June 28, 2026

​Round after round of rain continue to roll over the region, while thunder rumbles and rocks across valleys.  Some storms have missed their mark, and some have struck without prejudice.  Some rains have been mists, while others unforgiving toad stranglers.  What has been the theme since yesterday afternoon is expected to persist for much of Sunday.  Already have several notable downpours and boomers passed over the mountain this morning, and while the quiet breaks in between are nice for recollecting one’s thoughts, the repetition means the reprieve is short lived.

While a Flood Watch for our region remains in effect until 11:00 AM, the possibility for more scattered storms and rainfall will linger into the afternoon.  Keep one eye on the radar and another on road condition reports before committing to entering the wilderness, that way you can make the best informed decision about which trail to take to the summit and when.  Trails will be wet regardless, but some trails are going to set you up for a better hike than others in these conditions.  Alum Cave being the shortest and quickest, with its numerous footbridges and recently excavated water diversion trenches, affords hikers the best chance at minimizing exposure and risk.  Other trails like Bull Head, with its miles of canopy-less navigation, or the Boulevard and its lengthy high elevation ridge walk, are not the ideal places to be in a thunderstorm.  Please be smart out there today!