Just one month to go in the season now and only eleven hours of sunlight these days. A crescent waning creeps over High Top to the east with the rising sun hot on its tail. The twinkling stars above and the lights of civilization below are gradually becoming muted against the ever brightening blue of the sky. Another gorgeous day is just getting started in the Smokies. Yesterday was very likely the busiest day of foot traffic we’ve experienced at the lodge all season. It should comes as no surprise that today will certainly see the crowds flocking to the mountains again. The views are grand and the air is delightfully warm. Overnight lows barely dipped into the lower 30s during the night, and we ought to easily ascend into the mid 50s again this afternoon. Any winds passing over the crest will be light. Tonight and tomorrow are calling for more of the same. It’s impressive how long some ice and frost can linger in the shade, even as warm as it got yesterday. The last holdout for slick spots will be toward trail’s end before reaching the lodge. Hopefully by today any icy remainder gets melted away and it’s smooth stepping for all hikers coming and going.
Have a great end to the week.
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