I want to start off by saying the crew on Mt. LeConte sends their prayers to the north east United States. We know that while we get to enjoy the beauty of what hurricane Sandy delivered to us, there are so many people and communities who are suffering at the moment. We want you to know our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Peace to you. 17" and counting. The snow is coming down hard as I type. We have drifts up to 4 ft and higher. The temperature is currently 17, which was the low last night. The high yesterday was 20º. We have 15 guests who made it up the mountain yesterday. They said it was tough with just the 8" we had gotten during the day. Today is going to be even worse. I can not stress enough how important it is to have the proper gear if you are going to attempt to hike this mountain. The conditions are extremely dangerous if you are not prepared. Please do not get on the trail if you are wearing low cut shoes. You will need boots and some thing to keep the snow out of your shoes. You do not want to get wet. The wind chill makes it seem even colder on the top. 
As of now, Hwy 441 is closed. Cherokee Orchard is open. Rainbow Falls, Bullhead, and Trillium Gap trails are open. I am not sure how far down the snow starts. We are going to send a crew member down Trillium a little ways to assess the conditions. I will keep you posted. 
I had a few questions I thought I would answer.
1.) John won the snow pool. 2. ) We had 15 guests last night. Most of them are staying a second night. We will find room for the others who can not make it down today. We just want people to be safe. 3.) We have cell service and solar power on the mountain. I am sending out these posts on a broadband connection that seems to work for well. 4.) By the time the snow ends, this may be the most snow I have seen up here in my decade on the mountain. Once again, I can not stress enough, how important it is for everyone to use common sense about attempting to hike up here. Please make sure you have the appropriate attire. This weather is not forgiving. Make sure someone knows you are on the trail. Practice safe hiking. I hope everyone stays warm today and I will keep you posted.
Nadine
10/30/2012 01:16:47 am
It's beautiful. Be safe. I'd love to be there.
Wayne Wilkins
10/30/2012 02:49:23 am
Even though I weathered Sandy at the beach in Delaware, God has a way of showing us true beauty in the wake of a storm!!
Jason Lynn
10/30/2012 01:21:54 am
Amazing! Reminds me of my first trip up there when we saw most people turning around. Ha! Enjoy it! Stay warm!
Juanita
10/30/2012 01:26:49 am
Oh my goodness Allyson, I haven't seen that much snow since I lived in Jersey. Your photographs are beuatiful... They are a picture no artist could draw.
Stacey Jenkins
11/2/2012 07:20:44 am
Bahahahaha
Leigh
10/30/2012 01:29:28 am
Allyson these photos are amazing!!! Thank You So Much for taking the time to share with us! I love the way you started the blog this morning, you and the rest of the crew are a blessing to all who have the privilege to come and visit your home. I pray you all stay warm and safe while also enjoying the beauty atop the Mountain.
Jenny
10/30/2012 01:41:59 am
Beautiful. I am so enjoying reading your posts each day. I can't wait to make my first visit in a couple of weeks! Stay warm and safe up there. 10/30/2012 01:43:03 am
A beautiful spirit you have, a blessing to all weary travelers who come your way. Kindness and compassion help us weather all storms. We all are thankful for tender mercy placed intermittently throughout our lives.
Chris
10/30/2012 01:56:06 am
Thanks for the update and we will be waiting for the Trillium gap update as we are hiking up tomorrow......
Shain
10/30/2012 01:59:03 am
It looks beautiful! Any last minute openings?
Janet Greer
10/30/2012 03:55:47 am
I am giving up a cabin and have told them they can resell the reservation
FlAndy
10/30/2012 06:25:46 am
I emailed the office asking for any possible cancellations... Have hiked LeConte in these conditions before and would love to snag a night!! Haven't heard back yet...
gayle
10/30/2012 08:52:35 am
Please take ours! we were able to email yesterday and got a quick response. I wonder if you'd have any luck with the phone?
Gayle
10/30/2012 04:19:19 am
yes! We have reservations for 4 on THurs night, and we are not experienced to hike in these kind of conditions. We would be so happy for you to take our slot!
FlAndy
10/30/2012 08:56:48 am
trying to call the reservation office but so far just busy signal - but that's usual!!... will keep trying for awhile.
H Clark
10/30/2012 02:01:34 am
Great photos. The snow, plus the drifts, will make any LeConte trail a challenge. Good luck and safe hiking to all attempting the trek.
doug
10/30/2012 02:11:21 am
I believe you're approaching a point where you might say that you're "snowed in" ! I, too, hope that anyone attempting the hike up, or even down, today will exercise the full extent of their "hiking and gear" knowledge !!
Brian N bama
10/30/2012 02:26:20 am
I wonder what it will be like on nov 9th when I come up? If I could pick one place to be stranded, it would be up top with y'all. That would be the greatest thing ever. Stay warm, be safe, talk to y'all soon.
Darwin
10/30/2012 02:31:35 am
I agree with Brian, it would be awsome to be stranded up top for a while.
Melody
10/30/2012 02:44:22 am
Breathtaking! This pic is my new screensaver. It is my dream to hike up LeConte someday.
Pauline Ferlita
10/30/2012 02:44:31 am
Just had a thought as we prepare to make the hike up Wednesday or Thursday. When do you expect the llamas to go up and from what trail? Their tracks would make it easier to identify the trail.
Tony B
10/30/2012 02:59:44 am
This place is just remarkable with a snow blanket.
Tony Ga
10/30/2012 03:02:02 am
Amazing.
Charlotte
10/30/2012 03:10:24 am
those are some very pretty pictures keep them coming be safe up there
jay
10/30/2012 03:16:15 am
JP, you can stop your snow dance anytime.
Stephanie
10/30/2012 03:17:30 am
Our crew of 11 will be hiking up on Friday. Think I will suggest hot chocolate in the camelback rather than water. lol
Mark
10/30/2012 09:36:38 am
Strength is in numbers would you guys mind 2 extras we were thinking about following the llamas up Friday. Please let me know if anyone is interested.
Eileen H
10/30/2012 03:20:36 am
Thank you so much for posting the pictures and description of the winter wonderland that you have right now. I so wish I could come to the GSMNP right now to enjoy the beautiful winter scene! Stay warm and safe!
Sarah R
10/30/2012 03:31:46 am
Snow on November 5th when I hiked up and spent the night (not as much as there is now). Such a spectacular place..stay warm and safe.
I can honestly say, they just might have some openings cancelations tonight. Just my thinking.
Whitfield
10/30/2012 03:52:35 am
Wow I really wish I was up there right now. What a pretty sight!
Stephen
10/30/2012 04:00:12 am
We are hiking up on Saturday. What does the weather look like for that time. How much snow do you think you will still have???
Tony Ga
10/30/2012 04:06:41 am
Check this site for weather forecast on LeConte:
Ken T
10/30/2012 04:00:42 am
Allyson, thanks to you and the crew for Being There for us to enjoy the Moutain. Be Safe and enjoy your day!!!
Pam
10/30/2012 04:02:35 am
Woke up to terrible wind and a dusting of snow in central Ohio. So thankful we are away from the worst of it. Beautiful pics!! Shared with my students and aww, wow, great, we want to be there are the remarks I heard. I personally like to hike it when the temps are in the 70's or 80's!! I'll enjoy the pics from the computer! Be smart if you are heading out on a trail and stay safe!!
Linda Goulder
10/30/2012 04:10:32 am
We have a 2nd home in Gatlinburg facing LeConte. Right now I am longing to be there. The view from our deck must be breath-taking today. Stay warm, stay safe!
Tina
10/30/2012 04:22:54 am
We live close to Bluff Mountain and can see Leconte from our front window. I showed my 3 year old granddaughter the picture of the snow and told her that this was going on just right across the mountain. Of course we cant see anything right now, but she went to the window and look real hard and said"surely it has to come here", We got a kick out of that. NOAA says yall might get between 2 to 3 ft of snow before this is over with. Stay warm and safe.
doug
10/30/2012 04:26:05 am
I simply love all the various and diverse comments that people post here !! That's a good idea, following the llamas' tracks to identify the trail !! That's not all they'd leave for someone to follow ! But I don't think they make the trip in such conditions, unless I'm badly informed or mistaken. What a time right now to be up at the lodge ! I listen to WNOX, 100.3, out of Knoxville almost every morning and a few minutes ago one of their reporters quoted the National Park Service as saying that they had "on their record..." about 50 hikers presently in the Park, and I assume, of course, meaning on some trail or another. I'll wager that a lot of this number are going to or from the lodge ! Linda: would you like to sell your Gatlinburg home !? As always, I love the photos here ! That first one looks like that cabin is about to be completely covered with snow. It's rainy and dreary here in Cen KY, so far, and I'd rather be elsewhere ! G'day to those on the mountain !! Be safe everyone. "May your footsteps be secure and your heart filled with amazement !"
Jordan
10/30/2012 04:28:49 am
As of 7am the parking area had a few inches and it was still snowing. Grotto falls area (roughly 3,800 ft) had 6-8" easy.
Ben
10/30/2012 05:05:01 am
Up there last week. Verizon. 2 bars at the small wood bridge near the trail to Cliff Tops. 3 bars at Apollo Overlook.
Terri
10/30/2012 05:24:25 am
Great pictures...but I am glad I am not hiking in it.
Amy
10/30/2012 05:28:28 am
Hi Allyson & Chris and crew. The pictures are beautiful (as always). I hope you're staying safe and warm and dry. Lots of love to you all! You're in our thoughts and prayers.
Marvin
10/30/2012 06:08:30 am
Was just there a week ago Saturday. Hiked past Grotto Falls up to the lodge and down Rainbow Falls. Amazing to see the difference.
Linda
10/30/2012 06:27:54 am
My good friend patty hiked up there on monday -- and I am so glad she made it -- she loves leconte and always wanted to see it in the snow-- well she got her wish. I only hope that she is staying an extra night and not hiking down !! I hike there also and just love it -- we live in gatlinburg ---- and would love to be up there with her !!!Thanks so much for the great pics-----
Mary Anne Sheffield
10/30/2012 06:44:27 am
My sister Patty and her son Walley are there, so keep her busy, let her wash dishes or something. She sounded pretty anxious when she called. Does not like to have idle time!
Wm Fred Baty
10/30/2012 06:54:35 am
Extraordinary images of an amazing locale, I know the hospitality of the Smokies is evident in everything you do for your guests and other travelers. Good luck, stay warm, hunker down! Regards, Fred
Desiree
10/30/2012 07:35:27 am
Ugh! How do you make the choice to start driving down there from Northern Ky? I can't get a hold of anyone from the reservation place and don't know what to do! My husband and I are supposed to be hiking up tomorrow morning and are pretty confident about our gear but aren't the most experienced hikers if something were to go wrong. What do you all think?
Linda
10/30/2012 07:44:15 am
If you cannot reach the office you might want to call park dispatch and see what they advise. Esp if you are not use to hiking. From what the rangers have told us there are 4 foot drifts, trails all covered, over 24 inches of snow --- and it will be a hard hike. Heed allison's advice about gear and all ---- but as a hiker ( we hike the smokies all the time ) i would tell you to hike to leconte at another time .......
Desiree
10/30/2012 07:56:06 am
Thank you for the advice, it is much appreciated. Are you from the lodges staff?
linda
10/30/2012 08:51:21 am
no-- not the lodge staff--- but my husband was one of the chief rangers here--- he has retired --- teaches search and rescue and law enforcement etc still does alot with the park --- so we are in the park alot !! 10/30/2012 07:37:22 am
Hey Chris and Allyson! Just wondered if you guys were going to be able to make it to the Annual Shoe Fund Dinner at The Lodge this Friday? If so, let me or Dave MacKenzie know. Good food....Good time....Good cause. Looks like you're gettin some weather! Stay warm!
mike
10/30/2012 07:43:06 am
i would love to be in TN right now is the best state to be in be safe and becareful ya.awesome pic.
Dick
10/30/2012 07:45:04 am
Wish I was there!!!
Ron Adams
10/30/2012 08:08:14 am
Question: what happens if a hiker hikes to the Lodge from, say, Newfound Gap up the Boulevard, leaving his car in the parking lot, and the next day when he/she has hiked back down, 441 has been closed by the rangers because of snow. How does he get out?
Brian N bama
10/30/2012 08:21:41 am
To the best of my knowledge, you drive out. The road is closed to all inbound traffic but you can drive out.
Ron Adams
10/30/2012 08:30:17 am
I am surprised you could drive out; what would keep some reckless person from therefore driving in the out gate?
WWinston
10/30/2012 08:43:55 am
You can drive out, and some reckless people have been known to try to drive in. I've done it, but it was probably not one of my best ideas.
linda
10/30/2012 08:54:20 am
once you are in the road---( if the gates are closed later cause of weather)-- you can drive out --- the rangers monitor the gates and they know if someone is coming. They meet you at the gate and open it and let you out --- or by the time you get to a gate most people have cell service and can call the park number and someone opens it for them -----
Clyde
10/30/2012 10:22:15 am
I was caught up there once after a foot of snow fell. Drove all the way down in first gear. Touched the brake pedal once and started sliding. Scary as all get out.
Marilyn
10/30/2012 08:33:13 am
These pix are just so awesome and breathtaking! I would SOOO love to be up there amidst all the snow even if it does get cold at nite. Noticed there have now been 53 hits on this blog and just wondering if that is a record or if anyone keeps track. To all those on the mountain crew, hikers and nature's creatures, those who are hiking up or down, thoughts are with you for a safe journey to wherever you're headed. You rock, anyone brave enough to weather nature's elements!
Kent
10/30/2012 08:39:43 am
I'm beginning to think a day hike to the lodge may be out of the question even late next week. Looks like I'll have to change my plans and hike in the lower elevations I decide to keep my plans to drive down. : (
Mark
10/30/2012 10:53:54 am
Anybody going Friday and would like some tag alongside. I like to know others are going.
Stephen
10/30/2012 02:54:16 pm
We are a group of two hiking early Saturday morning if anyone wants to meet up and go as a group.
Jeremy
10/31/2012 01:52:15 am
I'm a group of one that would like to at least meet up or hike near someone. What trail are you planning to take? My email is jeremy2517@outlook.com
Zuckerman Leahcim
10/30/2012 03:15:50 pm
If you can hike it, hike it. ✌ Comments are closed.
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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
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