Thanks for the picture of the Florida sunrise. It is second only to the Mt LeConte sunrises. Thursday (1/12) it was 34 degrees when I left the Alum Cave Bluff Trailhead. I started out with several layers of clothing. As I went up it got warmer and warmer. By the time I got to the top it was 55 degrees. The sun was shining and the sky was as clear as I have ever seen it. There were several inches of snow and ice accumulated along the way. No matter how many times I walk that trail it just gets better. The warm temperature and the cold wind made it a perfect climate for walking. I had to use my crampons from about 5500 feet up. I walked past the Lodge and on to the shelter, then back to Cliff Tops. From the boulevard trail to Cliff Tops is a short walk but the views are incredible. It was really unusual feeling the temperature get cooler as I got closer to the trail head. I got back to the parking lot at about 2:15 where the temperature was in the 40’s. Once again it was a great walk in the mountains. Hope to see you here soon.

Bill Keeton