 Oh sunshine, how good it is to see you! Visitors to the park today will appreciate having clearer skies without the possibility of rain for a change. More of the same is expected tomorrow, a great way to send out July. With cooler temps along the crest - only expected to reach the lower 60s - hikers will have to exert themselves a little more to break that sweat. Folks will be able to admire the grand views from Cliff Tops and Myrtle Point, and while taking a savory snack break at the Lodge the lush coneflower and white snakeroot blooms will serve as sweet eye candy. If you’ve been holding out for more favorable weather to make that summit, don’t delay and come on up, as the weekend shows a return of rain. 
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 The fog is refusing to give up the fight, spread nice and thick across all elevations. There is optimism though, as splashes of sun sporadically slice through the gray veil with increasing frequency. The injection of light is sort of sudden and jarring to the eyes, maybe because the glowing coneflower’s progression has been quietly subdued until this point. It’s as if yellow beams of happiness are shining from both above and below now, uplifting the soul from all directions. And the pollinators have surely noticed, buzzing and bouncing between blooms with an extra zip in their wings. The same exuberance should be recognizable among hikers too, now and into the coming days. Relishing the warming sunshine after a lengthy stretch of wet and dreary takes on extra special significance. In fact, Mt. LeConte has recorded rainfall on 22 of the last 23 days. Despite still being at a near 5” rainfall deficit year-to-date, that’s still less than half of what it was coming into July. So there are some positives to be had on the nature front after such a moisture-ridden month. In our case, maintaining a full water table heading into the dog days of summer and autumn - when conditions are at their driest - isn’t a bad thing. Sunnier skies are inbound for Thursday and Friday. Temps will feel milder, ranging from lower 50s to mid 60s at our locale. Creeks will be running high after yesterday’s storms but gradually subside over the coming days. Get outside and enjoy it if you can!   It’s another day of nagging clouds at the higher elevations and the looming threat of summer storms. We’ve been rather fortunate today with most of the nasty weather staying away from the Smokies or narrowly missing our particular location. All it takes is one squall to hit its mark though, and with possibilities high through this evening, best for hikers not to get complacent. So have the appropriate gear in tow and keep one eye on the sky in case you need to move a certain direction with haste. We just need to get through today as we are on the brink of a few sunny days ahead. We could sniff 70° this afternoon, but temps will ease a bit starting tomorrow, which combined with more sunshine should allow for some superb outdoor exploration. Shout out to the NPS trail crew for clearing a recent downed tree on Trillium Gap yesterday so our lovable pack llamas can keep moving the essentials up and down the mountain. Good to remind everyone that Bull Head Trail remains closed Monday - Thursday every week for the ongoing rehabilitation work happening now until mid November. One can permissibly admire their progress thus far on weekends.   After a rager of a storm flash-boom-banged its way across the mountains early this morning, the clouds have been slow to let go. Even as they do, with the highest peaks of the Smokies set to be last strongholds, what views open up appear to be just as obstructed from the summer haze. Today and tomorrow are set to be extra toasty for the region before another round of rough weather rolls through Tuesday, soaking all surfaces, but welcoming a bit of a cool down come midweek. Our summit will inch close to high temps near 70° in the short term before sliding back into 50s and 60s later. And although we aren’t quite rid of this lengthy run of sloppy weather just yet, Wednesday kick starts what should be a much anticipated stretch of sunny days. It’ll be a great way to cap off what was been a rather wet July.   We’ve officially crossed the mid-season threshold and are now 50% of the way through the 2026 season. My oh my, does time fly! As we enter the final week of July, a theme that has dominated this month is likely to continue through to its conclusion, although there is some promise in the skies. Thick clouds and isolated rain showers have hounded the mountains again this Sunday, but we could be in for a break the latter half of today and to kick off the new week. Reduced precipitation possibilities and increased sunshine will certainly catch the eyes of numerous outdoor enthusiasts closely watching any forecasts. The call of drier trails and unimpeded vistas naturally draws in the crowds, so expect earlier activity at trailheads in the coming days as visitors wind down their summer travels. As for temps across the summit, expect the thermometer to continue its steady dance between 50s and 60s. That humidity…as high as ever. The NPS’ demolition contractor has made quick and successful strides in their deconstruction of the outgoing Recreation Building. There will be reduced activity happening in the demolition area this week, but that particular zone will obviously remain closed to public access. The NPS and Lodge will have announcements to share soon regarding next steps and what visitors can expect in the coming weeks and months as the process continues. So stay tuned!   Just as was foretold, a wet and dreary weekend befalls the mountains. The upper elevations will likely spend more time admiring the finer details of clouds than marveling at distant views today. Spotty rain showers continue to tip toe across the region, reminding a wise and vigilant hiker to keep the appropriate gear for staying dry at the ready. Temps up top will hold steady around 60°, but likely feel warmer due to the humidity. More of the same is expected tomorrow, before a highly anticipated return of sunshine arrives for Monday. Congrats to our very own Dana Schroeder, who now in his fourth season with the Lodge, scaled the mountain for the 100th time this week! He joins a lengthy list of active century-summiters on staff, all who are quite knowledgeable in the many nuances of Mt. LeConte’s unique trails. So remember, if you’re used to trekking only one trail to the Lodge but would like to learn more about the others, give one of our team members an ask!   Seems that yesterday did a switch-a-roo with today when it came to the weather. While the mountain got through Wednesday relatively unbothered by wind and rain, it arrived during the night and decided to put a hurting on us today. Authorities were wise to extend the Flood Watch. Several downpours this morning quickly filled creeks, drainages, and walking paths with water. The likelihood of navigating any path with dry feet is nonexistent today. As we’ve pushed into the afternoon, it feels like the storms have finally subsided though. How nice would it be for tonight’s patrons to catch a break in the clouds and experience some views? Maybe even a magical sunset to reward them for their efforts! Tomorrow continues the wet trend that is slated to persist through the weekend. If a trip to the Smokies for a late summer vacation hurrah is on the docket, come prepared for the soggy conditions.
 Despite the Flood Watch currently in effect since late yesterday evening, the Smokies have remained largely unscathed by any atmospheric turbulence. Severe storms that threatened heavy rains and strong winds have stayed well to the north, so conditions atop Mt. LeConte remain cloudy and calm this Wednesday. That doesn’t mean our weather won’t sour, as it could change at a moment’s notice. And as we’ve seen on several occasions recently, it doesn’t take much rain for water amounts on trail and in creeks to rise quickly. Such scenarios can happen when an area receives a steady dose of precip over long periods keeping the ground decently saturated, as has been the case this July. So please continue to heed any warnings put out by the NWS and plan your routes, times, and gear accordingly. Storm and rain possibilities are set to increase over the coming days. Initially relegated to the afternoon hours, but gradually moving into each morning as we inch closer to the weekend. Temps up top are fairly stable in the 60s both day and night. The humidity shows no signs of letting up. Views from the peaks are few and far between these days, so one will just have to enjoy what can be afforded on the hike up or down depending on how low the clouds go. When a window does appear though, the sights are absolutely stunning with how the clouds swoop and swirl among the trees and undulating landscape.   For a day that is to be mostly sunny, it mostly very much not sunny. We’ve known nothing but the inside of a cap cloud since day break and there seems to be overcast elsewhere. It’s a long day though, so perhaps that will all change here soon. In favorable news, the storm chances that once existed for this afternoon have since been reduced, so we could finally see a break from any weather for a 24 hour period. Best enjoy it while it lasts, as the possibilities for rain return in earnest tomorrow and build through the weekend. Today is also shaping up to the hottest day of the week, with the summit expected to approach 70°. By tomorrow, a cooling trend (if you want to call it that) will grace the region and see high temps slide down the scale several degrees at all elevations. Don’t expect the humidity to be any less heavy and sticky though. The NPS’ demolition contractor has made steady strides in their progress of deconstructing the outgoing Recreation Building. And that’s with having to navigate inconvenient delays due to heavy rains or lightning atop the mountain. Assuming they are able to stay on schedule with what they and the NPS have planned, another airlift has been approved for removing materials and equipment from the Lodge during the week of August 10. This airlift will also include the materials to begin construction of the new Recreation Building. Unlike the recent airlift that was over in less than an hour, the airlift next month is going to require several mornings of cooperative weather to complete. Inherently, this will cause a few modifications to Lodge operations just like before so that the NPS and demolition can complete their work safely and efficiently. Lodge grounds closed in the morning, no visitor services until noon, overnight guests having a slightly earlier breakfast before having to depart, etc. Until then, services are on as normal!   The mountains possessed so much majesty and mystery yesterday, that it’s still taking time to process it all. Naturally, there is fear in being surrounded by lightning and torrential downpours, yet equally there is a captivation that sparks awe and wonder, much like a moth to glowing light. Mt. LeConte is never short on magic,, with no two ever alike among its many moods, and my goodness did that ring true yesterday. The sights of distant cumulonimbus clouds crashing and swirling over neighboring peaks and ridge lines…the sounds of distant rumbles subtly disrupting the calm hush of the still woods…the smells of freshly fallen rain trickling over jagged rocks and verdant moss…and the sharp warmth of sudden sun rays on the skin cutting through the damp and humid air. A visit to the heralded heights of Mt. LeConte produces incomparable sensations, never truly replicated, but enough to keep calling outdoor adventurers back to the top time and time again to recapture the moment. The skies, too, have an opportunity at capturing a repeat of yesterday. Mostly sunny skies this morning will lure the weekend crowds to the mountains. Then this afternoon, clouds will spread and thicken in an attempt to saturate the scenery with rain and thunder. Temps along the crest will easily reach into the 60s while the infamous humidity holds firm at 100%. As for Sunday? More of the same. Take the forecast to heart, and come prepared for the conditions. That way you can safely and comfortably enjoy those rare moments of beauty and exhilarating feats of reaching the summit! |
LeConte LodgeWelcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain! Archives
July 2026
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