October 27, 2025

The final weekend of October was much like the others before it…decent skies, plenty of sunshine, comfortable temps, and bustling crowds all flocking to the Smokies to observe the colors. These last few days of the month are likely going to paint a much different picture though. We are bound to experience a diverse assortment of weather conditions, but sunshine and warmth won’t be among them. Substantial rainfall already began yesterday and is going to be a recurring presence all week. By early Thursday, temps will drop enough to see precip at our elevation transition over to snow. Trails are going to be a sloppy slog this entire week. Anyone dressed unprepared for the conditions is sure to endure a miserable hike due to the unavoidable wet and cold elements.

With it being autumn, this presents other hazards in the way of trees and leaves. Freshly fallen leaf litter can obscure rocks and roots underfoot that also become especially slick during rainfall. Then trees still clinging to their leaves can become weighed down by added snow and ice and are more likely to sag or snap, which can create blockages on trail or along roadways. Pay close attention to forecasts and road conditions in the park this week if a visit to Mt. LeConte is on the agenda, having alternate plans already drawn up if your preferred route suddenly becomes unattainable.