High On LeConte
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

the real truth about it is, there ain't no end to the desert i'll cross. i really known it all along.

1/22/2015

 
Picture
I feel like a song is a secret of the heart on the sleeve. I don’t run away from truths or un-surviving loves. I also feel that a song in its simplest form is no different than a day in a season. It could be a silent and early hour or it could be nothing but despair and loss and anger, and yet it is still only an autumn day. Jason Molina
Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, grey tinged morning up top. The high yesterday reached 33 degrees. The overnight low was 19 degrees. It was 24 degrees and clear at 7am observation. There is still a bit of snow and ice remaining up top. I've heard that the trails are in slick shape after our freeze/thaw cycles, so be sure to use caution on sketchy sections. If you don't want to worry about slipping and falling, Kahtoola Microspikes are the answer. You can find them at the NOC Gatlinburg, right before the entrance to the park.
Picture
I spent a lot of time yesterday enjoying the sunshine on my porch. There are few pleasures greater than spending a chilly day with an immersive book (thanks Henry!), drinking coffee while wrapped in a wool blanket. These days of rest and respite are ones I dream of all summer, while working hard in the muddy New Hampshire backwoods. It all makes for a delicious balance, wildness and peace in the tranquility of the mountains. Every day in the woods is a blessing, however it is spent. We are the lucky ones who know this to be truth.

Much thanks to my friend Tenderfoot for bringing me up some epsom salts (an 8lb bag!) to help keep my swelling down. It is much appreciated! Have fun at Wildlife Week!
Mamaw B
1/22/2015 02:28:36 am

How appropriate the photo of the squirrel as it is squirrel appreciation day.

JP
1/22/2015 05:10:22 am

Yes! He was keeping me company on the porch all afternoon.

Hope you are well mamaw! Hope to see you before the end of the season!

Best wishes,
JP

Kent
1/22/2015 02:32:47 am

My grandmother always swore by the healing properties of epson salts. I hope your foot is back in trail-stomping form soon, JP.

norman
1/22/2015 03:41:03 am

" to that, Kent. Have a good day JP.

Dug
1/22/2015 03:40:36 am

Squirrel !!!

elktonbrant
1/22/2015 12:44:05 pm

Darn it.. someone beat me to this joke... serves me right for not reading the blog til the night!

Tenderfoot
1/22/2015 05:01:38 am

You are welcome JP! Always happy to be of help......Lord knows I've had plenty of help. I'm confident the salts will help you very quickly. Wish you could experience Wilderness Wildlife Week sometime. If anyone is wondering what this is, here is a link http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events/wilderness-wildlife-week/
Have a great day in the woods JP!!

Bryan
1/22/2015 06:52:52 am

that's a rare "Bobsquirrel" !

Mary
1/22/2015 10:46:47 pm

Beautiful picture of what we used to call British Soldier! Among the tiny mosses and lichens that make hiking on LeConte such a joy! Thanks so much for wring this blog.

Val
1/23/2015 03:10:15 pm

Thanks for identifying Mary! Here is what more I found: Cladonia cristatella [cluh-DOHN-ee-uh cris-ta-TELL-uh] is a very common and well known lichen, found throughout the northeastern USA into Canada. There are look-alike species throughout most of the world as well. The little red "caps" that resemble the red hats worn by invading British troops during the American Revolutionary war give the lichen its common name of the the "Bristish Soldier Lichen." In reality, the red hats are actually the sexual fruiting structure of the lichen, the apothecia.

Val
1/23/2015 03:15:37 pm

I can't imagine only being able to bring black & white photos of LeConte back home to show friends and family! (like in the old days!)


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    LeConte Lodge

    Welcome 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!

    For information regarding GSMNP's paid parking tag requirements, please visit their website.

    For information regarding shuttle services, as well as overnight parking options in Gatlinburg, please visit our reservations website.

    Lodge Gift Shop Hours:
    9:00 - 10:00 AM
    ​12:00 - 4:30 PM

    Online Store

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

    RSS Feed

For current GSMNP road and trail information, visit the Park's Twitter page, official website, or call 865-436-1200 and follow the prompts.
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

Picture

Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture