May 2, 2024

Good Morning,

Seeing the sun and moon swap places without interruption from
view doesn’t happen as often as one might think atop Mt. LeConte. So that makes the magic of yesterday and today extra savory. An inspiring sunrise followed by palate-pleasing pancakes is giving guests a happy head start to the new day. Skies will be clear, temps will be toasty, air will be calm. Sounds like a superb opportunity to ramble around the woods and soak up some sensational sights from grand vistas. Temps are likely to reach the mid 60s this afternoon, and who knows, we might even set a new high reading for the year thus far.

Trails and vehicular traffic are expected to be on the congested side today, so come prepared with patience despite it being a weekday. If you’re a day hiker in the area with ambitions of summiting the Smokies’ crown jewel, doing so today would be far more ideal than waiting til this weekend. Beginning tomorrow afternoon and persisting for the next several days, the mountains are slated to receive a steady dose of rainfall and thunderstorms. Please make smart decisions for yourself and others especially if you are not a guest with a reservation in the coming days. Every day hiker is 100% responsible for their safety and enjoyment (or lack thereof) when they choose to hike in inclement weather but are improperly outfitted for spending prolonged periods of time in such sloppy conditions. Please take advantage of resources available online regarding hiking essentials and cater what you learn to best fit your wants and needs for a safe and prosperous time on the trail.

Have a great day.