 It's a cold morning at the Lodge. High reached 12, sometime after dinner and low was 6. It was 8 at observation. Depending on where you measure the snow there is still about 5 inches and still very icy. Picture to left is the spring where the caretaker gets their water in the winter. Water from the spring must be treated. 
View from Clifftops this morning.
So I would have posted this on the other forums, but it looks like they aren't active. I need suggestions. I wanted to stay at the backcountry shelter on July 8 and 9, but I didn't realize that you can't stay two nights--and I bet my chances of snagging the shelter that week are pretty slim. I'll be hiking with 3 children and two adults, one of whom has Rheumatoid arthritis. My plan was that we could hike up, stay in the shelter, and then she could rest for a day on the lodge porches or something while the rest of us hiked, and then we could stay another night and hike down. Looks like that won't work. Anybody want to suggest a back-up plan? None of us has done any serious backpacking in many years, so we don't want to do more than 8 miles a day or so, and we'd rather get away with not carrying tents, and we need a way for our third adult to have a down-day while we hike. I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!
H Clark
1/23/2013 02:58:54 am
A possible route could start at Newfound Gap and hike to Ice Water shelter (2.8) miles for the first night. You could hike to the Bunion while your companion rests.
g abner
1/23/2013 03:11:07 am
jenny reserve first night( july8) under your name second night( july9) under another adults name, I think that will work for you. good luck
tomk in SC
1/23/2013 09:39:59 am
@Jenny: If the goal is to see LeConte, I'd go for a crazy early departure day trip up and down Alum Cave. The weight differential to camp is huge, especially for the unconditioned. Start hiking before dawn and start down so you reach the bottom at sunset. Assume time down = time to climb. In between, spend the day relaxing on the rocks at Myrtle Point.
Jenny
1/24/2013 03:40:10 am
Thanks. It would take a better woman (and mom) than me to get three little kids up and hiking before dawn. We hike 8-10 miles on day hikes with no problem--I'm just concerned about my friend with RA. She needs down time for a day in between. Newfound Gap to Clingman's Dome sounds fun. We'll check that out. Thanks again!
Scott
1/23/2013 03:33:51 am
Can anyone speak to the accuracy of mountain-forecast.com? I linked to it from the LeConte homepage. I'm planning on making it to the shelter this Saturday. When I take a forecast for Gatlinburg and account for elevation it's not even close to mountain-forecast.com. I'm no meterologist so I can't speak the the disparity.
g abner
1/23/2013 03:49:12 am
scott try 7 day forecast latitude longitude find mt leconte on map click on mt leconte I think it will help you more
Sheldon Wallace
1/23/2013 04:32:11 am
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=35.652832827451626&lon=-83.44871520996094&site=mrx&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text
sheldon
1/23/2013 04:33:53 am
Anyone know how Trillium blow downs look after the flooding?
Jack
1/23/2013 04:48:54 am
Jenny: I think that g abner's suggestion will definitely work for you; If you nor anyone in your group has done any serious backpacking in years, I might give careful consideration to the distance you mentioned; that, to some, may be a rather ambitious distance, but only you can make that determination; In July I would perhaps avoid the Icewater shelter, even with reservations, as that one is close to Newfound Gap and I've heard that there are often conflicts, misnunderstandings, and lots of overcrowding there, but, agaiin, that's only my personal opinion from my experiences. Far be it fromo me to discourage anyone, but exercise good thorough judgement in selecting a route, etc. There are plenty of short(er) day hikes to take; I think there's a guy here sometimes who might be able to make a suggestion, or any of several readers who know the Park well. But, the Mt. Leconte area is certainly a great choice. Good luck.
Paul B
1/23/2013 05:12:09 am
I was also considering doing a night at Ice Water before heading to LeConte in August when we have reservations. I have heard as well that this shelter gets crowded and people don't pay attention to the reservation requirement. How is the new online reservation system working? Is it still 30 days from the day of your stay. Is it near impossible to get a reservation for the Ice Water or LeConte shelters? Would carrying a tent as a backup to avoid conflicts be advisable if we should get a shelter spot. I know you are not supposed to tent camp at shelters but I am thinking it is better than open hostilities or someone stealing my shoelaces while I sleep.
jay
1/23/2013 02:22:28 pm
Sometimes the overcrowding is thru hiker related. The park now has 2 full time back country LE rangers, maybe 2 more in the spring. Hopefully this will reduce some of these issues.
Debi
1/23/2013 05:15:58 am
Love the Cliff Tops picture today. I'm looking for a cabin for July 4th week before I come up that night. The more we look the pickier I get. Maybe I'll just shelter hop all week.
Jack
1/23/2013 07:17:25 am
Paul B: I don't know if anyone would steal your shoelaces while you sleep, although in today's society I wouldn't rule it out ! But hostilities around the shelters on the A.T., particularly Icewater are real often times. I've been avoiding that shelter for some years now, gladly. I'm not afraid of anyone, just better off using my wits and avoiding conflicts. I don't know what the Park can or will do about such problems. To be honest with you, I'd be tempted to carry a tent and camp somewhere nearby a shelter, simply out amongst the trees and such ! I know you're not supposed to do this, but with some uncaring and irresponsible morons showing up with permits and reservations one must be prepared. If you're a dedicated leave-no-trace hiker and camper and don't mind being completely out in the open, than I think you could spend one solitary night out like that and no one would ever realize you were ever there. I've done it a few times over the years without remorse, and without a trace left behind. Perhaps the Park Service will devote more attention to this problem.
Chris
1/24/2013 12:34:20 am
I can't believe what i'm reading here. Folks more less saying it's ok to just tent camp. This rule is here to protect the environment. Just because others don't follo
Chris
1/24/2013 12:37:47 am
Follow the rules does not ok you to do the same. Stand up for yourself and the park and do the right thing.
Hutton
1/24/2013 12:42:05 am
And don't forget about the horses! one horse will tear up the backcountry far more than a hiker with a tent.
dot cooper
1/24/2013 12:47:05 am
The shelter areas are a disaster... they look like an elf wallow, muddy and damp. Nothing will ever grow there again. The Shenandoah permits backcountry camping as long as you are out of sight of a trail and a specified distance from water. If the GSM is concerned about the environment, then low impact backcountry camping is a solution, not a problem.
dot cooper
1/24/2013 12:48:37 am
ELF wallow... although elves may also wallow.
Jack
1/24/2013 03:27:28 am
josh c: you are so right; but the ldoge has been there so long and has many, many followers and supporters, including me, that I doubt the Park Service would ever revoke their Commercial Use Authorization permit. The thing is that the people who are truly concerned with protecting the environment will strive with great diligence to do just that, despite whatever rules some others may disregard and/or ignore. An occasional leave-no-trace camping experience does absolutely no harm to the environment. The only true way to protect the Park is to fence it in completely and close it off to all human traffic. Existing as we humans do we affect our environment; no way around that. And the horses definitely harm the ground far more than hikers do ! So, get off your self-righteous podium about the rules on tent camping in the backcountry ! Stand up for yourself and pressure the Park Service to do more than make more unenforcable rules that aren't preventing the damage done by those morons who arrive at shelters sans permits, Rules are necessary in our society, but following them when they break down does no one any good. I'll tell you what I'll do: I'll tell you when and exactly where I'll go to pitch my tent, or place my sleeping bag under a tree somewhere out in the backcountry away from a shelter or campsite and after I leave if you can find any trace whatsoever of my being there I'll provide you a week's free lodging at the hotel or lodge of your choice !! dot cooper: low impact backcountry camping on a limited basis, of course, is the solution, not getting up on your podium and giving your self-centered judgments.
Reminder
1/24/2013 03:38:19 am
1/18/13....."Here's the rules: No grammar lessons ...no negativity, no debating. Let's keep it positive, informative and FUN. If someone breaks the rules, the rule for the rest of us is to ignore it." One more question: What are some other good websites/blogs for me to learn more about the GSM park? I've only hiked there once, to LeConte Lodge, in spite of living nearby in Kentucky (I'm pretty fond of my own mountains, though). I'd like to do more exploring--suggestions?
Wayne
1/24/2013 06:03:38 am
Jenny: I usually "google" "Great Smoky Mountains National Park" and come up with plenty of information from which to choose. They say there are ~900 miles of trails within the Park boundary alone, so you should be able to locate whatever it is you seek.
Jenny
1/24/2013 06:10:57 am
Thanks, Wayne. I am familiar with Google. As you have no doubt noticed, you get A LOT of returns with a search like that. I was hoping for some specific recommendations--so many websites, so many blogs, so little time to slog through them all to find the best ones. I'm just glad I found this one! Although I miss JP...
Fraley Family
1/24/2013 07:40:14 am
www.hikinginthesmokys.com
Nash
1/24/2013 08:04:26 am
Jenny, an invaluable resource for hiking in the GSMNP is the little brown book (Hiking Trails of the Smokies). It has detailed descriptions of most of the trails and is small enough to throw in your pack. It also comes with a map. You can pick one up at the visitors centers or buy it online through the park website.
Tony Ga
1/24/2013 08:17:44 am
Nash is right. Got one of those books and they are worth every penny.
Darryl
1/24/2013 06:10:39 am
Who made those rules "Reminder" ? The lodge management ? Doesn't matter all that much. It appears that a few get their feelings hurt when discussion takes place which involves the lodge or the Park, but discussion is necessary for the continuation of the operation and existence of this fabulous Park. Otherwise, you might as well close it completely, which is what will happen if things aren't "fluid" and adaptable to ouir changing society which seems to want things faster and more convenient. Pesonally, I think they should charge an entrance fee to the Park itself, not to mention placing more stringent restrictions on access to the backcountry. There are some, with which I actually disagree, that Leconte Lodge should be closed and eliminated. I hope that doesn't happen, but without honest discussion, well, I don't like thinking about that possibiliity.
Reminder
1/24/2013 06:19:18 am
Darryl, hope you have a good day. : )
Darryl
1/24/2013 07:23:08 am
Well 'Reminder", I will. Perhaps I spouted off too harshly earlier and I apologize for that, but the fact remains that at least I identify myself and not hide behind some label. And, the fact remains that basically, it's not anyone who posts their honest opinions in here who has any malice directed at the lodge or anyone who comments here, and those who do get offended by the truth can ignore me and some others who agree that things need to be examined by the Park Service before the Park declines because of some people who choose to ignore the "rules" as you so stated. As for me, I'll acknowledge the satisfaction you'll surely get from not seeing me waste my time here. I, sir, hope that you. too, have a good day ! 6/23/2013 11:05:38 pm
Thanks for sharing your experience during mountain climbing. I know it is tough during heavy snowfall. However, I feel that you were very excited about the journey. Thanks for sharing your experience with us and keep posting more updates here. Comments are closed.
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