May 11, 2023

Good Afternoon,

Aside from the occasional cloud, we have another beautiful day lined up for us here atop Mt. LeConte. It’s comfortably warm at the lodge with temps nearing 60° once again. There is an ever-so-slight chance for a pop-up rain shower this afternoon, otherwise conditions should remain decent for travelers. The wet weather returns tonight though and appears as though it will be sticking around the better part of the whole next week. So anyone hoping to tackle the mountain over the Mother’s Day weekend should plan on stormy skies being the norm.

Beginning next week, the NPS Trail Crews will be doing some rehabilitation work of Alum Cave Trail. As a result, the upper section of trail between the bluffs and lodge will be temporarily closed for maintenance from 5/15-5/18 and 5/22-5/25. Day hikers will not be allowed access above the bluffs, but the NPS is permitting lodge guests with overnight reservations to pass through. Guests should have a printout of their reservation confirmation or a screenshot on their phone readily available to present to the NPS Trail Crews for being granted passage through the work area.

During this same time, some hazardous tree removal will also be taking place at the Alum Cave trailhead. A large portion of the lower paved lot - the one with the pit toilets - will also be closed. Beginning on Sunday, overnight guests need to avoid parking in the lower paved lot tin case crews are scheduled to start the removal process Monday morning.

As soon as we’ve been notified by the NPS that the work is complete and all visitors are permitted passage along Alum Cave’s entirety, we will share that info here.

Have a great day.