We seem to be in a weather pattern that involves occasional clouds and occasional sun. This is the time of year when I say ignore the weather forecast and come prepared for anything. Yesterday was a little bit of both. The high was 63º with a low of 46º. Someone was asking about the mountain laurel and if it was in bloom. No signs up here, I can not say for lower elevations. The myrtle is in bloom on the top. I will try and get some pics the next couple of days.
Kenny Jenkins
6/5/2013 01:10:33 am
On our way up in a few.. I have hiked LeConte many times , but this will be our first overnight stay. Looking forward to it!
Shane S
6/5/2013 03:25:27 am
I too have hike up/down many times but will finally stay overnight in a couple weeks. Very excited to stay. Hope you enjoy it!
Donna
6/5/2013 01:51:18 am
This looks like cabin #8, our cabin a few weeks ago for our first overnight! I'm still talking about what a wonderful experience it was being up on the mountain. We love showing photos of our trip, but somehow people can not really fully understand what a unique and special place it is unless they have hiked up there. They will say: " It looks beautiful, but you stayed in that little cabin, no electricity, water or private bath in your room? You could have stayed in a really nice hotel!" Yes, we could have stayed in a really nice hotel but being up on that mountain amongst all the nature, beauty and serenity was so worth it, I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Debi
6/5/2013 02:05:57 am
I get the same thing Donna. You hike 5 miles to stay in that??? Are you CRAZY???? The people who know me already know the answer to that question. My answer is you just don't know what your missing. I can never get anyone to go with us.
Brian N bama
6/5/2013 05:11:45 am
Haha, Debi, imagine the response I am getting telling everyone we are hiking up just to see the sunset and fireworks then hike down in the dark!!!! If they question it, they have never been up top.
Tony Ga
6/5/2013 05:31:18 am
Brian N bama, you are planning that hike on Thursday July 4th correct? Going to see if we can make the same hike...in the dark. I know there's been some debate on red or white light, what are you planning to use. It will be white light for us, if we get to go.
Brian N bama
6/5/2013 07:12:29 am
Tony Ga, yes on July 4th. My son and I have the black diamond storm headlamp with both white and red lights. Was hoping for some help from the moon but do not think it will be in affect. We plan on hiking up in time to see sunset and then the fireworks and them hike back down. I will keep you posted as the day draws near. Also, Debi is staying the night in the lodge i believe.
Glenn OH
6/5/2013 02:19:00 am
Good morning, you ladies are right, are friends think we're crazy walking 5 to 8 miles to stay were there is no electric or shower, they just don't get it, I would go again this weekend if I could !!!
Susan B
6/5/2013 02:47:33 am
We met some wonderful friends up there last July. It was their first time and they had told us they had people telling them "are you crazy?" So when our friends hiked up, she said "I guess we are now part of the crazy club!"
Gulf Coast Doug
6/5/2013 03:06:55 am
The crazy club includes the kind of folks that get what life is all about. I've hiked LeConte many times and stayed up top. There's nothing like waking on a misty, cool morning and smelling the breakfast biscuits from the dining hall...then seeing a deer wander near your cabin porch. Best luxury place to stay I can think of...
Carol
6/5/2013 04:54:20 am
If I still had the energy to hike up I would. If people tell you you are crazy to do that tell them they are lazy. I have a question do you have to mow the grass up there and how do you do it?
Tony Ga
6/5/2013 04:56:32 am
I'm pretty sure I've seen a weed-eater used up there.
Al @ MS Gulf Coast
6/5/2013 05:18:13 am
We've learned to simply say that we're going to do some hiking & camping in the Garlinburg area. Most folks seem to understand that notion. But, hiking to the lodge is not for everyone. To some, "going to the mountains" means doing all the "tourist adventures" in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. And for those who like that type of get-away, enjoy your stay... come again as often as you like.
Brian N bama
6/5/2013 07:17:40 am
Al @ MS Gulf Coast, took my dad and uncle up this past may. They were first timers, they now understand what this mountain will do to you once you have been to the top. I told them to just go once with me and the boys. One trip and they are hooked. My dad is already taking about the "next time" only weeks after his "first time" up.
Mary Anne
6/5/2013 05:39:05 am
Hiked up to Alum Cave yesterday. Mountain Laurel is just beginning to open, a few flowers of a cluster open at Inspiration Point. There are also a few Catawba Rhodos with blooms and one Carolina Rhodo with a few flowers open. Sand Myrtle is just past prime. There is a peregrine falcon nest above the Alum overhang, you can watch and hear the adult coming and going with food for the young. The young are very loud too. Didn't know they ever nested that close to human presence. You can't see the nest, but you can sure hear activity!!
Steve R
6/5/2013 07:16:59 am
Hi Allyson--Lots of Mountain Laurel in bloom on Hazel Creek and the lower portion of Jenkins Ridge--on Memorial Day weekend. Saw it on the next to last leg of my 800 mile club membership dues. Look forward to visiting the Lodge again in early September.
debnfl
6/5/2013 07:51:34 am
Love the cabin photo. Sweet memories! Our stay on 5/28 was awesome! I'm ready to make a U-turn from Florida and head right back up. If only I could!! On the night of our stay at the lodge as we shared a wonderful dinner around the table with new found hiker friends we were told that once you make the trip up to Leconte... "you"ll be back." I can honestly say, it's the truth! Lord willing we will be back. Maybe next year if we can work it out. The view from Cliff Tops was awesome and I have some treasured photos. However, the next time we come up I will pack less clothes (for sure) and things I really don't need, and will bring my good camera. The photos I have are from my tiny camcorder. I could have take some really awesome shots from my camera had I brought it up. I do have some really good videos of our hike so I might post them on youtube when I get around to it. Loved it!
jean d
6/5/2013 11:16:56 am
Having read all the comments on friends who ask "why would you hike 5-8 mi to experience no electricity, etc." I have a sort of sad feeling in my heart. Having been brought up in up in a family of folks who traveled from Knoxville to hike and camp and fish in the mountains before the Smokies was a National Park and who also enjoyed the other outdoors beauties such as the early TVA lake camp grounds before they had electricity, I just thought that was what everyone did.
Marilyn
6/5/2013 11:25:42 am
Just returned from the Smokies. Finally found the Avent Cabin...what I great hike and find! Alas, but I can't make it up to LeConte and back in one day any longer. My knees don't recover that quickly so I rely on my September overnighter to get my fix. However, couple gals I come down with are about 12 years younger than me and I suggested that while we are down there next May they should hike up and back and experience the thrill and excitement of being on top of the world! Nothing like it! And if it is crazy to climb that Magic Mountain and spend the night in less than 5 star surroundings then I'd rather be crazy than not ever experience it. Counting the days til September.
jean d
6/5/2013 11:55:25 am
Hey doug y don't see a note from you today--miss it
Tony Ga
6/5/2013 12:12:39 pm
He posted this morning on yesterday's post.
jean d
6/5/2013 12:17:54 pm
Hey thanks, Tony Ga, late checking today, didn't think to check yesterdays this after noon. Gonna do it now,
doug y
6/5/2013 01:37:12 pm
I just got through reading all the comments above and I cannot remember too many days when I've enjoyed them more. Almost everyone had great things to say about the lodge experience and I can't add much to them except to say that I totally and completely agree. One could look at the cabins and buildings at the lodge and see nothing but a group of old-looking wooden structrures with little appeal. Well, that could be, but that's only the surface of what's up there, and, as everyone here and who stays at the lodge, if but only once, knows, it's the atmosphere, the sharing of conversations, the very air itself, the weather, and such that makes it such a magical place. Yes, it is diffcult to convey to someone just how the mountain affects you ! No electricity up there !? Why, yes, there is ! It's in the air !! For me, when I can, I'm going to book a two-week stay ! Everyone, I hope you have an enjoyable evening !
Kaye
6/5/2013 04:05:44 pm
I have LeConte 12 times snd when I leave I can't wait to make my next trip. It is a most magical place. It truly as the entire mountains do soothes my soul.
Larry in t-town
6/6/2013 06:19:03 am
Gonna be a firstimer here in 5 short days. Can't wait! I love Gatlinburg but feel you have to get out amoungst the trees, flowers and waterfalls to get the true GSMNP feel. It will be me first hike to the top of LaConte and my first over night stay but my third hiking trip to the Smokies.
J N K Town
6/6/2013 07:01:00 am
Beer!!
Lynn
6/8/2013 08:20:58 pm
That *is* cabin #8 and I was actually in it for the day that shot was taken! Stayed two days with my husband and it was the most amazing two days - indescribable to someone who has not actually taken a trail to the top! There is something magical on that mountain.... your cares, woes and all problems literally fall away the further you hike up this precious and glorious mountain. Once you reach the top, you are reborn, like a snake shedding it's skin. Comments are closed.
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LeConte LodgeWelcome 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! Archives
January 2025
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