March. 21.2016. Ice, ice, baby.

3/21/2016

UPDATE: As of 7am Cherokee Orchard road is open, 441 is not. The Rainbow Falls trail is your best option as of right now, we'll keep you posted!

WE HAVE SNOW!

Justin braving the stairs this morning

The stairs yesterday.

After a somewhat lacking morning yesterday we were drowned in Mother Winter's blessing, this morning we measured 7" of the stuff. The temps barely got above 25 and the overnight low was 11.

Today is the first day of the season and boy oh boy is it a day. To all the guests and hikers who are venturing up here today please use caution! The trails and slick, icy, and covered in snow. Waterproof, warm, wick, and shoes traction devices are so strongly suggested it's not funny.

We ask that all guests please call the reservation office ( 865-429-5704) to let us know if you guys are either coming up or staying down!

Tom K

3/21/2016 06:58:49 am

We are coming up, just waiting for the roads to reopen so we can get to the trailhead. Can't wait!

Tyler Weseman

3/21/2016 07:34:33 am

We are too looks like Cherokee orchard is open, hoping they open 441 but will take rainbow falls if we have too!

Robin Meyer

3/21/2016 08:00:50 am

Happy Opening Day!! :D

Paul rom

3/21/2016 09:01:35 am

Great to see you reopen for the season. Hope everyone going up will be safe. Who is the new lodge manager and crew this year???😃

3/21/2016 10:19:39 am

Hi there!
We have #brian as site manager this year and returning crew members Walt, Pauline, Henry and Ryn. Come up and meet the new recruits!

doug y link

3/21/2016 09:08:35 am

Good luck to the crew.

Alan

3/21/2016 11:43:29 am

Hoping for a great season for the staff and guests. Saw Allison Virden at the Nourish Knoxville Farmers' Market a few times this winter.

Mary Anne Rudolph

3/21/2016 12:46:55 pm

441 opened about 30 minutes ago. It is totally worth it to hike up and be in the snow up top. Did it as a day hike last month with 9 inches up top and maybe 4 inches on Alum Cave Trail. Had Katoolas, used them on the way down. Go for it y'all. You won't be sorry.

Roger

3/21/2016 02:12:03 pm

We have scheduled our stay for October and want to be prepared for the hike. What kind of traction devices do you recommend? We've looked at several flavors of ICETrekkers, Yaktrax, Kahtoola but thought you experienced hikers might have a better idea of what would be good on your trails. Hopefully we won't have to use them at all but would like to be prepared. Here's to a great season!
Thanks,
Roger

Tanya

3/21/2016 08:15:45 pm

Kahtoola Microspikes, hands down 😊

elktonbrant

3/21/2016 08:32:36 pm

JP, the winter caretaker and guru, says Kahtoola Microspikes are the ONLY way to go on the ice. Usually in October you'll be safe, so I wouldn't buy until just before your hike.

Kent

3/21/2016 08:49:28 pm

Go with Kahtoola. They are hands down the best I've ever used.

Andrew

3/21/2016 08:30:31 pm

Attempted Album Cave trail at 1pm today. Turned back at 2.7 miles. Not worth the risk.

norman

3/22/2016 09:02:11 am

Oh yes, it's worth it!! But, "better safe than sorry".. HAGD ALL :)

Comments are closed.

March. 21.2016. Ice, ice, baby.

Ryn
R.

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March. 21.2016. Ice, ice, baby.

RynR.

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Ryn
R.