September 18, 2025

The mountain crest has been in and out of the clouds today, but no one seems to mind when it feels so fine. The mood is definitely one that is ready to welcome autumn. The sights, sounds, and smells of the surrounding landscape continue their subtle march away from summer. These kinds of days are some of the best for hiking in the Smokies. As we enter the weekend, conditions will be mostly sunny and pleasant at our location, with only itty-bitty possibilities for rain each day. Temps are going to roll between 50s and 60s.

While the NPS Trail Crews will continue to rehab Bull Head Trail until early November, the team that has been up here since May is being reassigned. They sure accomplished quite a bit this summer, and we’re thankful for all they’ve done on our various trails. Hikers can admire their hard work during the miles-long treks to and from the Lodge, and also along those spur trails accessing the many grand vistas.

Heads up to visitors coming to the mountain from the TN side. Beginning next week, a section of Cherokee Orchard Rd in Gatlinburg (not the park) will be closed for repair work. The project is expected to last two weeks. So anyone looking to drive up to Rainbow Falls or Grotto Falls parking lots will need to come from the direction of the Space Needle. Trying to circumvent downtown by way of Baskins Creek/Pi Beta Phi Elementary will find that option blocked. And because we’re approaching October, count on this reroute creating more than average traffic congestion in Gatlinburg.