June 19, 2025

After several consecutive days of hit-or-miss storms, this morning’s rain showers were steady-Eddy. It might have just been the exclamation point to a wet week though, as skies began to clear shortly after lunch time and have only continued to improve. The forecast for this weekend now is looking stupendous for any sun lover. Beginning Friday, the precip chances for the mountains plummet and the opportunity for clear and bright skies soars. A few important tidbits to note if you have desires of venturing into the most visited national park in the next few days:

*This weekend marks the official start of summer, and being this far along in June, means the vacationers will really be diving into their travel agendas. Expect vast crowds in our region as is normal for this time of year.
*It’s the first entirely sun-filled weekend we’ve had forecast in quite some time. Combine that with the coming heat wave, and you have a recipe for outdoor explorers flocking to the cooler creeks and higher elevations of the Smokies. En essence, the trails of Mt. LeConte.
*With recent flood damage causing a closure of I-40 that navigates the park’s east side, expect vehicle traffic to and from western NC to take the next path of least resistance. Typically this means US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC. So be sure and factor in that once unplanned volume of visitation.

So, you have numerous reason why early starts are beneficial. Beat the heat, beat the crowds, spend more time enjoying nature, spend less time idling in a cramped car. Temps at the summit will creep close to 70° this weekend, with overnight lows comfortably in the 50s. Add in that humidity and you have some hot hiking about to happen. PLEASE be smart by drinking ample hydration, taking adequate breaks, keeping the body nourished, and donning sun protection. Entering into the wilderness unprepared for the summer heat can wreck you in a hurry.

Kudos to the NPS road crews for quickly addressing the downed tree and affected bridge on Roaring Fork. The popular one-way road is back open to the public offering folks access to the 6.7 mile Trillium Gap Trail.