Good Morning,

​Varying layers of cloud and fog weave in and out of peaks and valleys this morning. The rising sun and warm temps will try their best to burn off what coverage remains in an attempt to provide clearer skies over the mountains. Anyone hitting the trails early today should enjoy it while it lasts, as the clouds are expected to thicken as the day progresses. Storms are slated for this afternoon and early evening, so don’t dilly-dally near the summit after throwing down some lunch and acquiring that “I Hiked It” shirt. At the moment, today seems to be the only day calling for precip this week. The trade-off for sunnier skies is that conditions will be considerably hot and humid across all elevations over the coming days. Temps will range from mid 50s to lower 70s all week along the higher peaks of the park.

This is the time of year where folks who don’t take these elements seriously get a real scare on trail in the form of heat exhaustion or dehydration. Preparation begins days in advance of your Mt. LeConte ascent, by building up your body’s energy stores and properly hydrating. Then once you are actively exerting yourself during the hike, you’re still taking steps to stay nourished and hydrated. That way your energy level sustains from trailhead to lodge, and you don’t run into the figurative and demoralizing wall partway up. Medical rescues in these types of conditions are unpleasant and frustrating for all involved, especially when they can be so easily avoided with some decent and doable preparation. Whether hiking the mountain alone or with a group, please look out for each other, knowing when to take breaks, and even when to turn around.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Happy Father’s Day to all the hiking Dads out there! After a sun-filled and bustling Saturday atop the mountain, things are off to a pleasant start to this Sunday. Skies are expectedly hazy given the heat and humidity overtaking the region, and will see a mix of sun and clouds this morning. Anyone who missed out on scaling the summit yesterday with hopes of doing so today is advised to take care of business early, as storms are supposed to flare up this afternoon. Some cells could be severe bringing heavy rain and lightning at times, so best for day hikers to be up and down the slopes today before the atmosphere gets exciting later. Winds could be breezy at times depending on how certain storms strike. Temps will be toasty as we near 70° again this afternoon. Looks like it’ll be quite mild through the night with a low only around 60°. All crucial components for causing chaotic summer weather in our part of the country.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

​What a week for stunning sunrises and sunsets atop Mt. LeConte. Guests sure have been treated to some superb conditions in recent days, and that trend appears to be continuing through the weekend. If you’re in the vicinity and waffling about making the trek up, consider it this way…the mountain endures plenty of stretches where it’s socked in (often the last cloud in the sky) or routinely getting saturated by rain (remember this May?). So to have such impeccable skies and opportune hiking weather served up on a silver platter, make the journey for yourself, and if not for you then do it for those who wish they had such luck during their Smokies visit.

Sunshine and haze will be the standard today, as the summit could tag the 70° mark this afternoon. High humidity and little air movement will make those ascents feel sticky, so start early, keep up with the hydration, and enjoy frequent breaks admiring the views to keep your energy levels up. Once you reach the top and allow your body to acclimate, the surroundings will feel quite nice. There is the slightest possibility of a sprinkle late tonight, but if it’s anything like yesterday, any cloud-building this afternoon could be all bark and no bite. The same appears to be the case for Saturday. As we enter the third weekend of June, expect more crowds to flock to the busiest national park and the heights of Mt. LeConte in record numbers.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Still a week to go before its official, but all signs indicate summer is already here in the Smokies. Skies are a mix of sun and clouds, views toward the horizon are hazy, temps are hot and humid, the landscape is green, and the crowds are out in force. Now and through the weekend, it’s a safe bet that Mt. LeConte will be the target of many as an escape from the toasty and sticky conditions down below. Temps in the upper 60s sound delightful when trying to find some reprieve, and a visit to the lodge fits the bill.

Although there is still plenty of sunshine in the cards for the next several days, forecasts have gotten more summer-like as well for what our region is accustomed to. Clear in the morning, cloud-building during the early afternoon, then the possibility of a stray shower or thunderstorm around supper time, eventually clearing just in time for a rainbow over High Top and a visible sunset from Cliff Tops. So even though the precip percentages are minimal now and over the weekend, it’s still wise to have that poncho or umbrella packed just in case. Since we’ve gone a few days without any rain, trails are nice and dry now, save for the handful of places where rocks or drainages tend to weep regularly.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Who’s excited about another beautiful day basking in bountiful sunshine? We sure are! The mountain was the happening place yesterday once again, as parking lots filled up early and trails were lined with hikers often. And with this weather, more of the same should be expected today and the rest of the week.

Conditions across the southeast are going to get a bit warmer starting today, as high temps slowly slide up from mid 60s to lower 70s over the coming days. Overnight lows will ease their way from lower 50s to upper 50s. At our elevation, that’s pretty warm, and even though the Lodge isn’t succumbing to 90s like down in the valley, there are zero A/C units or swimming pools to be found at our remote and rustic location. Just have to make to do with the natural shade of the surrounding frasier-fir forest or hope for some atmospheric assistance in the form of a breeze. It’s no wonder why overnight guests gravitate toward the lemonade instead of the piping hot chocolate during such moments.

Have a great day.

Good Morning,

It’s a beautiful day on the mountain. Warmth and sunshine abound right out of the gate for hikers today. Some spotty clouds dot the sky, but they won’t be enough to dampen anyone’s spirits when it’s this nice. Temps are already in the 50s and should easily leap into the lower 60s this afternoon. The warming trend will continue in lock step with all this sunshine over the coming days. Pack those essentials for staying well fed and hydrated. Every bit matters in this heat and humidity while exerting oneself on a mountain.

The floral displays continue to flourish along the trail. The first Catawba rhododendron and Myrtle have already wilted in the mid elevations, but are slowly making their way higher up the slopes. Meanwhile, the mountain laurel, sweet smelling dwarf rhododendron, and even some viburnum are filling the void at places like Inspiration Point. The white clusters of the Rosebay Rhododendron are still a couple weeks away from starting along the creek sides. Meanwhile, the greenery around the lodge is getting taller and thicker with each passing day.

​Have a great day.

Good Afternoon,

Well we sure got walloped with some good rain yesterday, as was expected. The trails are going to be wet a couple
days longer as all that water drains down and off the mountain. It appears as though that precip will need to hold the vegetation over for a while, as the coming week is calling for endless sunshine. Temps feel great today, starting out cool and in the 40s, with the possibility of us tagging 60° this afternoon. By midweek, thermometers are going to kick it up another level, as the lowlands get their first taste of 90s this year while the lodge might finally witness the 70s.

Just because one can set aside the rain gear for a change, doesn’t mean there aren’t essential items to pack for staying healthy and happy. Means of sun protection, hydration, nourishment…these are all absolutely essential to have with you during your adventure in the woods. The humidity and natural elevation that comes with the climb can sap plenty of folks unaccustomed to hiking. Throw in hotter temps and a beating-down sun, such conditions can turn one’s experience negatively in a hurry. Early starts and frequent breaks will go a long way in making your trek more enjoyable too. Summer wastes no time in arriving to Southern Appalachian even before calendar says so, and 2024 is shaping up to be no different.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Dark and overcast skies dominate the sight line to start this Sunday, a stark reversal to the bright and clear conditions enjoyed yesterday. Already this morning there are scattered showers in the vicinity. We could see a break in the action in a few hours before more rain and storms return for the afternoon and evening. Going to a bit cooler up top today because of it, as we’re likely to spend much of our time in the 50s along with light winds. To start the new week, Monday is looking mostly sunny and once again cool. Visitor traffic in the park should likely be less congested today than previous days for obvious weather related reasons. Remember those ponchos and umbrellas.

Quick shout out of congratulations to our very own Kelsie who completed the 900 Miler Club challenge for the second time a few weeks ago. For anyone unfamiliar, the club recognizes those ambitious souls dedicated to hiking every recognized trail within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That’s one neat thing about our staff, is that there is no shortage of eager and experienced hikers, trail runners, and backpackers. We have Smokies 900 Milers, Appalachian Trail thru-hikers and section hikers, Triple Crowners (AT+PCT+CDT), various long distance and FKT record holders, Tour de LeConte Challenge completers, and an extensive list of famous and obscure footpaths traveled across the USA and around the globe. Simply put, if you have questions about trails, or need assistance with planning or covering the basics, we have an awesome team excited to share their knowledge and expertise with you.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Another sunny June Saturday is in store for all weekend warriors and distant travelers eager to frolic in the awe-inspiring forests of the Smokies. If yesterday was any indication, Mt. LeConte is high on everyone’s must-do lists this month, because lodge grounds were absolutely hopping! And it could be even busier today, so plan your routes and destinations accordingly if wanting to maximize your time enjoying the sights and sounds of nature while avoiding the crowds and extended wait times, whether that’s on trail or in vehicular transit. It’s not unusual to see an initial surge in visitor traffic when the gift shop opens at noon each day. So when such delightful weather is forecast like today, including stops at the summit’s nearby vistas for a relaxing rest or picnic first, then swinging by the dining hall to snag your well-earned 100th Season “I Hiked It” shirt later in the afternoon, can help get you in and out and on your way without missing a beat.

Aside from a few patchy clouds, skies over the mountains will be mostly sunny today. Temps will also be a little warmer for us up top, nearing the mid 60s this afternoon. Winds won’t be as active as yesterday, so it’s going to feel downright pleasant at our elevation. Down low, expect that southern heat and humidity to do their thing. If sunny conditions are your preference, then be sure and get after it today, because rain and storms return for Sunday. Tomorrow morning will start decent, but by lunch time the clouds will build and start producing storms that will make for wet unprepared hikers. Sounds like a typical summer day, although the solstice is still a couple weeks away.

​Have a great day.

Good Morning,

Aside from a few pitter-patter moments of rain late yesterday morning and early afternoon, the mountain got through the day relatively unscathed from enduring any big storms. The dreariness and dampness of the clouds had it feeling chilly up top until the sun could take over, while down below that humidity had conditions feeling quite sticky. Today and tomorrow will be a different story, very much in favor of the hiker. Some patchy clouds might be present in the first hours after sunrise, but otherwise visitors to the Smokies can count on sunny skies now and to begin the weekend. We’re anticipating high temps near 60° today and then up around the mid 60s Saturday, while overnight lows should scrape the upper 40s. Winds are expected to have a role though, gusting up to 30mph at times, which could certainly shock the skin for anyone not quite used to such coolness in June. That long sleeve or wind breaker will be a helpful thing to have. Sunday looks like it’ll be a bit sloppy with the return of rain and storms, so it’s not far fetched to think that today, and particularly tomorrow, will be exceptionally busy on Mt. LeConte and across the national park.

Reminder that as we get deeper into the warmer months, wildlife both big and small will continue to actively forage in places often occupied by human visitors. This is their home, it is to be respected, and under no circumstance is it advisable (or permissible for that matter) to feed the wildlife. From squirrels to bears, doing so only encourages unnatural behavior that becomes dangerous and damaging to the animal, property, and other people. Keep safe distances and do not provoke wildlife, as it may view your attempt at a closer look as a threat and react in a violent manner involving kicks, claws, or bites. The NPS have literature on the matter everywhere, and all visitors to the Smokies, whether new or returning, are highly encouraged to read up.

Have a great day.