September 28th, 2024

ROADS UPDATE:
🟢Cherokee Orchard Rd is open. Visitors have access to Rainbow Falls and Bull Head trails.

🛑US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) and Roaring Fork remain temporarily closed.

TRAILS UPDATE:
Rainbow Falls, Bull Head, Trillium Gap, and Alum Cave trails are all clear.
Boulevard has one tree down, but is passable.

All hazardous weather alerts have expired!⚠️

Conditions this evening and into Sunday will be mostly cloudy with light winds and intermittent showers as remnants of Helene continue to weaken.

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ROADS UPDATE:
🟢Cherokee Orchard Rd is back open. Visitors now have access to Rainbow Falls and Bull Head trails.

🛑US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) and Roaring Fork remain temporarily closed.

TRAILS UPDATE:
Bull Head is clear.
Alum Cave is clear.
Boulevard has one tree down, but is passable.
Trillium Gap is clear above the gap. Below is TBD.
Rainbow Falls is TBD.

⚠️A Wind Advisory is in effect until 5:00 PM Saturday. Gusts of 40mph still possible.
⚠️A Flood Warning is in effect until 8:00 PM Saturday.

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Good Morning,

What a week! Although Helene is in the process of fizzling out, our region is still susceptible to high winds and spotty rain showers today. A large portion of the national park, including Mt. LeConte, remains inaccessible today on account of the hazardous conditions. As of reporting time this morning, the Lodge is up to 10.25” of rainfall since the storms first began. Wind gusts also maxed out close to 65mph last night. Conditions will be very breezy still today, with slight rain chances, and mostly cloudy skies. A number of weather alerts remain active. Temps will be mild in the 50s.

A Flood Warning is in effect until 10:00 AM Saturday.
A Wind Advisory is in effect until 11:00 AM Saturday. Gusts up to 50mph possible.

Currently all roads providing access to Mt. LeConte trailheads are temporarily closed. This means US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd), Cherokee Orchard Rd/Roaring Fork, and even Greenbrier Rd. In addition, the NPS issued a statement yesterday evening encouraging visitors to reschedule their trips for their own safety, and to reduce traffic in surrounding communities impacted by the storms. They are not recommending hiking or backcountry travel due to the unpredictability of creek crossings and other hazardous trail conditions this weekend.

Although Mt. LeConte has faired considerably well during this epic rain event, the surrounding gateway communities and entire southern Appalachian region have been absolutely battered by monumental flooding. Our thoughts and support are with those friends and families whose homes and businesses have been devastated by the rising and fast moving waters.

Reminder that guests with reservations for Saturday 9/28 and Sunday 9/29 have rescheduling options as a result of the NPS closures and extreme weather warnings. Hopefully by Monday, conditions will have improved and accessibility will resume inside the park allowing for safe outdoor recreation. We will continue to provide updates as we receive them.

Have a great day.