Helicopter operations will temporarily close the lodge and may cause traffic delays along Newfound Gap Road
GATLINBURG, Tenn. (Smokies.LIVE Adventure Center) — Great Smoky Mountains National Park is planning additional helicopter airlifts Sept. 14-18 to remove materials from the demolished LeConte Lodge Recreation Building.
The scheduled airlift operations are expected to take place from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Hazardous weather could delay flights or cause operations to extend beyond the scheduled window.
The park has designated Sept. 19-25 as makeup dates if weather prevents the airlifts from taking place as scheduled.
Visitors traveling along U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road near the Oconaluftee Overlook, just south of Newfound Gap, should expect temporary traffic delays while the helicopter loads and unloads materials.
For safety reasons, LeConte Lodge will be closed to hikers during the flight windows. Visitors will not have access to the lodge gift shop, restrooms, water spigots or food and beverage services while the helicopter is operating because those facilities are within the safety perimeter.
The lodge’s gift shop and other visitor services will reopen once the airlift operation ends.
Hikers already on Mount Le Conte will still be able to access trails and overlooks around the mountaintop during the airlift window. Park officials will station flaggers at three locations on trails near LeConte Lodge to advise hikers and temporarily pause trail traffic during active helicopter operations.
Visitors planning to hike Mount Le Conte during the scheduled airlift period should plan accordingly and allow extra time for possible delays.
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