Visions of Spring

4/17/2013

It may not be the best picture, but it means spring is on the mountain. I love watching the spring beauties pop up around camp. It won't be long until the threat of snow is in a our past, for a few months anyway. The crew has already had the pleasure of watching a few deer around camp. I am sure it is only a matter of time before our first bear sighting. I love this time of year when I get to witness the mountain shift from a cold grey winter to a vibrant green spring. The temperatures felt like spring again yesterday. The high was 61º with a low of 49º. The clouds cleared out again for another great day to be on the mountain. We are currently socked in and waiting to see if we get a repeat of the past two days.

As for trail conditions, I have heard that all trails are clear. Now, this is the news I received before the big storm last week. There may be some trees down but nothing that is not passable.

Rob

4/17/2013 12:46:16 am

Hiked up and down Alum yesterday. The views were spectacular and the trail was in good shape. The view from Myrtle Point was something no one should miss on a clear day. It had been 20 yrs since my last hike up Leconte. I enjoyed it more this time for sure... just a little sore and stiff this morning.

doug y

4/17/2013 01:06:27 am

It is certainly a welcome sight, to watch all the plants sprout and everything turn green. The grass in my yard is leading the way ! It might be a bit longer before there are any bear sightings - - I think that sequestration has caused them to hibnernate longer ! Looks like camping down at Elkmont may prove to be a bit more problematic this season, too. I now how you feel, Rob, each time I return to the mountain, whether it's to stay at the lodge, the shelter, or simply hikng through, I feel elated. I stay sore and stiff all the time !

Steve D

4/17/2013 01:35:30 am

Ah, our beloved spring is here! I plan to hike as many different trails as I can this spring to see all of the beautiful flower displays the mountains have to offer. Maybe we can do a "Flower Alert" to let each other know what we are seeing on each trail.
I was sitting at home yesterday morning having a cup of coffee, looking at the beautiful sunrise, and trying to think of a good reason why I shouldn't hike to LeConte and I couldn't think of one, so I loaded up the truck and headed up there. As Rob said, it was a beautiful day on Alum, and though I didn't run into him I met several other hikers and enjoyed my conversations with them. Hello again to John from Cincinatti, Dale from Connecticut, and Russ from Florida! That is one of the great BONUSES to hiking, you get to meet the best people out there. Also, I must say that it makes it pretty special to have Allyson, Chris, and Nathan and staff to greet you up there and give out their special brand of LeConte Lodge customer service.
Speaking of sore and stiff, I think Ibuprofen is a miracle drug!
One last thing-thanks in advance to all of you who pick up trash on the trails. I am constantly amazed at how much is dropped out there, but those of us who are mountain lovers will always pick that stuff up! I carry a plastic grocery bag in one of my pockets for that reason. Have a great day all!

Tony Ga

4/17/2013 01:58:36 am

Steve D, you need to get a Facebook account, if just to post pictures of your hikes, so the rest of us can enjoy them too.

Steve D

4/17/2013 03:02:44 am

Hey Tony-you are right, I was thinking that I needed to do something like that. I will work on it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Steve D

4/17/2013 03:04:30 am

I forgot to mention that the NO BAKE COOKIES and the hot chocolate are to DIE for!

Gina

4/17/2013 01:24:17 pm

yes they are, had them last week and its a BIG cookie, brought half of it home with me

tomk in SC

4/17/2013 08:46:10 am

Flower Alert?: It was about this time of year when my son and I hiked Brushy Mountain to Trillium Gap and up still more to Brushy Mountain itself. Whether you hike up Brushy Mountain or Trillium, both trails meet at Trillium Gap. From there there is a short, perhaps 1/4 mile out to Brushy Mountain with views of Gatlinburg. The short trail between the Gap and BM was absolutely carpeted with blossoms. It was spectacular. If anyone is headed up either trail over the next few weeks, I'd like to hear when the trail between the Gap and BMountain peaks. When it does, it will be spectacular!

Steve D

4/17/2013 10:07:46 am

tomk-thanks for the tip, someone else had mentioned the Brushy Mtn trail to me. I will get out there I hope in the next couple of weeks.

Richard from MA

4/17/2013 02:06:27 am

We will be there in 5 weeks. Glad to hear Springtime will get there first! Can't wait for our first time in the Smokies...

doug y

4/17/2013 02:18:29 am

Steve D: I a very glad that you mentioned somethng about trash on the trails - - I, too, carry an extra garbage bag along when I'm on the more travelled trails.

Ella link

4/17/2013 02:49:17 am

Hello LeConte friends,

Anyone planning to go up on April 27th? I would appreciate if you could contact me at helen@helenbukulmez.com

Debi

4/17/2013 07:48:43 am

Ohh, that green is a good sight. Haven't seen any of that in awhile. My husband is off this week so he got our yard all thatched and its now good to go. 4 inches of rain coming here in Michigan in the next day. That should really make things green up and the flowers pop. Really looking forward to your flower pictures. Thanks Allyson.

Josh

4/17/2013 08:27:35 am

Any word on condition of Boulevard? Heading up this weekend.

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Visions of Spring

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