Grandfather Mountain Winter Weather Contest

Below is a fun contest from the folks at Grandfather Mountain regarding predicting the weather, good luck!. For more information on our trail write-ups at Grandfather Mountain click Here.

The Woolly Worm has made its prediction and all the weather experts are completing their forecasts for the coming winter, now it’s your turn. This year marks the 7th Annual Winter Weather Contest for E-Club members. Enter to win by November 14. 

“Winter” for this contest is November 15 through April 15. Those interested are asked to fill out the questionnaire with their winter predictions. 

Please note that the snowfall measurement used for this winter’s contest will be taken from data gathered at the Entrance Gate. High winds at the top of the Mountain have affected precipitation data in previous years and the amount recorded at that location is generally less than what the Mountain actually experiences. Temperature and wind readings will continue to come from the top of the Mountain. 

Grandfather’s previous winter weather data has been included under some questions to provide reference. Since the location for the snow measurements has been changed for the contest, no past reference information is given on questions pertaining to precipitation.
A Winter Weather Winner will be named at the end of April and will receive a day pass for six to the Mountain with lunch included at Mildred’s Grill. 

All Grandfather Mountain Winter Weather forecasts are due Wednesday, November 14 by midnight. Click HERE for contest.

Peak Beauty of Fall Foliage at Grandfather Mountain

Below is an informative press release from Grandfather Mountain regarding their peak fall foliage  For more information on our trail write-ups at Grandfather Mountain click Here.

Grandfather Mountain is considered one of the best fall color destinations in the Southern Appalachians because of Grandfather’s amazing diversity of plant life. As autumn approaches and the chlorophyll begins to fade from the leaves, the yellow and red pigments that lay beneath the green chlorophyll begin to show through. And because each different species of plant revels a little bit different hue and shade, the abundant variety of plant species at Grandfather reveal an abundant variety of autumn colors. 

Contributing most to the seasonal spectacular is the fact that Grandfather is blessed with a wide diversity of hardwood trees. Bright yellow cottonwoods, golden poplars, pumpkin-colored beech trees, orange sugar maples, blood-red sourwoods, rusty red oaks, crimson-colored huckleberries, wine-colored sweetgums and purple dogwoods all contrast against the gray boulders and evergreen firs for a kaleidoscope of color. 

Elevation also contributes to the diversity of plant species and diversity of color. Because Grandfather Mountain rises abruptly from the valley floor, 4,000 feet in elevation above the Catawba River Valley to the east and 2,000 feet in elevation above Linville Gap to the west, different ecosystems exist at different levels. There are sixteen distinct ecological communities in these various zones, which is one reason why the United Nations made Grandfather the first privately owned unit in its international network of biosphere reserves. 

Glaciers are another reason for the diversity of plant species and diversity of color. In the North, the slowly shifting glacial ice of the last Ice Age ground away the top soil, destroying all plant life as it moved. Plants and trees that were common in those areas only survived south of the glaciers’ range. As the temperatures rose, those northern plants found havens in the high elevations of the Appalachians. 

Similarly, many Southern plant species find the northernmost terminus of their range in the Grandfather Mountain area. That produces a unique blend of plants that co-exist nowhere else on earth, and they in turn produce a unique blend of showy autumn hues that can be found nowhere else in the South. 

The changing of the fall colors is always a miracle, and anywhere you travel in the North Carolina mountains to look at leaves will be a treat. But if a friend tells you that the Blue Ridge Parkway between Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain is the best fall color destination in the South, don’t dismiss it as hype. Because diversity of plant life means diversity of colors, and Grandfather Mountain is the most biologically diverse mountain in the East.

October Brings Family Fun to the Grandfather Mountain Animal Habitats

This looks like a fun event at Grandfather Mountain's Animal Habitats. For more information on our Animal Habitats Write-Up click Here. 

This October, Grandfather Mountain will feature two events that center around the Animal Habitats. "Creatures of the Night and Bonfire Delight" and "Beary Scary Halloween" are two great ways to celebrate the Autumn season, experience the wonder of Grandfather Mountain and have fun with the family. 

"Creatures of the Night and Bonfire Delight" is a special program on October 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. that allows guests to sign up for different tours, all of which explore a different aspect of the mountain after dark. Reservations required: 828-733-8715. Participants must be at least eight years old to attend. Cost is $12 for children ages 8 to 12 years old and $18 for adults.

Join in the second annual “Beary Scary Halloween” festivities and help the Mountain raise funds for renovations on Grandfather's eagle habitat. Celebrate Halloween at Grandfather with crafts, nature programs, trick or treating, and a costume contest. Included with park admission. Children in costume get in for half price. Halloween activities take place on October 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are included with regular admission. Click Here for a list of the Halloween events.

Grandfather Mountain Videos

Here are a couple of Videos from Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. This will give you a feel for how windy it can get at Grandfather Mountain. The top video is from MacRae Peak and the bottom on is from Split Rock.  Here is a list of Hikes/Adventures at Grandfather Mountain: MacRae Peak, Mile High Swinging Bridge, and Wildlife Habitats.

Grandfather Mountain MacRae Peak

One of the great challenging hikes at Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina is the trail to MacRae Peak (5,845 feet). MacRae Peak is one of 3 peaks on what is known as Grandfather Mountain.  The hike to MacRae Peak at Grandfather Mountain is spectacular as it offers stunning views over the North Carolina high country. This is an out and back hike, but can be made into a loop if you want to also see the Mile High Swinging Bridge. For more pictures of this hike at Grandfather Mountain, make sure to check out our Facebook Page.

Directions to Trailhead: The entrance to Grandfather Mountain is located on US 221, two miles north of Linville, North Carolina, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305. The street address for the entrance is: 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646. The road to the summit is referred to as Grandfather Mountain Entrance Road, Linville, NC. Once inside Grandfather Mountain follow the road to the Grandfather Mountain trails parking area, there is a sign for the parking area just before you reach the Top Shop area at the end of the road. For a map of the location where Grandfather Mountain is click Here. For a map of trails at Grandfather Mountain click Here.

Description of Hike: This is a rugged hike up to one of the tall peaks at Grandfather Mountain. The trail to MacRae Peak is strenuous as it is rocky in portions and utilizes a series of ladders to scale a series of rock faces up to the summit of MacRae Peak at Grandfather Mountain. This hike is best done as a loop with the Mile High Swinging Bridge from the trails parking area. This hike with the loop has roughly 800 feet of elevation gain and is 2.6 miles roundtrip. If you want a shorter hike without going to the Mile High Swinging Bridge take the Grandfather Trail Extension from the Trail parking area and make a right when you intersect with the Grandfather Trail and follow all the way to MacRae Peak. This shortened version of the hike still gains roughly 800 feet of elevation and is approximately 1.8 miles roundtrip. Our hike to MacRae Peak via the Grandfather Trail, did not utilize the Underwood Trail, as the Grandfather Trail is a more direct route to MacRae Peak. The hike to MacRae Peak is a strenuous hike that offers amazing views at the summit. There is a fee per person to enter Grandfather Mountain, for current costs click Here.

Further Thoughts: This was a great hike. The trail is well maintained and the ladders attached to the rocks receive frequent maintenance, which is a good thing! While hiking to the peak, we saw several people out working on some of the ladders, which made us feel safe. MacRae Peak offers amazing views to those who reach its summit. It is also a very windy place, even on most clear days. Bottom-line when doing this hike, make sure you dress appropriately and to pay attention to the weather as it can change quickly. 

MacRae is climbable all year around. But in the winter you would need full on snow and ice gear at times. MacRae Peak is not as high as western mountains but conditions can get very rough. Summer can have bad thunderstorms and lightning strikes are a serious concern. It can get real windy up here too. Use common since when doing this hike. Despite the strenuous nature of this hike and potential weather concerns, this is a must do hike when visiting Grandfather Mountain for those that are looking for a challenging and rewarding hike. For a video of the winds when we did this hike, click Here.

The views on Grandfather Mountain are more than just another pretty picture. As you breathe the crisp air and scan the surrounding hills, you will feel far away from the cars of the world. Perhaps it's because Grandfather Mountain's peaks loom almost 6,000 feet above sea level, revealing unrivaled landscapes that calm any hikers spirit. A pristine haven for diverse wildlife and rugged topography, the mountain will expand your horizons and protect your peace of mind, too. This is a must do hike and we definitely recommend a visit to Grandfather Mountain.

Rating: Elevation Gain: 800 ft. (Strenuous), Distance: 2.6 Miles (Strenuous).

Time to Complete Hike: 2 - 2.5 hours.

FOR MORE TRAIL WRITE-UPS ON GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN

MacRae Peak (This Post)

Mile High Swinging Bridge

Wildlife Habitats

View Grandfather Mountain Mile High Swinging Bridge and MacRae Peak in a larger map

Grandfather Mountain Mile High Swinging Bridge

One of the great hikes at Grandfather Mountain is the trail to the mile high swinging bridge. The hike to the mile high swinging bridge at Grandfather Mountain is spectacular as it offers stunning views over the North Carolina high country. The hike is a loop that utilizes the Bridge Trail, the Grandfather Trail and the Grandfather Trail Extension, and is a must do for those that visit Grandfather Mountain. For more pictures make sure to check out our Facebook Page.

Directions to Trailhead: The entrance to Grandfather Mountain is located on US 221, two miles north of Linville, North Carolina, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305. The street address for the entrance is: 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646. The road to the summit is referred to as Grandfather Mountain Entrance Road, Linville, NC. Once inside Grandfather Mountain follow the road to the Grandfather Mountain trails parking area, there is a sign for the parking area just before you reach the Top Shop at the end of the road. For a map of the location where Grandfather Mountain is click Here. For a map of trails at Grandfather Mountain click Here.

Description of Hike: The hike to the mile high swinging bridge at Grandfather Mountain is a loop that utilizes several trails. The trail is well maintained however much of the trail contains uneven rocks and roots from nearby trees. From the parking area take the Bridge Trail 0.4 miles to the Top Shop area. It is at this point that you cross the mile high swinging bridge (Actually it is more than a mile high), to Linville Peak which is 5,303 feet in elevation and provides great views of Grandfather Mountain and the surrounding North Carolina Mountains. Return back across the bridge and cross the parking area and take the Grandfather Trail to proceed back down to the parking area. In just under 0.4 miles from the Top Shop area at the mile high swinging bridge you will intersect with the Grandfather Trail Extension which will take you back to the the Trails Parking area at Grandfather Mountain. From the trail intersection to the Parking area is 0.6 miles for a total hike of approximately 1.6 miles roundtrip and approximately 350 feet of elevation gain. We would classify this as a moderate hike due to the intensity of the terrain. There is a fee per person to enter Grandfather Mountain, for current costs click Here. If you want a longer hike you can hike to MacRae Peak which is located at an elevation of 5,845 feet. This will add an additional 1.2 miles roundtrip and an additional 400 feet in elevation gain for a total hike of 2.8 miles and 800 feet of elevation gain, which we classify as strenuous. For more information click on our MacRae Peak hike below, additionally the trail designated in Yellow on the Google Map below is the trail to MacRae Peak. There is a fee per person to enter Grandfather Mountain, for current costs click Here.

Further Thoughts: The hike to Grandfather Mountain's mile high swinging bridge is a must do when you visit Grandfather Mountain. The terrain the hike goes through is unparalleled and the views continue to get better the higher up the mountain you go, with the best views being found on Linville Peak. We found the trails at Grandfather Mountain were well marked and were well maintained by park staff. Additionally, since this is a popular hiking trail at Grandfather Mountain, you will likely see other visitors out enjoying the trails. If you are here on a windy day, one of the cool things is listening to the bridge hum as the wind hits the bridge. For a video of the winds when we did this hike, click Here

The mile high swinging bridge was built to give visitors easy access to the breath-taking view from Grandfather Mountain's Linville Peak. The 228-foot suspension bridgespans an 80-foot chasm at more than one mile in elevation. Surveys by the staff at Grandfather Mountain have shown that the journey to the other side of the mile high swinging bridge is always considered the highlight of a trip to Grandfather Mountain.

The  mile high swinging bridge was originally constructed in 1952 and was rebuilt in 1999 using the original towers. The cables, floor boards and side rails were all replaced using galvanized steel. One of the main advantages of the modern building materials is that they do not have to be painted. Now Grandfather Mountain employees will not have to hang out over the gorge to paint the span. The 228-foot steel structure is America's highest suspension footbridge.

This is a must do hike for those that visit Grandfather Mountain.

Rating: Elevation Gain: 350 ft. (Moderate), Distance: 1.6 Miles (Moderate).

Time to Complete Hike: 1 - 1.5 hours.

FOR MORE TRAIL WRITE-UPS ON GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN

MacRae Peak

Mile High Swinging Bridge (This Post)

Wildlife Habitats

View Grandfather Mountain Mile High Swinging Bridge and MacRae Peak in a larger map

Grandfather Mountain Wildlife Habitats

One of the places we have had the opportunity to visit on our adventures in North Carolina was Grandfather Mountain. Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina has great hiking trails and offers amazing scenic vistas. Grandfather Mountain also offers a great chance to see North Carolina Wildlife in its natural habitat (Zoo). Grandfather Mountain has seven environmental habitats for black bears, river otters, cougars, bald eagles, golden eagles, and white-tailed deer. The Museum and Wildlife habitats are a great place to visit when you come to Grandfather Mountain.

Directions to Trailhead: The entrance to Grandfather Mountain is located on US 221, two miles north of Linville, North Carolina, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305. The street address for the entrance is: 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646. The road to the summit is referred to as Grandfather Mountain Entrance Road, Linville, NC. Once inside Grandfather Mountain follow the road to the Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum and Wildlife Habitat. For a map of the location where Grandfather Mountain is click Here. For a map of trails at Grandfather Mountain click Here.

Description of Hike: The Grandfather Mountain environmental habitats are large enclosures that allow visitors to see animals in natural settings. Unlike the exhibits found in city zoos which bring in plants and boulders to recreate an appropriate setting, these enclosures were built around the animals' actual native habitat. Viewing areas give visitors an up-close perspective of the animals as they live in the wild. Separated from the animals by moats or elevated above the habitats on large retaining walls, these viewing areas allow you to stand only a few feet away from animals you probably won't see in your everyday life. A special aquarium-like viewing area allows you to enjoy watching the playful otters above or below the water. There is a fee per person to enter Grandfather Mountain, for current costs click Here.

The pathways at the Grandfather Mountain Wildlife Habitats are well maintain with minimal elevation gain. The entire loop is less than half a mile walk. There are informative exhibits around the Grandfather Mountain Wildlife Habitat explaining about the animals. This is a fun hike in Grandfather Mountain that is enjoyable for the whole family.

Further Thoughts: We really enjoyed our visit to the Grandfather Mountain Wildlife Habitats. It was neat to see all the animals in a natural setting. The bear exhibit was probably our favorite, but a close second was when we got to see the Mountain Lions at Grandfather Mountain. We found the staff at Grandfather Mountain helpful and very friendly. For those that are interest you can also get a behind the scenes tour of the habitats, for more information click Here. There is also a foundation that supports Grandfather Mountain, for more information about the foundation click Here.

Rating: Elevation Gain: Minimal (Very Easy), Distance: 0.5 Miles (Easy).

Time to Complete Hike: 30 minutes.

FOR MORE TRAIL WRITE-UPS ON GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN

MacRae Peak

Mile High Swinging Bridge

Wildlife Habitats (This Post)


View Grandfather Mountain Wildlife Habitat (Zoo) in a larger map