Wednesday, January 15th, 2020

Good morning folks,

The rain has returned yet again... At the moment, it is 44 degrees with steady rain and thick cloud cover. The door to my cabin is slightly perched open, letting in just enough fresh air to keep to heart pumping and the gears turning. Rain is supposed to continue through this evening, with a slight risk of thunderstorms. As of right now, clear skies are in the forecast tomorrow! I have not been able to catch a sunrise/sunset in the past few days, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Those who plan on hitting the trail today, be mindful of high water levels. The creeks and tributaries around Mount LeConte are swelled up and flowing fast! Every trail leading to the lodge has at least one creek crossing (Rainbow, Trillium, and the Bullhead having the most). Some of those paths can be deemed "impassable during high stream flow," so you might want to consider hiking another trail. In addition, the trees that I mentioned yesterday are still there. Hiker Beware; Two large trees are down on upper Alum Cave trail! You can barely slither by them with a small pack, but they are still extremely hazardous! Bring your rain coat, dry socks, and a taste for adventure...

Yesterday's high was a mere 45 degrees, with a low of 41. In total, we received 1.2 inches of rain! Temperatures have climbed recently, with highs and lows increasing significantly. Judging by the forecast tomorrow, we should see temps fall below freezing once again (wind chills could be in the upper teens).

Be sure to check the forecast the day of your hike, conditions can change really quick in the Smokies, especially up high! Furthermore, you should prepare for any weather outcome. The weather has turned for the better (and for the worst) countless times, despite what the forecast predicted. Stay safe out there folks! If you do not feel comfortable/safe continuing up a trail, turn around and try another time! I have put in a lot of hours on the trails in this park, and the weather has gotten the best of me many times. It only took one potentially fatal outing to change my mentality on and off the trail. There is no shame in turning around if you're putting yourself in danger...

"It is only in sorrow bad weather masters us; in joy we face the storm and defy it..."

-Amelia Barr