Hovering heights, black bears and cougars, uncommon wildlife, and an enormous swinging bridge are all a part of the unimaginable Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina, about 2.5 hours from Greenville, SC.

As we drove up the winding highway to the Mile Excessive Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina, we might see for miles. One of many Rangers instructed us it was the clearest day he had seen up there in a very long time. The peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains loomed within the distance and the Charlotte skyline, greater than a two-hour drive, was seen from the highest of the swinging bridge. 

I couldn’t wait to discover the park – the swinging bridge, the paths, the sky-high vistas, the character heart, and to see the animals. 

About Grandfather Mountain 

Grandfather Mountain is an awfully distinctive place, not just for the well-known Mile Excessive Swinging Bridge however for the various and fragile ecology techniques that decision the mountain residence. At solely 5,000 whole acres, Grandfather Mountain is residence to “16 distinct ecological communities and 72 uncommon or endangered species.” After we had been climbing, there have been indicators in every single place blockading components of the trail off path due to the delicate ecosystems current. The United Nations even added Grandfather Mountain to its worldwide community of Biosphere Reserves in 1992. 

The mountain rises 5,946 ft above sea degree and the Cherokee title for it’s “Tanawha,” which means “a superb hawk or eagle.” Its present title comes from the profile of a grandfather on the mountain. The Mile Excessive Swinging Bridge was devoted in 1952 and was owned by Hugh Morton. He ended up working with the state of North Carolina to protect greater than 4,000 acres of the park. You possibly can learn extra concerning the lengthy and fascinating historical past of the park on the Grandfather Mountain web site. 

Wilson Middle for Nature Discovery

This constructing is model new and components of it are nonetheless in development. I used to be fairly excited to see it since I used to be planning to include some homeschooling actions on our journey to Grandfather Mountain – I used to be not disenchanted. 

The Wilson Middle for Nature Discovery is double the scale of the earlier constructing and homes a number of interactive reveals on Grandfather Mountain’s flora, fauna, animals, ecology techniques, and local weather. It additionally has a present store and restaurant known as Mildred’s Grill, school rooms, and restrooms. We obtained some ice cream on the grill after our hike and it was scrumptious.

We instantly picked up the Junior Naturalist booklet, which inspires youngsters to fill out the details about issues that they study and see on the park. It’s the proper homeschooling booklet I used to be in search of! We had lots of enjoyable filling out the details about crops we noticed, issues we checked out on our hike, and fascinating crops, mushrooms, and minerals we discovered about on the Nature Discovery heart. 

There are reveals all through the middle that target the animals that stay on the mountain and allow you to use sticks of birds behind a display to point out how they fly – it’s neat, sort of like utilizing shadows. 

The geological part is superb. They’ve valuable gems, stones, and minerals prevalent within the park and the encircling area, together with fluorescent ones that mild up underneath black lights. 

I needed to pull my youngsters away from the wind machine that explored climate and local weather. And we discovered concerning the totally different mushrooms current in addition to uncommon wildflowers. There’s an interactive topographical show of the mountain and trails you’ll be able to hike as nicely. The entire place is simply such a cool show of knowledge which you can’t assist however be drawn into it. 

Make sure you test right here for the occasions taking place the day you go. I ought to have executed that once we arrived and ended up lacking some neat Ranger talks and data classes!

Wildlife Habitat

Instantly subsequent to the Wilson Middle for Nature Discovery is the Wildlife Habitat that homes black bears, otters, elk, cougars, and bald eagles. It’s not an enormous space and whereas the paths are steep in locations, they’re paved. Canine should not allowed within the Wildlife Habitat. 

There are Animal Encounters on weekends at 2 pm and day by day Keeper Talks April-October. We stumbled upon one on the elk enclosure once we had been there and had been so joyful we did! We discovered about elk by the cycle of their antlers and obtained to carry and contact one of many antlers that had dropped off of an elk out in Colorado. Since we had been there throughout rutting (mating) season, we heard the superb bugle sound the males make that point of yr. 

Make sure you take a look at the day by day program schedule if you go to plan your go to. 

Mile Excessive Swinging Bridge

Grandfather Mountain’s hottest attraction is arguably the Mile Excessive Swinging Bridge that rises, await it, a mile above sea degree. The bridge is 228 ft lengthy and whereas it’s a swinging bridge, we didn’t really feel a lot swinging so in the event you’re fearful about that, don’t be an excessive amount of! The views up there are simply lovely, particularly since we went on a transparent day. You possibly can both drive up there or hike a 0.4 path to the bridge. 

There’s a present store on the bridge plus restrooms and an exhibit corridor with images by the many years of the park and bridge development. Fairly neat. 

When you summon your braveness and cross the bridge, you’ll be able to proceed trekking up the massive boulders to Linville Peak for a good crazier view of the valley and the bridge itself. It’s so attractive. 

There are day by day applications at 1 and three pm on the swinging bridge that lasts for about 15-20 minutes and anybody is welcome to attend. 

Mountaineering Trails 

I stood on the highest of a ridge, greater than 5,000 ft above sea degree, overlooking the beautiful valley beneath and questioning the place the path was. I couldn’t see it forward and known as out to one in all my daughter’s who was forward of me to decelerate. It seemed just like the path went proper over a cliff. We’re a really adventurous trio, my two daughters and I, however leaping off cliffs is just not on our record of issues to do. My daughter assured me the path didn’t drop off the sting of the world however I needed to see for myself. I used to be anticipating one other ladder on the facet of the mountain, one the place I spotted I’ll have a worry of heights that I didn’t know existed. 

Ought to we proceed on or flip round and return down the best way we got here? I assumed lengthy and onerous and tried to cease my shaking legs. We had been transferring on and finishing the two-mile loop that encompassed components of the strenuous Grandfather Path and the Underwood Path. I made a decision to go on and earlier than I knew it, we had been scaling ladders on the facet of the mountain that I had solely seen in images earlier than. The views had been unreal and my youngsters had been already planning on once we might come again to their new favourite path. 

There are miles and miles of trails on the park, a lot of that are rated as strenuous, and the views are in contrast to some other within the Southeast. The Woods Stroll is simply 0.4 miles and a simple one for households as is the stroll as much as the Swinging Bridge from the parking zone beneath in the event you’d quite hike and never drive up. 

The strenuous trails are over rugged terrain and hikers must use cables and ladders, some on uncovered cliffs and rocks, to summit peaks. These trails should not for inexperienced hikers and canines. If you happen to select to hike these trails, be sure to have good sneakers which have a good grip and loads of water. The path we hiked was solely two miles but it surely took us just a little over two hours due to the terrain and the sport of chutes and ladders we ended up taking part in. There are such a lot of cool spots although, like caves and spectacular views. So if you wish to go there on a day journey to hike plus do the opposite points of interest on the park, depart loads of time. I’d advocate beginning within the morning since climate can rapidly roll in and alter quick. I requested the Ranger about accidents on trails and he stated some individuals have been struck by lightning whereas on the ladders! So don’t go on the ladders throughout a storm. And watch the climate and be ready for it to alter quick. 

Mountaineering trails shut an hour earlier than the park closes. 

Different Issues Not To Miss at Grandfather Mountain 

After we had been driving as much as the bridge, we handed an indication that stated Forrest Gump Ran This Curve. What?! I had no thought this half was within the film. You gained’t miss this because it’s on the best way as much as the swinging bridge. There’s a fairly picnic space on the backside of the curve. 

Additionally, don’t miss picnicking within the park. There are a number of lovely overlooks with inviting picnic benches on the principle highway as much as the swinging bridge. We stopped on the Forrest Gump spot and had lunch whereas watching butterflies and bees benefit from the sunflowers and zinnias subsequent to the picnic bench. 

There are every kind of particular occasions at Grandfather Mountain that any lover of the outside could be involved in. They’ve a Hawk Watch throughout the fall, Junior Naturalist occasions, ecology occasions, area programs, speaker shows, and even night time occasions. A few of these are free whereas others require an additional charge.

Visiting Grandfather Mountain

While you go to, you will need to reserve your tickets on-line. They don’t take walk-ups besides on weekdays and even then, tickets are restricted. If you wish to guarantee entry, buy your ticket on-line. Your ticket admission consists of climbing trails, the Mile Excessive Swinging Bridge, the Wilson Nature Discovery Middle, Wildlife Habitat, ranger talks and a few particular programming. 

Individuals who don’t want to order a time slot for entry to the park are Bridge Membership Members, VIP move holders, and people with pre-paid or complimentary tickets.

While you e book your ticket, it’s a must to select a time slot, and you might be allowed entry for as much as an hour after your chosen time slot. When you enter, you’ll be able to spend on a regular basis you need there. We ended up attending to the park round 9 am, trying out the swinging bridge, doing the two-mile strenuous hike, consuming a picnic lunch, visiting the Wildlife Habitat, and trying out the Wilson Discovery Middle. We didn’t depart till round 3 pm so it was a full day!

Admission charges are $24/grownup, $10/youngsters ages 4-12, $22/age 60+. In case you have AAA, you’ll pay $22/grownup and $9/little one (should current a legitimate AAA card).  Annual passes, known as Bridge Membership, are $80/grownup, $35/little one or you should purchase a gaggle move that admits the member plus 5 individuals, which prices $250. Annual passes additionally embody a number of perks like reductions at present retailers, free espresso/tea at Mildred’s Grill, plus reductions to different space parks like Chimney Rock and the Biltmore. 

Present hours by September 5, 2022 are 8 am – 7 pm (final entry at 5:30 pm).
Hours from September 6-30, 2022 are 9 am – 6 pm (final entry at 4:30 pm).
Fall (October 1-31) hours are Monday – Friday 9 am – 6 pm (final entry is at 4:30 pm) and Saturday and Sunday 8 am – 7 pm (final entry at 5:30 pm). 

Grandfather Mountain is open year-round relying on climate, which may change very quick. It’s at all times a good suggestion to test the climate earlier than you go and on the day you wish to go. Guests are inspired to name the Entrance Gate at 828.733.4337 earlier than making the journey. Whereas tickets are non-refundable, they’re honored as much as a yr after buy date in the event you’re unable to make it or the climate impedes your go to. 

Have you ever been to Grandfather Mountain?

Grandfather Mountain
2050 Blowing Rock Freeway, Linville, NC 28646
800.468.7325

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