 Good Afternoon, Our sunny and dry stretch of weekdays continues. We started out above the clouds once again for sunrise, and although the grey and white puffs have risen and been a bit clingy most of the morning, they seem to finally be losing the battle to the sunshine. Clear skies and warm temps are on the docket now until Friday when the precip returns. We’ll be bouncing between mid 60s for highs and lows in the upper 40s at night. Air is relatively calm today but will get a little breezier starting tomorrow. We’re around 14 hours of daylight now, sunrise happening at 6:30 AM and sunset about 8:30 PM. Not only does that mean more light for gallivanting through the woods, but guests staying overnight have ample time to catch sunrise at Myrtle Point before breakfast, and can comfortably chow down supper before making the evening ascent to Cliff Tops to close out the day. Warmer temps, longer days, greener vegetation, all signs that summer on the mountain is coming and quick. Have a great rest of the day. 
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 Good Morning, A beautiful day on the mountain is in store for this second full week of May. A colorful sunrise and varying layers of clouds both high and low are giving guests a real treat to wake up to before breakfast. We’re expecting mostly sunny skies today with warmer temps than yesterday in the 40s and 50s. We’re almost to the point of the season where we can say with confidence that any notion of winter on Mt. LeConte is over. There’s just too much daylight and warm air pushing into the region now to give temps this high up a fighting chance at producing the white fluffy stuff. Hopefully we’re set on that until late autumn. The grounds around camp are really greening up as well. Dandelions and spring beauties are popping up in patches. And the walls of coneflower that put on a show in summer are already growing several inches in height. Always an invigorating sight to see the mountain come alive in spring. Have a great day.   Good Afternoon, We made it through the deluge! These past two days produced nearly 3.2” of rainfall on the mountain. Yesterday the lodge was in a constant weeping cloud, keeping everyone and everything thoroughly soaked. Thankfully all the guests who endured yesterday’s slog has been treated to a splendidly sunny Sunday. We started out with a tantalizing sunrise over a cloud sea this morning, although the clouds have risen a bit to obscure much of our view to the north. It’s slightly cool with temps in the 40s. These next several weekdays look great for conditions to dry out and warm up. Should make for some great hiking. Have a great rest of the day.   Good Morning, The wet weekend continues. Rain showers have been on and off the last 24 hours, and plenty more are expected to roll through the mountains today. Winds will be a little weaker today and there won’t be the same threats of thunderstorms, just a steady presence of liquid precip. Come dressed appropriately for soggy trails, cloudy skies, and cool temps. The thermometer will continue to spend most of it’s time in the upper 30s and lower 40s again today. By Sunday afternoon, conditions should improve across the region and my-oh-my does the start of next week look fabulous. Already a full week into May and a fifth of the way through the 2022 season. Time is flying by! Have a great day and stay dry out there.   Good Morning, Yesterday was a stellar day full of sunshine on the mountain. Today, not so much. We topped out at 65° yesterday afternoon, but it’s likely we’ll spend most of our time in the 40s these next 48 hours. Small bouts of rain have skipped through already during the night, and plenty more is on the way. The clouds have been in and out, occasionally exposing glimpses of the valley below, but we won’t be counting on much in the way of views today. The winds have also ramped up and have the potential to gust upwards of 45mph today. It is strongly advised that guests with overnight reservations hit the trail early and not dilly-dally getting up. The storms are expected to be at their worst this afternoon, with some areas of East TN slated for high winds, heavy rain, hail, and possibly tornado threats. So best everyone take care of business on trail today as early and quickly as possible. The forecast for Saturday looks like a soaker as well, so it’s going to be a wet weekend to start. Currently all roads accessing the mountain remain open. Be safe and have a great day.   Good Morning, We’re getting a nice break in the dreary long term forecast with a Thursday full of sunshine. It’s going to be toasty again today, and the mountain top should tap the mid 60s easily this afternoon. Visibility will be hazy between the warm temps and ongoing burst of pollen across the south. Late tonight there is a chance for rain showers that will lead into what could be a stormy Friday. With rising temps and rapid vegetation growth, wildlife activity across the park is naturally increasing. And this time of year, that means bears! There were quite a few mommas with cubs sighted around Cherokee Orchard yesterday, so make sure you’re disposing of your trash properly at any trailhead receptacle, and not to leave your unattended cars unlocked or windows rolled while containing any tasty smellables. Bears are smart and crafty when it comes to being food motivated, but let’s all do our part responsibly to keep them wild and free. Alum Cave Trail is once again open to visitor use. Have a great day.   Good Morning, The grey wall of cloud cover greets us this midweek morning on the mountain. Temps are mild around 50°, the air is relatively calm, and light rain showers pass through every so often. We collected 0.4” of precip during the night. Appears as though we’ll be lucky to soak up any sunshine today, spending much of our time in a fog. Perhaps views will be possible further down the mountain as folks make their way up or down. Reminder that Alum Cave Trail and its associated parking lots are closed again today for the ongoing repaving project along US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd). Plenty of great trail options for reaching the summit, just be sure and leave yourself extra time for the additional miles. Have a great day and May the 4th be with you.   Good Morning,
Today begins a multi-day stretch of on and off rain chances across the mountains. With these warm temps and hazy skies, the weather is going to behave much like it would in the summer. So don’t be surprised if it’s sunny and hot one hour, then cooling down and raining the next. Conditions will also be breezy from time to time. We’ll be in the upper 40s to mid 60s again today. The lower elevations are really starting to green up, and wildflower varieties are also making the climb up the mountain adding small splashes of color here and there. Alum Cave Trail is closed today and tomorrow for parking lot repaving. So both overnight guests with reservations and day hikers will need to use one of the mountain’s other trails for accessing the lodge. Rainbow Falls, Trillium Gap, and Bull Head have all been recently cleared of downed trees, so folks can traverse either without obstruction. Although with the chances for pop up storms now through the weekend, it’s probably best to avoid the high elevation ridges and exposed slopes of trails like Bull Head and The Boulevard until a more favorable forecast presents itself. Have a great day.  Good Afternoon,
The sun is beating down on the southern Appalachians today. A new month is here and the heat and humidity of the upcoming summer is knocking on the door. Skies are relatively clear today, although the haze these mountains are known for is limiting clarity out toward the distant horizon. High temps will soar into the mid 60s easily this afternoon. Tuesday begins a rockier forecast for much of the week, as rain and thunderstorms will be on and off throughout. So don’t get fooled by a sunny spell, as a pop up rain shower could be just around the next bend in the trail. Reminder that beginning tomorrow Alum Cave Trail and parking areas will be closed to the public for an ongoing repaving project. That means both overnight guests and day hikers. Thankfully, Mt. LeConte serves as host to several other beautiful trails accessing the summit. Each is longer, so be smart about starting earlier and toting more food/water than you would if taking Alum Cave is your norm. If you’re trying to keep your mileage down, Rainbow Falls (Cherokee Orchard) and Trillium Gap (Roaring Fork) are your next best options, coming in at 6.7 miles one way. Judging by the weather, the road work could be delayed into Wednesday, so visitors that day need to plan accordingly as well. Have a great rest of the day.  Good Morning,
Happy May Day! It’s a new month, even though there will be some lingering April showers, the flowers of May are definitely coming too. The clouds have already moved in and thickened over the Smokies. Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will be prevalent throughout the day. Temps should feel slightly cooler today ranging from the 40s and 50s, especially with gusty winds around 35mph. Be sure and bring those protective layers to keep yourself warm and dry in these conditions. Tomorrow the sunshine and warmer temps return. Reminder that this is the last day to be able to park overnight at Alum Cave trailhead. Guests with reservations beginning Monday night will need to utilize one of the other approach trails to Mt. LeConte so that the repaving work can take place promptly beginning Tuesday morning. Weather could cause delays, so Wednesday has also been targeted for repaving work as well. Hopefully by this Thursday visitors can resume using Alum Cave Trail. Have a great rest of the weekend. |
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
May 2022
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