Official Mid Season

7/22/2014

Yesterday was a great day for a hike back to work. We saw numerous amounts of families hanging out on the lower section of Alum Cave, enjoying the water. Kids skipping rocks and looking for salamanders. The turk's cap lilies are in full swing on the upper section of Alum. It was a perfect reminder that we are in the throes of summer. It just so happened that yesterday was also the official mid season point. We are officially on the back end of the 2014 season.

The guests enjoyed a rather cool day, yesterday. The high was only 63º with a low of 54º. We are currently covered in clouds.

It feels good to be back on the mountain with the low humidity. It is going to take some adjusting next summer when I am living in the low lands. Chris and I had an excellent time off the mountain. The concert was amazing and I realized that I have been fortunate enough to see Alison Krauss since she started touring in 1990. I often listen to her music while cooking at the lodge. It is a great way to start my morning.

doug y link

7/22/2014 01:50:09 am

Nice photos as always Allyson. Two or three cool(er) days here just made me want to be in the Park and on the mountain, but the heat is gradually building back to average levels. Someone asked me recently when the best times were for witnessing a sunrise out at Myrtle Point. Are you still able to give guests approximate times for this ? Just curious. For every time I've been at the lodge I've gone to Cliff Tops usually, but have only been to Myrtle Point about half as many times. Would love to be up there now as I've seldom done so in the mid-summer months. G'day.

tomk in SC

7/22/2014 03:11:06 am

Most of the time our stays at the lodge is SAT night. Every night, they announce the time of sunset because almost everyone goes to see the sunset every night that isn't totally obscured. On SAT nights for sure, (and perhaps other nights) they announce the Myrtle Point sunrise time because they offer something of a morning "service" that is an option for guests. They announce the hike time to Myrtle Point and the departure time from lodge to Myrtle Point. I sleep through that more often than not, but the few I have caught were great! Myrtle Point on warm afternoons are awesome if the bugs aren't bad. (They usually aren't bad) Sometimes low level clouds get pushed up over The Boulevard and tumble down the other side. There is a good sized rock at Myrtle Point that is broken such that about four folks can lay on the rock almost like sitting in a recliner or a dental chair. ("Recliner Rock"?) When the sun has been out Recliner Rock is warm and feels awesome. Unfortunately when the sun is out it takes almost no time at all to get some sunburn, so be mindful of that.

norman in ga

7/22/2014 03:45:50 am

there is a rock like that on the summit of 'pine mountain' in cartersville, ga. love to recline there!

doug y link

7/22/2014 04:30:05 am

Thanks for reminding me tomk. I am asked very often why and how I am so addicted to hiking as well as camping. Well, as I read from the majority of readers' comments on this site, I believe that most of the people here understand the addiction that hiking has for them, and especially for staying at the lodge. I won't take up any more space here in commenting on this topic, although I did address it on my own site today. Yes, the lodge hooked me from the very first time I stayed up there !

norman

7/22/2014 02:05:15 am

Good to have you back Allyson. Grest pictures. Wandering how you and Chris met?

Paul B

7/22/2014 02:15:05 am

Happy Half Way Point! Bitter sweet I am sure. With this benchmark, I am curious as to the plans for a Winter Caretaker this coming off season. Will JP be back to secure things up top and keep us below informed and entertained with his writings and photography. I certainly hope as much. With Allyson, Chris and Nathan all moving on to other adventures, I don't think that I could take a complete changeover from those that have become the "face" of the LeConte Lodge!

norman

7/22/2014 02:41:32 am

AMEN!

Kent

7/22/2014 07:51:38 am

I'm hoping to be up on LeConte on August 10. I'll be hiking from Pecks Corner shelter, up the Boulevard trail, then back down Alum Cave to my car.

I was hoping to stay at the LeConte shelter, but didn't act quick enough. It pays to make your reservation at 12:01 a.m. the first day they're allowed, I guess -- at least on a Saturday night in August.

norman

7/22/2014 08:28:16 am

I guess resv. at the shelter in Oct. or Nov. are not that much in demand, my son and brother-in-law stayed one time and had it all to ourselves! This was 2008, last time I'v been there.

norman

7/22/2014 08:32:30 am

Oh,it wasthe middle of the week too.

Peppermint Pattie

7/22/2014 08:51:18 am

Kent, Keep trying the website to get a reservation at Leconte Shelter. Sometimes there is a cancellation. That is a FANTASTIC hike you will be doing. Enjoy !

Kent

7/24/2014 06:12:14 am

That might be a possibility, thanks for the tip. However, since I posted this, I've changed my itinerary and won't be including Mt. LeConte on the last day of my three-day trip. Instead of Pecks Corner, I'll be at campsite 44 on my second night, exiting at Smokemont the next day. : )

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Official Mid Season

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