Good Morning!
The weather this morning is cloudy and foggy. The current temperature is 39 degrees. 50 MPH winds and heavy rain is forecast for this afternoon and tonight. The Park Service trail crew finished cutting blowdowns on the Trillium Gap Trail yesterday. We appreciate them clearing it in time for pack llamas to start using in a few weeks. At least two new large downed trees were reported on the Alum Cave Trail yesterday. Bring your rain gear if you are hiking on any of the trails today! HAPPY TRAILS!! WILDCAT/Bert
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HELLO AGAIN!
The skies are finally clearing again over Mt LeConte! We received 1.5 inches of precipitation yesterday, so the trails will be wet today. The current temperature is 36 degrees. My time on Mt LeConte as the Winter Caretaker is rapidly drawing to a close. The full-service season crew for the Lodge will be arriving soon. The airlift is scheduled for the week of March 18th (reminder that lodge grounds are closed to the public once flying starts). The Lodge is scheduled to open for its 100th Season on March 25th, so the next few days and weeks will be busy! Before I leave I would like to share some “words of wisdom “ with you. This was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann, and is titled “DESIDERATA”. “Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is, many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disengagement it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the council of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all it’s sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.” HAPPY TRAILS!! WILDCAT/Bert How Are Y’all Doin’ Today?
After several days of beautiful weather, Mt LeConte is back to “normal “! Clouds, fog, and rain—which is I suppose what you should expect when you are living in a rain forest. The current temperature is 41 degrees and the lodge received 0.7 inches of precipitation during the past 24 hours. The trails are now clear of snow and ice, but the rocks are roots are slick because of the rain. Please watch your step! I’m not anticipating the large numbers of day hikers that I saw the past few days because it’s Wednesday and it’s raining. Be sure to bring your rain gear today. Stay safe and dry. HAPPY TRAILS!! WILDCAT/Bert Good Morning From Mt LeConte!
It’s cloudy this morning, but it’s not raining—yet! The rain is forecast for this afternoon. I’ve been told that all good things must come to an end! The temperature this morning is 40 degrees and the trails are almost clear of snow and ice. If you plan to visit Mt LeConte today be sure to pack your rain gear. The mountain has been crowded with college students who are on spring break for the past few days. Apparently several states north of Tennessee have turned their students loose on spring break all at the same time! The word that I am hearing up here on top is that this is making parking at the trail heads extremely difficult. I hope that y’all can enjoy this springlike weather before the rains move in again. HAPPY TRAILS!! WILDCAT/Bert Good Morning, Folks!
It appears that today is going to be just like yesterday—except that this morning I had pancakes and bacon and scrambled eggs for breakfast and yesterday I had sausage and biscuits and gravy! I like some variety! The temperature this morning is 50 degrees (the same as yesterday!) and the skies are clear (the same as yesterday!). The biggest difference is probably that today is Monday (a week day) and yesterday was Sunday, so I might not expect as many day hikers today today as yesterday. But I have been informed that that spring breaks are starting in many states, so there may not be much difference. Both days were good days for viewing sunrise and sunset. So my advice is the same—you should get out of doors and take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather! HAPPY TRAILS!! WILDCAT/Bert GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE!
The clouds and fog over Mt LeConte finally disappeared after lunch yesterday and we had a beautiful sunny afternoon and evening. The temperature yesterday got up to 48 degrees. Last night’s low was 36 degrees and the current temperature is already 50 degrees with sunny skies. Sunset last night from Cliff Tops was AWESOME! There was an inversion with a solid layer of white fluffy clouds below us. Mt LeConte never ceases to entertain us by providing amazing views. My advice would be to get outside and enjoy the sunshine while you can! HAPPY TRAILS!! WILDCAT/Bert GOOD MORNING!
Finally we’re having some warmer weather! The current temperature is 40 degrees. Yesterday’s high temperature was 41 and the low was 32. The lodge received 0.8 inches of rain in the past 24 hours. The combination of temperature and precipitation has cleared most of the remaining snow and ice from the top of the mountain. The Lodge is currently experiencing heavy low clouds and/or thick fog, which is probably not the best of conditions for exciting pictures! I’ll do the best I can with what I have to work with and hope for clearing skies this afternoon, HAPPY TRAILS!! WILDCAT/Bert Good Morning, Friends!
It’s March! But Surprise! It surely doesn’t feel much like spring time here on Mt LeConte! The temperature is right at the freezing point, light misty rain freezing immediately to whatever it touches. This combination makes for treacherous trails! Paths and walkways that were safe and dry yesterday afternoon are suddenly becoming as slick as glass! If you are planning to be out of doors today, you should be prepared for anything and everything! The “uniform of the day “ should include rain gear, traction devices, warm clothes, an extra pair of dry wool socks, and etc. Be safe and stay dry! HAPPY TRAILS!! WILDCAT/Bert HELLO, FOLKS!
Highway 441 was opened again at 9:00 AM! This morning I was greeted by clear skies and temperatures 20 degrees cooler than yesterday. The Lodge received almost an inch of rain yesterday. The trails around the top of the mountain are icy this morning—bring your traction devices! I considered posting a picture of the date on the front of the dining hall today—you only get to see “FEBRUARY 29” once every four years. On this date in 2004 I started my northbound thru hike on the Appalachian Trail, so it’s a very special day in my life! HAPPY TRAILS!! WILDCAT/Bert Good Morning!
Highway 441 was closed yesterday afternoon because of a high wind warning from the National Weather Service, and the road remains closed today. Gusts upward of 75mph are anticipated. The current temperature here at the lodge is 44 degrees—slightly warmer than yesterday. The high yesterday was 47 degrees. The combination of high temperatures and high winds has melted most of the remaining snow and ice. But cold temps in the teens are coming back by tonight. There is a 100 percent chance of rain today, probably starting in the early afternoon and continuing into the evening hours. It might even transition over to snow before all is said and done. This past Monday our management team hiked up Trillium Gap Trail to assess trail conditions for downed trees that will have to be removed before the llamas can start packing supplies in a month’s time. There is a tremendous amount of trail work that needs to be done during the next month on several Mt. LeConte trails before the lodge reopens. Trillium Gap and Bull Head have taken a beating, while Rainbow Falls has a decent sized blowdown near the top. Hopefully the weather will cooperate so that NPS crews can make quick work of it! HAPPY TRAILS!! WILDCAT/Bert |
LeConte LodgeWelcome 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! Archives
March 2024
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