Wicked Night Sky

9/30/2013

It was a crazy sky last night with a just a hint of pink peeping out at us. The high yesterday was 51º with a low of 39º. The mountain was fairly quiet. There were a few day hikers milling around. We never got the nice weekend that they kept saying we were going to see. The sun did not care what the forecast was.

Chris and I have packed our packs. We are heading down the mountain for some days off. I know you all love Nathan's stories so he will be taking over starting tomorrow. Don't forget tomorrow is the day that 2014 reservations go on sale. You can call our reservation office at 865-429-5704. Do not attempt to make reservations through this page. We have nothing to do with the process. Good luck to all of you tomorrow. I hope we see you all in 2014.

Kaye

9/30/2013 01:21:48 am

Good Morning Allison,
Hopefully hiking up on 10/2/13. However, very concerned about a possible shutdown of our goverment. How will that affect us?
Thank you for any inoformation you can share.

Don Hornberger

9/30/2013 01:36:17 am

What will be affected if government shutdown? Need quick answer-on the way there now.

Michael

9/30/2013 02:38:43 am

If the US government shuts down due to a lapse in appropriations, the park will be closed. Per the NPS shutdown plan, Highway 441 will remain open for through travel TN <-> NC, but all parking lots will be blocked and all other roads will have the gates up. No hiking in the park will be permitted. No use of campsites or other park concessions will be permitted. All visitor centers will be closed. I suggested calling the Leconte Lodge reservations number if you have plans to hike up over the next few days.

Bobby

9/30/2013 04:39:46 am

Hey Robin...We got to go next spring, we got to start getting ready!!!

Robin

9/30/2013 04:43:18 am

I know!! I cannot wait to be on top of this mountain with you!

Glenn Oh

9/30/2013 01:30:07 am

Good morning all, got the reservation number on speed dial for tomorrow,all I have to do is pick our dates, doug y are you still working on your webb site I tried looking at it yesterday but I didn't know if I was doing something wrong, any way Good Day !!!

Debi

9/30/2013 02:41:16 am

Have a fun time off. Love the pink in the picture today.

Paulrom

9/30/2013 07:20:10 am

Michael what you said is true about park shutdown. I live in Sevierville Tn and local new interviewed a park ranger and she said they would give Leconte lodge a 48 hour notice so everyone could get down. I hope it doesn't happen I to have reservations on top coming up soon

elktonbrant

9/30/2013 07:55:49 am

WBIR TV in Knoxville has a story and video posted on the potential closures with more details than I can provide here, but it confirms Paulrom's comment that campers and lodgers have 48 hours to get off the mountain.

Michael

9/30/2013 08:10:05 am

I live in DC. While I don't work for the government, I work with those who do. Everyone is expecting a shutdown, at least for few days. Give Mt. Leconte guests will have 48 hours notice, perhaps this will get resolved before those 48 hours lapse. What a horrible time of year to have this happen, given October is the second busiest month for the area. I just got back from a vacation down there and am sure glad we didn't wait until October.

FlAndy

9/30/2013 08:26:29 am

Yes... It's a two phase shutdown process for all the parks - you can read the formal policy here: http://www.doi.gov/shutdown/fy2014/upload/NPS-contingency-plan.pdf

Michael

9/30/2013 04:54:19 pm

It's official. OMB just ordered all federal agencies to begin execution of their shutdown plans.

Matt Kehoe

9/30/2013 11:33:21 pm

Hopefully hiking up on Friday. Any official word on the Lodge status?

Steve

9/30/2013 11:38:26 pm

The government will close the park until they settle this deadlock, no one knows when that will be. I was hiking the Smokies this weekend also, but changing plans.

Comments are closed.

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