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May 20th, 2015

5/20/2015

 
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Cabins at dusk.
     Hello again and apologies for no blog yesterday! Between bears and bad weather is was just not in the cards yesterday. Today, however, the sun is shinning, the weather is beautiful and the llamas are up! Yesterday's high was 58 and the low was 41. It is already 63 up top and we've got blue skies and a light breeze. There will be rain moving in tonight, so be sure to bring your rain gear if you are staying the  night with us!
    The llamas have a new schedule and it will be permanent from here on out: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. They hike up Trillium Gap trail as always. Everyone have a beautiful Wednesday!  
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Sunset over New Lodge.
micki
5/20/2015 05:23:10 am

Will the llamas be coming up on memorial day on Monday?

norman
5/20/2015 05:37:39 am

TWO GREAT PICTURES !! Though the bears and weather were the blame. Not a big deal , but greatly appreciated ! HAGD all -

Don
5/20/2015 05:56:57 am

Could you please elaborate on the bear issues. We would like to hear. Thanks. Beautiful pictures.

Abbe
5/20/2015 06:01:38 am

Right now, we're scheduled to hike up on Tuesday, June 16th. I'm really hoping something will open up so we'll be able to stay an extra night (either Monday or Wednesday). Anyone out there thinking about cancelling??? Let me know when you're going to call in so I can call in right after you!!!! : )

TwistyP
5/20/2015 06:16:18 am

More bear info:

http://www.wbir.com/story/news/2015/05/19/mg-le-conte-backcountry-shelter-cliff-tops-trails-closed-bear-activity/27572771/

VIcky Watkins
5/20/2015 07:28:13 am

What happened with the bears? Need an update!

Elaine Carlton
5/20/2015 08:39:40 am

TwistyP gave the link to the report from WBIR, probably the best news station to get Park news because of the close proximity. Sadly, becuse of his lack of fear of humans, he is labeled a "problem Bear" and had to be euthanized. Fortunately this situation does not occur frequently. Educate yourself on bear behviors and learn how to react in a chance encounter. Remember, these are their mountains too.

Brian
5/20/2015 07:44:54 am

Great shots! My family of 5 will be up there two weeks from today - for a two-night stay. My boys were so hoping to see the llamas this year as we did not last year, but with the schedule change on the llama train we may not see them again. We are planning on a loop going up Rainbow Falls on Wed. and down Bullhead on Friday. What time do the llamas usually arrive at the camp, and how long to they stay around?

Even if we miss the llamas, that will be only a minor disappointment in a trip that never disappoints!

Woody
5/20/2015 08:19:22 am

Thank you for all of the WONDERFUL photos posted on the blog!

Mary Anne Rudolph
5/20/2015 08:30:37 am

The problem bear was captured and euthanized yesterday according to the Asheville news station.

Donnie R.
5/20/2015 08:48:08 am

Goodness...what a pic today ! Outstanding shot ;)

norman
5/20/2015 10:15:40 am

Yes, the 'alpine glow' is awesome and the sun set is beautiful !

Kent
5/20/2015 10:09:29 am

Stupid and careless human behavior costs yet another life. : (

Elaine
5/20/2015 02:03:51 pm

Amen, Kent. So imperative that people be educated about bear behavior, attractants and deterants!

Tammy (Tx)
5/20/2015 11:36:25 am

Kent, I couldn't agree more! Brian, last year we just happened to come up on the llamas in the parking lot...grotto falls lot I believe...on Roaring Fork. Got to get some pictures and visit with Chrissy (sp). She was really nice and I asked her if she was the same Chrissy that had just married. One and the same. She was loading up the llamas. I asked her if they "spit" and she said just on each other and while they were in the trailer. Your kids would probably love it, I certainly did!

Tammy (Tx)
5/20/2015 11:39:18 am

Ditto on the beautiful pictures! The caption under the bottom picture says "new lodge"?!? Does that just mean cabins that were added after the original lodge was built?

norman
5/20/2015 11:48:33 am

Tammy, I think that's what it means. HAGE

Tanya
5/20/2015 11:58:11 am

Gorgeous pic today!! Can't wait to get back up there!

Tammy (Tx)
5/20/2015 03:27:46 pm

Thanks Norman, good evening to you too!

Barbara
5/20/2015 04:12:07 pm

i have been fortunate to see the llamas twice, once coming down the trail and last October as they were just leaving the trail- so special! I thought their days have always been Mon, Wed, and Fri.

Brian
5/21/2015 02:48:10 am

The days were changed at the beginning of this season to Tues, Thurs, and Sat. We are staying Wed - Fri and would have been at the lodge on Thu when the llamas showed up. With the schedule changing back to "normal", and the fact we won't be hiking up (or down) Trillium, we'll likely miss them. Not a huge deal, but it certainly would have been a treat to see them.

ric
5/21/2015 03:42:45 am

they have "generally" arrived around the 11 - 11:30 time frame if you dont have to hurry off.

Barbara
5/24/2015 03:16:29 pm

Thanks, didn't realize it changed

Steve
5/21/2015 01:36:38 am

It's sad.........every time a ranger takes down a bear because of activity it just lessens my faith in mankind. We are the reason for this and this should not happen. The park should be closed to people before a bear is killed!

J LeClair
5/21/2015 05:22:49 am

Bears have no natural predator since the wolf, and, due to their increase, here in NY we have had to extend the hunting season. My wife recently hit one with her car. It would be nice to let things go on naturally, but since the wolf has been eliminated, bears, and to a greater degree deer, have to be managed. On occasion there is a situation end well.

Steve
5/21/2015 05:46:45 am

So you Mr LeClair are ok with man thinning out wildlife since they are in your way, or a problem to you. Like I said sad.

J LeClair
5/21/2015 07:00:40 am

Have you ever heard the story of how the deer killed the mountain?

While it is not something I feel good about, there are times when everything else have been tried to save or relocate an animal.

Since the time when man decided to eliminate the large prey competition, it has been necessary to interfere. The bear population in parts of PA and NY, and I am sure elsewhere, is sadly out of hand. Short of re-introducing large prey, there has to be un-natural control.

When the wolf was removed, the deer number grew and ate all the plants on the mountain. The mountain died.

I have spent time in the AKDs and have never seen a bear. The time I spend on LeConte and the Smokies, they were everywhere.

Linda Kern
5/25/2015 05:00:28 pm

My compliments to the Leconte staff and SMNP rangers on how they kept the guests informed re the predatorial bear and educated the guests re bear behavior, as well as how to prevent and/or handle a potential bear encounter. Thank you!


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