Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Good Morning,

​What a beautiful mid-December day to wake up to. We’ve got yet another sunny blue-bell not-very-wintry kind of day lined up. Bright sun and clear skies will continue their dominance over the Smokies this Wednesday along with mild temps and strong breezes out of the south. Yesterday’s high reached an otherwise toasty 55°, and our overnight low was only 34°. Winds could gust as much as 35mph by tonight which might take that warm edge off the projected high temps in the 50s. Bringing that wind breaker and an extra layer is still a good idea for spending time at the top.

With being halfway through the month and only ten days away from the “big day,” one certainly wonders if this unseasonably warm trend will persist. A white Christmas certainly lends itself to the holiday magic one dreams of, but perhaps after last year’s snowy and icy nightmare, East Tennesseans won’t complain too much if conditions outside are just plain old safe and boring! Despite the warm weather we’ve been able to enjoy up top, now is as good a time as any to kindly remind folks that the lodge is still in fact closed for the winter months. Day hikers to the lodge have access to the pit privies, but that’s it. No indoor accommodations, no gift shop, no snacks, and water is only available from the natural spring down the start of Trillium Gap Trail. So hikers are 100% responsible for making sure one is well fed, hydrated, outfitted, and prepared for inclement weather from start to finish. And don’t let the mild temps lull you into forgetting that the sun still sets early this time of year. It gets dark in those hollers right quick, so plan accordingly to get out of the woods and back home safe and sound.

The sunshine is calling, time to get out and play! Have a great day. The Mountain Meanderer