Something tells me the Easter Bunny is not going to visit us up here.

3/30/2013

Just when I thought we might start seeing a glimpse of spring, no, we get six more inches of new snow. The defrosting that took place on Thursday was quickly covered up by new fallin snow. The total accumulation on the ground is 15". On a brighter note, the temperatures are warming. Our low last night was 16 and the high was 30, which is our current temperature. The warm air seems to be making its way to our mountain. Hopefully that will bring rain which will help melt the snow.
I think the crew is ready for a little warm weather to come our way. I guess we are ready for Easter weekend??? I think will not dye the eggs, that way they will be easier to hide in the snow. Hard to believe that the vegetation is blooming below when I all I see are icicles and snow drifts.

Steve D

3/30/2013 12:44:31 am

441 to Newfound Gap is closed right now. Looks like Rainbow Falls is the choice again today! This is April isn't it? Haha. What beautiful pictures!

Steve D

3/30/2013 12:46:34 am

Well, its almost April, guess I was dreaming!

Bob Weber

3/30/2013 01:04:50 am

Amazing pictures! We are so excited! My 9 year old and I are coming up Tuesday, first time on Mt. Leconte, Steve D, thanks for the update - if Alum Cave trail is closed, would you recommend Bullhead or Rainbow falls? And here is a random question, is there a place to get Yak Traks in the surrounding area or Knoxville. They are sold out/out of stock here in REI in Brentwood, TN

Mike

3/30/2013 01:50:40 am

Bob,
NOC in Gatlinburg which is at the last red light going toward the Park sells Yaks and Katoola's. There are several shops in Knoxville also. River Sports and Blue Ridge Mt Sports and others.

Steve D

3/30/2013 02:19:59 am

Bob-I would think that by Tuesday you shouldn't have any problem getting to Alum, but if you can't I would go Rainbow Falls, as the reports on Bullhead say there are still a lot of trees blown down on that trail. Definitely call the stores about your Yak Traks, as some are out for sure. I know NOC in Gatlinburg told me they were out of Kahtoola microspikes the other day. Have a great trip!

Bob Weber

3/30/2013 02:27:19 am

Thanks so much!

JEAN

3/30/2013 03:19:04 am

Check with the Mast General Store on Gay Street downtown Knoxville, they may still have some

Steve D

3/30/2013 04:06:34 am

I wonder if Bass Pro Sevierville or Gander Mountain in West Knoxville have any Yak Traks?

Dan Brooks

3/30/2013 06:16:48 am

We went up this past Thursday on Rainbow Falls Trail. We could not find any Yak Tracs in or around Gatlingburg. It was a little rough going up but we were able to buy them at the LeConte Lodge store--thank goodness--we really needed them going back down on Friday morning. Good luck--your going to love it.

Awsome

3/30/2013 03:48:33 pm

I must learn english lan... I can not talking.

Eric

3/30/2013 01:28:08 pm

They are sold out at NOC. We tried today. We were hoping to climb Le Conte on Monday, but I am guessing that is a really bad idea without these? Do you guys agree?

Kelly

3/30/2013 01:19:01 am

Love the comment about not dying the eggs to make them harder to find! Happy Easter. Beautiful pics as always.

Ron Thrasher

3/30/2013 01:24:00 am

Hard to believe the weather up there vs down in Townsend, Thanks for the pictures and updates.

3/30/2013 01:43:40 am

Bob, you should be able to find the YakTrax at NOC in Gatlinburg. If you spend much time in the snow though, you may want to consider the Katoohla MicroSpikes instead. They're more expensive, but much, much more effective and durable. I lost several of the YakTrax while hiking in deep snow, but the MicroSpikes fit so much better that they have stayed on through thick and thin. They also have a bombproof warranty if you ever manage to damage them or wear them out. They are also available at NOC. I sometimes carry an old pair of YakTrax along as give-aways for emergency use.
Enjoy the trip!

Bob Weber

3/30/2013 02:29:01 am

Thanks

FlAndy

3/30/2013 02:40:12 am

I would double the suggestion for Katoohla... I have used them all in the park on the most extreme snow / ice that GSMNP sees. The microspikes were the last brand I tried and I wish I wouldn't have wasted time / money on the others. If you can afford them (about double the yaks) they are definitely the better product.

Debi

3/30/2013 02:08:15 am

I think your pictures look like Santa should come instead. Wow!! Crazy snow!!

awsame

3/30/2013 04:02:12 am

thanks debi and mary

Christy

3/30/2013 02:10:04 am

We are coming up Wednesday for a couple of days. Would snowshoes be of any use? I'm just wondering if I should toss them in the car when we leave for gatlinburg in monday. We've never used them on elevation being from Michigan. We already have trekking poles for the hike. Any thoughts??

Jim

3/30/2013 02:41:05 am

Christy - It would be very rare circumstances for snow shoes to be helpful on a trip to LeConte. Sure put them in your car but not likely you will want to take them. We went up Rainbow Falls and down Alum Cave Trails on 3/29 and the trails ranged from many inches of PACKED snow to icy. I know the trails got 6 inches of snow in the upper reaches last night but the fresh snow on the mid-lower elevations will help traction for those coming down today. Yak trax, the ones with a strap across the top of the shoe to keep them from pulling them off, and trekking poles are all you should need. We made good speed, safely that way. If you use Alum Cave, on the upper 1/4 of the trail use one pole and keep the other hand free for the cables

ron ahlstedt

3/31/2013 04:07:07 pm

just came down today. snowshoes will not help you. i wore microspikes up and down. they worked just fine

Chuck

3/30/2013 02:26:41 am

We're coming up Wednesday also with 3 kids; 14, 12 and 10 y/o. Buying yaktrax for all this weejend

ron ahlstedt

3/31/2013 04:13:04 pm

the snow and ice are melting very fast. I just came down today on rainbow. i wore microspikes both ways. In two or three days if the ice and snow keep melting at the rate i saw today good waterproof hiking boots will be all you need and a pair of poles

Chris Fraley

3/30/2013 03:01:32 am

Our weather here in Tennessee is supposed to improve this week starting today. Hopefully this snow and ice will melt from the mountain by tues or wed

Lydia link

3/30/2013 04:21:00 am

I have put in for 3 dates in case someone cancels on those dates. Does anyone know of another way to jump in when someone cancels. I've been "training" on over 100 miles of park trails and would really love to go up some time this season & stay ... not sure if I'm ready for a round triip in one day or not. Thanks for the pictures and trail/gear reports!

Angie

3/30/2013 04:38:11 am

What happen's if the condition's are such that nobody can get up there. I am guessing we don't get a refund. I just hope by next weekend condition's are better!!!

Dan Brooks

3/30/2013 06:21:41 am

Our understanding is that unless someone else picks up your reservation you won't get a refund. I hope you make it--we went up last Thursday after the snow storm dumping 18 inches--it was a challenge going up but oh so rewarding once you get there. Good luck and enjoy--right now you will need Yak Tracs.

Brian N bama link

3/30/2013 10:50:51 am

Looks like some snow fall will arrive again thursday night into friday. click the arrow to go to the link for mountain forecast. Call in sick and come up for day hike? Thinking maybe so.

Paul Hamilton

3/30/2013 02:49:22 pm

If anyone wants to get paid for a reservation they arent going to use tomorrow, Sunday, 3/21, I will take it

Melanie

3/30/2013 05:05:16 pm

Can't wait until Tuesday. We are coming up for a night!!!!! Do you think there will still be some snow around the camp???

Holly & Bradly Miller

3/31/2013 10:57:26 am

Thank you so much for the wonderful experience of staying at the LeConte Lodge!! We had been invited by the Roane County crew to join them on their hike and boy are we glad we said 'yes!' While I had always wanted to hike to LeConte & stay this was our first time to do so. As a cancer survivor I've been making a 'bucket list' & I got to check this off!! The snow-covered trail was beautiful on our way up & to wake up to even more snow just blew my mind. I was amazed at how beautiful everything was, so much so I nearly cried. I appreciate so much more having survived cancer - even snow accumulation :) Your staff were very welcoming & accommodating, the food delicious, and the whole experience, I would say, was a perfect 10. We will most definitely be back bc I understand that seeing the sunset & sunrise is a must (the snowstorm hindered us from doing either this go around). Thanks again for all you & your staff do. Blessings to the Mt LeConte crew!! ~ Holly & Bradly Miller

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Something tells me the Easter Bunny is not going to visit us up here.

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