Question:    "What's the weather going to be like when I come up?"

    Answer:    The weather on LeConte can change very fast.  It's sometimes 20 degrees cooler on LeConte.  I have found a couple good web links that give the Weater Forecast for the Smokies and a phone number that will give you weather updates and road conditions for the Park.

    The closest Weather Forecast to Mt. LeConte I have found is here:    http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=35.61488368245436&lon=-83.419189453125&site=gsp&smap=1&marine=0&unit=0&lg=en  

    For a more general Smoky Mountain Forecast;    http://weather.yahoo.com/united-states//great-smoky-mountains-national-park-55843518/

    For weather and road updates from the park service call: 865-436-1200

    Question:    "What is the easiest trail to Mt. LeConte?"

    Answer:    There is no "easiest trail."  There are six ways up Mt. LeConte and they are all hard work.  I'm not trying to scare anyone off from coming up Leconte for the first time.  But if someone that has hiked LeConte before tells you that this trail of that trail is easy that person either has and ego problem or they are just plain nutty.  Even the most experienced hikers should  take this mountain seriously.  The Alum Cave Trail is the shortest at about 5 miles and the most traveled but you will experience almost 3000 feet of elevation gain, exposed cliffs,  shear heights, and undisciplined children.  The Trillium Gap Trail is the most gradual climb and easiest on the knees.  But you travel almost 7 miles, gain about 4000 feet of elevation and encounter plenty Llama Poop.  I recommend researching all the trails and picking the one that best suits your level of fitness and the weather conditions. 

    Question:    "I know the Boulevard Trail is over 8 miles long but isn't it a fairly flat and easy hike?"

    Answer:    NO!  The Boulevard may be the most difficult trail up Mt. LeConte.  It is not flat or easy to hike.  I have seen more than one group of hikers show up late to dinner and completely worn out because they thought the Boulevard Trail would be a nice leisurely stroll.  The hike does start at the highest elevation of any of the trails to LeConte but you will loose and gain a lot of elevation (you will go down the hill and then back up) (a lot).  The last mile up to the peak of Mt. LeConte is a killer!  But on a clear day the Boulevard Trail is magnificent.  It offers some of the most spectacular views in the Smokies.  I absolutely recommend hiking this trail.  Get your legs in shape and pick a clear day without too much wind!

    Question:    "Do y'all have to hike up here to work every day?"    Yes we hear this question often.

    Answer:    No we take the service road.  (Just Kidding)  Actually we live in crew cabins at the Lodge.  We have our own places that are rustic but very cozy.  Like most jobs we get eight days off a month.  We coordinate with the rest of the crew and take our days how we want.  Sometimes I will take all eight days in a row but most months I will break my days up into two or three breaks.  I like to work about two weeks and then take off for a few days.  We go down the mountain each time we are off.  So I will climb the mountain two or three times a month and go down two or three times a month.   

    Question:  "Which trail do you take up and down Mt. LeConte?"

    Answer:    That depends on the weather and how much time I have.  If the weather is nice and I have plenty of time you might find me on any of  the trails on the mountain.  If the weather is bad and I don't have  lots of time I will take the Alum Cave Trail.  I can climb the Alum Cave Trail in about two hours and come back down in about an hour and a half.



    Question:  "Do Y'all have to eat the same food that you serve the guests?"

    Answer:    No we don't.  We serve the guests a very nice meal.  It's hot and hearty.  But it's the same meal for each round of guests that climb the mountain.  If we had to eat the same meal every day employee moral would be pretty low!  We have groceries sent up on the Llamas every Wednesday and the Head Cook or I  prepare lunch and dinner for the crew. 

    Question:  "How do Y'all get all that stuff up there?"

    Answer:  We have an airlift once a year in the middle of March.  The helicopter brings all of our propane (our fuel source).  As well as all of our non-perishable food items like canned foods, evaporated milk, wine, flour, sugar, coffee, tang, cornmeal, etc. etc.  The helicopter also brings in all the T Shirts and merchandise we sell,  crew supplies, construction materials and anything else we can fly in.
    During the remainder of the season we use the Llamas.  Everybody loves Llamas!  The Llamas come up LeConte every Monday, Wednesday and Friday following the Trillium Gap Trail.  On Monday the Llamas bring us clean linens for the guest beds.  On Wednesday they bring fresh groceries.  On Friday it's clean linen again.  The Llamas bring our mail and always take down dirty linens and recyclable goods from the kitchen.  The crew is always happy to see the Llamas!

    Question:  "Where can I get a good haircut?"

    Answer:    Free haircuts every day ending in the letter "Y".