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

Thursday, January 16th, 2020

1/16/2020

2 Comments

 
Picture
Good morning from the high country,

Woke up to an indecisive sky this morning... At about 6:45 thus morning, the clouds were below us. A radiant half moon shined through a thin layer of clouds, guiding me to the kitchen. Within five minutes, clouds slowly crept up the hill, socking us in once again. According to the forecast, these clouds should burn off before noon, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Right now, it is 30 degrees out with light wind gusts and heavy fog. I am currently sitting in the kitchen, drinking a small cup of coffee and eating my usual bowl of oats. Once I finish up in here, I'm planing on hiking along the Appalachian Trail and the Boulevard. There are many captivating views along the way, so I'm hoping these clouds burn off soon! 

Yesterday's high was a comfortable 47 degrees, with a chilly low of 29. Clouds dropped a half inch of rain on us throughout the day, another foggy and rainy one in the books. According to the forecast, clouds should clear off before this afternoon! The next few days look free of any precipitation as of right now. Rain is expected to move in on Saturday morning. Those planning on making the climb, don't forget about the downed trees and high water levels! As I am typing this post, the clouds are beginning to clear up! I hope you all are blessed with clear skies and good health once you reach the top!

After being socked in for a total of 30 minutes, the clouds have diminished, revealing a sea of clouds below us. This "sea of clouds," or "dragon's breath" is called a cloud inversion. Also known as a temperature inversion, this occurs when the air near the ground is significantly cooler than the air above it. This happens up here quite often during late Fall and Winter. At this elevation, the top of LeConte and many other taller mountains in the park, poke out of the clouds, looking like ancient islands over a white sea! It makes for some stunning pictures, and beautiful sunrises/sunsets!

All who are traveling up and down the mountain today, be safe and strong. Also, please pack out your trash! There was a lot of trash on Alum Cave Trail, I picked up a majority of it. There are trash cans in the parking lot, so please keep our trails clean! Thank you, and get some good trail time in today!

-Kemp

"Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud..."

-Maya Angelou


Picture
2 Comments
Jay McAnnally
1/16/2020 09:05:20 am

Morning! Wondering what headlamp you use hiking up (or down) in the dark. Thanks!!

Reply
Steve Wicker
1/16/2020 12:19:37 pm

Thanks for the blog post!

3 of us are heading down this weekend to make the trip up LeConte via Alum Cave. We're looking forward to it, we're prepared for the ice, snow, and cold!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    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