Nothing But Blue Skies

3/29/2013

I love those blue sky white powder days. The sun was bright and made for a brilliant day up top. The high was still only 24º with a low of 12º. The icicles are hanging on for dear life. I did not hear of anyone coming up Alum Cave yesterday, although we had a ton of day hikers, so I am sure the trail has been broken. People were making it up here with not much problems at all. We have sold a ton of yak traks on the mountain, that tells me the trails are still slick and people were wanting them for the trip down. Yes, I did say "yak traks". We are now selling them for $22 on the top of the mountain. We are looking forward to a busy Easter weekend. If the weather doesn't wash us out, there may be some easter egg hunting going on. A few years ago, we established the first ever "LeConte Night Time Easter Egg Hunt". I bet you have not ever seen someone hunting for eggs with their headlamps on? Hopefully the rain will pass and we will get to hold the second one on the mountain.

Marybeth Williams

3/29/2013 12:46:19 am

I've heard about the beauty of LeConte from friends; I hope to see it one day soon!

Brad G.

3/29/2013 12:50:17 am

Beautiful pictures! I want to be back up there badly. Thanks for letting us live vicariously through this blog when it's not possible yet. Happy Easter!

Tom W.

3/29/2013 12:53:04 am

Such beautiful pictures! Hoping to make it up sometime this year. Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter!

doug y

3/29/2013 01:07:41 am

That's my cabin !!!!

norman (airborne)

3/29/2013 02:04:59 am

"i though that was my cabin" would love to be there!!

Tony Ga

3/29/2013 01:30:50 am

Steve D, what's your prediction on the weather for Saturday? Looks like yesterday or today would have been the perfect days to be up there. When our boys were younger we use to do a night time Easter egg hunt every year and they loved it.

Tony Ga

3/29/2013 08:24:13 am

Steve D, it's a no go for us tomorrow. Still sick and the chance of rain will keep us home.

Greg W

3/29/2013 01:31:47 am

I really appreciate the daily updates and look forward to our trip up. We'll see you on Tuesday!

Alex

3/29/2013 01:33:20 am

I love reading these posts everyday! My wife and I are making our 2nd trip to Leconte on the 9th. We came up Alum Cave the first time in a beautiful November setting. We are questioning whether or not we need gaiters. At what point is it basically optional to wear gaiters with the hit or miss snow that may be there?

Steve D

3/29/2013 08:37:57 am

Alex-I will be surprised if you will need gaiters on the ninth, unless there is fresh snow right before then. The trail should be very negotiable by then without them. Good luck and have a great trip!

Eric

3/29/2013 01:35:11 am

I would love to see the top of LeConte on this trip but the temperature and my kids will keep us in Gatlinburg this time. Although my view from Chalet Village of LeConte is magnificent! Good luck with the Easter egg hunt!

Lydia

3/29/2013 01:57:18 am

I have a friend who has a glow-in-the-dark Easter Egg hunt! Happy Easter.

Lydia link

3/29/2013 07:38:59 am

Yea! Another Lydia following this blog! Hi, Lydia!

Debi

3/29/2013 01:57:55 am

Your yax trax are a great price, because I bought mine a few years ago at Dunhams for $20.00. You must feel real sorry for the people coming up slipping and sliding. Or maybe you just don't want to go out for a rescue when they slide off the mountain. Great thing to sell up there and a awsome price.

???

3/29/2013 04:18:07 am

That is a risk ,paradais or gowantanamo .

Kevin L link

3/29/2013 02:11:39 am

I can't wait to stay on the 7th! The wife and I have never been to the lodge, but we already can't wait to go again!

Kent

3/29/2013 03:51:15 am

Weather.com is seriously starting to tick me off. Yesterday the forecast for next Wednesday-Friday was precipitation free with lots of sun; now they're projecting rain on Thursday and Friday. I have a sneaking suspicion they're messing with my head intentionally.

That bit of nonsense aside, I think it's time for the icicles to just give it up and let go. They've had their fun. It's spring, now.

dan w

3/29/2013 03:56:12 am

As I am twice the man I used to be, literally, I too must live this adventure to the top of LeConte vicariously. I grew up in snowy New England, where late snows were great as a kid, but horrific as a teenager. A visit from Maine to the White Mountains of NH, especially to Wildcat Mt., brought views of late season snow on Tuckerman's Ravine, sometimes into July. Still, those memories don't hold a candle to the magnificence of LeConte, when covered with the white stuff! Thanks for the pictures and blog--they help ease the yearning---some!

???

3/29/2013 03:49:08 pm

Falcons are flayind in the sky I am in the wildflowers. Said Wildcat but that wildflower with falcon.

Keith- Bonita Springs

3/29/2013 04:59:55 am

We are coming up in September, can someone going up in the next few days hide some snow for us, looks beautiful but I just can't get there soon enough.

Gina

3/29/2013 05:30:36 am

Looks beautiful! Doea anyone know if there's room for 2 this weekend, or how to make contact with someone on the mountain?

Gina

3/29/2013 08:23:21 am

This is Gina over in NC answering you. I think there reservation office is close on the weekend so you better call now

Steve D

3/29/2013 08:33:55 am

Gina-she is right, the office closes at 5, 865-429-5704, hopefully they are still there though it is Good Friday.

Fans from FL

3/29/2013 05:55:24 am

We came up yesterday via alum cabe trail, started at 8:30AM and the trail at alum cave was covered in deep snow, knee high closer to the top towards The lodge, we made it up at 1:00pm with a 7year old... There was some scary spots up top with heavy snow and ice but well worth the adventure! Hike backed down in slippery slush in 3hrs or so, we did have yak Trax and lost 2 falling into slush holes, so alum slush trail was slippery and muddy, best hot chocolate at the lodge :-) and our son will never forget it! So proud of him he hiked 11 or so miles up/down a mountain in bad conditions. It sure was pretty before the snow started to melt. Now back to flat FL

Tony Ga

3/29/2013 06:05:42 am

Thanks for the trail report!

Gina in NC

3/29/2013 08:23:51 am

Tony, Good luck tomorrow!!!!

Tony Ga

3/29/2013 08:26:06 am

Not going. Sick and chance of rain. Might try next week.

Steve D

3/29/2013 08:29:26 am

Tony Ga-sorry to hear you are not feeling well still, I hope to be able to hike but won't decide until the morning when I check the weather radar. I live in Pigeon Forge, so I can make a last minute decision whether to go or not. We will try to meet up again for sure.

Tony Ga

3/29/2013 08:33:46 am

Good luck and let us know how it was.

Steve D

3/29/2013 08:39:55 am

Tony Ga-the last couple of days there are several of our posts that do not have a reply option on them, have you noticed that and do you have any idea why?

Tony Ga

3/29/2013 08:46:13 am

Steve D Facebook?

Tony Ga

3/29/2013 10:33:48 am

Just go up to the next reply up and it will put your reply at the bottom.

Steve D

3/29/2013 08:53:27 am

Tony Ga-no, heck I resisted have text capability on my phone until last year! Email me at sdmtnhme@yahoo.com.

Suzie Wi

3/29/2013 09:27:45 am

My husband and I are taking our yearly vacation to the Smokies later in April. We've hiked via Alum cave to LeConte and back on one day with no problems. It took about 7 hours including about an hour's rest at the Lodge. We've been lucky enough to have had pretty good weather when we've been in the Smokies that time of year. Last year we did a short hike on the Boulevard Trail just to see what it looked like. There are so many varying accounts of hiking up to LeConte via the Boulevard Trail that it's hard to decide if it's a good idea for a day trip. Considering that we get some good dry days by then and leave from the Newfound Gap parking lot, is it possible to use that trail round trip with an hour rest at the lodge and make it back to the parking lot before dark?

Nash

3/29/2013 10:05:36 am

Suzie, if you start early you should have plenty of time for lunch at the Lodge and be back to the car by dark. Take a headlamp just in case and check Allyson's trail reports closer to your hike. Also, be sure to take the spur trail out to the Jump Off. It's well marked with a sign just after you turn onto the Boulevard from the AT. I think the main issue with the Boulevard is that people underestimate its difficulty. They assume it will be easier because it starts at a higher elevation than the other trails. However, at 8+ miles and with all the ups and downs, it's one of the more challenging trails. That said, if you are prepared, you will be fine!

Suzie

3/29/2013 10:19:05 am

Thanks Nash. I'm glad to hear that because I've heard it's got such wonderful views!

Tony Ga

3/29/2013 10:31:56 am

Suzie Wi, we hiked the Boulevard to LeConte and down Alum last fall and it was my favorite hike so far to LeConte. It was a day hike. Hope to do it again.

Suzie Wi

3/29/2013 11:30:39 am

Thanks Tony Ga

Gina

3/29/2013 02:28:18 pm

Tony I did that to last year and I have to agree!

Mary F

3/29/2013 02:45:58 pm

Susie, if you are on Facebook, look for the Great Smoky Mountains Association and like them. Today they had aerial footage of The Boulvard Trail, awesome. My daughter and I did the Boulevard on our return trip the first time we stayed at the lodge.

???

3/29/2013 08:13:32 pm

Facebook is filtering.

Kassie

3/29/2013 09:31:33 am

Had an adventurous hike up yesterday the scenery was breathtaking! Needless to say my first time to stay was memorable. The hike down was great & yes we bought Yak Traxs for the hike down:)

Angie Coffey

3/29/2013 09:41:30 am

We are coming up in a group of 12 hiker's next Saturday! Some are Flatlander's, so it will be quite memorable for them I'm sure! Trip #12 for me, and I can't waite!!!, But if the snow and ice is gone that won't hurt my feeling's at all!! Great price on the Yak Trax!, I will advise my group to hold off and get them up there! See you soon!!! :)

jackie link

3/29/2013 09:43:22 am

Suzie i have hiked the boulevard several times and back in 1 day and i am a senior male no problem or you could go boulevard up and then down alum which i usually do but you would need shuddle for this. Good luck

Suzie Wi

3/29/2013 10:24:01 am

Thanks jackie, It sounds like it's OK to do. Now we just need the weather to cooperate! :-)

Mary F

3/29/2013 02:49:29 pm

For anyone who is on Facebook, like the Great Smoky Mountains Association. Today they posted a great aerial footage of The Boulevard Trail, it is awesome!

Tony Ga

3/29/2013 03:16:45 pm

Cool. Thanks.

Suzie Wi

3/29/2013 04:14:48 pm

Thanks Mary!

Steve B

3/30/2013 03:01:55 pm

Heading up Saturday April 9th with group incl 9 & 6 year old. Any suggestions on trails up and down?

Dan Brooks

3/30/2013 08:02:20 pm

Dan Brooks

3/30/2013 08:05:09 pm

We went up on Thursday 3/28 and the weather was perfect--not a cloud in the sky. Tough hike up but very rewarding once you reached the lodge. This was our first time--we loved it and will be back. The staff was awesome, the food spectacular and the hospitality outstanding. And of course the best was the view--truly fabulous.

awesome

3/31/2013 05:37:13 am

I live in a cave it is safe I am a mountain man who leaves mountain never.

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Nothing But Blue Skies

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