trying to remember how it got so late, why every night pain comes from a different place.

1/31/2014

Man or woman, I might tell how I like you, but cannot, And might tell what is in me and what is in you, but cannot, And might tell that pining I have, that pulse of my nights and days. Whitman

Morning y'all,

It's another brisk, clear day up top. The high yesterday reached 32 degrees. The low was 13 degrees. It was 18 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received no new precipitation yesterday and there was a bit of melt with the abundant sunshine we received yesterday. There are about 4 inches of snow left up top, but most of the trails are packed down. It looks like another great, sunny day, so get out there and enjoy it!

Yesterday, I skipped down the mountain with the joie de vivre of a kid who just had school cancelled. I figured if fate was going to be kind and reward me with a(nother) day to remember, it'd be today. The temperatures have been consistently cold and it was supposed to warm up soon, so yesterday was my golden window to see Rainbow Falls totally frozen. I can't depend on the weather to bring me a bobcat, fox or bear sighting, no matter how silent I like to pretend I am tiptoeing around the mountain in my slippers in the dusklight, but a frozen waterfall is a surer bet. I can try to describe it, you can look at the photos, but there is nothing compared to the essence of being there. It is the kind of thing that makes your mouth hang open, speechless and dumbstruck and enraptured.

A big thanks to Larry for the coffee gifts and for taking down some postcards to mail to my beloveds! There is no blog without caffeine. That is not a threat, just a fact.

doug y link

1/31/2014 12:42:05 am

Thanks for the nice photo of Rainbow Falls; it might cause me to change my plans for early this coming week where I have a hike planned up Trillium, at least to the gap; however, I might elect instead to go up Rainbow just to see the falls frozen; I wonder if Grotto Falls might be frozen as well. G'day

Ryan in Green Bay

1/31/2014 01:11:05 am

Doug, check out this facebook page for Smokies Stories and Glories and Grotto is frozen too.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/SmokiesStoriesandGlories

1/31/2014 09:27:28 am

Hey Ryan: Thanks; I just got through viewing those great photos as per your suggestion; I think I especially like seeing Grotto Falls in its frozen glory. It really makes me envious,in a good way, of those who live close to the Smokies ! Great Galloping Gertie !! I'VE GOT TO FID ME A SECOND HOMEOVER THERE WHILE I'M STILL AT A YOUNG AGE !! I noticed in one photo of a pile of rocks, also called a "cairn" I believe, that there was a USGS brass benchmarker laying there on the side of the pile; Looks like someone pried one loose somewhere; hate to see that; I used to find lots of those, after scrutinizing my topographic contour maps, back up in Harlan Co. KY where I grew up, and I discovered that many folks thought that they made good souvenirs. Thanks again my friend. Good evening.

Val

1/31/2014 12:48:16 am

Wow! Priceless! Thanks for sharing!

Jan

1/31/2014 12:53:00 am

Just. Gorgeous!!!

Tom

1/31/2014 12:59:51 am

I'll be hiking up Rainbow Falls Trail from Cherokee Orchard today. If ambitious enough, might go up to the Lodge and back down Trillium Gap. Maybe see you on the trail doug y?

1/31/2014 06:36:57 am

Hey Tom: I'd enjoy meeting you, as I do everyone out on the trails. However, it won't be until either Monday, Tuesday, or even Wednesday of this coming week when I'll be "hoofing it" ! Someone else sent me an email asking if Cherokee Orchard Road is open or closed; I think it was Ron who said he and his son were hiking there tomorrow. Maybe you can report on that this evening. By the way, as I've said but will repeat, Trillium is my favorite trail these days, at least going up to the lodge. Good hiking.

1/31/2014 07:50:04 am

Cherokee Orchard Trail is open, had a little snow on it when we got there but it's all melted now. We hiked up to Rainbow Falls, but unfortunately the ice formation is no longer, has broken apart at the top. It was still a nice day to hike, met a few people on the trails (Hey JP, nice meeting you!). It amazed me how much the stream and trail had changed from the walk up to the walk down... a lot had melted in that short time.

Renate

1/31/2014 01:00:16 am

Breathtaking!! Thank you JP for sharing!

Ben G

1/31/2014 01:06:10 am

Awesomely Breathtaking....Thanks for Posting....Keep warm, JP

Pat N

1/31/2014 01:48:11 am

So glad you were able to take in this wonderful sight! And I know who did the same...yes, check out Smokiesstoriesandglories!

Debi

1/31/2014 05:55:20 am

I seen your son's post Pat. What a wonderful sight.

1/31/2014 07:33:47 am

Thanks, Debi! Those pics really gave me the itch to be there. Bet you felt the same.

Kim

1/31/2014 02:27:21 am

Thank you for this rare shot of a frozen Rainbow Falls. We hiked up Holy Saturday last year in the snow, but the trail was wet and the falls were running. I will never forget that rocky snow covered trail with a tiny stream running under it. I love the pictures, your writing, and the quotes. LeConte is a magical place.

Susan B

1/31/2014 03:05:54 am

Beautiful!! I wish I could see this in person.

I hiked there a few years ago and the water was still flowing but there was a huge block of ice under it. I'd love to see this.

Jackie Watson

1/31/2014 03:09:10 am

Just what I asked for! Thank you JP!

Angie

1/31/2014 04:37:02 am

LOVE IT!!!

Anna

1/31/2014 05:12:54 am

Lots of contrails above Mt LeConte on Highlandscodos.com webcam current view.

1/31/2014 05:15:27 am

(Highlandscondos, not "codos") :))

Donna

1/31/2014 08:48:08 am

I never thought it would get that cold up here to see a totally frozen Rainbow Falls!

1/31/2014 09:31:16 am

Just curious about something: sometimes when I click on the "Submit" button I get a little note down below saying that "There was an error submitting your comments. Please try again" Has anyone else had this happen to them ? Just curious.

T-Wayne

1/31/2014 10:08:23 am

Do not post that often and has not happened yet.

1/31/2014 10:09:41 am

Do not post that often and has not happened yet. Just happened trying to post this!

Rusty

1/31/2014 12:02:45 pm

Beautiful photo!! Thanks for sharing JP.

Kent

1/31/2014 10:13:41 am

I get that quite frequently, but have learned to ignore it. When it appears, my posts have always submitted successfully.

1/31/2014 10:23:47 am

That's right Kent,that's why I'm posted twice,just ignore it.

Steve

1/31/2014 11:17:32 pm

Must be wearing the button out with all your posts??

Larry

1/31/2014 12:07:40 pm

Hey JP, you're totally Welcome!
Yes, frozen Rainbow was just Magestic wasn't it! One more bucket-list check mark, eh?

norman

1/31/2014 09:15:20 pm

wish i could skip down the mountain" love the pictures' and what's up with 'ant', 'workman',&'lizard' ; think their the same! just want a rise & got one from me. hope they enjoy!!

William Britten link

2/1/2014 05:44:30 am

Here's a historical photo of frozen Rainbow from 1958:
http://williambritten.com/wordpress/smokies-history/smoky-mountains-history-winter-in-the-smokies/

Jeanette Meyer

2/2/2014 07:05:18 am

Just have to say….your pictures are Amazing! Also got to see nephew, John Northrup's photos of Rainbow Falls. Winter is beautiful... even in MIchigan!

Comments are closed.

trying to remember how it got so late, why every night pain comes from a different place.

LeConte Lodge

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