes, the deep winter conditions make progress about 2-3 times slower than usual. the lodge is still CLOSED and no services are offered. Accept the humility that the mountains offer you.

myrtle.

Nadine

3/7/2013 01:10:45 am

I have so enjoyed your posts. We are now only a week away from a trip to the Smokies and I can hardly contain my anticipation. We've had some wonderful hikes there in the snow, but I'm hoping for warmer weather after the last few weeks here in central IL. But I will take whatever comes, just so we can spend some time in a place we love so much.

JohnS

3/7/2013 04:55:18 am

I'll be leaving tomorrow morning from central IL too! I've never been to the Smokies and the only hiking experience I have is day hikes at Starved Rock. I'm bummed I won't be able to make it up to Myrtle Point during this visit. Hope you enjoy your trip!

Nadine

3/7/2013 06:21:13 am

Thanks. I hope you enjoy your trip as well. Hiking up & down the canyons at Starved Rock isn't a bad way to start.

Kent

3/7/2013 06:53:31 am

Another central IL resident here, and just about 3.5 weeks away from my much-anticipated trip to the Smokies. This will be my fourth hike to Mt. LeConte.

I hope you both have a very safe and enjoyable experience.

Kathy F

3/7/2013 09:04:44 am

Hey, another central IL resident from Morton! I have to wait til June for my visit and to hike up Mt. LeConte! As always, wonderful pictures JP. Thanks for the daily updates and pictures!

Rick Shepherd

3/7/2013 01:17:18 am

Fabulous Pics!....What a Blessing!.....Have you ever considered traditional archery target shooting with a longbow as a great way to entertain yourself up on LeConte?.....Simple target is to stuff a gunny sack with wadded up plastic bags....Makes a good arrow stop and easy to pull the arrows out....Archery is the quiet hobby, almost zen like in nature!....Recommend a 40 pound pull bow for ease of shooting all afternoon.....I don't hunt but that weight bow is still legal to hunt with....Enjoy your time on top of the world!

Michigan Bob

3/7/2013 01:49:33 am

Thanks for your posts. We are a month away from our stay at the lodge. Your reports, along with the archives, are very helpful in preparing for the wide range of conditions this time of year. I have really enjoyed your photos as well.

Ronette

3/7/2013 02:23:14 am

What a morning boost! Your pictures are always wonderful but the shot of Myrtle point this morning is spectacular! Thanks for sharing!

Gina

3/7/2013 02:27:03 am

LOVE that second photo

Gina

3/7/2013 02:27:42 am

ooops I meant that 3rd one

Debi

3/7/2013 03:20:40 am

Yep, I put the 3rd one as my screen saver today. I do believe mother nature is a bit screwing in the weather situation. When is she going to stop??? But then again, it is March, the most craziest weather month there is. So I've heard. I'd love to hear from the people, I forget their names that were going to hike up there today. Hope they made it safe. Pretty pictures JP

Tony Ga

3/7/2013 03:27:33 am

Crazy is right. Yesterday we had wind chills down into the 20's and snowing..today it's sunny and will be in the high 50's. Did I mention everything is blooming down here? LOL. I'll post a picture of the March flowers that are blooming on facebook.

Debi

3/7/2013 12:00:40 pm

I was wondering if those flowers were blooming. Yeah!!

Tony Ga

3/7/2013 12:10:36 pm

Took a picture of them on the way home today. I'll post it on Facebook in the morning so you'll see Spring is on the way.

Gina

3/8/2013 12:16:56 am

Tony would like to see your FB pics! My email is ladytaz1@live.com If you want to be FB buddies with me, send me your FB name so I can friend you. You to Deb so we can plan that future AT hike!!!!

Tony Ga

3/8/2013 12:26:29 am

Gina, email sent.

Woody

3/7/2013 05:41:11 am

Please let us know how the skiing is.

debnfl

3/7/2013 06:04:32 am

I'm from Florida so usually wake up to sunny mornings which is nice but I enjoy the beauty of snow and nature, so every morning with a warm cup of coffee in hand I look at the photos you post daily. Truly beautiful. Thank you for the updates and photos. We will be hiking to the Lodge in May and I really enjoy keeping up with what's happening on the trails and so forth so... THANK YOU!

Rexanna

3/7/2013 07:19:58 am

Hey Mr. Y.....don't you dare go all quiet on us! You are our "glue" and we need to hear from you daily. :)

jleonard link

3/7/2013 07:40:04 am

I agree, hearing from Mr. York is a pleasure. How about some information regarding Boone Forest? I think you live nearby and it seems to be one of the nation's largest land preserves and if I remember correctly there are over 700,000 acres set aside for the park. What hikes would you recommend for a first timer?

H Clark

3/7/2013 08:53:35 am

Jleonard, the Red River Gorge area (Stanton Ranger District) has numerous hiking trails. The London Ranger District has several trails in the Rockcastle River and Cumbrerland River areas. The areas abound in rock formations and the hikes are not as difficult as ones in the GMSP.

Tony Ga

3/7/2013 11:49:06 am

Mr. y chime in here. You are a big part and help to this blog. Spring has sprung here in North Ga today.

Paul B

3/7/2013 12:56:48 pm

I have been to Red River Gorge, Natural Bridge and Cumberland Falls several times. Other than the Smokys, these are favorites! There are a lot of trails, but I think the Auxier Ridge and Double Arch loop in RRG has some of the nicest views and a moderate hiking challenge.

Debi

3/7/2013 12:01:53 pm

Funny. I do enjoy him too. :)

Pat Godfrey

3/7/2013 07:56:48 pm

When does new t-shirts come in?

Allyson Virden

3/8/2013 12:19:37 am

Hi Pat,
The t-shirts will be on the mountain for the first day of the season. The season starts March 25th.

Steve D

3/8/2013 12:47:51 am

Allyson-can I order lunch for that first day? Weather permitting I will hike up.

Brian N bama

3/8/2013 01:18:24 am

Allyson!!! I cannot wait to see you and all the staff one more time.So ready to be on top of that mountain again. Hope to come up at least for a day hike in the next few weeks.

workman link

3/7/2013 10:34:24 pm

where is Doug Y?

Tony Ga

3/7/2013 11:22:58 pm

Probably up on a mountain top somewhere.

deedee//mi

3/7/2013 11:55:04 pm

Yes, hopefully; the mountaintop for doug Y-
(a reacquaintance with his muse(s)? ;)
How colorful he is -!

doug y

3/7/2013 11:58:59 pm

Wow ! It sure is nice to be missed. When a day goes by that I don't come here I feel like I've really missed a lot. I thoroughly enjoy all the comments, the great photos, and the opportunity to share thoughts and experiences. As I looked at the photos with the jet contrails in the sky I couldn't help but ponder that civilization isn't really that far away, but thank goodness for the Park, the Lodge, and especially the great people who all think alike, who have the unique ability to put aside every-day routines and problems, and who graciously and willingly share their love for the outdoors and our privilege of being a small part of it. Merci beaucoup mes amis ! I believe that after all those years of hiking, camping, and backpacking {sometimes I wonder why I separate these three distinct activities but they are just that: distinct and different venues each with its own "personality" !} that my initial visit to the lodge came at a time when I needed it. Growing old(er) is a fact and there's no way around it, just adaptations to its aggravating little annoyances ! Like deteriorating knees. I occasionally lament the reality that several times I had hiked right by Leconte Lodge, coming from the Boulevard trail heading down Rainbow or Alum, etc., and never even took a few scant minutes to check out the lodge even though I was looking directly at it from the trail passing by ! Great Galloping Gertie ! What an omission, eh !? Thankfully, somehow or some way my inner self took over and now I cannot go there often enough ! That's partly a reason for coming here. By the way, and I am not being critical of them overly, but I can't understand how there are people who hike up there and think the lodge will be open or somehow available to them ! It's a paradox perhaps. Ah, that reminds me, and I guess I should inquire or call the office, when is the airlift "tentatively" scheduled ? I know the weather certainly has to play a big part of that logistical feat of organization. The Daniel Boone National Forest is a relatively large and spread out area and certainly contains a lot of trails and other interesting attractions. I've hiked a lot of them but these days have rather shied away from going there, prefering the much longer drive to get to the Smokies and what I am more interested in, etc. There are some relatively easy trails around Cumberland Falls and as H Clark mentioned the Red River Gorge is a pretty location; it's where I went a lot when I was in engineering school at UK. I try not to allow the troubles and bad habits of other people interfere with my outdoor activities, but about nine years ago I ran into a small group of persons on a trail in the Boone forest. Well, to make it short they were all drugged up obviously and I thought perhaps armed, a volatile and dangerous situation. They actually made a feeble attempt to "distract" me but luckily I turned the tables on them and managed to leave. I could have been physically assaulted (it wouldn't have been a fair fight as there were only five of them !) but left before they had a chance.(I guess it's always better to use wits over force) I reported the group to a ranger I had to find and I guess something was done, but I didn't stay around for that. The experience made me more angry than anything and now I avoid that area because of all the 'druggies' that seem to go there, at least in my opinion, etc. But, I won't try to discourage someone from enjoying that forest because I'm sure there are plenty of trails to follow, I just am obsessed you might say with the Smokies ! So, jleonard, I regret that I have little information for you, but I know you will find what you seek, and I guess it might depend from which direction you may be entering the forest and perhaps going to one of their ranger stations will provide you with some good information and advice. Enjoy. Tony Ga: I got out my little miniature "still" and am giving some serious thought to "brewing up" a batch of "shine" ! But when I give it more serious consideration I believe that I'll just let that be a fond and curious memory. I don't really drink except for a wee bit 'o wine on relatively rare occasions, like when I'm at the lodge and have to be very careful not to "overdo it" !! {The first time I did two crew members had to "assist" me to my cabin !} But some good hot cocoa is always a treat; can't get enough of it when I'm on top ! Debi: did you secretly haul down some excess snow from Michigan !? Well, we really didn't get much here, but the last few days have definitely been "winter" ones ! Better get going and do some more constructive work on my own website I'm developing. Late March I hope. I wonder how many people will be on the trails today !? Someone recently asked me which trail to the lodge I prefer and I answered that although Alum, to me, is the most spectacular, I avoid it primarily because of encountering all the tourists between the trai

Tony Ga

3/8/2013 12:07:59 am

I too enjoy just a "nip" once in a while. My day is complete now that I have had my Mr. y fix. Good day to you kind Sir.

doug y

3/8/2013 12:05:08 am

I'm sorry folks. Looks like I overdid it again with my writing ! I apologize. I checked my remarks after 'sending' them and saw the truncation........ I'll continue by saying that encountering the tourists beween the Alum Trailhead and the Bluffs is something I shy away from, prefering Rainbow, Bullhead, or the tranquility and solitude of my favorite: Trillium. Have a great day everyone !

Dd/mi

3/8/2013 12:34:36 am

dougY; That is a great idea, on your own website!
Good for you. :)

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March 07th, 2013

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