High On LeConte
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

November 28th, 2016

11/28/2016

47 Comments

 
Picture
Morning y'all,
​
It's a smoky morning up top! The high yesterday reached 49 degrees. The overnight low was 30 degrees. It was 31 degrees and smoky at 7am observation. The mountain received no new precipitation. The trails are all still clear. The winds shifted yesterday and the smoke from the Chimney Tops fire has made the mountain smell like our neighbors are having a barbecue, but I didn't notice it affecting my breathing during my run yesterday. Fortunately, there is some heavy rain in the forecast tonight which should set the air quality straight and get our spring flowing hard again.
Picture
Top photo: High on Alum with smoky skies. Above: The final overlook before the homestretch of Alum - you can see the plumes of the Chimney Tops fire.
I went out for my first run of the season yesterday. My library is all organized and my throat bug has cleared up, so it was due time to get back on the singletrack. One of my favorite aspects of life up top is getting my little running pack organized with everything I'll need for a day out and just going. With no responsibilities beyond the morning weather and the blog, it's easy to disappear up here. The mountains are playgrounds for freedom lovers and running is about the most childish thing a grown man can do (without snow!), so combining the two creates smiles and adrenaline worth adjusting your priorities for. I started out on the Boulevard trail, enjoying the ice free conditions and rolling, runnable terrain. As I rounded past Myrtle Point, I noticed the gray haze of smoke driving up from the valley to my right. It was unfortunate to lose out on the big views that make Boulevard trail so distinct, but I knew that this would mean the trails would be relatively quiet. I only saw 1 other hiker on the Boulevard and 8 more on my way to Newfound Gap. I turned down the road and fought the heavy Sunday traffic to get to Alum as quick as possible and started my trudge back up to the lodge. The smoke didn't affect my breathing, but the gray skies did set my mood black. I love the clear, sunny days and the freshness of the winter fog, but this dry gray was simply alien. I focused on my breathing, knowing each footfall brought me a step closer to the lodge, took some photos before the home stretch, then jogged to the top of the stair case. I am looking forward to getting back the park I've come to love over the past five winters! This evening's rain will be a welcome sight. 
47 Comments
phillip
11/28/2016 09:43:21 am

When you're out running I assume that there is no one at the Lodge ? Just wondering, etc.

Reply
Hamburglar
11/28/2016 02:29:54 pm

And the keys are under the doormat, and the safe is open and the password to my banking account is, and...

Reply
elaine
11/29/2016 12:29:05 am

You aren't planning some mischievous act, are you, Phillip?

Reply
Darlene
11/28/2016 10:39:24 am

JP I love your everyday blogs. It makes me feel like I am right there
on that beautiful mountain. Keep up the good work.

Reply
Sharon S
11/28/2016 12:46:42 pm

Thanks for the wonderful and inspiring posts, JP. You bring the mountain to life for me. Are you the longest-serving winter caretaker at LeConte?

Reply
Sherleen
11/28/2016 04:21:29 pm

Welcome back John Paul. This blog is included in my mornings, and you always make it SO interesting for this old 80 yr. old .I love the mtn's. too and we camped and hiked in them for nearly 60 yrs.Glad you are feeling better. Take care.

Reply
Steve D
11/28/2016 04:59:34 pm

Hey JP-welcome back and your odyssey on the mountain continues! You are just having too much fun! The smoke down here is terrible! They are evacuating parts of Gatlinburg and the Chimneys Fire has gotten near Mynatt Park and Orchard Road is closed along with 441 and other park roads. Be safe up there. See ya up there sometime in December.
Steve D

Reply
Vickie
11/28/2016 07:36:06 pm

Stay safe JP. The fires have me worried!

Reply
Barbara Callahan link
11/28/2016 10:20:37 pm

JP so glad to have you back where you belong your looking good the only thing is we have been so dry and have all of these fires I'm worried about you...praying we get a lot of rain again so glad to have you back.

Reply
Nate
11/28/2016 10:36:09 pm

JP, I pray that you are safe.

Reply
Braska Jennea Givens link
11/28/2016 11:11:51 pm

JP, praying you and the lodge are safe! Prayers for downpours to drown out the fires before they even get near you!!

Reply
Cherisse
11/28/2016 11:23:56 pm

I hope that the fires as reported on the local stations are not near the lodge and that you are safe, JP. Hoping for lots of rain, too.

Reply
Michael
11/29/2016 12:28:54 am

Hope you are safe looks like wildfires are out of control. Let us know your status when you can.

Reply
Tom Pinner
11/29/2016 12:41:52 am

Be safe up there. Seems everything is burning. Hoping to make it up there next spring.

Reply
Tammy (Tx)
11/29/2016 01:22:06 am

Been following the news non-stop for the past 3 hours or so. Hope you are safe! Praying for all of you, the Smokies, the lodge and Gatlinburg. It's so surreal and so sad.

Reply
Paul
11/29/2016 04:32:49 am

Hope your safe JP. Prayers for all of you all in the area.

Reply
Christy
11/29/2016 06:54:22 am

devistating news about the fires...pictures are frightful...seems the fire has spread significantly....my heart is aching over the destruction of that beloved piece of heaven on earth....please keep us informed of your status...thank you for watching over one of our treasures...I pray for your safety

Reply
Kim
11/29/2016 06:59:25 am

I hope you are safe and well and the lodge and cabins survived the night. Thinking of the place I love most in the world today.

Reply
Bob
11/29/2016 07:15:23 am

Been watching all the news reports about the fires in the mountains and Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge burning. JP we are Praying that if you're still up on LeConte that you are ok

Reply
Ashley L
11/29/2016 08:05:15 am

Stay safe with the fires!

Reply
Susie
11/29/2016 08:46:40 am

Hey JP, comforting to see you have returned! Library in order...Recovered....Running.

Reply
Randy
11/29/2016 09:04:23 am

Great post! Quite descriptive.....almost smelled the smoke!! Have two questions.Do you run in trail running shoes when you run trails? And do you have a particular brand you tend to favor? Thanks for listening, Randy

Reply
Joe
11/29/2016 09:09:56 am

I hope all is well up top and you and the Lodge stayed safe!

Reply
Karen
11/29/2016 10:05:45 am

Hope you are safe and will heed the call to evacuate if necessary. I'm stunned that GSMNP and the surrounding areas have lost so much, so quickly.

God speed!

Reply
Ken Shaw
11/29/2016 10:08:54 am

Any damage near you? Stay safe!!

Reply
Laura
11/29/2016 10:14:18 am

Thinking about y'all and that wonderful lodge. Hoping the fires have not come up the mountain to you. Prayers for all in the area.

Reply
Devin
11/29/2016 10:21:41 am

I'm hoping and praying for an update today. I am looking for news that the Lodge is OK!

Reply
Gary Hickerson
11/29/2016 10:40:31 am

Praying you are safe!!

Reply
Tyler
11/29/2016 11:27:23 am

Hope you and the lodge are safe!

Reply
Angie Tinnell
11/29/2016 11:27:24 am

Keeping you guys in our prayers and hoping the fire does not damage the lodge. One of my most favorite places in the world. Ya'll stay safe up there and keep us posted!

Reply
randy
11/29/2016 11:30:03 am

Keep safe and thanks for letting us know the lodge is still there as of the 28th.

Reply
Lisa
11/29/2016 11:42:07 am

Hoping you are safe, JP!

Reply
Julia Walker (a Walker rock Walker :)
11/29/2016 11:49:38 am

So great to read this entry! Friends from all over -- friends who grew up on/off the trails of the Smokies with family, Scouts, SMHC -- were staying up online last night, weeping for Arrowmont and trying to find even a scrap of news about the Lodge. Many good thoughts & prayers are up there with you.

Reply
Renee
11/29/2016 11:53:46 am

Hope u are safe,JP

Reply
Elaine
11/29/2016 12:10:21 pm

Be safe!

Reply
Carol Morgan
11/29/2016 12:18:18 pm

J.P., I hope you are safely off the mountain. I know you can run fast!

Reply
Catherine Melton
11/29/2016 12:21:01 pm

Praying for your safety. The unpredictable and sudden spread of the fire from winds must certainly contribute to a feeling of isolation at this time. Looking forward to your continuing updates!

Reply
Steve Crane
11/29/2016 12:21:13 pm

Hope you are OK up there. Even better, I hope you got down safely. Stay safe.

Reply
Lisa
11/29/2016 12:49:57 pm

I hope you are safe, J.P. Prayers for all of our friends in Sevier County.

Reply
Deb
11/29/2016 12:50:15 pm

Praying for rain and for the Lodge to survive the fires. The beautiful mountains.
Watching the news for updates. So sad!!!

Reply
Jennifer
11/29/2016 01:02:18 pm

How long does it take to run that route? It takes me all day to hike up and back. I can't imagine running!

Reply
Larry
11/29/2016 02:54:00 pm

JP, hope you are safe and the buildings aren't damaged. Let us know your situation as soon as possible. Take care

Reply
Dar
11/29/2016 04:42:48 pm

JP...I hope you have an eye on the fire, be safe..

pray for our beloved SMNP

Reply
Joyce Moore
11/29/2016 06:09:56 pm

We are hearing about the wild forest fires, hope that all is well with you.
Please post when you can, we are follow your blogs and alway look so forward to reading them.
Enjoy your day.

Reply
elaine
11/29/2016 06:19:08 pm

When I sent a comment to the blog last night I had no idea how serious the situation was in Gatlinburg. A friend contacted Christy Ponder this a.m. who informed us that you had been safely evacuated yesterday. I was in the park on Saturday and saw the smoke from Chimney Tops settle in the valleys. Beyond my wildest thoughts that we would be experiencing what we are today. In spite of its spots of tackiness, Gatlinburg is the "gateway" to the Park and hiking and camping there as I often do has led me into the city. This is so sad. I hope that the rest of your stay is fairly mundane. Be well.

Reply
L Cody
11/29/2016 07:32:08 pm

Thank you for the LeConte update. Have had JP's well being on my mind since yesterday. Very pleased to hear he and our beloved lodge have faired well during this sad tragedy the area.

Reply
Rosemary link
12/2/2016 12:11:10 pm

JP, what an optimistic one you seem to be! It's good to read your updates. LeConte is a dear place to me, there's no place like it! So glad to hear it was not consumed by the flames and that you and staff are safe!! Worry has been on my mind everyday. Take care!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    LeConte Lodge

    Welcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable.  Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain!

    For information regarding GSMNP's paid parking tag requirements, please visit their website.

    For information regarding shuttle services, as well as overnight parking options in Gatlinburg, please visit our reservations website.

    Lodge Gift Shop Hours:
    9:00 - 10:00 AM
    ​12:00 - 4:30 PM

    Online Store

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

    RSS Feed

For current GSMNP road and trail information, visit the Park's Twitter page, official website, or call 865-436-1200 and follow the prompts.
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

Picture

Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture