Nov. 5, 2014

The moon rises above a snow-crowned High Top.

Hello to all of you.  The sun has been in the witness protection program thus far today, but the temperatures have been comfortable on top of Mt. LeConte.  We're seeing considerable melting with only 8-10 inches of snow on the ground at the lodge.  We saw a high-low of 55 and 39.

It sounds like we could be in for a wet couple of days.  The temperatures are also expected to get colder.  I hope the increased precipitation and falling temperatures don't decide to go courting.  I'm not anxious to see any new snow.

Based on the conversations I've had with hikers, the snowpack on the trails is being reduced to slush rapidly.  I've seen lots of hikers with soaking wet, frigid feet.  I've also talked to several folks who climbed Alum Cave Bluff Trail today.  I think it's still a tough slog, but much better than a couple of days ago.  I'd still recommend my family take Rainbow Falls Trail through at least Thursday.  However, more people are coming up Alum every day.

I also got a couple of reports on Trillium Gap and Bullhead Trails.  The Park Service trail crew cleared Trillium Gap of downed trees this morning.  However, no one else has been on that trail at all.  Plus, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail road is closed through the spring, so you'd have to add another couple of miles to your hike to take the connector trail to Trillium Gap Trail.  Also, former crew member John Northrup hiked up Bullhead Trail today and said it was still tough from the crest up.  John's quite an accomplished hiker, so I trust his opinion on that.  I'd steer clear of Bullhead, Trillium Gap and the Boulevard Trail for a few more days.

Finally, the big news of the day was our helicopter airlift.  As I mentioned with Trillium Gap Trail being nearly untouched, it could be a while before we see the llamas at the lodge.  We resupplied via four helicopter trips this morning--securing more of everything from fresh eggs, clean linens, toilet paper, groceries, extra shirts and snowshoes for J.P., the winter caretaker.  We had a pineapple roll out of the grocery bag, which looked awfully odd hemmed in by all that snow.

We had just about our full complement of guests last night and expect the same tonight.  As always, use good judgment and be careful when coming to see us.  Happy trails.