May 15, 2014

5/15/2014

The green forest undergrowth has really taken off in the last week.

Hello to all of you. This is Nathan, filling in for a few days while Allyson takes the remainder of her May off days. I've just recently returned to LeConte from four days off and am amazed at how the forest floor has greened up in that short amount of time. It's almost like they had green shag carpet installed outside while I was gone.

The rains moved in last night and pelted us pretty good. However, I like the rain best at night, as all of our guests are snugly tucked in their beds and off the trail. We ended up measuring 1.7 inches of rain overnight, making it the second rainiest day of the year on LeConte. Yesterday's total of 1.7 inches falls behind only the 2.0 inches we received on Jan. 10.

It has rained five of the last six days. We needed the rain, but I hope it doesn't signal a trend like last year. In 2013, it started raining in May and didn't let up until September. Wednesday's high was 63 degrees with an overnight low of 43. It's been raining on and off throughout Thursday.

I saw a couple of wild critters on my descent and return trip. On my way down Alum Cave Bluff Trail last week just before dark, I ran across a bear about 0.2 mile above Arch Rock. This bear was about 170 pounds and looked healthy. Upon hearing me coming down the trail, the bear scampered down the hill, across the drainage and started up another hill before stopping to figure me out. That's exactly the kind of behavior you want to see with a wild bear. We were both living life, minding our own business and sharing the mountain.

We did have a report two nights ago of a bear at the LeConte backcountry shelter. However, the bear wasn't seen last night. At any rate, make sure you're careful with your food, packs and don't leave anything on your porch if you're coming to see us.

The wildest critter of all I saw in the Alum Cave Bluff Trail parking lot. There was a dog nearby its owner that had been transformed into some sort of canine diva. The dog had poofs of hair teased out over various parts of its body. Some of the hair had been dyed purple. From my vantage point, it also appeared that the dog had some designs shaved into its hair and was wearing some tailored clothes that certainly cost more than the ratty hiking gear I was wearing. The owners were keeping the dog near the parking lot. As you all probably know, pets are prohibited (with the exception of legitimate service animals) on all the trails to LeConte. The owners appeared to be following the law. That's a good thing because if that diva dog met up with the bear I saw a few days earlier--my money's on the bear.

I hope you all have a fine afternoon. Happy trails.

This snail has the right idea about getting around on a rainy LeConte day. Take it slow and easy, and arrive safe and sound.

Elisabeth

5/15/2014 08:21:25 am

thanks for todays commentary, loved it. Id love to see a bear on the trail, but only if it acts like that one did! I see many dogs on trails where they don't belong. I am not a dog lover, so it is a bit frustrating. Glad this owner was courteous and followed the rules. A small group of us plan to head your way on Sunday morning. I see on the weather for LeConte site that snow is predicted for Sat eve. (a dusting) do you think there will be ice? should we bring traction this late in the season? Any requests from workers up top? I may practice with my new BIG bag, so may have lots of room. Tell me now what you guys need and I will try to accommodate! see you sunday if the weather holds out.

High on LeConte

5/15/2014 03:44:51 pm

Elisabeth,

The forecast is just tough to figure up here. I'll have to check trail reports from hikers who come up Friday and Saturday morning. The good thing about traction devices is they don't weigh very much, and I've never regretted carrying mine even if I didn't need it. Plus, the LeConte Lodge crew doesn't need a thing--just that you have a happy, safe hike and enjoy the mountain. We'll also cut down on your pack weight by offering you the best water in Tennessee when you arrive.

I typically scale down my winter pack about mid-May, though snow has been recorded on LeConte in early June before. This last time down I didn't carry my ice spikes, but the overnight lows may make them handy this weekend if the trails remain as wet as they are Thursday. Stay tuned, and I'll try to get some updated trail conditions into the weekend. Thanks for your offer. Come by and say hello Sunday. Happy trails.

Nathan

elisabeth

5/15/2014 11:21:39 pm

thank you!!!

Kent

5/15/2014 09:02:07 am

Somebody recently told me that it's not all that hard to get a dog registered as a “service animal.” For instance, you could claim you require one for emotional issues, like anxiety, depression, bipolar/mood disorders, panic attacks, and other emotional/psychological conditions, etc.

I ran into a couple last year while hiking to Mt. Cammerer who weren't very happy that they could bring their loyal canines on the trails in the park. Consequently, they don't hike in the GSMNP very often for that reason. A few days later I ran into another couple at the Pisgah Inn who were from the Asheville area who NEVER hike in the Smokies because of the restriction.

I understand their feelings, of course, But I also understand the reason for not allowing pets on the trails and believe it's a good thing.

judy link

5/15/2014 09:53:06 am

mental illness is just as disabling as physical illness, many times more so. we are not educated about this unless we have a loved one suffering. I am sure you did not mean it the way it sounded to me, so no apology needed.

jean d

5/15/2014 09:28:20 am

Nathan, Loved the story about the dog with the purple hair and the clothes. Laughed out loud while reading it and shared it with my sister in Atlanta whom I am visiting. Strange to read that snow may fall up top this late in the year. Much cooler weather is predicted for many areas of the SE for the next days. That is often what happens in Colorado but maybe not so much in E. TN. Love your stories and pictures.

HIgh on LeConte

5/15/2014 03:49:38 pm

Jean D,

Thanks for your kind words. That dog looked like it escaped from the Times Square Kennel. You mentioned Colorado, a state I've wrangled in and love. People are always shocked when the elevation slows them down coming to the lodge. They're even more shocked when I tell them that if you were on the summit of Mt. LeConte, less than half a mile up the trail from the lodge, you'd be looking down on Denver, Colo., by about 1,300 feet. People don't think that's possible east of the Mississippi, but it's reality on LeConte. Thanks for reading. Happy trails.

Nathan

elktonbrant

5/15/2014 09:38:48 am

I am glad that the punk rock pup was limited to the parking area and that his/her parents were monitoring his/her activity. My wife and I have three feline, indoor-only furry children, so I truly understand the meaning of having furry ones as a part of a home. That said, I am glad that dogs and cats aren't allowed on trails in the Smokies. We have enough to worry about when we are hiking; the thought of having to constantly watch out for uncollected dog waste on the trail would likely keep us away.
We occasionally do training hikes at Radnor Lake State Park in Nashville. Dogs are not allowed on trails there either, but it has become such a problem of people bringing their pups on trails that the rangers have posted stop signs on the trails reminding people of the rules of "no running and no pets."

Adria

5/15/2014 10:32:32 am

Hey Nathan,
I saw the Bobcat you have been looking for. Actual I believe it to have been a kitten. We were on the way to an early hike and it was still dark out. Was on 441 just above Chimney Tops parking lot.

5/15/2014 03:53:20 pm

Adria,

JP has been looking for that bobcat since he first hiked up to do winter caretaking work. I hope someday he'll see it. Right now the closest thing to a "Bobcat" we have is the mechanical kind, which was used in a March project to increase the efficiency of our water system. I've never seen a real bobcat in my travels, but I'll keep my eyes open for the one you saw. Maybe it wants to head on up the mountain. Thanks for reading. Happy trails.

Nathan

Stephanie Haywood

5/15/2014 12:45:33 pm

You've always been a great writer/story teller cuz :)

5/15/2014 03:57:16 pm

Stephanie,

Thank you kindly for the nice words. I hope your family is healthy and happy. I also hope to see you all on the sunny shores of Watts Bar Lake back home in Rockwood sometime this summer when I'm down on off days in the "Land of Thick Air." Tell everyone hello and hope to see you soon. Happy trails.

Nathan

Janet

5/15/2014 02:52:06 pm

I was told once by a ranger that the reason dogs are not permitted on the trails is because they are "bear bait". His words... not mine. He said that there's something about dogs that actually attract bears, and that makes a dangerous situation. That is the primary reason why dogs are not permitted on the trails. I would also assume another reason is that people don't pick up after them. I, personally, would not want my dog on the trail with me. I need all my focus on what I'm doing... not my dog!!!
I love today's photo, it does look like someone put down carpeting! The best kind too... in fact, if it's not hardwood, that's the only other flooring to have! Stay warm and dry up there!

5/15/2014 04:03:09 pm

Janet,

I don't know about whether dogs scientifically attract bears. However, I nearly got stampeded by a moose when I was wrangling horses in Alaska. I always gave the moose plenty of room, as they hurt more people than grizzly bears in the Last Frontier. My boss up there liked to let his dogs run free, and one of them picked a fight with that moose (not a bright dog). The moose bluff charged us (which my horse didn't like one bit), but ended up trotting off after that rascally dog had run off with its tail between its legs. Thanks for reading. Happy trails.

Nathan

Jerry link

5/16/2014 02:31:23 am

A couple of years ago my wife and I were hiking a trail in the Grand Tetons. About five miles in we were talking the a hiker we had meet and all of a sudden he and my wife looked over my shoulder at something behind me, and the biggest meanest looking moose I think in the entire state of Wyoming was charging toward us. I turned around and figured if it worked for black bears in the Smokys it may work with a moose, I threw up my arms waving my trekking poles like a mad man and he put on the brakes and stopped no more than 10 yards from me. I said "me" because my wife and the guy we were talking to were climbing up a rock slide to get away from her (moose). I followed them and that moose kept us on those rocks for 30 minutes before she final had enough fun and went on her merry way.

Matt

5/15/2014 04:11:13 pm

Does each individual crew stay for the entire season?

5/16/2014 07:55:02 am

Matt,

For the most part, yes. Usually crew members are expected to hike up in mid-March (this year was March 14) to help with cleaning, airlift and to get the lodge ready for the season. Our last day of work is the day before Thanksgiving. During the season we get eight days off per month, which almost all crew members take off the mountain. Our newest crew member, Lesley, arrived last week because she just graduated college. Coming late is an exception, however. Happy trails.

Nathan

sallie eades

5/16/2014 04:54:55 am

Hey Nathan,
Where's todays post.? I could not be with last nights group as I usually am each yr. I've been anxiously waiting to hear about the weather and a picture of the group that is usually posted. I MISSED BEING THERE SO BAD.......

5/16/2014 07:58:07 am

Sallie,

We missed having you. I think the group still had a fine time. Most of them witnessed a beautiful morning before the weather got a little odd midday. There's a full account of that on Friday's update. I think there were plenty of individual group photos made, but no one asked us to post one. I hope you'll be able to visit us again soon. Happy trails.

Nathan

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May 15, 2014

LeConte Lodge

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