May 24, 2017

​Good Afternoon,
     There’s no shortage of water running off of the mountain!  We raked in another 1.4” of steady rain, and the drainage gullies have been overflowing all around camp.  Efforts to divert water to their respective drainages toward LeConte Creek or Roaring Fork, and not surging through camp, often seem futile in such conditions.  There was a bit of a reprieve early this morning, as the sunrise was kicking into gear about the same time I was repetitiously tapping the old snooze button.  Biscuit making and coffee perking was an extra relaxing experience today with such calming colors streaking along the horizon.  But alas, the state of saturation returned.  Yesterday’s high temp reach 54 degrees, and our overnight low bottomed out at 43.  We’re currently hanging out in the lower 40’s, and the blustery winds are a new additive to the constant presence of rain clouds and mist.  Just as the llamas arrived with today’s delivery, the storms let loose with heavy rain, thunder, and pea-sized hail.  The radar appears to show it continuing through much of the day. Dress appropriately.

     The Mountain Myrtle displays at Myrtle Point and Cliff Tops are now at peak bloom.  The millions of tiny white and pink stars hold up pretty well, even in the rain we've been getting, before turning brown and withering.  If you have hopes of seeing them in person, the coming days will be your best bet.  After that, we can start to look forward to the next stage of amazing wildflowers that take the mountain by storm.

     If you happen to come across any damage to the trails caused by recent storms, please share such information with us and/or the NPS so they can be remedied speedily. Thanks and have a great day.