Morning y'all, It's another pretty morning up top. The high yesterday reached a brisk 23 degrees. The low was 16 degrees. It was 22 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received the snowfall equivalent of .04 inches of liquid precipitation. There is still about an inch of snow on the ground up top. The trails should be in pretty good shape. The new snow usually has decent traction until it gets packed down, thaws and refreezes. I would still recommend taking along Microspikes in case you run into some slick areas. I would expect 441 to open at some point today, once the Park Service declares it is safe to drive. I caught a magical hour last evening. I headed out towards sunset around 5pm with my friend Sean. As we approached Cliff Tops, you could see through the barren winter trees this showing was to be filled with promise. The clouds churned slowly down in the valley, moving in a hypnotic motion above the Chimneys. The rest of the cloud cover hung heavy over Knoxville, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge forming a gorgeous inversion cap. The sunset's colours were unreal, meant to be seen, not described. The nearly full moon illuminated the snow covered trails on my way back to my cabin, a dim path making my headlamp superfluous. The snow sparkled in the moonlight. It was that kind of night.
Terry in Wears Valley
12/16/2013 01:07:42 am
I have no words that can add to your photos today and commentary....Perfect! Enjoy.
Jan
12/16/2013 01:37:05 am
Wow!!! And thanks SO MUCH for sharing this JP! Truly magical!
haley
12/16/2013 01:38:11 am
My news feed is filled with unrest from all over the world. When I scroll down and find this blog shared, I smile, and know it's all good man, all good.
Wanda
12/16/2013 05:12:07 am
SO AGREE!!
Sharon
12/16/2013 07:18:23 am
AGREE!!!
Melissa
12/16/2013 01:59:45 am
I so enjoy all the photos that you post! Thanks for sharing!
Missy
12/16/2013 02:10:27 am
Lucky man enjoying the best job I can imagine.
Lillian
12/16/2013 02:40:41 am
Truly America thr Beautiful
Sher
12/16/2013 03:13:13 am
Inversion - that photo is wonderful!
Jennifer
12/16/2013 04:40:45 am
That is a perfect description of my favorite sunset to date!
Craig
12/16/2013 05:02:45 am
Winter on LeConte is a special blessing. Thanks for sharing the splendor and magic.
Mamaw B
12/16/2013 06:36:55 am
JP the photos are gorgeous. Thanks a lot. Driving from White Pine at one point I could see the tops of the mountains above the inversion for just a few seconds and I knew it had to be gorgeous up top. Wishing you a very Happy Holiday Season! Hope to get up to see you when you return. Be safe.
Steve
12/16/2013 10:30:49 am
WOW... What a great pic and great blogs. Daughter and I will be hiking up to stay in Nov next year.. Can't wait...
Debi
12/16/2013 10:27:54 pm
I hear beautiful warm weather is coming your way. Enjoy it for me will ya. :)
Karen Jimerson
12/17/2013 09:00:49 am
Wow, thanks Sean for posting.. Will be coming up in May and at 53, I've got some training to do! Your pics just wet my appetite for the adventure Comments are closed.
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June 2024
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