April 16, 2025

Greetings to you on this glorious afternoon,

It’s been a chilly day in our neighborhood, but the sun has been shining bright since the first pancakes were getting flipped. The ground is finally getting a chance to dry out as well now that the recent snow has had adequate time to melt away and soak in. That means the trails should be in decent shape and not require traction devices or waterproof-ness. We have one more evening below freezing ahead of us, and then Thursday should kickstart our next warming trend. Expect mostly sunny skies tomorrow with temps in the 50s. Apparently there is a slight chance for an afternoon or evening rain shower, but not enough to dampen what should be a great day to spend outdoors as we approach the holiday weekend.

In case you didn’t know, today officially commences Earth Week! As dedicated stewards operating within a beloved national park, taking careful consideration of the natural environment around us is very much entwined with our every decision as a lodge that provides a multitude of services. And given the exponential rise in this destination’s popularity especially within the past few years, it’s that much more important that not only we as hosts constantly assess our impacts on this small corner of the planet, but that our growing number of visitors are aware of their impacts as well. For years now, we have required our staff to achieve Leave No Trace certification so that we can put to good use that knowledge both in how we operate and to educate those visitors who are maybe less informed about how to engage this majestic and raw wilderness. The Smokies are home to an impressive amount of natural and historical resources, and it’s everyone’s responsibility - not just the NPS - to be mindful, care for, and preserve said resources so that others may appreciate and enjoy them in their purest form for generations to come!