September 25, 2026

​It sure feels like fall now!  Mountain top occupants found themselves waking up to a chilly 43° this morning.  The summit started out cloud-capped, but the rising sun is doing its best to try and break up the veil.  Where outward views appear, the air is clear and verdant landscape stunning.  Given the sunny disposition of the forecast, it sure looks like Mt. LeConte is in for a stunning first weekend of autumn.  Day time highs in the 50s and overnight lows in the 40s will be a welcome change from the last few months of hot and humid.  Hints of color here and there will certainly get visitors excited about the coming leaf show.  The Lodge, nearby overlooks, and trails, are sure to be the happening place now and over the next several weeks.

We’re officially 75% of the way through the 2026 season, and down to 12 hours of daylight.  What is typical at this point on the calendar is the need to modify some of the services we provide in order to allow guests to get as much out of the overnight experience as possible.  Specifically, the time at which supper is served.  Beginning this Sunday, overnight guests with reservations will get to enjoy their well-earned supper at 5:45 PM instead of 6:00 PM.  That way, those guests interested in making the jaunt up to Cliff Tops for a famous Mt. LeConte sunset can do so safely and without feeling rushed in downing a warm meal.  Once we get into October and November, subsequent supper time shifts will occur as well.  In regard to breakfast, that will remain firmly at 8:00 AM through the end of the season (future airlifts outstanding) so that our hard working crew can get all the cabins turned around and dining hall prepped for the new day’s arrivals.