Good Morning,

You know what they say about April showers and what they bring. We sure hope that rings true once we hop into May after today. Heavy rains are rumbling through the Smokies as we speak and are expected to remain steady across the morning hours. We might see a brief break in the atmospheric action around lunch time, but then chances for isolated thunderstorms return during the afternoon and early evening. So not really any escaping the dreariness to be had today. Smart hikers who come prepared with the gear to stay dry will have the best go of it. Temps will range from mid 40s to mid 50s today, while winds will be a presence gusting upwards of 35mph. Wednesday will welcome back the warmth and sunshine to the region.

Reminder that if you are hoping to visit our gift shop either between the hours of 9:00-10:00 AM or 12:00-4:30 PM, we do accept varying forms of payment. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are acceptable among credit cards ($10 minimum required for use). We do not accept Amex or gift cards at this time. Checks are acceptable, and cash will get you through the line the fastest. Small bills for making exact change are highly preferred. Just some tips to help you spend more time in the outdoors enjoying nature and less time standing in line or drawing the ire of fellow customers!

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

The peaks of the Smokies are starting out with a soupy layer of fog this Monday. It shouldn’t hang around long though, as we’re expected to share in the sunshine same as the lowlands today. A beautiful day is forecast for our area calling for clear skies, warm temps, and light winds. We’ll likely tag the mid 60s this afternoon while the gateway communities below bask in the 80s. Everyone who can should soak up what the skies are offering today, because tomorrow is setting up to be a flip of the script. Rain, thunderstorms, and blustery conditions are rolling in for Tuesday. Pack the appropriate gear for staying dry and plan a route of ascension that minimizes one’s time in the elements if possible.

There’s been no change in trail conditions in recent weeks. Alum Cave, the shortest and most popular trek to the lodge at 5.0 miles, remains completely clear, as does the 6.7 mile Trillium Gap Trail, which serves as the pipeline for our in-season provisions. Rainbow Falls, also 6.7 miles long, has numerous fallen tree trunks that have created obstacles, but each of them can be easily navigated by stepping over or limbo-ing under. The Boulevard combined with the AT - totaling 8.1 miles from Newfound Gap - has but a handful of downed trees between the lodge and split near Icewater Spring Shelter, but nothing that has prevented visitors from safely making their way to and from. Bull Head (6.9 miles) and least taken Brushy Mountain (9.1 miles) are littered with downed trees, root balls, and rock slides, and should really be avoided until NPS crews have had a chance to work on them. Still plenty of options though for outdoor enthusiasts to explore the diverse approaches of Mt. LeConte.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

​Cap clouds are having their way with the higher peaks this Sunday morning, but aren’t expected to win the fight. Should be a sunny day for hikers to enjoy the wilderness up high and down low. Temps will feel stellar at all elevations as well, with high readings coming in round the lower 60s at the lodge this afternoon. Breezy conditions will persist, so folks might appreciate having that extra layer for sitting around at the top once the body has cooled down from ascension exertion. Monday looks to be another stunning day for outdoor ramblings before we get into a week mixed with sunshine and isolated storm chances. A thermometer ranging from 40s to 60s will be the norm over the coming days.

Reminder that even as we approach a new month and begin to bridge the gap between spring and summer, our hours of service remain the same as they have since we opened our doors in late March. Overnight guest meals are 6:00 PM for supper and 8:00 AM for breakfast, with ample time to fill up on the fixin’s and catch a relaxing sunrise or sunset. For day hikers, the gift shop (currently located in the dining hall) is still open from 9:00-10:00 AM and again from 12:00-4:30 PM. This allows the early hikers a chance to snag some souvenirs without disrupting the overnight guest breakfast, and then it reopens for peak visitor traffic and guest check-in during the afternoon. The dining hall and gift shop are closed between 10:00 AM and noon because our hard working crew require that time to get the dining hall, numerous guest cabins, and restroom facilities cleaned up and reorganized. Thank you for respecting what our dedicated staff must do for our paying overnight guests while you plan your visits to the mountain accordingly if garnering some lodge memorabilia or savory snacks is on your wishlist.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Clouds are swooping and swirling over the mountain to start this last weekend of April. Skies will see a mix of sun and overcast throughout the day, but there won’t be a threat of precip for a couple days for the weekend warriors and wildflower pilgrims thankfully. Temps will be slightly warmer up top, tempting the upper 50s, while winds will be somewhat gusty at times, whipping up to 35mph. Sunday looks to be even warmer and sunnier for travelers.

As we look back on the first full month of the 2024 season, one thing certainly stands out, and that is folks are absolutely inspired by it being the 100th season! Seems like we say this every year, but this year’s shirt design might just become the most popular of all time. It’s a long season, but the excitement on visitor’s faces is unmistakable, and that brings us joy too. And although the gift shop experience is a little different this year, what’s also undeniable is that guests and day hikers are having a great time shopping, eating, lounging, and gaming in the dining hall. So much of what makes the Lodge experience so special is that shared communal experience. We’re no strangers to overcoming challenges and changes out of our control - sometimes in rapid succession if the last few years have taught us all anything - but that shared experience with family and friends passionate for spending time in the natural world remains front and center.

Have a great weekend.

Good Afternoon,

It’s been a wet and sloppy day for much of this Friday in the mountains. The rain has lingered much longer today than originally anticipated, slicing down like a conveyor belt from the northwest. Slowly but surely the precip is vacating the vicinity but don’t be surprised if these clouds hold onto the higher peaks and continue to mist through the evening. Saturday looks mostly cloudy with windy conditions and mild temps ranging from 40s to 50s. Sunday is shaping up to be the best day of the weekend, calling for sunshine and temps in the 60s.

All this rain is doing wonder for the vegetation. The Myrtle blooms down at Inspiration Point are filling in nicely, and the Catawba rhododendron there will be opening up before long. Usually the Myrtle doesn’t show out at Cliff Tops and its namesake point up here til about mid May. The rejuvenation of life in these mountains comes in vivid color, varying shapes, sized both big and small, visible both high and low. Take advantage of those moments during the hike to “stop and smell the roses!”

Have a great rest of the day.

Good Afternoon,

Just as predicted, yesterday was a slow crawl out of the rain and clouds, but as the afternoon pressed on, everyone’s patience and perseverance paid off with a beautiful evening and absolutely breathtaking sunset. One can witness inspiring sunsets all over the globe, but honestly, they pale in comparison to those we get to enjoy right here above East Tennessee. And thankfully, a great many dignitaries felt the same way 100 years ago when admiring a sensational solar spectacle from atop this majestic mountain. And as they say - for both the Lodge and shortly thereafter, the Park - the rest is history!

The atmospheric clarity rode straight through the evening and well into today. Visitor traffic in the Smokies obviously took notice and was a bit busier today as folks flocked to frolic in the sunshine. Clouds will gradually thicken tonight and tomorrow morning. There is a slight chance for some rain come Friday afternoon. Temps will remain mild with 40s tonight and highs in the 50s tomorrow. Keep the extra later for staying dry and warm close by just in case.

Have a great night.

Good Morning,

After dreaming under a blindingly bright full moon, we are looking at a wet start to this Wednesday on the mountain, as light rain showers sweep across the region. The damp conditions aren’t expected to last long though, and should clear out this afternoon in time for clouds to thin and sunshine to return. It’ll remain cool up top today, and even if the thermometer reaches 50°, winds will be gusting up around 35mph, negating what little warmth the sun might afford us. So keep toting those additional layers, as summer sensations at our elevation are still a long ways off. Tomorrow is forecast to be slightly warmer and quite pleasant from sunup to sundown, which spans about 13.5 hours these days. We’re well into the time of year now where guests have ample time to digest a satisfying supper and relax before trodding up to Cliff Tops for sunset, as well as making the longer trek to Myrtle Point and back for sunrise before slurping down a savory breakfast. For others, spending that time snuggled up under a wool blanket after a warm meal is their calling, and up here that’s alright too.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

A handful of clouds streak across the sky, but they aren’t expected to hang around long. The mountains are looking ahead to a sun-filled Tuesday, which should certainly draw in the ambitious hikers today. It’s another chilly morning around freezing once again but we should climb out of this frost advisory currently in effect very soon. A pleasant afternoon awaits as the summit should reach the mid 50s later. Although the air will be decently clear today (save for the pollen-filled haze swallowing the South), conditions will be a bit breezy with gusts up near 25mph. So continue to bring an extra layer or two for keeping that early spring chill at bay. Rain is forecast to make a return late this evening and linger into Wednesday morning before clearing by tomorrow afternoon. So guests staying tonight or hitting the trails tomorrow should have the gear for staying dry in tow. With just a week remaining in April, hard to believe we’ve already been open a month!

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Things are staying wet and green instead of icy and white for the moment. Temps across the higher elevations are lurking around the freezing mark, but the liquid precip continues to hold serve. Rain showers and thick clouds will remain a presence in the mountains early today with some partial clearing taking place later on. We are expecting to drop below freezing tonight, but hopefully the skies have cleared by then to keep roads and trails clear of any new slick hazards. After today, the coming week looks quite promising for sun-filled weather, but it will be cooler on average than what we’ve been enjoying recently. We’re talking temps in the 30s-50s most days, so have those extra layers handy if taking a break in the shade or for enjoying a famous Cliff Tops sunset. Expect park roads and gateway communities to still see some heavier than normal congestion as the various car-cruises wind down festivities today.

Have a great day.