The road is open! The NPS was able swing the gate open at noon, but visitors will still need to use caution as they navigate US 441. Another Winter Weather Advisory goes into effect this evening, so it's entirely possible the road may be closed again. Our snow depth remains at 8" as nothing new really happened overnight. Our high temp was 35 and our low this morning dipped to 9 degrees. We're in the teens for the moment dancing in and out of the clouds.
The blindingly white beauty of the freshly fallen snow really mesmerizes the beholder. Walking among the trees, you feel the stillness creep into your very being, as thought gets lost in space and time. You refrain from breaking trail so as not to disturb nature's perfection, but the sheer joy of it grabs hold and so you trudge through it both elated and exhausted. As gaps in the clouds pass over camp, the royal blue of the sky behind the bright white of the frosted forest catches your gaze. Attempts to describe it would be unjust, and if the cold air hasn't taken your breath away, the view surely will. The magic of the mountain speaks for itself, no human intervention required.