March 14, 2024

Good Morning,

The air is still and silent. The trees, straight and stoic. The vivid distant horizons, soothing yet scintillating. Another beautiful morning in the lengthy annals of Mt. LeConte. Approaching 100 consecutive seasons of countless beautiful mornings at LeConte Lodge to be exact.

The calendar states winter will be a thing of the past in exactly five days. Climatologically, this mountain has much longer to go, as the battle between icy cold and bursting blooms jostle for superiority over the peaks of Southern Appalachia. But for Lodge operating purposes, the winter off-season has officially concluded. This season’s crew will be arriving soon along with our airlift team to ensure our annual resupply runs smoothly and efficiently. Opening Day and the resumption of visitor services is set for March 25, but there is a great deal of work to be done between now and then.

As is typical per our airlift safety protocols, lodge grounds will be closed to the public beginning this Sunday, March 17, and will not be accessible again until staging and airlift operations conclude. Day hikers will have access to the pit privies at the west end of camp only. Anyone not carrying enough water for the duration of their trek will need to come prepared for sourcing and treating water from the natural spring located a few steps down Trillium Gap to the northeast. That means no porches, no picnic tables, no pictures with the date and elevation until flying finishes. Rain or shine, it is the sole responsibility of each hiker to come prepared for a safe and enjoyable journey up and down the mountain.

Speaking of rain or shine, we have a gorgeous day predicted for this Thursday. Abundant sunshine overhead, and temps might even tap 60° this afternoon. Perhaps that will help erase a decent chunk of the remaining snow and ice. Come Friday, we’re looking at a rainy weekend. The mountain was bustling with youth yesterday, many of whom are visiting while on college spring breaks. Trails should be quite congested once again today, so be sure and snag a parking spot early. Continue to bring traction devices, as it gets sketchy at 6,000 feet.

Plenty more updates to come in anticipation of the new season. In the meantime, have a delightful day.