Good Morning, When the mountain receives nearly 6.5” of rainfall in the last week, with two thirds of that falling in a most recent 24 hour span, that gets to be a lot of water. And all that freshly fallen liquid precip wasted no time rushing and gushing into every low point and channel it could find. As guests witnessed yesterday morning, suddenly every footpath and staircase becomes a river. It’s impressive just how much water can gather so quickly, even so close to the tippy top of any peak on the Mt. LeConte crest. And naturally, all that water has to go somewhere, which in the case means down the trails and slopes, building in strength and volume with every inch of ground descended. At one point water would have been overtaking creek banks and spilling out onto or over trails, creating wet hazards for any hiker attempting to cross. Waterfalls were even appearing in places that are rarely seen except for during times of exceptional rainfall. For example, anyone looking south from Alum Cave Trail yesterday near the bluffs would have witnessed a great streak of white cascading down the side of nearby Mt. Mingus. With that said, it should be noted how proud we are of everyone who took yesterday’s storm and less-than-ideal conditions seriously. Guests heading down were attentive to advice from the knowledgeable crew, checking their gear, and being mindful of their options before heading out. And hikers hoping to ascend the mountain showed exemplary patience in heeding advice about waiting for the surge to drain out before hitting the trail. Those that did were rewarded with staying mostly dry during their trek (personal sweat excluded of course), with ample time to reach the top at a leisurely pace, while even getting to enjoy some sunshine as skies eventually cleared. In terms of individual safety and enjoyment, it really goes a long way when folks take the weather conditions and challenging elements in these mountains seriously. So to all those who showed great responsibility and courage during the recent deluge, thank you and keep up the good work! Now, we aren’t quite out of the woods yet (figuratively, as literally is impossible given our locale). Rain is still going to be a nagging presence today and even a bit tomorrow. Much of today will bring a mix of sun and clouds over the Smokies, with the greatest threat of rain by mid afternoon. The same can be said for Saturday, but with a lesser chance for active skies late in the day. Sunday, for a welcome change, is calling for unabated and glorious sunshine. With the forecast gradually improving for rambles in the woods, expect the mountain and nearby roads to be absolutely bustling with travelers this weekend. Patience and early starts will serve everyone well in coping with the crowds.
Have a great day.
1 Comment
Mary
5/11/2024 09:44:35 am
7th generation Tennessean here. I've never hiked LeConte, but one day, I surely hope to when I have the muscle and endurance to do so.
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LeConte LodgeWelcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain! Archives
May 2024
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