Good Morning,

It’s time to dry out as Sally has headed out to sea. Starting this day off capped in clouds, which may hold firm all day if not into tomorrow. By Sunday, abundant sunshine should persist and the forecast shows a decent pattern of weather for us. But for now, anymore chances of rain are minimal to nonexistent at best. We’ve entered into a nice cool down phase as summer draws to a close. We’ll see high temps in the 50s and lows in the 40s to begin the weekend. By Sunday night we might tap into the 30s, so consider those warm layers at night and when you go to enjoy sunset.

The NPS Trails Forever team continues to make impressive improvements to Trillium Gap Trail. The structures built and tread work completed up to this point are already serving our llamas and hikers well. The trail will remain closed on weekdays for about two months longer as they put the finishing touches on the two year project. A few areas along upper Alum Cave Trail were addressed this week as well, which our numerous visitors will most certainly appreciate.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Tropical Storm Sally is spinning through the neighborhood, bringing with it a steady rain since the midnight hours. Even though the storm’s center is holding its track well to the south, its rain bands continue to remain heaviest along the northern rotation. Our area is still inline for receiving 1-2” of precip with rain falling all day today and possibly the first half of Friday. By tomorrow afternoon the skies should begin the process of easing up and clearing out in time for the weekend. Temps are going to be cooler for a while, with mountaintop highs in the 50s and lows in the 40s.

Heads up for folks traveling into the Smokies from the north. As is typically the case this time of year, Pigeon Forge is hosting its end of summer edition of the Rod Run. Even with this rain, visitors can expect traffic delays now through the weekend along the main road. Never hurts to consider alternate paths to Gatlinburg or the park’s other entrances.

​Stay dry and be safe.

Good Morning,

The clouds held firm to the mountain top yesterday with only the occasional view out into the valley. Temps remained mild in the upper 50s. We’re beginning today sightly cooler but with less cloud cover. Only a slight chance of an afternoon shower, otherwise a decent day of calm before the storm.

Hurricane Sally is currently making its US landfall as a category 2 storm. The latest projections have the heart of the storm staying south of the Smokies, but the outer bands still have the potential to drop heavy localized rainfall across our region late tonight through Friday. Given how Mt. LeConte has already received a surplus of precip for the year, a steady 1-2” of rain across these next couple days poses the risk of localized flooding. Upper elevation winds are not expected to be intense at this time.

Guests are being encouraged to utilize the Alum Cave Trail until after the storm has passed. Trails such as Rainbow Falls, Bull Head, and Trillium Gap have numerous unbridged crossings and wet-weather drainages that can become hazardous during times of heavy or steady rainfall. Alum Cave, with its numerous bridges, cables, and shortest distance provides visitors the best option during such conditions.

We will continue to provide updates regarding Sally and its possible affects on the Smokies. Have a great day.

Good Morning,

It’s the last official week of summer, and if the forecast holds it might feel like autumn a little sooner. Starting off the day thoroughly socked in by clouds. Could be like that much of the day, but the chances for any rain remain very slim. Similar story for tomorrow as well. Temps are currently in the mid 50s, so we’ll be lucky to get into the lower 60s especially if the sun remains obstructed during the afternoon. Hurricane Sally has weakened a bit as it nears the Gulf coast, and its track has been pushed further south. We could still see some of its wrath as it passes by on Friday, but the heavier rainfall is on tap for Thursday as a cold front pushes through. The two separate but consecutive storms will surely make trails soggy and there could be elevated creek levels on any unbridged crossings, so choose your trails accordingly. With conditions expected to cool down below, it’s entirely possible this weekend the mountain temps spend a little more time in the 40s than anything, so bring those warm layers.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Turned out to be a mostly pleasant Sunday as storms throughout the region either struggled to flare up or sustain their strength as they pushed across the state. Didn’t finally receive any substantial precip until supper time. Conditions will be much calmer today and tomorrow, with very little chance for rain. Temps will continue to hold in the 50s and 60s and we’ll see a mix of sun and clouds. Watch out for muddy or slick places on the trail until the footing dries out. We’ll continue to monitor Tropical Storm Sally and see how it decides to track across the south. It’s possible we see some elevated rains and/or wind during the weekend but nothing we can’t manage.

Interested in staying with us this month? Maybe your family is operating on flexible travel plans, waiting for that perfect opportunity to get outside and play. Be sure and follow our Twitter account at https://mobile.twitter.com/LeConteLodge for any last minute vacancies. Late September is a great time for a mountain getaway as summer transitions into autumn!

​Have a great start to the week.

Good Morning,

It was life in the misty mountains yesterday, and it appears we’re in for more of the same today. Patchy clouds and scattered rain showers should persist, with the frequency for precip increasing by lunch time. Our temps should be consistent, hanging out in the upper 50s and lower 60s, and still that delightful southern humidity. Be ready to grab those rain jackets, ponchos, and pack covers at a moment’s notice to keep yourself and your belongings dry on the trail.

Have a great end to the week.

Good Morning,

​It’s a hazy summer day to kick off the weekend. Looks like we’ll be seeing a mix of sun, haze, and thickening clouds as the day progresses. The strongest chance for showers appears to fall around supper time, but even that is minuscule at best. Saturday has the greatest potential for soggy conditions throughout the day at the moment, so folks ascending today in dry conditions could have a wet descent later on. Temps continue to hold steady in the 50s and 60s. Heads up to travelers coming into the Smokies next week, as the NPS will be performing maintenance along the Spur south of PF. Brief delays could be possible those handful of weekdays.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

​Today is shaping up to be a decent day on the mountain. Some spotty clouds might roll in as the day progresses, but any precip percentages are to remain low and there should be plenty of sun to go around. Similar story expected for tomorrow before things look a little wetter to start the weekend. Temps should remain mildly warm for this time of year, with more of the same 50s and 60s up top. Imagine if that arctic blast that just hit the Rockies found its way into Southern Appalachia. Not quite sure anybody’s ready for snow just yet!

​Have a great rest of the day.

Good Morning,

​It’s going to be another beautiful day for some outdoor exploration on Mount LeConte. Temps are pleasantly in the upper 50s and could tap the lower 60s by mid day. Skies are only partly cloudy, but there remains a slight chance for rain showers around supper time. The opportunity for precip is similar for tomorrow, before things could really turn wet this weekend. Such a swing in the forecast makes sense after the stellar holiday weekend we just had. Temps should hold steady up top and down below for the next several days as well.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

We hope all of our readers had an enjoyable holiday weekend marking the proverbial end of the summer. Although weather-wise we still have plenty of time before the winds of autumn change the look and feel of these mountains. Looking at one more stunningly sunny day across the region today with temps about to jump into the 60s. The next several days will witness the return of clouds and opportunities for rain. This weekend has been a good run of clear skies, but it’ll be good to get some precip again, especially when you see the hot and fiery conditions out west.

Be safe and enjoy the day!