First snow of the year in the Smokies

Allyson Virden, resident manager at the LeConte Lodge atop Mt. LeConte is reporting the first snow of the year in the Smokies. On her "High on LeConte" blog, Ms. Virden is reporting that the mountain received 3 inches of snow on Monday morning, and another half-inch overnight.

She also stated that this is the biggest first snow since 1979.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

LeConte Lodge set to open March 22nd

The 2010 season for the LeConte Lodge is March 22 through November 23.

The Lodge sits atop Mt. LeConte and is accessible only by trail. Hikers can reach the summit and the Lodge via the Alum Cave, Rainbow Falls, Bullhead, Trillium Gap or Boulevard trails

Reservations are required and can be made by calling 865-429-5704 or e-mail reservations@lecontelodge.com.

If you're hoping to stay at the Lodge this year, please note this statement from the LeConte Lodge website:

We began booking 2010 reservations on October 1, 2009. Most weekends are now booked for the 2010 season. Some weekday reservations are available with the exception of June, July, early August and October. E-mail inquiries may take up to 7 business days to receive a reply. If you need an immediate response, please call the reservation office number, 865-429-5704.

Also, don't forget, day hikers and backpackers can purchase a sit-down lunch in the lodge dining room by making reservations at least 48 hours in advance. You can call 865-429-5704 to reserve a spot. Lunch will be served from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm Eastern Time.

Day hikers also have the option of ordering a sack lunch to go, which does not require a reservation.




Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

New website for LeConte Lodge winter caretaker

Last week I received an email from Doug McFalls announcing the launch of his new website. Doug is the winter caretaker at the LeConte Lodge. This coming Friday Doug will be retiring his current website, www.lifeonleconte.com, a site known for some incredibly beautiful photography from the summit of Mt. LeConte.

His new website, www.ReflectionsoftheSmokies.com, is already up and running, and promises to continue with even more inspirational photos from the Smokies.

Doug also mentioned that the management for the LeConte Lodge has decided to do their own blog on their own website. Should be interesting to see how they proceed with this.

Speaking of Mt. LeConte, during the months of December, January, and February, the mountain received more than double the average amount of snowfall.

Mt. LeConte received 112" of snow overall during those three months; in an average year, it receives 51 inches.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Mt. LeConte now has 50 inches of snow!

Doug McFalls, winter caretaker at the LeConte Lodge, is reporting this morning that there are now 50 inches of snow on the ground at the top of Mt. LeConte!

With warmer weather on the way, it looks like this could be the high point this winter for most snow on the ground.

If you haven't been to his site recently, he has some outstanding pictures of some of the winter scenes on the mountain. Please click here to visit his site.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.